Mercer Street Friends, a nonprofit serving children, families and individuals across Mercer County through food, family and education programs, announced that Randall West recently assumed the role of chief executive officer, following the retirement of CEO Bernie Flynn.
West, whose appointment became effective July 1, first joined the organization in April 2025, serving as chief administrative officer.
As CEO, West leads Mercer Street Friends’ efforts to expand access to critical resources and opportunities for communities throughout Trenton and Mercer County. He said his leadership approach is rooted in listening, collaboration, and partnership, with a focus on understanding community needs and building upon the organization’s decades of service.
West brings four decades of experience in corporate leadership and entrepreneurship and community engagement to Mercer Street Friends. During his career with Ford Motor Company, he served in numerous management roles before becoming owner and CEO of a dealership based in Mercer County. Throughout his career, West earned a reputation as a collaborative leader, focused on operational excellence while building meaningful community partnerships.
“Stepping into this nonprofit leadership role is a tremendous honor and privilege,” West said in a statement Wednesday. “I have deep respect for Mercer Street Friends’ legacy and the incredible impact this organization has had on the community for decades.
“I look forward to listening, learning and working alongside our valued team members, volunteers, benefactors and community partners to continue creating opportunities for individuals and families to thrive,” he said.
West is demonstrating his commitment to Mercer Street Friends’ mission through his involvement in programs such as the Summer Bridge program – a free summer enrichment opportunity available to students as part of Mercer Street Friends’ Community Schools Initiative – that highlights the importance of providing students with continued learning opportunities during the summer months while ensuring families have access to reliable, enriching care.
“Summer Bridge is about more than keeping students busy while they’re off from school,” West said. “It provides enriching educational experiences that broaden their horizons while giving families peace of mind knowing their children are continuing to learn in a safe, supportive environment. When school resumes, students return better prepared for success.”
West also welcomed one of the largest donations to the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank in July as part of the America250 festivities. Over 31,500 pounds of food was donated – equivalent to 26,000 meals. The donation underscores the importance of community partnerships in addressing food insecurity and ensuring families have access to essential resources.
“The Board of Trustees is proud to welcome Randall as CEO and recognize the impact he has already made since joining the organization,” said Ken Blackwell, Mercer Street Friends board chair in a statement Wednesday.
“His commitment to our mission and dedication to the communities we serve have already strengthened the nonprofit,” Blackwell said. “We look forward to supporting Randall as he continues building on our foundation and leading Mercer Street Friends into the future.”
To learn more about Mercer Street Friends, including ways to volunteer or donate, visit mercerstreetfriends.org.
