PLEASANT HILL, Mo. – Operation BBQ Relief (OBR) announced that its co-founder Stan Hays has been named president and CEO of the 501(c)3 non-profit.

“I’m humbled and excited that the board of directors has asked me to continue leading OBR in this expanded role,” Hays said. “While continuing to lead OBR’s day-to-day operations, I’ll focus on securing additional funding so we can sustain OBR’s growth. Creating this full-time role is only possible because of the extraordinary commitment of our sponsors and supporters of the OBR mission."

OBR has been providing disaster relief since 2011, when the group first responded to an EF-5 tornado that devastated Joplin, Missouri. Since then, Operation BBQ Relief has gone to communities to cook and distribute BBQ meals to first responders and displaced residents in other disaster areas around the country. In total, the non-profit has served 54 communities in 25 different states.

“OBR’s growth over the past seven years wouldn’t have happened without the dedication of our many volunteers. That volunteer spirit started with Stan Hays,” says Will Cleaver, chairman of the board and co-founder of OBR. “By naming Stan the president and CEO of OBR, we’re proud to recognize his focus and passion for serving others. Stan’s ongoing leadership in this full-time role will drive OBR’s continued growth.”

Read more about Operation BBQ Relief from the June 2018 issue of MEAT+POULTRY.

The group also announced its board of directors:

•    Will Cleaver – chief technology officer for Universal Registered Agents and OBR co-founder, as chairman of the board.

•    David Rosen – president of Ubons Sauce LLC, as secretary and board member.

•    Scott Webb, CEO of Wholestone Farms, as finance chair and board member.

•    David Dzanis, owner of Azuero Group LLC, as board member.

 To volunteer or donate to Operation BBQ relief visit operationbbqrelief.org.