Jeffrey Tonjes/The Bryan Times
When the Williams County Board of Health (WCBH) needed a new member, United Way’s Amy Kirby didn’t expect her name to be the one that came forward.
But after longtime board member Dee Custer retired, it was her community connections that led to the opportunity.
“Dee, who also served on our United Way board, had been on the health board for many years,” Kirby explained. “When she retired, she gave them my name.”
That recommendation soon led to a conversation with William County Health Commissioner Oscar Hernandez.
“He approached me and asked if I’d be interested,” Kirby said. “I said, ‘Absolutely, give me more information.’ From there, I talked with the Stryker village administrator since they wanted a recommendation, and everything fell into place.”
For Kirby, the decision to serve was about more than filling a seat. It was about building on an already strong partnership between United Way and the health department.
“We used to fund the car seat program, and we still fund the ECHO program,” she said. “We’ve always had a really close relationship with them. This felt like an opportunity to understand the challenges they’re facing and then bring that back to United Way—asking, is there anything we can do to help their programs, their staff or just get the word out?”
The new role also carries a local connection. Kirby lives in Stryker, the community she now represents on the board.
Her first board meeting Tuesday was an eye-opener.
“I thought it was a great meeting,” Kirby said. “I was looking over the minutes and realized this is like learning a different language but I’m excited to see what they’re doing.”
Kirby said she is encouraged by the energy and direction she sees within the health department.
“I think Oscar has done a great job,” she said. “I’m really excited about all of the work they’re doing. It’s good to see young leaders stepping up, and I’m happy to be part of it.”