Padraig Gallagher will start officially next Tuesday (Sept. 1) as the new executive director of Stepping Stones of Dunn County.
He succeeds Katherine Dutton, who is retiring after 12 years in that position. She will overlap with Gallagher at Stepping Stones for a brief period to provide some orientation for the transition.
Gallagher has been an instructor and lecturer in ethics, logic and philosophy, first in Colorado and more recently at UW-Stout and UW-Eau Claire. He has also been part of the operations at Feed My People Food Bank in Eau Claire.
His background also includes years of service as a volunteer fire fighter. Most recently, he worked in a supervisory role with a local food manufacturer.
“I look forward to doing meaningful work with the wonderful volunteers and staff of Stepping Stones. It is a great organization, and I am excited to contribute to its continued service to the communities of Dunn County,” Gallagher said.
Appointment vote was unanimous
Stepping Stones’ board of directors vote to appoint Gallagher was unanimous.
Gallagher became familiar with Stepping Stones during his time with Feed My People, according to a press release from the Menomonie organization. He said he was always impressed by its facility, organization and especially the people involved.
“I am also driven to do meaningful work in service to others,” he said. “I can’t think of a better opportunity to lead through service than as the executive director of Stepping Stones.”
Gallagher’s wife, Kate (who also goes by KT)), is the director of the Dunn County Health Department. The couple has two teen-age sons.
Gallagher said he grew up in Minturn, a small Colorado mountain community, as the son of a special needs school bus driver and the town’s first police officer.
“We moved from Colorado seven years ago for Kate’s prior position with the Eau Claire Health Department,” he said. “There weren’t many states we were considering moving to. Wisconsin, with its natural beauty and strong communities, was a good fit for our family.”
Funding challenge honors Dutton’s retirement
To honor Dutton’s retirement, a group of donors has offered to match gifts made to Stepping Stones’ endowment fund at the Community Foundation of Dunn County.
The goal is to double Stepping Stones’ current endowment of $40,000. Income from the endowment provides a continuing source of funds to support the various aspects of Stepping Stones’ mission.
Contributions may be sent to Stepping Stones at 1602 Stout Rd., Menomonie 54751, with “Endowment Fund” on the memo line of the check. Online donations can be made through www.steppingstonesdc.org, with a note that the contribution honors Dutton.