Gleaners food bank CEO to step down

Originally posted on Crain’s Detroit Business by Sherri Welch

Gerry Brisson, president and CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan, will step down after leading the organization for more than a decade. 

Brisson, 59, will continue in his role until his successor is in place.

“After 19 incredible years with Gleaners, I have profound gratitude for the privilege of leading this organization. I am extremely proud of what Gleaners has accomplished in my tenure, and it has been an honor to witness the growth of an amazing team to do more and better for our community,” Brisson said in a news release. “Gleaners is poised and ready for a new leader who will bring a fresh vision. This transition is an opportunity to welcome new wisdom and strength, ensuring Gleaners continues to thrive and be a resource for our neighbors.”

Gleaners’ board will engage a search firm and launch a national search for a new president and CEO in March, with the goal of naming a replacement within the year, board Secretary Ned Greenberg, who is co-chairing the search committee, told Crain’s.

“We have over the period of (Brisson’s) service expanded our service greatly … we’re in a perfect place for him to say it’s time for a new vision,” said Greenberg, retired president of DataNet Quality Systems and a member of the food bank’s board for a total of 20 years. “We’re financially sound, and it’s time for a new champion to carry us into the future.”

Gleaners named Brisson to lead the Detroit-based nonprofit in 2014 after he’d served for nearly eight year as senior vice president of advancement overseeing fundraising and communications for the food bank.

Under his direction, the food bank last year distributed 53.16 million pounds of food to those in need in Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland and Wayne counties. It’s projecting $115 million in total revenue for fiscal 2024, including the value of the food and a cash budget of more than $30 million, a spokesperson for the nonprofit said.

Among other successes during his tenure, Brisson led Gleaners through the challenges of meeting historic levels of need during the COVID-19 pandemic, in part, by putting together a system of pickup locations and mobile deliveries around the region.

“Through his leadership, we responded … swiftly and effectively,” Greenberg said.

Gleaners in 2021 acquired a site in Taylor that more than doubled its space and capacity to distribute emergency food. And it accelerated fundraising to help meet needs during the pandemic and after as supports expired.

This spring, the regional food bank will open a $5 million client choice pantry on the border of Warren and Detroit to help fill the unmet need for emergency food in the area.

Brisson also led the creation of a strategic framework that is centered on compassion, excellence and innovation amid community impact, resource growth and trust.

“One thing that I think Gerry really stresses is that providing food aid is not a handout. It’s an … investment in people … in our community (and) in our future,” Greenberg said.