Foldvary named president and CEO of United Way of Fort Smith Area

Shea Foldvary, who is the Resource Development Director at the United Way of Fort Smith Area (UWFSA), has been tapped to become the organization’s next president and CEO. He will begin in the new role on Jan. 1.

Foldvary, 31, follows President and CEO Eddie Lee Herndon who left the United Way in August to take the position of Community Affairs Manager-Arkansas for OG&E. The UWFSA has since 1928 raised money to support organizations that aid individuals and families in Crawford, Franklin, Logan, and Sebastian counties in Arkansas and LeFlore and Sequoyah counties in Oklahoma.

According to Tuesday’s (Dec. 7) statement from UWFSA, Foldvary was responsible at Fort Smith-based Weldon Williams & Lick for leading internal and external initiatives to raise money for UWFSA and being involved in the community. After leaving WW&L, Foldvary worked as a practice manager for Mercy, where he oversaw the day-to-day operation of three medical clinics. He joined UWFSA in December 2018.

“The United Way Search Committee is excited to announce the hiring of Shea Foldvary as our new President and CEO after a lengthy and broad hiring process. Mr. Foldvary is a seasoned non-profit professional, and we look forward to his innovative and energetic leadership style in the coming years,” said Rob Ratley, United Way board member and search committee chairman.

Foldvary, a Fort Smith native, graduated Southside High School in 2008 and attended the University of Central Arkansas. He is a member of the Leadership Fort Smith Class of 2022 and serves on the Board of Directors for the Fort Smith Police Department’s Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association.

“I am excited and honored to be selected as the new President and CEO of United Way of Fort Smith Area. The work of United Way is vital to the six-county community we serve in Western Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma. Having been involved with United Way for many years as a volunteer, advocate, donor, and more recently the Resource Development Director, I am grateful to serve my hometown community in a greater capacity and lead the organization forward,” Foldvary said in the statement.

Foldvary and his wife Kristi reside in Greenwood with their son Hudson.