Meet Centerville-based Graceworks’ new CEO

Graceworks Lutheran Services has named a new chief executive to lead the growing Centerville nonprofit.

Judy Budi will take over March 2 as the new president and CEO of the 93-year-old organization, succeeding outgoing CEO Willis Serr II. The Dayton Daily News previously reported Serr was retiring after 30 years.

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Budi will be in charge of a large and expanding nonprofit, which has 1,200 employees and in 2017 reported $47 million in revenue. Graceworks has more than 60 locations in southwestern Ohio, eastern Indiana and northern Kentucky, which includes Bethany Village, a Centerville senior living community.

Budi will be the first woman to lead Graceworks and the eighth CEO overall, Graceworks said in a statement.

Since 2003, she has been vice president of residential care for Gracewoorks, acting as the chief operations officer for Bethany Village, Graceworks Enhanced Living, Graceworks Housing Services, and Graceworks at Home.

“Judy is adept at navigating the changing landscape of healthcare which is essential to so many of our services for seniors and other vulnerable populations,” said Jeffrey Teeters, Graceworks board chairman.

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We are confident Judy will successfully lead the organization forward with both strategic vision and compassion for the residents we serve as well as our 1,200 employees.”

“I am excited and honored by this opportunity. I have devoted the majority of my career championing the Graceworks culture of Faithful Caring, supporting our dedicated employees, and advocating for our residents and clients,” Budi said in a statement.

Budi has worked for Graceworks since 1994. She is the immediate past chair of the board of directors for LeadingAge Ohio, a trade group representing 500 nonprofit senior living communities.

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