Domestic Violence Center hires new executive director

The Domestic Violence Center of Howard County's Board of Directors has hired a new executive director.

Jennifer Pollitt Hill, who currently works with the District of Columbia Office of Victim Services and whose career has been focused on preventing domestic violence and sexual assault, will begin work as executive director on Feb. 21.

The hiring, announced Tuesday, comes about 10 months after the previous permanent director, Annie Burton-Byrd, who had started her job Jan. 31, was placed on paid administrative leave after allegations surfaced that she misused AmeriCorps volunteers in a previous position.

After the allegations became known, members of the DVC's board of directors resigned and a new board was named. A county audit later determined that the previous board had not conducted an appropriate background check before hiring Burton-Byrd.

The new board entered into a contract with Maryland Nonprofits, an association that provides resources and education for nonprofits, to help turn the DVC around. Under the contract, Maryland Nonprofits provided the center with Inga James as interim executive director.

"We are delighted to welcome Ms. Pollitt Hill to the DVC and have great confidence in her deep commitment to and experience in the fields of domestic violence and sexual assault," DVC board Chairwoman Lara Weathersbee said in a statement.

Pollitt Hill currently works as a grants management specialist with the District of Columbia Office of Victim Services. She previously worked as executive director of the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault and with the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence. Pollitt Hill has a master's degree in social work from the University of Pennsylvania.

Ulman said he has not met Pollitt Hill but she has "a tremendous amount of experience" and he has confidence in the board's decision to hire her.

Asked if he believes the board properly vetted potential executive directors to avoid a repeat of what happened with Burton-Byrd, County Executive Ken Ulman said: "Our team was in constant communication with their board and Lara Weathersbee through this process to make sure they had set up a very strong process to find a great director."

The Domestic Violence Center was founded as a nonprofit in 1978 to provide services to Howard County residents impacted by intimate partner violence and sexual assault. Its services include 24-hour help lines, residential assistance, counseling, legal assistance, prevention education and awareness and an abuser intervention program.

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