Kurt Reiber, president and CEO of Freestore Foodbank, has announced plans to retire in summer 2026 after 15 years in the role.
Reiber became CEO in July 2011 and committed to serving 15 years, saying he wanted to provide “some continuity to the position and the Freestore for the future.” He shared the official news that he’d step down next July with staff during a team meeting Friday afternoon and later reiterated his intent to stay focused through the end of his tenure.
“I look forward to working with you over the next year plus as I finish the work that is ahead of me,” Reiber said in a statement.
A lasting impact on Cincinnati
Under Reiber’s leadership, Freestore Foodbank has experienced significant growth. Net assets in the Freestore Foodbank Foundation increased from $5 million in 2011 to $30 million, according to board Chair Dwinelva Zackery.
Total assets across all entities rose from $20 million to $82 million. Fundraising grew 264%, bolstered by the 2020 Growing Beyond Hunger campaign. The organization’s annual food distribution increased 140% to more than 40 million pounds. SNAP-equivalent meals rose from 4 million to more than 12 million, and annual community investments climbed from $12 million to about $30 million.
Reiber previously chaired the Midwest Region of the National Council of Feeding America. He is also a past participant in Leadership Cincinnati Class 36, Leadership Northern Kentucky and Feeding America’s Ending Hunger Community of Practice.
Freestore’s board will lead a national search for Reiber’s successor in partnership with BroadView Talent Partners.
“We are deeply grateful for Kurt’s leadership,” Zackery said, “and on behalf of the board, we celebrate Kurt’s remarkable contributions and look forward to building on these for the next chapter of the Freestore.”
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