San Antonio’s largest homeless shelter and resources hub has selected a former Goodwill CEO and U.S. Army Major General as its interim president.
Kevin Bergner, who has served on Haven for Hope’s board of directors since November, will oversee the organization as it launches a national search for its next chief executive officer.
Kim Jefferies was CEO of Haven for Hope for over three years, but left the organization on Friday. She’s leaving Texas to lead a new nonprofit with a similar mission.
Bergner served as the president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of San Antonio since he took what was first a temporary role as interim CEO in 2016. He retired in 2021 after growing Goodwill San Antonio’s operating revenue from $74 million to over $90 million.
Before his time in executive management of nonprofit organizations, Bergner dedicated 30 years to the military serving in Germany, Bosnia, Qatar and three deployments to Iraq.
He also served on the National Security Council staff as a Special Assistant to the President of the United States from 2006 to 2007 and oversaw policy, strategy and communications for the Army as Chief of Public Affairs in his last assignment.
When he retired from the Army, he became chief administrative officer and later the president of USAA’s Property and Casualty Insurance Group.
He’s served on numerous boards in San Antonio, including the San Antonio Food Bank, the Foundation Board for the Ecumental Center for Counseling and the Trinity University Business Advisory Council, and has been adjunct professor of ethics and professionalism at Trinity University, his alma mater.
He earned his Bachelor of Science from Trinity and his Master in Public Administration from City University of New York.
“We are excited Kevin has stepped up to lead Haven during this transition,” said Barbara Gentry, Haven for Hope’s Board Chair. “He brings vast experience from the corporate and nonprofit sectors, and along with Haven’s leadership team, operations will remain stable during this transition.”
