Tom Hogan Named CEO
By CASFB Impact Team
As we turn the page on an incredible chapter led by Karen McCandless, we are excited to announce the appointment of Tom Hogan as the new Chief Executive Officer of Community Action Services and Food Bank, effective July 2025.
Tom is no stranger to our mission. As our former Chief Operating Officer, he has played a key role in the growth, direction, and day-to-day impact of CASFB. His transition into the CEO role ensures both continuity and vision as we continue serving individuals and families across Utah County.
A Leader Who Knows Our Roots
Tom brings deep institutional knowledge, a hands-on leadership style, and a passion for helping people achieve lasting self-reliance. During his time as COO, he worked closely with every department, helping expand critical programs such as:
- Both the Circles Youth Program and the Heber Circles program are expansions.
- Our work with the Diaper Demonstration Distribution project
- Pantry operations expanded into Springville, Oakley, with locations, and into Summit County with a Mobile Pantry.
- Our client base has doubled in the last five years, with greater participation in multiple services
- We added a community garden into Spanish Fork and worked with the LFPA program into all our pantries, which brought fresh produce into our five pantries and other partner pantries in the Tri-County Area
Additionally, he has worked side-by-side with our staff, volunteers, and community partners—and his leadership has already made a lasting impact.
Tom steps into the CEO role following the retirement of Karen McCandless, who led the organization for eight years. Karen’s leadership through times of stability and crisis—including the 2020 pandemic—was instrumental in shaping CASFB into the trusted, responsive organization it is today.
As Tom often shared during her tenure, “Karen helped us discover that we’re capable of more than we thought possible. I’m honored to carry forward the legacy she built.”
With a strong foundation and a heart for service, Tom is prepared to lead CASFB into its next era.
Please join our board, staff, and community in welcoming Tom Hogan as CEO. We are confident that his experience, integrity, and compassion will serve CASFB well as we continue our mission to fight poverty, provide hope, and build self-reliance in Utah, Wasatch and Summit counties
A Call to Our Community: Stand with Us During Uncertain Times
Finally, major changes are happening at CASFB—and we’re facing real challenges. Recent federal cuts to two critical programs—the Local Food Purchase Agreement (LFPA) and the AmeriCorps State Program—have already begun to affect the families we serve. And with over 75% of our funding coming from federal sources, the future of other essential services remains uncertain.
But we’re not giving up.
Instead, we’re turning to the people who have always been the heart of this mission: you.
Thus, we believe in transparency because your trust is everything. And we believe in the power of community—especially when times get tough. Your support is what keeps our food pantries open, our classes running, and our neighbors moving forward.
Please consider becoming a monthly donor today. Your recurring gift helps ensure that no matter what happens tomorrow, we can keep delivering hope, food, and opportunity—right here, at home.
Together, we’re not just meeting needs—we’re changing lives.