The Atlanta Community Food Bank has named Jon West, currently vice president of partner relations, as its interim chief executive officer, effective Nov. 2, 2026. West will succeed Kyle Waide, who announced on Sept. 14 that he will become president of Downtown Atlanta Inc. on Dec. 1. Waide will remain president and CEO of the Food Bank through Nov. 1 and will stay on in an advisory role through Nov. 12 to support the transition.
As interim CEO, West will lead day-to-day operations, support the Food Bank’s staff and leadership team, steward key community relationships, and keep the organization’s strategic priorities moving forward while the Board of Directors conducts a search for its next long-term leader. Programs, services, and commitments to neighbors and partners will continue without interruption, according to the announcement.
West brings 17 years of experience at the Food Bank, most recently leading the team that works with the organization’s network of more than 700 community-based, nonprofit partners across 29 counties. Together, these partners distribute more than 110 million meals each year. Previously, as senior manager of strategy and innovation, he led the development of the Food Bank’s 10-year strategic plan, setting the vision for the organization’s future operations. Before joining the Food Bank, West worked with an agricultural relief and development organization, in higher education, and as a youth mentor in Botswana. He holds a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary and a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Mississippi College.
Althea Broughton, chair of the Atlanta Community Food Bank Board of Directors, expressed strong support for West’s appointment. “Jon knows this organization inside and out, from his first role here painting food drive barrels to building the partner network that puts food within reach of neighbors across our 29 counties,” Broughton said. “The board has complete confidence in his ability to lead the Food Bank through this transition. Our team is strong, our strategy is clear, and our commitment to neighbors does not change.”
The Board of Directors is selecting a search firm to guide a thoughtful, thorough search for the Food Bank’s next president and CEO. “We are committed to finding a leader who embraces the Food Bank’s values and keeps neighbors, partners, volunteers, donors, and staff at the center of this work,” Broughton said. “We will share updates at appropriate milestones as the search moves forward.”
Waide, who has led the organization as president and CEO, also voiced confidence in West. “Jon is one of the leaders I have relied on most, and he is the right person for this moment,” Waide said. “He understands our mission, our partners, and our people, and he helped build the Food Bank we have today. I have every confidence in Jon and in the team he will lead.”
In his own statement, West emphasized continuity and mission focus. “It is a privilege to serve the Food Bank in this role,” he said. “Our mission is urgent, our team is exceptional, and our partners are the reason food reaches neighbors across metro Atlanta and north Georgia. My focus is on our neighbors, our partners, and keeping this work moving forward.”
The leadership transition carries significant implications for hunger relief in the region. With more than 700 partners relying on the Food Bank’s support, a seamless change at the top is critical to maintaining the steady flow of food to families, children, and seniors in need. West’s deep familiarity with the organization’s operations and partner network positions him to sustain momentum while the board searches for a permanent leader. For the broader nonprofit sector, the appointment highlights the value of internal succession planning and the importance of stability during periods of executive turnover. As food insecurity persists across metro Atlanta and north Georgia, the Food Bank’s ability to continue distributing millions of meals annually without disruption remains a vital community concern.
