CIR hires Heather Meyer as next director

Community Inclusive Recreation has hired Heather Meyer as executive director, the organization's third full-time director since its founder Linda Linke retired in 2013.

Meyer replaces Jonathan Beal, who resigned Aug. 1. She comes to the organization from Indiana-based Vanguard Eldercare Medical Group, where she served as the senior regional director. She is a Marshall resident and a 2008 graduate of Miller College.

Meyer said she was drawn to CIR because of its "mission to achieve true inclusivity" for Calhoun County residents. She said her brother, Caleb, has Down Syndrome, and that she has seen firsthand how people with special needs are bettered by actively participating in community activities.

"My overall vision for CIR is to take it to the next level," she said. "I believe every community, not just Calhoun County, needs an organization like CIR to highlight the fact we all need to get together and enjoy recreational activities."

Meyer said she is "150 percent committed" to ensuring success and growth from the organization. She said she'd like to expand CIR's programming, particularly its work with the area's deaf community through DeafLINK. Ahead of that, though, she said feedback will be sought from CIR's participants and others to develop a strategic plan for the future.

Her hiring is part of the latest shakeup within the organization that works with other local groups to provide educational and recreational programming for children and adults with disabilities. In July, CIR hired Lori Smith as its recreation coordinator and Francine Dozier to assist in CIR's DeafLINK subsidiary program.Board member Caroline Pavone said Beal had resigned but would not comment about the reason for his departure.

Jim Pearl resigns as CIR executive director

He was the second executive director to resign within one year. Jim Pearl did the same in August 2015.

The organization's board also is working without a board chairman since that position was vacated by Chad Kyger. Stefanie O'Connor, CIR's board vice president, is handling those duties in the interim ahead of a board election next month.

CIR was founded by Linda and Arnold Linke in 1994. Linda Linke has said the organization began as a tribute to her late brother-in-law, Leonard Linke, who died at 44 from complications of Alzheimer's disease. The organization is headquartered at 331 W. Jackson St. in Battle Creek.

Contact Dillon Davis at 269-966-0698 or dwdavis@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter: @DillonDavis