On March 4, Project Warm named Frank Schwartz its executive director.
“This was a unanimous decision,” said Hunt Helm, president of Project Warm’s Board of Directors. “It was important to us that the person we select to fill the position not only understand the challenges faced by a non-profit agency, but also have a good sense for business and the ability to adapt through a variety of challenges. Most importantly, we were looking for a person who would be passionate about helping our clients and no one is as passionate about our clients as Frank.”
Schwartz began serving as the acting director this past October. He has been with the agency since its establishment in 1981 and became the full time volunteer coordinator in 1982. When education was added to the mix of services in 1990, Schwartz became the educational director.
Born in Budapest, Schwartz escaped from Hungary after a 1956 uprising and became a refugee in Toronto, Canada. He moved to New York in 1960 and served in the U.S. Army from 1966-68. Schwartz came to Louisville in 1974 to attend the University of Louisville. He earned a masters degree in social work from the Kent School of Social Work in community organization.
“Affordable housing and energy conservation is a community issue,” Schwartz said when asked why he chose Project Warm and has stayed there for so long. “I believe that my work with Project Warm gives me the opportunity to make a difference in the areas of housing and energy efficiency.”
Project Warm is a not-for-profit organization, which provides free, year round, weatherization and education and services. Since its establishment, more than 37,000 low-income households in Louisville have been served, reducing their energy bills up to 20 percent and saving more than $25 million in energy costs.