Community Action of Northeast Indiana has selected an internal employee from among dozens of regional candidates as its new executive director, officials announced Wednesday.

Steve Hoffman, a CANI employee of 10 years, will take over as the non-profit’s executive director April 5. Hoffman was selected from a pool of 43 regional candidates, said Lauren Caggiano, a spokesperson for the organization.

CANI is a non-profit agency that helps communities, families and individuals in poverty in northeast Indiana.

Hoffman was selected March 18 by the organization’s board of directors. He replaces Joe Conrad, who announced his resignation in January. Conrad worked at CANI for 33 years. All but three of those years were spent as executive director.

“There comes a point when an organization is just ready for new leadership,” Conrad said. “I had given all I had to offer. I can’t think of a better person to lead that organization.”

Hoffman, who was born and raised in Monroeville, most recently was director of administration and development for the organization.

As executive director, Hoffman said he plans to continue working on projects he has played a role in during his current tenure, including creating a lending institution for low-income families and working on housing development programs and a youth program.

“Poverty is a passion of mine, and I believe in the organization,” he said. “I really am honored and very excited to lead CANI.”

Before joining the non-profit, Hoffman said he spent two years in the U.S. Army. He then served in the National Guard for six years. Hoffman, 37, has a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, along with a master’s degree in public administration from Ball State University.

He lives in Monroeville with his wife and three sons.

habrams@jg.net