September 15, 2006
NC Beautiful Board of Directors announces new Executive Director, Steve Vacendak
NC Beautiful welcomes Steve Vacendak to our Beautiful NC Family. Coach Vacendak worked as Associate Athletic Director at Duke and recently brought his team building skills to Winthrop University. Now we are lucky to have Steve here in NC helping guide our new staff and NC Beautiful's board, to better serve you, our teacher and student winners; truly, our NC Environmental Heroes. Steve's introduction letter is copied below.
September 19, 2006
Dear Teachers and Students,
Since its inception in 1967, NC Beautiful has had to adapt and evolve many times over the years. Today is no exception. During this summer we have reorganized, and moved into a new office. As we unpack boxes, update records, and decide where to put the coffee pot, I would like to take a moment to introduce myself, and our new team.
After 13 years of service to the natural beauty of North Carolina, Jane Rogers is retiring as Managing Director of NC Beautiful. Jane guided our transformation from innovative beautification projects to our current focus on environmental education. As we look toward strengthening our programs, we stand poised to make NC Beautiful a leader in environmental education across our state, and an example for the entire country.
On August 1st I joined NC Beautiful as the new Executive Director. The opportunity to work with talented and committed individuals like you is very exciting to me. I strongly believe in our mission of educating the citizens of North Carolina about how they can perpetuate the natural beauty of their State. Together we will make a difference for North Carolina.
Throughout this transition we have focused on how we can best help you. With this in mind, we have established two new Staff positions. We have engaged Michael Holland, Ph.D., as our new Director of Programs and Strategic Initiatives. He will devote himself to coordinating our programs, while investigating new ways to cultivate an appreciation of our state’s natural beauty in the hearts of students. Mike holds a doctorate in Environmental Health Science and post doctoral fellowship in Environmental Oncology, and brings a wealth of hands-on experience teaching science at all levels, and working with numerous grass-roots conservation efforts.
We are also extremely fortunate to have recruited Anna Brogan Mann, as our new Administrative and Golf Classic Manager. Anna worked with NC Beautiful as a consultant for the 2006 Classic, helping to make it the successful fundraiser that it was. Her knowledge of the many names and faces associated with this organization has been an enormous asset during our transition.
We welcome your input, and realize you are our best resource for making meaningful improvements to how we do business. Our mailing address remains the same, but our new phone is 919-828-3190 and our new fax is 919-828-3028. Please let us hear from you, and share your vision for our future growth.
In closing, Anna, Mike and I want to thank you for the opportunity to support the wonderful and important work that you do; you are the key to protecting our environment and natural beauty. North Carolina is lucky to have such dedicated educators and researchers. We are proud of what you have accomplished, and we consider it a privilege to support the great things that you do to keep NC Beautiful!
Sincerely,
Steve Vacendak
Executive Director
