Fuller Center of Webster Parish names new executive director

The Fuller Center for Housing of Webster Parish has selected Derek Melancon to become the new executive director of the local housing ministry.

Melancon, who brings to the position 23 years of service to the Springhill Medical Center, has extensive experience in human resources, media and communications, information technology, insurance programs, credit and finance and a variety of other skills which will prove invaluable to the progress of The Fuller Center’s covenant partner in Webster Parish, La., which hosted the 2011 Millard Fuller Legacy Build.

“We are very pleased that Derek will be joining our housing ministry,” said Rev. Ben Martin, president of Fuller Center of Webster. “Our board of directors was impressed with his experience and his excitement for joining our organization. We look forward to a very good future under his leadership.”

“This opportunity came at the perfect time in the life of my family,” Melancon said. “I believe completely in what The Fuller Center for Housing is all about, and I feel that God led me to put in my application for the position when we found out that Charlie was going to retire.”

Melancon will be replacing Charlie Park, who is the only executive director Fuller Center of Webster has ever had. Coming on board in 1999, Park led the ministry (then known as Webster Habitat for Humanity) from building one house every two years to the point that almost three families per year have been assisted in building new houses for themselves.

Dr. Charles Payne, founder of the local affiliate in 1991, said “We are really excited that Derek is coming on board with us. Charlie and I both know Derek very well, and we believe he is well-suited to take over the operational reins of our housing ministry. We all know that God is in control of our work, and we believe Derek will be quite responsive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and the guidance of the board of directors.”

Park, who will stay on for a short while to assist Melancon through the transition, expressed his complete confidence in Melancon.

“Derek is a professional who will bring a lot of ability and great deal of integrity to the position of executive director,” Park said. “I have great faith in what Fuller Center of Webster will be able to accomplish under his leadership.”

Melancon’s wife, Jeri, is a retired educator who spent more than 30 years in the classrooms of Webster Parish schools as a teacher, counselor and principal. She is currently working as a real estate agent with James M. Brown Real Estate. Derek and Jeri have three children —Aubrey who lives in Florida, Jerrod who lives in Benton, and Seth who is a freshman at LSUS in Shreveport.

For more information on The Fuller Center for Housing of Webster Parish, click here.