About Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County
- Location: Fort Worth, TX
- Website: https://www.ugm-tc.org/
- Hiring for: CEO
Union Gospel Mission (UGM) of Tarrant County is a faith-based nonprofit committed to ending homelessness through a holistic approach that offers transformational care. With services for men, women, and families experiencing homelessness, UGM provides not only shelter but healing through medical clinics, spiritual support, and long-term care programs. Their mission has remained rooted in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and their work has become a beacon of hope and restoration for many in the community.
For nearly three decades, Don Shisler faithfully served as President and CEO, leading the mission through immense growth and transformation. Under his leadership, UGM expanded its reach and developed a deep legacy of compassionate, Christ-centered service.
About the search
When it came time to identify a new leader after Don’s long tenure, the UGM board knew they needed more than just a qualified executive—they needed a leader with the right heart and spiritual alignment to carry the mission forward. They partnered with Vanderbloemen to find that perfect fit.
Vanderbloemen worked closely with the board and search committee to understand the DNA of the organization and what kind of leader would thrive there. This wasn’t just about skills or experience—it was about calling, culture fit, and spiritual alignment. After a nationwide search, Vanderbloemen presented a slate of ten top candidates. The search committee narrowed the field down to four for interviews and eventually invited three to visit the campus and meet the team. Through this process, Charles Wolford emerged as the clear choice.
Charles described the process as divinely guided, saying, “From the very first moment, I felt God led and felt God’s Spirit just moving through the entire process.” He described the match between his calling and UGM’s mission as “spot on,” and his first days on the job have already confirmed that feeling: “It feels like a family.”
Now serving as UGM’s new CEO, Charles is already dreaming with the board and team about what the future can look like—how they can not only maintain the legacy Don helped build, but expand it even further to impact more lives.
A seamless, Spirit-led transition
This CEO search wasn’t just about leadership succession—it was about stewarding a mission, a legacy, and a community of lives being changed daily. The collaboration between Vanderbloemen and UGM led to a seamless, spirit-led transition that ensured the mission will continue to thrive for years to come.
