Newsroom

Transition: Micki Knuckles appointed new Executive Director

      Big changes have happened at Willamette Family. Hillary Wylie, who had been the Executive Director since November 1988, has retired, and Micki Knuckles, Assistant Director and Director of Treatment, has stepped up. Hillary gave her notice nearly a year ago to give the Board of Directors plenty of time to find a new director. Following several months of state and national advertising, and going through an extensive interview process, Micki emerged as the most qualified candidate and the obvious choice.

     Hillary recruited Micki during her first year at Willamette Family and relied heavily on her for keeping the home front running smoothly while she was away at meetings and working on the state and national levels. Both Micki and Hillary have had an enormous passion for reaching out to the suffering alcoholic and addict and helping them into recovery.  Together they wrote grants, acquired new properties, and implemented new programs. Through the years, the combination proved to be a winner, and the agency has expanded and grown in respect and recognition.

     Hillary believes that Willamette Family has proved itself as one of the top alcohol and drug treatment agencies in the state. On more than once occasion, state officials have brought federal dignitaries to visit Willamette Family as a state-of-the-art agency.  She believes that our treatment services are unique and stands head and shoulders above any similar programs in the country.

     Hillary was in the beginning stages of planning a capital campaign to build a Child Development Center, to complete a campus plan for Willamette Family, when the economic downturn occurred. Micki, who has always had a good head for operations and a hands-on approach, will work to complete the project.

     As Hillary cleaned out her office and packed up a twenty-one year career at Willamette Family, she said she was more than ready to move on. As each box went out the door and as file cabinets and desk drawers were emptied, she said she felt lighter and lighter. She plans to complete her first novel, apply her many strengths and accomplishments to her role as Springfield City Council member, and spend quality time with her family. She wishes Micki the very best as the new Executive Director for the coming years especially given these tough economic times, acknowledging Micki has a strong and loyal staff to support her.

     Micki has already proven herself a resilient and capable leader with more than 25 years of experience in the addiction treatment field. Micki has been responsible for program development and implementation, clinical supervision, recruitment and training of qualified staff, grant writing, data evaluation and analysis, as well as budgeting. She recently has overseen the expansion of the agency to an outpatient facility in Cottage Grove and the establishment of a Downtown Center for Outpatient Treatment and DUII classes. Micki is a capable and competent manager and has spent years developing a staff of highly trained professionals to assist her in operating the many programs at Willamette Family.

     With the guidance of a dedicated Board of Directors, filled with great minds and talented leaders within the community, Willamette Family will continue to provide life changing programs to men, women, adolescents, and children in our community. And, under the calm and careful guidance of new Executive Director, Micki Knuckles, the agency will continue to grow and flourish as it evolves into the future.