Dayton Reporter

The Board of County Commissioners approved two promotions that will ensure continuity for the County’s Human Services functions.

Geraldine Pegues is now Assistant County Administrator for Human Services, and Jessica Jenkins is the new Director of Human Services Planning and Development (HSPD). Both women bring a wealth of experience in safety net programming and responsible administration of Human Services Levy dollars within Montgomery County. Pegues is replacing Tom Kelley, who will become President and CEO of the United Way of the Greater Dayton Area effective Sept. 5. Jenkins is replacing Pegues as the top official at HSPD.

“Gerri is uniquely qualified to be our Assistant County Administrator for Human Services,” said Carolyn Rice, Montgomery County Commission President. “She will be supervising our directors of both Job and Family Services and Human Services Planning and Development, and she’s held high positions in both departments. She will also supervise the Stillwater Center, which houses citizens with profound physical and cognitive challenges, and she’s been heavily involved in those services through the levy. Nobody in the county has as much experience in safety net programming.”

Pegues has been with HSPD for over 15 years, serving as Director and Assistant Director nine of those years. She also served as Assistant Director for our Job and Family Services - Children Services Division and served in other capacities within the Division such as Contract Monitor/Grant Writer and Child Welfare Caseworker. She has been with Montgomery County for 30 years, beginning her career as a Probation Officer at Montgomery County Juvenile Court in 1992.

“Gerri has been such an asset to our community, particularly with regard to her leadership in ensuring successful Human Services Levy campaigns for decades,” said Michael Colbert, Montgomery County Administrator. “She not only worked tirelessly to get voter support for the levy, she worked with our independent Levy Council, her HSPD team, Public Health and other partners to help set priorities for levy dollars that meet the current needs. Gerri also made sure that results were measured and we were accountable to Montgomery County taxpayers.”

Jenkins has been HSPD Assistant Director since December of 2015, focusing much of her energy on programming, strategic planning and serving as our Housing and Homeless Solutions Manager. Prior to joining the County, Jessica was Chief Operating Officer for Miami Valley Housing Opportunities. She also served as Community Development Analyst for the city of Dayton from 2006 to 2013.

Original source can be found here.