New executive director takes over service offices

Julie Hargis has been a business owner in Pahrump since she moved here 10 years ago. Her involvement with her own businesses and local organizations and her varied experience in so many fields has landed her the position of Nevada Outreach Training Organization and No to Abuse Executive Director.

Hargis said she was about to take a position as a Rotarian trainer when she was approached by a member of the NOTO/NTA board. “They asked me to please submit my resume. The executive director’s position was opening and they wanted me for the position.”

Hargis said once she started “everything fell into place. I realized that I’d been doing this job already — just not in one place.” Hargis replaces Rev. Julie Platson.

She said being a business owner she knew the financials. The training for her presidency of the local Rotary helped her through that organization’s training program.

“You don’t just get elected to be Rotary president,” Hargis said. “There’s a year of training classes you go through before you are ever put into the position.”

Outside of Rotary, she has founded the Harvest Food Drive, which aids the Church of the Harvest food pantry and also with KNYE Radio owner Karen Jackson’s holiday food drives.

“I launched a campaign to raise $15,000 for the Broadhead family to bury their children after the tragic fire and worked with NCSO and the community for Ian Deutch Memorial Vigil.”

She is also a member of Kiwanis, Women of the Moose and is an active supporter of the Martin Luther King Scholarship Foundation and the MLK breakfast held each year at the Pahrump Nugget.

In her new position, Hargis has to oversee the expansive services offered by NOTO/NTA. “I’m the liaison between all the things we do and the board of directors. I keep them up to speed and keep them abreast of the organization’s financial status.

“It’s been a lot of work to gather all the knowledge from various departments that I need to run this organization effectively. But I’m so thrilled to be here and excited for the challenge.”

Some of the programs are help for abused women and men trying to break free of unhealthy relationships; child advocacy between abused children and the courts, parenting classes, and the food bank. There are volunteers who answer phones and sort and size clothing donations. The organization also handles furniture, bedding and other linen donations.

“We do so many things here and I’m starting a parenting class for people going through a separation or divorce and how to help their children transition.”

She is trying to go through the book-lined shelves to stay on top of any and all grant funding, due dates and the rules and regulations governing those grants. She will be writing them as well.

“I have a wonderful, knowledgeable staff. No one could ask for better. I belong here. This is where my journey has led me, one step at a time.”