United Way of the Coastal Empire President Gregg Schroeder has announced that Julie Dickey will succeed Bonnie Dixon as Effingham area director.

Dixon has served 25 years as area director, and will retire Dec. 31.

Dickey hails from Calhoun, and holds a bachelor of science in accounting, as well as a master of accounting from Birmingham-Southern College. She began volunteering at the United Way Effingham Service Center in 2009, and was hired as assistant director in 2012.

In addition, Elise Drewsen, who served her senior internship at the United Way Effingham Service Center last summer, has joined United Way of the Coastal Empire as Effingham assistant director. Drewsen hails from Fond du Lac, Wisc., and holds a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Northern Iowa in leisure, youth and human services, with an emphasis in nonprofit management.

During her internship, she aided the office with campaign pace-setting and kickoff planning. Following that, she served as a loaned associate for United Way of the Coastal Empire, focusing on finance donors and construction and real estate donors. She exceeded her fundraising goals in both areas.