Longtime Hunger Task Force CEO Sherrie Tussler announces retirement

 

WEST MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) --- A longtime community advocate against hunger in Milwaukee is stepping down from her leadership role.

After 26 years of service, Hunger Task Force CEO Sherrie Tussler will retire on her 65th birthday this June. She says retirement was on her mind back in 2020, but when the pandemic hit, she knew she'd be needed so she held off.

Tussler describes her decades of work as fulfilling. "Twenty-six years ago I was offered an opportunity that was truly an opportunity of a lifetime. I was offered a job where they would actually pay me to do what I love to do the most, which was advocate," Tussler said during her announcement Thursday.

A new CEO has already been chosen. Matt King will take over for Tussler. He's been part of the Hunger Task Force team for more than a decade and says he's honored to step into Tussler's shoes.

"Sherrie has defended the rights of our neighbors during their time of need. Sherrie has fought for justice when she may have been the only person in the room that was willing to do so. Because of her efforts, our community is a better place," King said.

King is from Milwaukee and has nearly 20 years of experience doing this kind of work. Twelve of those years have been with Hunger Task Force.

"I've known Matt since he was 18 years old. He was a Congressional Hunger Fellow and an intern here at the Hunger Task Force," said Tussler.

Years later, Tussler says she recruited King to manage the Hunger Task Force farm. "I'm excited to carry forward Sherrie's legacy with a great team," said King.

King says he's looking forward to stepping into this new role. "I'm really proud of the fact that we live in a community that cares and a community that supports an organization like Hunger Task Force," he said.

Tussler isn't completely walking away. After her official last day on June 5, she'll come back in the fall part-time as CEO emeritus to help with the transition. "It's sort of a handoff that occurs over a period of time, rather than an abrupt ending," she said.

Tussler says she's looking forward to spending time with family and traveling during retirement, and that the organization is in a great position right now to continue its work and impact.