Hesed House chooses new executive director

Michael Cobb, a man who has dedicated his career to helping the less fortunate, has been named executive director of Aurora-based Hesed House, the state’s second-largest homeless shelter.

Cobb replaces Ryan Dowd, who recently resigned after 14 years at Hesed House, including eight as executive director, to start his own not-for-profit organization — The Center for Faith and Human Rights — in Washington, D.C. Cobb will begin his work at Hesed House on Monday, Sept. 16.

Before being named executive director of Hesed House, Cobb served as the interim executive director and chief operating officer for South Suburban PADS, an interfaith agency serving the homeless population in more than 52 communities in suburban Cook County. While at PADS he oversaw the successful completion of a 77-unit permanent supportive housing apartment complex specifically for those experiencing homelessness.

Before PADS, he served as vice president and chief operating officer for the Glenwood School for Boys and Girls, a private residential/educational center for at-risk youth located in St. Charles.

Cobb holds business and masters of science in management degrees from National Louis University.

He and his wife, Evelyn, are longtime residents of the Fox Valley, are involved with various ministries and have a long-standing commitment to serving in the Fox Valley corridor.