Orval Peterson Serves as NBA President (1957-1971)

Rev. Orval Peterson

In its early years, NBA was led and managed by “a volunteer executive and a governing board supporting by a troika of administrative officers, each independently responsible to the board… But NBA had become too large, and the nature of American business had become too demanding, to permit this volunteer arrangement to continue. NBA was now a growing national corporation with 15 Homes in 12 states and an annual budget in excess of $2 million. No volunteer executive, regardless of how dedicated, could give NBA the time and energy that the management of such a large agency had come to require.” (Inasmuch, p102.)

In 1957, Orval D. Peterson became NBA’s first full-time executive, after serving for 20 years as a pastor in Yakima, WA. “Quiet, patient, and pastoral, Peterson worked for responsible change at every level without disruption…During his 14 1/2 years as the first full-time president, he initiated programs that were innovative and courageous.”

“Orval Peterson became NBA President during the waning years of the Eisenhower administration. America was coming to the end of a conservative cycle and pressures for change, especially in social welfare, were escalating throughout the country… Local churches were pressing NBA to help them establish benevolent agencies in their communities… In response to the changing situation, NBA created the Department of Research and Services in 1960… establishing a strategy of benevolence with criteria for project priorities.” (Inasmuch, p109-10.)

Peterson retired on June 30, 1971. During his tenure, NBA grew from 15 to 20 homes, with 300+ staff, serving 1,700+ children and older adults. (Inasmuch, p102-03.) Total corporate assets increased from $5 million to almost $28 million. During these years, NBA had launched the “first full pay-type facility, Kennedy Christian Home”; “the cottage program, which encouraged independent living and would later provide the precedent for NBA’s retirement centers and equity housing”; Woodhaven Learning Center for those with developmental disabilities; and its first two HUD-financed projects, Thomas Campbell Apartments and Florida Christian Apartments. “Quite a story of innovation!” (Inasmuch p117-18.)