MMRG seeking its first full-time director

From left, conservation director Keith Fletcher, administrative coordinator Kam Damtoft, former executive director Virginia Long and education coordinator Kari Lygren (Courtesy photo)

UNION, N.H. - Moose Mountains Regional Greenways is seeking its first full-time Executive Director and the Board of Directors is launching a national search. Virginia Long, who has served the organization as Executive Director on a part-time basis for the past five years, has decided to take on a more focused role.

"We believe the time is right to invest in a full-time leadership position," said Jack Savage, current Board Chair. "It's a natural evolution of the conscious decision the Board made several years ago to become a land trust and to hold conservation easements and potentially acquire land for conservation purposes."

In addition to its volunteer Board of Directors and many other volunteers, MMRG currently has several part-time staff, including Director of Conservation Keith Fletcher and Education Coordinator Kari Lygren.

Long, meanwhile, has been named Development and Communications Coordinator, a new part-time position.

"I'm happy with my new more focused role at MMRG. I've always loved the communications part of the job and I've been feeling increasingly comfortable with and excited about doing development work," Long said last week after the announcement. "And best of all, I have more time for my vegetable garden and for going off hiking and biking and exploring new places in New Hampshire!"

"Virginia has kept MMRG on track during an important phase of our growth," Savage said. "We're in the position to take this next step because of her work, and we're pleased that we'll continue to benefit by having her on staff going forward."

Kam Damtoft of Durham joined the staff as Administrative Coordinator on an interim basis to help until the new Executive Director is in place. Damtoft has extensive nonprofit experience, including working with Dover-based Strafford Rivers Conservancy prior to its merger with Southeast Land Trust.

The Board has formed a Search Committee and is currently seeking qualified applicants for the new full-time Executive Director position. The position announcement and job description can be found at www.mmrg.info.