(left to right, top row) Meghan Whelen and Tim Geelan (left to right, bottom row) John Biddiscombe and Deborah Moore

The Community Foundation of Middlesex County is fortunate to have an incredibly talented, committed Board of Directors working on behalf of our community. It is always difficult to say farewell when a Director’s term of service comes to an end. At its December 2015 Annual Meeting, CFMC’s Board of Directors celebrated and thanked two members who have given tirelessly of their time and considerable talent to the service of Middlesex County.

John Biddiscombe (Durham) and Deborah Moore (Killingworth) completed their terms as members of the Board of Directors.  Both John and Deb have been instrumental in the growth and development of the Community Foundation; their unwavering support of the CFMC and their passion to the community make Middlesex County a better place to live, work and play.

John Biddiscombe joined CFMC’s Board in 2006 and has served as Board Chair and Grants Committee Chair. His work on the Grants Committee over the years streamlined CFMC’s procedures and processes, clarified the grant making focus areas and reduced the application process to a single submission stage. These enhancements have made life just a lit bit easier for both nonprofit organizations and grants committee members. John also served on the first Strategic Planning Committee which laid the groundwork and established goals and growth objectives for the Community Foundation. John will continue to work with CFMC, assisting with several new initiatives.

Anyone who knows Deborah Moore knows that she brings a high level of exuberance and strategic thought to any task. Since 2007, Deb has stepped forward and taken on any project offered to her. Instrumental in the Live Local Give Local initiative at CFMC at the height of the recession, Deb championed the belief that our community would – and could – support its businesses and its nonprofits and become stronger for that partnership. Deb chaired the Development Committee and worked with fellow board members on Finance & Investment and Personnel Committees. CFMC is fortunate to have had Deb’s business expertise during her Board tenure, and we are pleased she has agreed to continue sharing her time and talents with CFMC and Middlesex County, not only in preparation for the 20^th Anniversary celebration in 2017, but also on several CFMC committees.

As we bid farewell so we are able to say “Welcome!” Joining the CFMC Board of Directors are Timothy P. Geelan, President & CEO for Guilford Savings Bank, and Meghan Whelen of Old Saybrook. Tim and Meghan bring a wealth of experience and community knowledge to the Community Foundation, and we look forward to working with them.

Tim Geelan has strong connections to the community.  A native of this region, Tim and his wife Melissa are active community members, working on behalf of the many shoreline communities.  Tim is a member of the Rotary Club and has served as president for both the Guilford Foundation and the Guilford Chamber of Commerce.  He is passionate about Middlesex County, and his management expertise and understanding of community issues will benefit his work on the Governance Committee and the Community Outreach Committee.

Meghan Whelen first became involved with the Community Foundation as a member of the 365 Giving Circle. Meghan is a graduate of Saint Joseph’s College and is a registered nurse, having worked at Middlesex Hospital and at the Hospital of Saint Raphael.  Meghan has always had a strong affinity to Middlesex County, and she will be serving on the Community Foundation’s Development Committee and continuing her work with the 365 Fund.

The Community Foundation is honored to have an incredibly dedicated and knowledgeable group working to improve the quality of life for all on the behalf of Middlesex County. We extend an exuberant “THANK YOU” to each member of our 2016 Board of Directors:

You are “Good People Doing Great Things.“