NEWPORT, The Northeast Kingdom Collaborative (NEKC) is searching for a new executive director following the election of Katherine Sims to the Vermont House of Representatives for the Orleans-Caledonia district. Sims, who has led the organization since 2017, will begin her legislative term in January.
NEKC is a nonprofit focused on improving quality of life through coordinated economic and community development, relying on community input and collaboration. Under Sims, the group launched leadership initiatives including the NEK Leads Summit and the NEK Womxn Lead Network. Board Chair Jody Fried praised Sims' "unrelenting passion" and said the organization has "big shoes to fill."
Tom Lovett, a NEKC board member, will serve as interim director starting January 1, supported by Communications Director Carey Crozier. The board plans a broad recruitment campaign to find a permanent director by April 1. The new director will focus on regional action planning, resource connections, and strengthening the organization.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, NEKC created a regional resource hub at NEKstrong.com and published a NEK Recovery Plan addressing broadband, affordable housing, childcare, and small business support. The organization says it will accelerate those efforts once a new director is in place.
Originally reported by Newport Dispatch.
Photo: Zulfugar Karimov via Unsplash. Photo is illustrative and not from the scene.
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