Kenneth Spirer, chair of the board of MaineCF, praised Schmelzer and his leadership of MaineCF and said a selection committee is being organized to conduct a national search for the organization's next president and CEO.

Spirer said, “During my years working with Hank as a member, vice chair, and now chair of the MaineCF Board of Directors, I have been impressed with his steady leadership, strong management and financial skills, and commitment to strengthening Maine’s communities, all of which have helped maintain and enhance MaineCF’s performance and reputation as one of the preeminent philanthropic organizations in Maine.

His ability to forge relationships with donors, his staff, and his peers in philanthropy, both in Maine and nationally, is inspiring. Due to his strong leadership and the commitment of our board, we are confident that we will not miss a beat as we transition to a new leader.”

MaineCF board vice chair Anne Jackson added, “Hank has taken MaineCF from a small entrepreneurial enterprise to being a major partner in community development in Maine. As a board member, it has been a privilege and pleasure to work with him as he led the foundation to an expanded role and visibility in the state and on the national foundation scene.

We are sorry that he will leave us at the end of the year, but are confident that he has left a strong organization poised for future growth.

” When Schmelzer became president and CEO of MaineCF in February 2000, the organization's assets totaled $78 million. Under his leadership, assets have risen to almost $250 million by the end of 2007. Also, during Schmelzer's tenure, the number of donors has more than doubled and grants have increased from $5 million per year to $16 million per year.

Schmelzer said, “Entering its 25th year, the organization is stronger than ever, so it is an opportune time to make a leadership transition. MaineCF has completed its new strategic plan, relationships with donors are strong, and our assets and grants continue to increase. The new president will be joining a smooth functioning, vibrant and highly relevant foundation.

” While at MaineCF, Schmelzer was instrumental in the development of the Maine Compact for Higher Education, a statewide program involving academic, government and community leaders to increase higher education levels in Maine. He also helped MaineCF launch the Environmental Funders Network and was actively involved in raising support for the Brookings Institution report that contained recommendations for promoting sustainable prosperity in Maine.

In 2007, Mainebiz, the state’s leading business newspaper, named him Business Leader of the Year,. Schmelzer, who guided MaineCF into its position as the second largest foundation in the state, gave praise to his staff and board of directors for the organization’s significant success over the last eight years. “MaineCF has achieved great success in a very short period of time through teamwork,” he said. “We have increased our visibility and given broad awareness to the causes we support. I am confident this level of success will continue because of our incredibly committed staff members and the dedication of our board of directors and donors. The entire team gives 100 percent to our mission.

” While Schmelzer said his decision to retire was a difficult one, he is confident that the organization will continue to thrive due to the good people involved in the organization throughout the state. He added, “We do our work through other people. We engage individuals in our communities; we work together to make Maine a better place to live. MaineCF uses its financial resources wherever it can to attain this goal.”

Prior to joining MaineCF, Schmelzer spent more than 25 years as a corporate financial executive in Boston, overseeing the management of a mid-size mutual fund firm with a staff of more than 200. Schmelzer received a law degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and served in the Vietnam War. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Maine and spent many summers in Downeast Maine before moving to the state full-time in 2000.

Schmelzer and his wife Cynthia Livingston reside in Somesville.


January 18, 2008