Rankin to Depart After Guiding Revitalization
Montgomery Parks Foundation (Foundation) Board President, Joseph Isaacs, accepted with regret the resignation of its Executive Director, Debbie Rankin, who has held the position since January 2011 and has accepted another opportunity. He expressed gratitude for Ms. Rankin’s outstanding efforts to revitalize the dormant Foundation and establish needed infrastructure to enable more effective fundraising programs, integration within the Department of Parks, and engagement of community stakeholders and partners.
With the support of the Board of Trustees, the Foundation has become a viable and robust organization with a mission to cultivate financial support and public engagement of county residents and businesses as members, donors, sponsors and advocates. Mr. Isaacs stated that the Board will move as rapidly as possible to identify the next Executive Director to ensure the Foundation’s continuing momentum and a smooth transition to new leadership.
The Montgomery Parks Foundation had revenue of only $100,000 in the first year of its revitalization and over $660,000 in 2013. In the current year, the Foundation received a $1 million gift for a Greenhouse at Brookside Gardens and will exceed $1.5 million in total revenue.
“The Foundation thanks Debbie for her leadership and intends with its next Executive Director to continue to grow for the benefit Montgomery Parks and those that enjoy them,” said Joseph Isaacs, President of the Board of Trustees.
The Foundation Board of Trustees in collaboration with the Director of Parks, Mike Riley, will begin the search process for the next Executive Director in the coming weeks. The Board has named current Development Program Manager, Raleigh Leichter, as acting Executive Director during the transition.
“I feel confident that the Foundation Board of Trustees will work hard to identify the proper candidate to build on the excellent work Debbie and her talented staff started,” commented Mike Riley.
The Montgomery Parks Foundation is a 501c3 organization that champions Montgomery County Parks.