Published On: July 18th, 2024

Message from GMCG Board Chair Peter Zack
Dear Friend,

During the summer of 2019, I was a member of the Search Committee that selected Matt Howe to become the second Executive Director of Green Mountain Conservation Group. Today, five years later, I find myself a member of the Transition Committee announcing that Matt has indicated his desire to step down as Executive Director of GMCG, most likely by the end of December, 2024.

Please read more in the announcement below.

Perhaps Matt’s crowning achievement, among many, has been his ability to build upon the legacy of our founder, Blair Folts, creating a bridge to a new GMCG era, the foundation of which is buttressed by these valuable assets: A solid base of community support; a passionate and professional program staff, all of whom were here in 2019 and are still here today; a dedicated and skilled board of directors; and a demonstrated need for the organization and demand for its services.

Very soon we will commence a search for a new leader for GMCG, with your input and support. In the meantime, please join us on Tuesday, July 30 from 4 to 6 p.m. at The Preserve at Chocorua when, at our Watershed Celebration, we will honor Matt’s own legacy as part of our annual recognition of the leaders and volunteers who make our work possible. And by all means, feel free to contact me with any questions you might have regarding the transition at GMCG.

With gratitude for all you have done to protect the resources of the Ossipee Watershed,

Peter Zack

Chair, GMCG Board of Directors

peter@secanews.org

(207) 272-9758

 

 

July 17, 2024: Announcement of Executive Director Transition at GMCG

 

After five years of dedicated and productive service leading the Green Mountain Conservation Group, Matt Howe has announced that he will be departing from his role as executive director at the end of 2024.

“With gratitude for the opportunity to serve as executive director since 2019, and with great pride in what we at GMCG have accomplished together, I have asked the GMCG board to formally begin a process to find my replacement,” Howe said.

“I am confident this is both the right time for me to begin this transition and the right time for GMCG to find a new leader to guide the organization forward.”

Board Chair Peter Zack will lead a newly formed transition committee to find a new executive director to continue the organization’s 27-year record of innovative, science-based work protecting water and natural resources in the Greater Ossipee Watershed.

“Matt has done a tremendous job building upon our founders’ legacy and strengthened the foundation for GMCG’s future leading the protection of the Ossipee Watershed at a time when clean water is being threatened as never before,” said Zack.

“With a strong commitment to our expansive and vital mission, Matt has created dynamic partnerships with local environmental organizations and foundations, guided critical new public outreach campaigns, and supported our passionate and professional program staff who are integral to delivering our research, education, advocacy and land conservation programs,” he added. “His leadership has enabled GMCG to remain at the forefront of protecting natural resources in our community.”

The board invites the community to celebrate Matt’s accomplishments — and the contributions of many others — at its annual Watershed Celebration on July 30 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at The Preserve at Chocorua. To register for this free event, go to gmcg.org/celebration.

More information on the transition and the search for GMCG’s next executive director will be available in the coming months


Pictured above: GMCG Water Quality Coordinator Jill Emerson, Education Coordinator Tara Schroeder, Outreach Coordinator Moselle Spiller, and Executive Director Matt Howe.