The state’s largest anti-poverty organization named a new chief executive officer. Mark Schmit was selected as the chief executive officer of Eva’s Village on Friday. He replaces chief executive Marie Reger.

Schmit (pictured) is a business administrator and is owner and partner of several companies, according to the nonprofit. A resident of Wyckoff, Schmit is deferring retirement to head the social service organization that runs 20 programs providing food, shelter, medical care, education, job training, and addiction recovery services to the needy.

“There will certainly be challenges. We are facing an epidemic of opioid addiction like we have never seen before, and our community continues to struggle with poverty, hunger, and homelessness,” Schmit said. “But each day at Eva’s I see hope for the future, and I am inspired by employees, volunteers and donors who lead with a servant heart, showing empathy and compassion to each and every person who comes through our doors.”

Schmit was selected by the organization’s board of trustees. “Mark brings with him a broad set of skills and a multitude of gifts that made him the best candidate: a background in business; ability to work with different groups of people; his love for the mission of Eva’s Village and a deep understanding of its operations and history. He is the complete package,” incoming chairwoman Eileen Clifford, a member of the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth, said.

Clifford was a member of the search committee that selected Schmit. She is the first woman to chair the organization’s board of trustees. He is not new to the organization, Schmit recently served as interim executive director and board president. He served as treasurer and board member from 1998-2007.

Schmit was also part of an advisory board for the Eva’s Village Culinary School and also its Eva’s Cookies Brownies. His involvement goes back to the organization’s early days when Vincent E. Puma founded the nonprofit.

Eva’s Village was founded in 1982 as a soup kitchen to feed the hungry in Paterson. Eva’s Village has a revenue of $9.5 million, according to federal tax filings. The organization’s previous chief executive, Reger, received $147,779 in pay.