Al Brislain, president and CEO of the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida, is moving on after 8.5 years, during which the organization’s growth of food distribution has grown by 450 percent.

He will now lead Feeding America San Diego, a food bank that serves the greater San Diego area. Brislain’s resignation will be effective Oct. 23.

“While I look forward to the opportunity to feed families in need in the greater San Diego area, and to be closer to my family and my wife Rebecca’s family, I am saddened to leave behind the Southwest Florida community, and all the wonderful people here who have contributed to our effort,” said Brislain via a news release. “Please know this was a very difficult decision.”

Brislain has been in food banking for more than 30 years. He has been director of four food banks, including an 11-year stint as executive director of the Second Harvest Food Bank in Spokane, Washington. He also served for five years as senior vice president of member services for Feeding America, a nationwide network of 200 food banks, including the Harry Chapin Food Bank. Feeding America is the country’s largest nonprofit anti-hunger organization.

He and his wife, Rebecca, have children, stepchildren and grandchildren living in California and Colorado.

During the next few weeks, Brislain will focus on thanking staff, board members and other significant supporters for their contributions to the food bank’s mission. 

Keith Scoggins, chairman of the Harry Chapin Food Bank’s board of directors, said that the board is sorry to see Brislain leave. 

“We are very proud of our food bank’s performance under Al’s leadership,” Scoggins said.  “However, the board is also confident of our future. We have a talented, experienced staff who works tirelessly, along with our partner agencies, to fight hunger in Southwest Florida.  This is not simply a job for these people. It’s a passion.”