Dear Mayhew Friends,
I am thrilled for the boys, the staff, and the entire community, that Ed Thompson has been named Mayhew’s Interim Executive Director by the Board of Trustees. From 1994 through today, Ed has travelled from the Summer Staff to working year-round with the boys, to serving as Program Director (twice!) to bringing great value as the first-ever Operations Director and now to leading Mayhew through this period of transition. Beyond Mayhew, he has travelled and worked all over the globe, nurturing his boundless curiosity and desire to learn and grow – and serve. After almost thirty years of knowing Ed, I can share without exaggeration that his commitment to seeing this effort improve for the boys (and the staff serving them) shows each and every day through his tireless work and excellence. I feel fortunate to have worked alongside him and to call him a friend.
I feel equally fortunate to have worked alongside you in support of the boys, trying our best to help them find theirs. As a University of Mayhew student these thirty-plus years, I have learned so much. Having the privilege of serving these last twenty as Executive Director, I have seen how much this effort relies and turns on the energies, talents, and contributions of every individual. More than ever, Mayhew needs you – and me and all of us pulling together as strongly as we can in support of the boys. I’m looking forward to continuing to be in this effort with you, albeit from a different spot on the team.
A grateful teammate,
From Interim Executive Director Ed Thompson:
I echo Jim’s sentiments about how privileged I am to be a part of the Mayhew community and to work alongside all of you in support of the boys! It’s similarly been a unique privilege for me to work alongside Jim since 1994 and to have the chance to call him a friend. Since his first Mayhew summer in 1990, Jim has unfailingly been ‘Mayhew,’ living and breathing the core ideals of Respect, Responsibility, Community, and Challenge.
Mayhew’s Board of Trustees similarly affirmed their deep appreciation for Jim as a human being and leader for Mayhew by naming one of the Island’s newest buildings in his honor. From this point forward, the Island health center building will be known as Nute House. Additionally, the Board has established a permanently endowed fund in recognition of Jim's long-standing commitment & service to Mayhew. The Jim Nute Fund will honor his desire for Mayhew to always have a strong foundation of operating support. To learn more about contributing to this fund in Jim's honor, please contact Mayhew's Development Director, Jennifer Crane.
After 20 years of shepherding the organization’s growth and sharing the boys’ inspiring stories, it’s hard to imagine Mayhew without Jim at the helm. But, buoyed by the knowledge that he will continue supporting Mayhew's efforts - just from a new vantage point - I commit to give my best to move Mayhew ever forward during this transition period (and I hope you will, too). In terms of next steps, the Board has selected an executive search committee, comprised of Trustees, Mayhew friends, and Staff, who will begin the recruitment process for Mayhew’s next Executive Director starting in January. This search committee will further the work already underway by the transition committee, which has been meeting since October to ensure a seamless turnover of organizational responsibilities.
As we enter 2024, trust that most at Mayhew stays the same: the boys, staff, trustees, donors, families, referring officials, volunteers, friends, and so many others will keep building the strongest program possible. Please join me in re-affirming the overwhelming value in our mission by continuing to offer your energy, enthusiasm, and support for the boys in the coming year and beyond.
With great enthusiasm,
Pictures L to R: Jim with Kim and Emily, holding the Nute House plaque; Jim is ready to launch Ed into his interim role; Ed and Jim with the Mayhew Marchers in 1998.