Lutheran Social Services Welcomes David Clark as New President & CEO

Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida (LSS) is pleased to announce that Jacksonville nonprofit executive David Clark will join LSS as President & CEO on June 30.

Clark recently stepped down after more than eight years as executive director for Downtown Ecumenical Services Council (DESC), where he helped advance the organization's mission of serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness and hardship.

"We are thrilled to welcome David Clark to Lutheran Social Services,” LSS board chair Tracy Williams said. “As LSS continues its mission of serving and empowering vulnerable individuals and families, we believe David Clark is the right leader to help expand our impact and strengthen our service to the Northeast Florida community.”

Clark expressed gratitude for his time at DESC and for the opportunity to bring his experience to LSS.

"I'm leaving an organization very close to my heart, and I know it's in good hands. This allows me to fully embrace the wonderful work LSS is doing in this community," said Clark.

"Over 46 years, LSS has built something remarkable, helping families and individuals address critical needs through hunger relief, HIV care, refugee services, and real pathways to stability. I am excited to begin this new chapter alongside LSS's dedicated team to expand hope and opportunity for all who live in our community."

As LSS looks to the future, the organization remains committed to strengthening lives and building community through compassionate service, work that last year reached more than 46,000 individuals across Northeast Florida.

Please join us in welcoming David to the LSS family as he begins this new chapter on June 30.

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About David Clark

David Clark has been blessed with the opportunity to serve others throughout his professional life, and that call has shaped every chapter of his career. Named the next President & CEO of Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida, he brings more than three decades of nonprofit leadership, fundraising and communications experience to the role.

David currently serves as Executive Director of the Downtown Ecumenical Services Council (DESC), a Jacksonville nonprofit providing essential human services to individuals and families in crisis including emergency financial assistance, groceries, clothing and system navigation. During his tenure, he led DESC through a period of transformational growth in community visibility, fundraising and organizational capacity, earning recognition through numerous competitive grants and contracts as well as growing the agency's signature event, DESC Defenders, into one of Jacksonville's leading fundraising events. He also co-founded the Stable Housing Coalition and serves on the Governance Board for the Duval County Continuum of Care.

Earlier in his career, David served as Regional Director of Philanthropy at Children's Home Society of Florida, President of his own public relations firm and Vice President of Communications at United Way of Northeast Florida. He has also taught public relations and writing courses as an adjunct professor at the University of North Florida.

David earned his Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from Auburn University and his Master of Arts in Communication Arts from the University of West Florida. He is a Leadership Jacksonville graduate and former board member as well as Accredited in Public Relations (APR). His twins, Madeline and Owen, are in college.

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