Monica Lynch, the new CEO of the United Way, views her new position as having a similar theme to her past work — experience.

Lynch became the United Way’s new CEO of March and has a background in mental health services.

“Usually I worked for agencies that asked for money from the United Way,”&160;she said. “It’s kind of the flip-side of what I’ve done before.”

The United Way of the Miss-Lou runs an annual fund raising campaign.

It then allocates the money to support 26 charitable organizations in the Miss-Lou.

During last year’s campaign, the United Way raised $298,000 plus and an additional $14,000 during its annual golf- tournament.

“I think the neatest thing United Way does is support so many,” Lynch said.

Contributors give their money to one organization but end up helping so many others, she added.

Some of the agencies assisted by the United Way are the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, the Guardian Shelter, for abused women and Natchez’s Human Shelter.

Lynch, replaces former CEO Nancy Webster, who retired this year to spend more time with family.

The board of the United Way selected Lynch after a lengthy interview process.

Clyde Ray Webber, former chairman of the United Way Board said the board looked at lot of people before selecting Lynch.

“She was very well qualified,” Webber said. “We were very happy.”

Lynch has lived in Natchez since last November with her husband, Jason Lynch.

Lynch said she learned about the United Way position through an advertisement in the newspaper.

“I saw the add in the paper and thought I want to do that,” she said. “That’s the job I want.

She said she also enjoys working with all types of people – a major component of the United Way job.,”

“I just enjoy working with those kinds of people that don’t have the advantages we have every day,” she said.

One of ways the United Way raised money is to assist local companies with employee-campaigns.

Lynch said one of her goals as CEO, is to continue to broaden the base of people who make donations to the United Way,

“I’ve been surprised at the number of people who aren’t familiar with what the United Way does,”&160;she said.