The Greater Lowell Community Foundation announced their choice for Exceutive Director in this press release:

Press Release for Immediate Distribution
Greater Lowell Community Foundation Names New Executive Director

Lowell, June 10, 2011 – Raymond E. Riddick, an accomplished business and community leader in the Merrimack Valley, has been appointed executive director of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF), the Board of Directors announced today.

Riddick, of Westford, accepted the offer following a unanimous board vote in favor of his appointment. In mid July, Riddick will assume day-to-day responsibility for the 14-year-old organization, which supports a range of regional needs for charities, community groups and area students through academic scholarships and charitable foundations.

Nearly 100 candidates applied during the search process, which was conducted over the last five months and led by Third Sector New England’s Executive Transition Program. The search included both local and national candidates for the position.

“We cast a large net to find the best, most experienced leader for our organization, but it turns out that the strongest candidate was right in our own backyard,” said Steven Joncas, president of the board. “Ray is an accomplished executive who has worked in both large and small firms. He’s also actively involved in the Lowell area, where he and his family are quite well known.
“Ray is the experienced leader the GLCF needs take our organization to the next level and address the many philanthropic needs in our region,” Joncas said.

Riddick is vice president of business development at Data Compliance Partners in Westford, which provides customers with data security and business continuity services. Prior to that, Riddick was principal and managing director of Fusion Consulting in Westford. He is the former director of customer development for Aspen Medical Products in Irvine, Calif., among other executive positions held over the years. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Yale University and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Riddick also has extensive experience in the community. He is a board member of Community Teamwork, Inc., in Lowell, and is a member and former chairman of the School Committee for the Nashoba Valley Technical High School. He is also a former treasurer of the Lowell House, where he served 10 years on its board. A native of Lowell and member of the Lowell High School Athletic Hall of Fame, he is also a former member of the Lowell School Committee.

“Like the GLCF, my family and I have been dedicated to community service,” Riddick said. “The executive director’s position represents an opportunity to make a significant impact to the quality of life in the communities that are very important to me and my family. I’m thrilled with the appointment and truly appreciate the board’s support. I can’t wait to get started.”

Working with the board, Riddick will be asked to lead a multi-year strategic thinking and business planning process. Guided by this roadmap for growth, Joncas said, Riddick will be instrumental in implementing, leading, building, expanding and managing GLCF’s day-to-day operations; addressing its fundraising capacity; orchestrating community, program and project development; as well as leading collaborative efforts with other organizations.
Since it’s creation in 1997, the GLCF’s endowment has grown to $21 million. In 2010, the foundation awarded 290 grants, totaling $868,000, in education, human/social services, health, community development, arts & culture and the environment.

About Greater Lowell Community Foundation:
Since its inception in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) has focused on improving the quality of life in the communities it serves. Today, it is the leading philanthropic organization in the Greater Lowell/Merrimack Valley area providing donors with the opportunity to support a wide range of charities, non-profit organizations, community groups and students. For more information about GLCF please visit: www.glcfoundation.org

For more information contact:
Steve Joncas
President, Board of Directors
Greater Lowell Community Foundation
(978) 452-3956