Elliott to retire as CEO of Gleaners Food Bank

John Elliott, CEO of Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, plans to retire from the organization in September 2022 after six years in the position, he announced Monday.

“Our employees, board and other volunteers strongly support each other and will ensure the success of Gleaners’ next CEO,” Elliott wrote in an email to the Gleaners network. “As I look to my own future, I envision extended time with my wife and family who have supported me over the course of my career, as well as travel and more time enjoying the outdoors.”

The Gleaners board of directors has already formed a search committee to pick a successor, which Elliott is working with, according to the statement.

“Our employees, board and other volunteers strongly support each other and will ensure the success of Gleaners’ next CEO,” he wrote.

Elliott began as Gleaners CEO in September 2016. He previously managed public affairs and media for Kroger. Before that, he was executive director of the Center for Business Preparation at Hanover College, manager at Inland Paperboard and Packaging, and a diplomat for the U.S. State Department.

Under Elliott, Gleaners has undertaken a significant expansion of its food-storage facilities, including a 40,000-square-foot addition to its refrigerated storage capacity.

Elliott won’t be completely leaving the anti-hunger scene.

“Having invested so much in Gleaners, and as part of the multi-year task force that is redesigning the Feeding America national network, I plan to be an active volunteer in hunger relief for years to come,” he wrote. “The future is full of possibilities, both for the Elliott family and for Gleaners.”

Gleaners is the 14th-largest not-for-profit in the Indianapolis area, based on 2020 revenue of $139.9 million, according to IBJ research. Founded in 1980, the organization provides food to Hoosiers in 21 counties. It has about 85 employees and nearly 10,000 local volunteers.