Geist Named Executive Director of First Stop

Jennifer Geist has been named executive director of First Stop, the nonprofit organization to help aid Huntsville’s homeless population.

She succeeds Tim Davis, First Stop’s executive director since 2019 who is retiring. Davis will remain on the Board of Directors.

“We’re excited and fortunate to have Jennifer lead First Stop,” said Paul Pradat, president of the Board of Directors. “She has a passion for working with the homeless, and her proven track record of leadership, along with the relationships she’s established in the Huntsville community over the last several years make her the perfect fit for First Stop at this critical time.”

Geist brings more than 25 years of experience in employee and community engagement, public relations, program development, and corporate leadership. Most recently, she’s held leadership positions at The Salvation Army of Huntsville & Madison County and the Downtown Rescue Mission. She has also worked in employee engagement and development for Teledyne Brown Engineering. Geist has a master’s in behavior analysis and therapy from Southern Illinois University and a bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

She was a consultant for First Stop in 2020 to help implement a client enrichment program focused on providing education, mentoring and support.

“It’s been a pleasure getting to know the First Stop staff and operations over the last year,” said Jennifer. “First Stop is a wonderful organization that not only provides services to the homeless, but exists to assist clients out of homelessness and into permanent housing. That’s why I’m here, and I’m excited to get to work.” 

 First Stop will soon begin construction on an Empowerment Center building to support an expanded Case Management program.

“As Huntsville grows, so will the homeless population,” Davis said. “We have to be prepared to address the challenges that will present.

“I’m confident Jennifer will do an excellent job providing community leadership and coordination with other agencies, while also growing the services First Stop provides, including the growth of our Case Management team and Enrichment Program.”