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Auberle's Strategic Growth Drives Leadership Evolution as Darla Poole Named CEO
June 9, 2025
For Immediate Release
Jonathan Potts
657-378-0102
jonathan@assemblegrp.com
Auberle Ushers in New Era of Leadership with Darla Poole as CEO
Award-winning nonprofit names Aimee Plowman as COO and John Lydon as CEO Emeritus following record-setting year
McKeesport, PA – June 9, 2025 – Auberle, a nationally recognized, faith-based human service agency, announced today that Darla Poole will become Chief Executive Officer on July 1, 2025, succeeding longtime CEO John Lydon, who will transition to a part-time role as Director of Strategic Projects and CEO Emeritus. In addition, Aimee Plowman, currently Director of Young Adult Services, has been appointed Chief Operating Officer to succeed Poole.
This leadership transition is the result of a multi-year, agency-wide succession planning process that reflects Auberle’s culture of developing leaders at every level and strengthening the entire organization.
Over the past two decades, Auberle has experienced significant growth—expanding services, launching innovative programs, and investing in staff advancement to meet the evolving needs of the community. Poole has played a key role in nearly every major program innovation, leading system-changing efforts in family preservation, housing, and community services.
“It is an incredible honor to lead Auberle into its next chapter,” said Poole. “Our mission to build strong individuals, families, and communities is at the heart of everything we do. I am grateful for the trust placed in me and look forward to collaborating with our dedicated staff and partners to continue changing lives for generations.”
Plowman joined Auberle in 2016 to launch the acclaimed 412 Youth Zone, now a statewide and national model for supporting young people aging out of foster care. She later assumed oversight of Ward Home programming and was critical to its rejuvenation.
“I am excited to support Darla and our team as we deepen our impact across Pennsylvania. The passion and expertise of Auberle’s staff inspire me every day, and together we will continue to find innovative solutions to our region’s most pressing challenges,” said Plowman.
Lydon has served as CEO since 2004 and, before that, spent more than 20 years on Auberle’s Boards, including as Chair. Under his leadership, the organization expanded significantly, serving more than 5,000 people in 2024 alone—a new record—across multiple sites and programs.
Lydon guided Auberle through many pivotal moments, including the strategic exit from residential services, the acquisition and revitalization of Ward Home, and the rapid expansion of emergency and housing programs during the pandemic.
“It has been the privilege of my career to lead Auberle and work alongside such talented colleagues,” said Lydon. “I have been involved in Auberle for over 40 years, and I have never been more confident of our future than I am with our current leadership team under Darla's direction."
In 2024, Auberle’s Employment Institute received the prestigious Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award, and the agency was recognized as a Top Workplace by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for the ninth consecutive year.
Auberle’s programs also achieved high marks in outcomes, including leading rates of foster care permanency and employment retention, as well as permanent housing stability for families served. The McKeesport-based organization expanded its partnerships with hundreds of employers and community organizations to provide tailored solutions for individuals and families. More about Auberle’s 2024 accomplishments can be found in its Annual Report.
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About Auberle
At Auberle, we change lives – for generations. We are a nationally recognized, Catholic, faith-based human service agency serving more than 5,000 people annually across 12 western Pennsylvania counties. With a staff of 250, Auberle delivers award-winning, holistic, and innovative programs in workforce development, housing, young adult services, behavioral health, and foster care. The agency partners with hundreds of employers and organizations to provide tailored solutions that build strong individuals, families, and communities, achieving exceptional outcomes such as high employment retention in workforce development, permanent housing stability, and leading rates of foster care permanency.
Jonathan Potts
657-378-0102
jonathan@assemblegrp.com
Auberle Ushers in New Era of Leadership with Darla Poole as CEO
Award-winning nonprofit names Aimee Plowman as COO and John Lydon as CEO Emeritus following record-setting year
McKeesport, PA – June 9, 2025 – Auberle, a nationally recognized, faith-based human service agency, announced today that Darla Poole will become Chief Executive Officer on July 1, 2025, succeeding longtime CEO John Lydon, who will transition to a part-time role as Director of Strategic Projects and CEO Emeritus. In addition, Aimee Plowman, currently Director of Young Adult Services, has been appointed Chief Operating Officer to succeed Poole.
This leadership transition is the result of a multi-year, agency-wide succession planning process that reflects Auberle’s culture of developing leaders at every level and strengthening the entire organization.
Over the past two decades, Auberle has experienced significant growth—expanding services, launching innovative programs, and investing in staff advancement to meet the evolving needs of the community. Poole has played a key role in nearly every major program innovation, leading system-changing efforts in family preservation, housing, and community services.
“It is an incredible honor to lead Auberle into its next chapter,” said Poole. “Our mission to build strong individuals, families, and communities is at the heart of everything we do. I am grateful for the trust placed in me and look forward to collaborating with our dedicated staff and partners to continue changing lives for generations.”
Plowman joined Auberle in 2016 to launch the acclaimed 412 Youth Zone, now a statewide and national model for supporting young people aging out of foster care. She later assumed oversight of Ward Home programming and was critical to its rejuvenation.
“I am excited to support Darla and our team as we deepen our impact across Pennsylvania. The passion and expertise of Auberle’s staff inspire me every day, and together we will continue to find innovative solutions to our region’s most pressing challenges,” said Plowman.
Lydon has served as CEO since 2004 and, before that, spent more than 20 years on Auberle’s Boards, including as Chair. Under his leadership, the organization expanded significantly, serving more than 5,000 people in 2024 alone—a new record—across multiple sites and programs.
Lydon guided Auberle through many pivotal moments, including the strategic exit from residential services, the acquisition and revitalization of Ward Home, and the rapid expansion of emergency and housing programs during the pandemic.
“It has been the privilege of my career to lead Auberle and work alongside such talented colleagues,” said Lydon. “I have been involved in Auberle for over 40 years, and I have never been more confident of our future than I am with our current leadership team under Darla's direction."
In 2024, Auberle’s Employment Institute received the prestigious Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award, and the agency was recognized as a Top Workplace by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for the ninth consecutive year.
Auberle’s programs also achieved high marks in outcomes, including leading rates of foster care permanency and employment retention, as well as permanent housing stability for families served. The McKeesport-based organization expanded its partnerships with hundreds of employers and community organizations to provide tailored solutions for individuals and families. More about Auberle’s 2024 accomplishments can be found in its Annual Report.
###
About Auberle
At Auberle, we change lives – for generations. We are a nationally recognized, Catholic, faith-based human service agency serving more than 5,000 people annually across 12 western Pennsylvania counties. With a staff of 250, Auberle delivers award-winning, holistic, and innovative programs in workforce development, housing, young adult services, behavioral health, and foster care. The agency partners with hundreds of employers and organizations to provide tailored solutions that build strong individuals, families, and communities, achieving exceptional outcomes such as high employment retention in workforce development, permanent housing stability, and leading rates of foster care permanency.