Darts welcomes new president with strong Dakota County ties

Darts a Dakota County nonprofit that provides social services for adults and older appointed the fifth president in its -year history this week Mike Lavin was stated as the new president of Dakota County aging institution provider DARTS on June Lavin is the successor to Ann Bailey who held the role for years and will retire July Courtesy of DARTS Mike Lavin stepped into the role of president on Monday adding West St Paul to the list of Dakota County communities he s served It is an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to lead an organization with such deep roots in the area Lavin commented in a news release from the nonprofit I am committed to continuing to build on the mission and values of DARTS as we maintain our dedication to older adults and helpers Prior to his appointment at Darts Lavin spent a few years with YMCA of Greater St Paul and YMCA of the North taking on roles including senior director of childcare vice president of operations and senior vice president of product progress according to LinkedIn Lavin also served as executive director for YMCA locations in Eagan and Hastings where he helped to establish youth sports leagues During his tenure with the Y Lavin also helped create ForeverWell a venture that offers group exercise classes and social events for older adults The scheme is now offered at YMCAs nationwide according to the release A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and current Hastings resident Lavin first began with Darts as a volunteer He and his wife Laurie Lavin spent the last years doing volunteer yardwork for the nonprofit Filling shoes For the past years Darts was led by Ann Bailey Darts former president Ann Bailey at the nonprofit's offices in West St Paul on Tuesday May Bailey will retire on July after years as president of the aging services organization John Autey Pioneer Press Also a former Wisconsinite Bailey learned of Darts in when her father was struggling with Alzheimer s complaint A unique trajectory Bailey went from a caregiver receiving Darts services to a financial donor then board member before being appointed president in June RELATED Ann Bailey offers advice reflects on years in Dakota County aging services Under her leadership the nonprofit introduced new programs and served thousands as it expanded its services to all of Dakota County and now includes southern Washington County and southern Ramsey County In a newest conversation with the Pioneer Press Bailey shared her hopes for her successor A lot of times people say Who will fill your shoes I don t want them to fill it I want them to pick up the pair next to mine and walk their own path Bailey will officially retire from the organization July With a deep commitment to values and purpose-driven leadership the board and I are confident that Mike is a good fit for Darts and Darts is a good fit for Mike Michele Engdahl chair of the board of directors announced in the release We look forward to him continuing the legacy of excellence that Ann has built Related Articles New Bush Foundation Fellows include amputee journalist architect more Air quality alert extended to noon Wednesday throughout Minnesota New MN measles cases approved including Dakota County child who had not traveled An absolute privilege Darts President Ann Bailey offers advice reflects on years in Dakota County aging services Rosemount Masses invited to tour new M Police and Populace Works campus