– July 22, 2024 –

An Important Announcement

About Changes at The Mountain

Dear Mountain Staff and Volunteers,

I want to express the Board’s deepest gratitude to Beverly for her exceptional leadership as Acting Executive Director since June 1, 2024. Beverly has shown incredible dedication and commitment to The Mountain, overseeing essential Mountain operations as well as providing steady leadership during this busy summer season. Her contributions have been invaluable.

As we move forward into the Fall, where Beverly’s expertise is most needed is in her primary role as Development Director, where she can focus on fundraising and successful completion of our capital campaign. Therefore, the Board has appointed Kerry Keys as Interim Executive Director starting Monday, August 26, 2024.

Kerry has been involved with The Mountain for over a decade, as staff and as a Board Trustee. After careful consideration and interviews with Kerry and with his references, we believe Kerry has the experience and passion to lead us through this transition period. Kerry has extensive experience managing staff in his current role and from his time as Youth Programs Director at The Mountain 2012-2014. He is known for his kindness, organizational skills, and his ability to listen. Most importantly, Kerry cares deeply about The Mountain, its mission and its responsibility to supporting a positive culture for guests and staff.

Additionally, the Board has formed a search committee to identify our next permanent Executive Director. The search committee includes representation from Mountain staff, the Board, and Mountain supporters. They will work over the next 12-18 months to identify our next permanent executive director.

I understand that change can be challenging. I want to be clear that this change does not mean that the Board has been unhappy with Beverly as ED; she has done a remarkable job this summer. If you have any questions I hope that we will turn to our covenants and work together to resolve any confusion. I appreciate our shared commitment to this organization's success. Thank you for your continued dedication and support during this transition.

And thanks to all of you for a very successful Mountain Camp, that wraps up soon. My 11 year old child Lucille and I attended Intergenerational Camp and loved it! Camp and every Mountain program are only possible because of you, and all your hard work and love for The Mountain. Thank you!

Warm regards,

Anna  

Chair of the Board of Trustees  

The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center

Hello Mountain Community!

I’m excited to return to The Mountain to support the organization as an Interim Executive Director beginning at the end of August, and to continue a relationship with this community and this place that has meant so much to me over the past 28 years.

I’ve had the opportunity to meet many of you during that time - whether as part of MountainCamp growing up, or during my work as Youth Programs Director from 2012 - 2014, or in my role as a board member and financial advisor from 2016 - 2022. Or we might have met going to Youth CONs in the Florida UU district, or as part of the larger UU communities at SUUSI and SWIM - where I’ve worked with the Teen Programs and (at SWIM) served as another board member.

Since I last lived at The Mountain in 2014, I got my CPA license and moved to Washington, DC - where I’ve been managing teams of accountants and data analysts supporting financial management work for federal agencies. That work informed my approach to financial planning and oversight as part of The Mountain’s board - and I’m looking forward to continuing to support The Mountain’s financial sustainability in this new role, while also focusing on the needs of the staff community and on strengthening our Mountain-designed programs, MountainCamp, and CONs.

I also want to thank Beverly Cree, who has been a friend and has done an incredible job as Acting Executive Director this summer. The Mountain will benefit from her focus on our Capital Campaign and Development department, and I’m looking forward to continuing to work with her while I focus on the above priorities with The Mountain’s programs and staff.

Thank you for entrusting me with this important role.

Kerry Keys