The Fargo Salvation Army has new directors.
Captains Adam and Deannie Moore, recent graduates of the Chicago-based Salvation Army College of Officer Training, will share leadership responsibilities at Fargo Salvation Army headquarters, 304 Roberts St.
They have replaced Majors LaVern and Linda Poling, who were placed on paid administrative leave in March after hosting two high-risk sex offenders at their home. The Polings previously knew them in Illinois.
The Polings served eight months as leaders of the Fargo Salvation Army after moving here from Waukegan, Ill., north of Chicago.
Adam Moore, 32, has held several Salvation Army positions during his 12 years with the agency.
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"I've been in it pretty much all my life," he said. "I'm a child of a Salvation Army officer."
He and his wife, Deannie, 36, graduated June 14 from 22 months of training. They have two sons, Jonathan, 9, and Justin, 6.
"It's a joint venture," he said. "You go through training and share responsibilities."
Moore said he and his wife don't have any new plans for operating the Fargo facility.
"The Salvation Army and Cass and Clay County have had a wonderful reputation for years," he said. "I want to continue to build on that great foundation. We're excited to be here."
Maj. Daniel Sjogren, leader of the Salvation Army's divisional headquarters in Roseville, Minn., said the Moores were at the top of their class.
"We're definitely excited about their going to Fargo," Sjogren said. "We feel we've given them an appointment that will challenge their leadership. They bring the stability that we were looking for."
He said the Polings are serving with the Salvation Army in the Peoria, Ill., area. Sjogren wouldn't say where or what positions they hold. He referred questions to the division commander for that area, who wasn't available Thursday for comment.
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Moore said he doesn't anticipate that the situation that occurred during the Polings' tenure in Fargo will affect his and his wife's leadership.
"Our duty is to build on that foundation, putting aside any questions of the integrity or trustfulness of the Salvation Army in Fargo," he said. "We are still the organization that people have come to love and trust."
The primary role of the Salvation Army in Fargo is "meeting human needs in the name of Christ, without discrimination," Moore said.
The local Salvation Army has 17 full- and part-time employees and about a dozen volunteers.
Readers can reach Forum Business Editor Craig McEwen at (701) 241-5502
