Buckner selects interim senior executive director

Jeff Ross was selected to serve as interim senior executive director for Buckner Children and Family Services in Southeast Texas, effective Nov. 1. In his new role, Ross oversees operations serving vulnerable children and families in Houston, Beaumont and the surrounding areas.

Ross has served with Buckner since 1995. He most recently served as the transitional program director in Beaumont, overseeing programs like Project HOPES, Family and Youth Success (FAYS), and Fatherhood EFFECT. Previous roles with Buckner have included counselor, clinical director, program director, associate administrator, and acting executive director.

“Over the course of his 25-year career with Buckner, Jeff has time and again proven his dedication to serving the most vulnerable in Southeast Texas with faith, integrity, and respect,” said Buckner Children and Family Services Senior Vice President Henry Jackson. “He will bring those same qualities to his work as interim senior executive director, providing leadership for our teams in Beaumont and Houston.”

Ross is a graduate of The University of Manitoba, where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts (with honors) degree in psychology. He is also a graduate of Lamar University where he earned a Master of Science degree in Community-Counseling Psychology, as well as a Master of Business Administration. Ross is a licensed professional counselor and supervisor, a licensed child placing agency administrator, and a licensed child-care administrator.

Transplants to Southeast Texas close to 30 years ago, Ross and his wife, Christina, have a son, Gavin, who is currently enrolled in the United States Air Force Academy, and a daughter, Erin, who is a freshman at McNeese University in Lake Charles, La.

Ross said he is driven by his commitment to serve children and families. “I believe that aligning professional social services with the Buckner mission through Christ is how we best serve the community and help others strive for healing and growth.

“I’m honored to serve as interim senior executive director to an amazing team of people at Buckner. This is obviously a challenging time, but our programs continue to bring hope to Southeast Texas,” said Ross.

Buckner Children and Family Services is part of nonprofit Buckner International.

About Buckner International

Buckner International is a faith-based nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of orphans, vulnerable children, families and senior adults in the United States and internationally. Founded in 1879 in Dallas, Texas, today Buckner serves people through a variety of programs designed to protect children and build strong families. These programs include foster care and adoption, family transition programs, community-based family preservation programs and retirement services for senior adults. Buckner also provides humanitarian aid and crisis relief to poverty-stricken children and families. Learn more and get involved at Buckner.org.