Duane Yoder
Retired President, Garrett County Community Action Committee, Inc.

Duane retired in 2024 after having served as President of the Garrett County Community Action Committee from 1980 through 2023.  Previously he was employed in similar roles on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Southern Maryland. 

During his tenure as President, Garrett County Community Action emerged as one of the most successful rural community development corporations in Maryland and as a state and national leader in implementing innovative early child education and whole family development strategies.

Duane’s work has primarily focused on rural strategies that assist people of low-income gain economic security and address the conditions and causes of poverty.  Duane has served on numerous national, state and local boards and commissions and is currently on the board of trustees of Garrett College, on the Board of Directors of the Md Association of Non-profit Organizations and is a member of the national LISC Rural Advisory Council.   

Duane is a native of Garrett County Maryland and resides in Swanton Maryland with his wife of 52 years, Earleen Beckman.  He received a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Mennonite University and is a 2002 graduate of Leadership Maryland.