The Friends Board of Directors voted unanimously at its recent March Board meeting to appoint its first Executive Director. Board member Kelly Clark has agreed to fill the position.
Bill Durkin, Friends President, noted, “I’m very excited about this move. The Friends have been totally volunteer for 38 years which has stretched us at times, particularly with fundraising. Creating this position will strengthen the organization and allow it to grow in new ways.”
Kelly has a background in marketing, but recently decided to switch careers and is studying forestry at University of New Hampshire. Friends Board member Natalie Lord met Kelly in a class she was teaching and encouraged him to intern with the Friends for a degree requirement. While interning to help both the Friends and the Refuge, Kelly was impressed with what the Friends were doing and the Board asked if Kelly was interested in staying involved by joining the Board. Living in Kittery, Kelly was already familiar with the Refuge’s Brave Boat Harbor Division and saw his involvement with the Friends as a great way to combine his interests in forestry and conservation with his marketing skills.
As Executive Director, Kelly will work to elevate the Friends presence in the community while developing a broader base of funding support. This will help the Friends achieve its goals of running a nature store for visitors and providing support to the Refuge and its programs in the soon to be Multipurpose/Visitor Center off Brown Street in Kennebunk. Part of that process will be the Executive Director overseeing an expanded and more robust Friends internship program.
Kelly stated, “I’m really excited to work with Board members, Refuge staff, donors, and volunteers to contribute to the Refuge’s important mission. Threats to the Refuge system are frightening and increasing, so it’s never been more important that we all rally to support the incredible work done by the Refuge team. Together we will make a big difference.”