Camp Fire First Texas Appoints New CFO

Camp Fire First Texas is delighted to announce the appointment of Nicole Willingham as the organization’s new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). With a distinguished background in finance, accounting, and strategic management, Willingham is set to lead the financial operations of Camp Fire First Texas with a focus on sustainability, innovation, and community impact.

Nicole Willingham joins Camp Fire First Texas following her role as Senior Vice President and Director of the San Francisco Project-Based Voucher Contract at CVR Associates, Inc. In her previous position, she managed an $8 million annual contract, directed a team of 60 employees, and oversaw the financial management of $15.5 million in monthly Housing Assistance Payments. Her deep experience in financial consulting, budget management, and performance oversight equips her to effectively steer Camp Fire First Texas’s financial strategy. She previously worked with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and General Services Administration, Office of the CFO.

“We are thrilled to welcome Nicole Willingham to our leadership team,” said Brian Miller, President & CEO of Camp Fire First Texas. “Nicole brings a wealth of experience and a passion for financial excellence that will be instrumental as we continue to grow and evolve. Her commitment to the nonprofit sector and her strong business acumen makes her the perfect addition to our team. I am excited to see the positive impact she will have on our organization and the North Texas communities we serve.”

Willingham expressed her enthusiasm for joining Camp Fire First Texas: “I’m excited about Camp Fire’s mission and impacting our local community. Attending Family Camp at Camp El Tesoro also taught me that my birdhouse building and kayaking skills need some work, which would be an added bonus.”

In addition to her professional expertise, Willingham brings a strong commitment to nonprofit work. She reflected on a particularly meaningful experience, saying, “My most impactful non-profit experience was when I traveled to Houston with Animal Investigation and Response (AIR), a non-profit organization in which I serve as the Treasurer and a member of the Board of Directors, to aid animals affected by Hurricane Harvey.”

As the new CFO, Willingham will provide strategic financial leadership and oversee all financial and accounting operations at Camp Fire First Texas. She will collaborate with senior leadership to develop and implement sustainable, fiscally responsible strategies that support the organization’s mission to provide equitable access to learning opportunities for all children and youth in North Texas.

Nicole Willingham holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Accounting from the University of Texas at Arlington, a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Texas Christian University. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) with a Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA), and Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), and holds a Project Management Certificate from the University of Texas, Arlington.

She volunteers as a board member and treasurer for Animal Investigation and Response and as board member vice president for the North Texas Basset Hound Rescue.

Willingham and her husband, Cliff, reside in Fort Worth with two old lady basset hounds, Heidi and Lucy. She has been a competitive swimmer since she was six years old and has been a member of Team Ridglea Masters Swimming for over 20 years. She is known for her dedication to endurance events, sharing, “I like to push my limits. I’ve completed two full Ironman triathlons, a 50-mile trail run, and numerous open water swims (three Escape from Alcatraz events, a 10K from the Golden Gate to Bay Bridge, and a 10K in Barbados).”

For more information about Camp Fire First Texas and its programs, please visit CampFireFW.org.