A familiar community leader is taking the top role at the Peoria Citizens Committee for Economic Opportunity, or PCCEO.
Denise Moore is a former Peoria City Council member and founder and CEO of the Minority Business Development Center. Now, she is also the figurehead of the embattled social services organization.
Moore said she was chosen by the current PCCEO board in a unanimous vote.
Since the departure of CEO McFarland Bragg in 2022, PCCEO has had five different top executives, with three serving in an interim capacity.
Former interim CEO John Edwards announced a discovery of “improprieties” related to alleged improper distribution of gift cards, as well as the firing of several employees involved in the incident, in April 2024.
A Peoria Police Department spokesperson confirmed to WCBU that an investigation had been launched into the matter at the time.
PCCEO has also discontinued or downsized services like weatherization and its food bank. Meanwhile, former employees and board members have voiced concerns about leadership and the direction of the organization with local media outlets.
“It’ll be tough. It’s a process. We have to get a handle on finances and re-affirm our relationships with community partners,” said Moore in a statement released Friday. “More so, I want our team to feel appreciated and clients to know that we’re working hard to provide outstanding service to the community.”
Moore served two terms as the District 1 city council representative before losing a 2021 re-election bid to Denise Jackson. She previously served on the PCCEO board from 2013-21. She plans to maintain her role as CEO of the Minority Business Development Center.
