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TeamWorks International Founder & CEO Matt Gerber Announces Decision to Move On

Gerber to step down in May after serving as the organization's leader for four years

March 14, 2007

BEAVERTON, Ore. - Matt Gerber, the first chief executive officer of TeamWorks International, will step down May 31 to pursue further career aspirations. He announced his decision to the TeamWorks Board of Directors earlier this week. Staff and volunteers were informed this morning via email or direct phone from Gerber.

Now in his fourth year at TeamWorks, Gerber has guided the organization in the expansion of programs, staff and locations. During his tenure, the organization has grown from seven university students on a one-month trip to Nicaragua to more than 50 volunteers participating in projects in eight countries. TeamWorks (formerly TeamNicaragua) has transformed from a service trip-based club to an organization focused on enhancing the leadership capacity of communities around the world. Gerber has overseen the evolution from a well-intending group of friends into an incorporated and IRS-recognized nonprofit with a board of directors and a formal organizational structure.

"We have seen the organization's programs grow both in quantity and in quality," Gerber said. "The TeamWorks mission statement 'to build relationships through service' by partnering with local community leaders is clearly being implemented, so the organization is healthy and ready for the next leader."

"Matt is kind of like the Tasmanian Devil," said Dessa Bingley, chief operating officer, referring not to his demeanor but his capacity "to see issues from many sides at once," and always be multitasking.

The board of directors will select the new CEO. The board will meet this weekend and is expected to discuss the process for recruitment and selection of the next chief executive officer.

Volunteers have branched out from Nicaragua to partner with and bring awareness to countries ranging from Bolivia to India and Ethiopia. During the last four years, TeamWorks has expanded its programs beyond its Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua, to include communities in South America, Africa and Asia. Projects in these communities have included everything from setting up computer labs, sanitation projects for schools and an orphanage, the sponsorship of children to attend primary and secondary school, as well as implementation of vocational training programs.

Outside of his administrative duties, Gerber has been maintained a rigorous schedule of speaking engagements promoting international service and pursuing life goals. These venues have ranged from keynote addresses at conferences to vocational programs in prisons, a variety of civic organizations and even a high school graduation. He has maintained an active role in Rotary International, participating both at a local club level in Rotaract and being an annual speaker at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) conference held at Menucha Retreat Center in the Columbia Gorge.

Gerber, 26, gained the vision for the TeamNicaragua program in 2002 while doing research for his undergraduate thesis in Latin America.At the time, Gerber was the president of the Rotaract Club at George Fox University, where he recruited members to participate in an innovative month-long service project to support holistic community development in Nicaragua.That first trip led into many more not just to that same community of Puerto Cabezas, but to other countries as well. Seeing progression and successes of the service trips, and wanting to maintain relationships with the community partners, Gerber invited a group of individuals to sit fill the role as the first board of directors and volunteer staff.

Gerber earned his bachelor of art in international studies and business from George Fox University in 2003.  In the four years of college, he lived and worked and studied in nearly 30 countries thanks to funding from the Ford Family Foundation of Oregon. Gerber continued his education at Portland State University, studying both nonprofit management and global leadership from 2004 to 2006.

For the majority of his time as CEO of TeamWorks International, Gerber has been unpaid and working additional jobs to support his own living costs. He found jobs that would accommodate his TeamWorks meeting and speaking schedule, as well as leading frequent international service trips. After graduating from George Fox University he worked at the front desk of Embassy Suites Hotel in Tigard, Ore., and later for Starbucks Coffee Company in Milwaukie, Ore.

Gerber serves on the Rotary District 5100 planning committee for Rotary Youth Leadership Awards and as advisor for a number of for-profit and nonprofit organization worldwide.

In fall of 2006, Gerber was named a semifinalist for the Volvo For Life Awards, an honor granted to individuals across the United States who have distinguished themselves as a "hero" in their work. In 2002, Gerber received the C.W. Perry Servant Leadership Award and designated Shams El-Berr Society for the Blind and Handicapped in Cairo, Egypt, to be the recipient of the charity portion of the cash award.

TeamWorks International is an organization based on an empowerment model of assistance, partnering with leaders worldwide with the expertise and resources required to address their local needs. It is non-political and non-religious affiliated, assisting communities and organizations of all kinds. TeamWorks offers a variety of volunteer and internship opportunities supporting communities around the world. Nearly half of the 28 member core staff (all unpaid except for the CEO) are located in the greater Portland metro area of Oregon.


Click here to read Matt Gerber's profile as CEO of TeamWOrks.