Published: May 21, 2008 09:45 am         

United Way executive director to retire

TRAVERSE CITY -- A local United Way chapter soon will have new leadership.

Pam Prairie, executive director of the Traverse City-based United Way of Northwest Michigan, will retire July 1 after two years in the post.

Her replacement will be chosen from a pool of three candidates, nearly all with private sector experience and at least one with a nonprofit background. Board members could name a new director as early as Tuesday.

"It was a time-certain commitment," Prairie said of her role. "We're looking for a different kind of leadership."

Prairie was named interim director in June 2006, after the resignation of then-director Becky Beauchamp, and was appointed to the position full-time following two unsuccessful searches.

During her tenure, Prairie helped rebuild relationships with participating nonprofit agencies, restructure its fundraising activities to allow donors more flexibility and open the organization to fiscal transparency.

She said she saw her position as assisting the transition, meant to move the organization into the future.

Two of the candidates are from the region, and the third has connections in the area, said board President Mike Hill, also superintendent of the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District.

A salary will be negotiated, but Hill said it would not be more than $70,000 annually. Prairie earned $41,000 her first year, and is on track to earn $50,000 this year.

But she said she doesn't always accept a paycheck, instead investing it back into the organization.

"That's part of a personal commitment," she said. "I feel so strongly about the organizations that we fund."

United Way provides grants to nonprofit agencies in Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Antrim and Kalkaska counties, as well as volunteers to all four plus Benzie County.

The searches two years ago didn't result in a leader because the candidates weren't the right fit, Hill said. This time around, he said, the organization is looking for someone who is passionate and committed to United Way's vision and goals.

"It has to be the right person," he said. "We don't want to miss a beat here. We've come so far."