Harold Mezoff retired in 2023 after nearly 60 years with ABCD. Throughout his stellar career, Harold showed incredible dedication to ABCD’s mission, the communities we serve, and most especially, the staff who come to work every day. His leadership helped ABCD evolve from an innovative initiative into one of the largest federally-designated non-profit anti-poverty organizations in the country, impacting some 100,000 people each year.
One of his many accomplishments is being asked in 1974 long-time ABCD President/CEO Bob Coard to temporarily manage the then-fledgling Urban College Program at ABCD, a role that he would cherish as a highlight of his career. Over the next five decades, he would champion UCB’s growth, help it become an independent two year college, and serve on its Board of Trustees – bringing higher education to thousands of ABCD staff and our community in the process.
ABCD honored his 50 years of service at the Community Heroes Celebration in 2016. He described his experience as “an amazing journey. It’s more than a job; it’s a calling. We have the privilege of helping people and families in desperate need literally transform their lives every day. Being part of that means everything.”
Harold was more than a colleague; he was a mentor and a friend to many of us. His efforts meant everything, and he will be dearly missed.
