Myrtis Mulkey-Ndawula retired July 5 after 50 years with the Southwest Georgia Community Action Council — almost 36 of those as its chief executive officer.

MOULTRIE, Ga. — A Moultrie-based community service organization said goodbye this summer to its CEO, who has served it for 50 years in various capacities.

Myrtis Mulkey-Ndawula began her career at the Southwest Georgia Community Action Council, Inc., as secretary to the CEO in 1966. The agency itself was only about a year old at the time.

She was soon promoted to a position within the Accounting Department and later became the agency’s comptroller. In September 1980, after an extensive national search, it was the unanimous decision of the Board of Directors to name her to the position of chief executive officer.

Mulkey-Ndawula, begins her retirement on July 5.

Since being named CEO, Mulkey-Ndawula has been the driving and guiding force behind the agency’s unprecedented growth, the CAC said in a press release announcing her retirement.

“Annual funding increased during her tenure from $2.6 million to about $30 million today,” the release said. “She was responsible for more than 600 employees who provided direct services to approximately 50,000 unduplicated clients each year in 21 Southwest Georgia counties.”

The CAC’s biggest program is a network of 22 Head Start/Child Development Centers. Head Start and Early Head Start offer a cadre of services with a holistic approach that addresses educational, nutritional, medical, and social needs of children ages 0-4 and to pregnant moms. Other services — such as emergency rental and utility assistance, weatherization housing services, housing renovation, case management, YES summer day camps, congregate and home delivered meals — are provided through a network of 12 local Neighborhood Service Centers. Under her direction, the Head Start Program was named a Program of Excellence and the Weatherization Housing Program was designated as High Performing.

“A true professional, Mrs. Mulkey-Ndawula has always been dedicated to instilling appropriate work ethics and ensuring that employees were properly trained and encouraged to reach their maximum potential, which often meant that they would leave employment with the agency to go on to prominent public and private sector positions,” the CAC said. “She was proud that the agency served as a gateway for employees, especially young people new to the professional world of work.”

Mulkey-Ndawula served on numerous local, regional, and state advisory councils and boards including Albany State University Social Work Advisory Committee, Archway Board and Steering Committee, Colquitt County Arts Council (Personnel Committee), Colquitt County Children’s Advocacy Center, Colquitt County Communities in Schools, Colquitt County Eligibility Council (DFCS), Colquitt County Family Connection (Executive Committee), Colquitt County One Stop Committee, Boys and Girls Clubs of Colquitt County (including the advisory committee whose mission was to establish a club), Colquitt County Foster Review Panel, Colquitt County Emergency Relief, Georgia Community Action Association (President, Vice-President, and Administrative Policy Committee), Moultrie Technical College’s GOAL Student Selection Committee and Future Business Leaders of America judge, Southwest Georgia CARE NET (Alzheimer’s Outreach), Southwest Georgia Regional Perinatal Health Council, and Southwest Georgia’s Workforce Investment Board (Executive Committee/Officer).

Just a sampling of her more noteworthy achievements include:

• Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Congressman Sanford D. Bishop Jr.

• Colquitt County Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year.

• Colquitt County NAACP Outstanding Community Service Award.

• Coastal Georgia Community Action Agency Lifetime Achievement Award.

• GCAA Earl Jones Award for Human Rights and Equal Opportunity.

• Recognized in South Georgia Business Magazine as one of the 25 Most Influential Business Leaders.

“Her staff and Board of Directors appreciate her uncanny leadership skills, unwavering advocacy on behalf of minority populations, and willingness to set high goals and pursue them,” the CAC said. “It was under her leadership that an abandoned strip mall was purchased and renovated into a thriving business complex, the Community Action Complex, located at 912 First Ave. S.E. in Moultrie. In fact, this effort earned the agency the 2011 National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Award from the Community Action Partnership in recognition of outstanding work in promoting community development as a core strategy in promoting economic security and reducing poverty.”

The complex houses the administrative offices for Southwest Georgia Community Action and a multi-purpose event center that is available for rent. The complex also houses Springleaf Financial, Enterprise Car Rental, The Closet, and Unlimited Taxes and More.

A retirement reception was held on June 28 to honor Mulkey-Ndawula. A highlight of the evening was the Southern Arts Music Ensemble’s rendition of Sinatra’s “My Way” as Mulkey-Ndawula was escorted to the stage by her husband, Dr. Eric Ndawula, a retired educator/entrepreneur. Many relatives, friends, community partners, and officials attended the reception to share remembrances and to offer congratulations on her retirement.