As a friend, mentor and leader of Albertina Kerr, Chris Krenk blazed a trail that left an indelible mark on Kerr and our community. The fourth CEO of Kerr, Chris retired in June 2016 and passed away April 17, 2021.
All who knew Chris were awed by his passion, kindness, and gentle spirit. A champion for Oregon’s most vulnerable citizens, our community is a much better place for having had him in it.
Current Kerr CEO Jeff Carr says, “Chris’ time leading Kerr will go down as an amazing period of growth and expansion, and really bringing Kerr’s standards up to a professional level and putting us on solid ground financially and in so many other ways. While that is a gift that we will always cherish as an organization, for me, it will be his kindness and gentle spirit that I will remember, and forever be grateful for.”
During his 26-year tenure, Chris led Kerr to:
• Increase the number of children, adults, and families Kerr served from 200 to more than 2,150.
• Open its first group home for youth experiencing I/DD.
• Expand group homes for adults experiencing I/DD.
• Build the psychiatric care facility and program startup – the first and only facility of this kind in Oregon.
• Transition care from Fairview Hospital (Oregon’s state institution) when it closed to neighborhood group homes.
• Form the Albertina Kerr Centers Foundation, focusing on raising private support to accomplish its mission and building endowment funds for long term stability.
• Establish a community-based wrap around service approach.
• Launch the Community Promise Capital Campaign, raising $11 million to enhance Kerr’s 10-acre Gresham campus for Children’s Mental Health and significantly expand Kerr’s endowment funds.
To make a contribution in honor of Chris that will support the life-saving work for Kerr’s residents, clients, and staff, click here.