Penny Greer-Link, women veteran program manager at the Hefner VA Medical Center, has been named chairman of the Rowan County United Way 2015 Campaign.

She has worked with the United Way for 20 years and served as president of its Board of Directors.

Greer-Link will direct the fall fund-raising campaign which involves hundreds of volunteers throughout the county. The United Way has met or exceeded its goal for the past four years, including raising $1,972,300 in 2014, surpassing the goal of $1,879,750. The funds are distributed to 16 local human services agencies approved by the United Way.

Greer-Link, who has worked at the VA Medical Center for 23 years, said her passion is the United Way and helping people.

“I’ve always felt that I was put on this earth to help others,” she said. “United Way does a great job of helping those who need help. We have an involved board, a hardworking staff and wonderful agencies. Everyone works together in meeting the needs of Rowan County citizens and a lot of people have needs.”

Steve Fisher, current president of the United Way Board of Directors, said, “Penny’s passion for helping others has been evident during her many years of United Way service. She has a leader’s mind, a servant’s heart and a soldier’s resolve … the recipe for campaign success. We are planning for another miracle this year, and we already found our ‘Lucky Penny.'”

Greer-Link’s United Way leadership has included serving on the Executive Committee, as campaign chairman and account manager for the VA Medical Center, as Federal Agencies Committee chairman, as Panel Committee chairman and vice chairman; as vice president of both Planning and Public Relations committees, and as site manager at the annual United Way Day of Caring,

At the VA Medical Center, Greer-Link began her career as the wellness coordinator and held that position for 10 years. She has also held positions as facility coordinator and Lead of MOVE! (Management of Obesity/Overweight Veterans Everywhere) and interim administrative officer for Geriatrics and Extended Care for the Hickory Outpatient Clinic and the Surgery Department. She has also worked as Advanced Clinic Access coordinator and acting compliance officer.

She holds an undergraduate degree in exercise physiology from Appalachian State University and graduate degree in exercise physiology from UNC-Greensboro.

She is a graduate of Leadership Rowan and has served as chairman of its steering committee. She is also a graduate of the VA Leadership Development Institute. She has served as chairman of the Rowan County AIDS Task Force Board of Directors. She has also worked with the Rowan Junior Achievement Program. She currently serves as chairman of Women in Business, Salisbury/Rowan Chamber of Commerce.

She is married to Stan Link and has two stepchildren, Jesse Link and Jordan Link, and a niece and nephew, Taylor Shoaf and Tyson Shoaf. She is a member of Trading Ford Baptist Church.

The Rowan County United Way was chartered in 1956. The 16-member agencies include the Rowan County Literacy Council, The Arc/Rowan, Rowan Vocational Opportunities, Boy Scouts, Central NC Council; Communities in Schools of Rowan County, Rowan County YMCA, Rowan County Youth Services Bureau, American Red Cross, Rowan County Rescue Squad, The Salvation Army, Trinity Living Center, Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, Meals on Wheels, Families First, Inc., Family Crisis Council and Smart Start Rowan.

For more information, visit the website, www.rowanunitedway.org, or follow the United Way on Facebook.