Penquis and Charlotte White Center announce management agreement
DOVER-FOXCROFT — The boards of directors of Penquis and the Charlotte White Center are pleased to announce that the two organizations have entered into a two-year management agreement under which Penquis Chief Executive Officer Kara Hay and Chief Financial Officer Denice Conary will provide the Charlotte White Center with executive and financial leadership. The agreement is the culmination of more than a year of discussions between the two boards and their leadership staff.
Both organizations are committed to improving quality of life for the individuals they serve. Founded 38 years ago, the Charlotte White Center provides residential, outreach and counseling services to people affected by cognitive or developmental disabilities, behavioral or mental health challenges, domestic violence, or acquired brain injuries. Penquis, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, provides a broad range of services that increase financial security, school readiness, healthy, nurturing environments for children and families, access to reliable transportation and stable housing.
After nearly four decades of serving many of the same communities, the two entities began a dialogue last year with the intent to explore ways to maximize resources to mutual advantage and expand the range and depth of the services each offers. Board and leadership staff engaged in a comprehensive review of the services and operations of both entities, and agreed that a management agreement offered benefits to both organizations.
“This is a wonderful opportunity,” said Cynthia Freeman Cyr, president of the Charlotte White Center Board of Directors. “The management agreement enables our two organizations to not only improve service coordination, but also learn how we might further share resources and systems to better accomplish our missions.”
Charlotte White Center Interim CEO Charlie Newton, agreed, stating, “The agreement allows each organization to benefit from the knowledge and expertise of the other. It also allows the Charlotte White Center to maintain strength in its leadership at a time when it is facing not only my retirement, but also the retirement of the chief financial officer in December of this year.”
Hay stated that she and Conary were looking forward to serving the Charlotte White Center and working with staff. “We are so pleased to work with the Charlotte White Center in this capacity,” Hay said. “It really does meet the needs of both organizations in the best way possible, and it offers the potential for discovering more ways we can support one another and the people we serve in the future.”
While the two organizations will be operated as separate, stand-alone corporations, both boards plan to continue discussions and identify strategies for improving services and operations.
“It’s been a very rewarding process,” said Ann Matlack, chair of the Penquis Board of Directors. “The boards and staff of both organizations are extremely dedicated to their missions. I think I speak for everyone involved when I say we are excited to continue to work together to meet the needs of our communities and to increase resources and opportunities for the individuals and families we serve.”