Charles Settlement House Names Thomas Green CEO
Dr. Thomas Green succeeds Scott C. Benjamin, who is retiring after 21 years leading the Rochester-area settlement houses.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in People
Charles Settlement House and The Community Place of Greater Rochester have named Dr. Thomas Green as chief executive officer, effective November 30. Green succeeds Scott C. Benjamin, who has served the organizations for 21 years.
Why it matters
The appointment marks a leadership transition at two Rochester-area settlement houses after two decades under Benjamin. The board's choice of a lifelong Rochesterian with executive leadership experience signals continuity for the organizations' local service mission.
Benjamin's tenure spanned 21 years, while Green brings more than three decades of executive leadership experience to the role. The announcement does not specify how the transition will affect budgets or programming.
The players
Thomas Green
Dr. Thomas Green is a lifelong Rochesterian with more than three decades of executive leadership experience and advanced degrees in executive leadership, strategic leadership, and computer science.
Scott C. Benjamin
Scott C. Benjamin is the outgoing CEO who led the settlement houses for 21 years before retiring from the role.
Rick Nangreave
Rick Nangreave is the board chair of Charles Settlement House and The Community Place of Greater Rochester.
The details
The Board of Directors announced Green's appointment, and Rick Nangreave, board chair, said Green's leadership and vision make him ideally suited to lead the organization. Green holds a Doctorate in Executive Leadership from St. John Fisher University, a master's in Strategic Leadership from Roberts Wesleyan University, and a bachelor's in Computer Science from SUNY Brockport.
Timeline
Nov. 30, 2026: Green's appointment as CEO takes effect.
End of February 2027: Benjamin's staff remaining period to assist the transition ends.
Leadership Transition
The succession follows a 21-year tenure, a period that typically spans multiple planning cycles at community organizations. The new CEO's appointment is set to begin after a planned handover period.
Residents who use Charles Settlement House or The Community Place services may see continuity under new leadership beginning November 30. The extraction does not indicate changes to service availability or fees.
The takeaway
Leadership transitions at long-running community organizations often rely on overlapping handovers, as Benjamin's February 2027 staff period illustrates. Readers following local nonprofits can watch how the new CEO shapes services over the coming year.
What happens next
Benjamin will remain on staff through the end of February 2027 to assist with the leadership transition.
Further reading
Explore more People coverage tied to Rochester leadership changes.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Rochester Business Journal.
