The United Way of Central Maryland said it would announce today that Larry E. Walton, head of the United Way in Richmond, will become its new president and chief professional officer Jan. 1.
Mr. Walton, 49, who emerged from 137 applicants, has led Richmond's United Way since 1981. During his time there, annual campaign revenues grew from $6.1 million to $21 million, said Joseph E. Blair Jr., chairman of United Way of Central Maryland.
The local United Way is in the midst of its annual campaign, which aims to raise $37 million.
"We had some outstanding candidates, both from the local community and from the United Way system," said Mr. Blair, who headed the search committee that selected Mr. Walton. "Larry had the vision and the creativity, which combined with an outstanding track record in Richmond suggested that he was the person for the job."
He said the new president has shown an ability to develop talent, with nine former staff members now heading United Way agencies.
Wanda Draper, a member of the search committee, said she was impressed with Mr. Walton's "excellent management skills."
"I think he also understands that United Way is a group process, that there are many audiences and it takes all of those audiences -- donors, agencies, affiliates and staff -- to make things happen."
Before taking the Richmond job, Mr. Walton spent three years at the helm of the United Way of Erie County, Pa. From 1968 to 1978, he was executive director of Boys Clubs in Erie, Huntington, W.Va., and Milwaukee.
He has a bachelor's degree in community planning from Fairmont State College in West Virginia and did graduate work at New York University and the University of Wisconsin. Mr. Walton replaces Norman O. Taylor, who resigned Aug. 31.