CONCORD ó After serving as executive director for the NorthEast Foundation for 15 years, Jim Monroe has announced his decision to retire effective Dec. 31, 2008.
Monroe has served as executive director for the foundation since it was first established in 1993.
His decision to retire was shared with the foundation board during its July 21 meeting so the process of identifying, hiring and transitioning to his successor might be completed as smoothly as possible.
“Under Jim’s direction, philanthropic and fundraising work by the NorthEast Foundation staff and board has positively impacted thousands of lives through the many projects, services and facilities now in operation through and in conjunction with our hospital,” said Mark Nantz, president of Carolinas Medical Center-NorthEast. “During the past 15 years, the foundation has raised over $20 million for our medical center. We certainly wish Jim and his wife, Dot, the best as Jim retires.”
Dr. Linny Baker, foundation chairman added, “We will miss Jim’s energetic leadership for the work completed on behalf of the NorthEast Foundation. He has helped create a system of community support for our medical center ó including the projects supporting the Cabarrus College of Health Sciences, the Jeff Gordon Children’s Hospital and the current campaign to raise funds for the Breast Health Program.”
“The past 15 years have been most rewarding for me ó both personally and professionally,” Monroe said. “I’m proud to be associated with the many projects, services and facilities now completed and in operation in conjunction with CMC-NorthEast. Through the generous giving of gifts from the community and our employees, the mission of the foundation has positively impacted thousands of lives for the positive in our area.”
Born in Salisbury, Monroe attended college and ROTC training at Wake Forest University. After serving in Vietnam as a military intelligence officer, he returned to the Concord/Kannapolis area, where he spent the next 22 years working in public relations and community affairs for Fieldcrest Cannon. A Concord resident since 1968, Monroe holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.