The Community Foundation of West Tennessee’s Board of Trustees announced that its President, Dr. Frank McMeen, will retire from his position. To ensure a smooth transition, McMeen will remain in his position until a new President has been hired. The board has initiated a search for his successor with the goal of filling the position by the end of the year.
“We are incredibly grateful for Frank’s leadership and vision,” said Greg Alexander, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “His dedication has not only strengthened the Community Foundation but has also created a lasting legacy of philanthropy that will benefit our community for generations to come.”
The search for the new President will be led by the Board of Trustees. The ideal candidate will be responsible for managing and directing the activities of the Community Foundation with primary emphasis on development activities.
The President acts as a liaison to various outside agencies, organizations, groups, and the public and develops, recommends, and implements programs, policies, and procedures for the operation of the Community Foundation under his direct supervision of the Community Foundation Board of Trustees.
(PHOTO: Frank McMeen)
1 thought on “Frank McMeen retiring as president of Community Foundation of West Tennessee”
Congratulations to Frank! He definitely leaves a legacy! To be very clear, I’m not interested in the position but was in the process of making referrals. Initially it appeared the position was no longer accepting applications. That seems to be corrected. There are some strong candidates regionally and internally at the Foundation.
I have other concerns about the job posting. I’m concerned that the board listing minimum requirement for the position is 5 years. It is a dishonor to Frank who served for such a long tenure to be replaced with someone who has only 5 years of experience. Community Foundations are complicated and unique in the nonprofit landscape. The job description does not adequately reflect that. My experience with nonprofits in many different markets from large to small organizations and with community foundations would say that the posting did not invite the highest and best candidates. Was posting the position a formality, a gesture of authenticity or transparency? Is there an internal candidate? (That would be optimal with the experience base that exists there.) I’m informed and sure that the full board did not have transparent perspective of this announcement nor the thoroughness or lack thereof in the job posting. Again my congratulations go out to Frank for what he has accomplished. The Foundation is a great resource for this community. A group of arts advocates I’m associated have a donor advised fund there. I am grateful that the Foundation has helped many other groups create and administer funds that benefit our region even in the face of division and controversy. Frank’s successor needs to be up to the job and a 5 year experience requirement does not give me that assurance.