Mel Trotter Ministries Announces New President/CEO;

Reverend Chico Daniels

Grand Rapids—The Board of Directors of Mel Trotter Ministries announces that Reverend Chico Daniels has been named the new President/CEO of the 108-year-old organization.  Daniels succeeds retiring president Thomas J. Meyers.  Since 2000, Daniels served

as the Executive Director of Guiding Light Mission in Grand Rapids.

He began his new duties October 1, 2007. 

“We are very pleased that Reverend Daniels has accepted our offer to lead Mel Trotter Ministries,” said Dr. Richard Koole, chair of the Mel Trotter Ministries Board of Directors.  “Reverend Daniels has the skill, experience, and passion necessary to lead Mel Trotter into the future.  His work at Guiding Light has been exemplary and we believe he will do the same here at Mel Trotter.”

“We are very pleased that Reverend Daniels has accepted our offer to lead Mel Trotter Ministries,” said Dr. Richard Koole, chair of the Mel Trotter Ministries Board of Directors.  “Reverend Daniels has the skill, experience, and passion necessary to lead Mel Trotter into the future.  His work at Guiding Light has been exemplary and we believe he will do the same here at Mel Trotter.”

Koole said the selection of Daniels came after a nationwide search yielding more than 60 applicants.  “We were very pleased with both the quantity and quality of the applicants.  In the end, however, we believe that Reverend Daniels is God’s man for this position.  As a board we are looking forward to working with him as the mission prepares for an exciting future.”

While at Guiding Light Mission, Daniels oversaw the management of that organization as a productive ministry to the homeless community of Grand Rapids.  During his tenure, Guiding Light donations doubled, the S.A.V.E. program (Spiritually Accountable, Vocationally Equipped) was created, and several major outreaches were started including programs for urban and suburban pastors, business leaders, and non-profit leaders.

Prior to serving at Guiding Light Mission, Daniels was the Executive Director of the Visalia Rescue Mission in Visalia, CA.  He has also served as the Director of Community Services for the Bay Area Rescue Mission in Richmond, CA and as an evangelist for Christians in Action Missions International in Woodlake, CA.  He served six years in the United States Air Force as a Morse Systems Operator. He is a member of the Economic Club of Grand Rapids and the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions.