Mercer Street Friends Announces Randall West as New CEO Chamber of Commerce Southern NJ April 9, 2026

Outgoing CEO Bernie Flynn will join Board of Trustees 

EWING, NJ – Mercer Street Friends, a nonprofit organization serving families and individuals across Mercer County through food, family, and education services, proudly announced Randall West as new Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2026. West succeeds Bernie Flynn, who served as Chief Executive Officer beginning in February 2020. Flynn will remain involved and support the transition as a member of Mercer Street Friends’ Board of Trustees.

West joined Mercer Street Friends in April 2025 as Chief Administrative Officer and immersed himself in the organization’s operations, programs, and mission, working alongside Flynn to continue to foster a collaborative, goal-driven culture rooted in strategic focus and shared purpose.

West will put his many years of entrepreneurial and business experience as well as volunteer board service to work for the organization at a time when the need for access to food, vital educational support, and family services continues to grow. He is committed to leading with integrity to further Mercer Street Friends’ mission to nourish minds and bodies; empower families and communities.

“I am thrilled to assume this position and will follow the highly successful path forward initiated by Bernie Flynn, that addresses food insecurity throughout the County while helping our youth and their families in our Preschool, six Community Schools, and through our Parenting programs,” said West. “Mercer Street Friends has been rooted in Trenton and Mercer County since 1958. It is an honor to work with our outstanding Board of Trustees, staff, and dedicated benefactors to continue our legacy of serving the urgent needs of the community.”  

Outside of his role at Mercer Street Friends, West serves on the board of Second Baptist Church in Moorestown and served on the boards of The First Tee of Greater Trenton and the Ford Minority Dealer Association. He was a representative of the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJ CAR). His volunteer service reflects a longstanding commitment to strengthening communities through mentorship, service, and strategic leadership.

“We welcome Randall as CEO at this pivotal time in our organization’s history,” said Kenneth Blackwell, Board Chair for Mercer Street Friends. “Rooted in our Quaker values, and thanks to the exceptional leadership and stewardship of Bernie Flynn, we are embarking on a new chapter that promises our neighbors and partners that we stand together with them to lift up Trenton and Mercer County through food, family, and education.” 

“Recognizing Randall’s passion for and commitment to community service and our mission, I am pleased he will assume the leadership role at Mercer Street Friends,” said Flynn. “I welcome the opportunity to join the Board of Trustees and lend my support during the transition as our organization begins the next chapter in its long history of serving the people of Mercer County.”

West earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Rutgers University and completed the Advanced Management Education Program at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He and his wife Jaye reside in Moorestown, N.J.

Headshot attached. 

About Mercer Street Friends

As a Quaker-affiliated, nonsectarian 501(c)(3) organization, Mercer Street Friends is dedicated to nourishing minds and bodies, empowering families and communities by providing comprehensive programs to address poverty and the physical and emotional trauma it creates for children, families and the community. Their work is focused on three critical areas: food, families and education. To learn more about Mercer Street Friends, visit www.mercerstreetfriends.org.