Lakes Region United Way moves business operations center to Plymouth; Laconia headquarters is for sale

LACONIA — Earlier this month, Lakes Region United Way underwent what President Jack Terrill yesterday described as "an internal shuffle, which he said will enable the organization to foster greater synergies with its partners and broaden its presence in the community while trimming its operating costs".

Last year, United Way merged with the Whole Village Family Resource Center in Plymouth and in the process acquired the later organization's headquarters at 258 Highland Street in Plymouth, where more than a dozen non-profit agencies are housed. Terrill said that all business operations have been moved to Plymouth, where Kevin Conway and Kristine Perry will work together, consolidating and streamlining administrative and financial operations.

While continuing with her community development and family support in eastern Grafton County at Whole Village, Joyce Palmer has become Resource Development Director of Lakes Region United Way, assuming some of the responsibilities that fell to Judi Taggart, who retired last summer. Marty Humphrey, who has been assigned to development and community relations at Whole Village, will join Palmer on a part-time basis.

Alan Robichaud, community development director for Belknap County, has moved to the Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce building on South Main Street in Laconia, where he will share space with Karmen Gifford, executive director of the chamber and Carmen Lorentz, executive director of the Belknap County Economic Development Council. The move, Terrill said, recognized the close relationship between social progress and economic development.

With the restructuring, the United Way's offices at 95 Water Street in Laconia have been listed for sale, with the intention of investing the proceeds in other assets that will have a more significant impact on the community than housing personnel. Despite the reshuffling all contact information remains unchanged and the Lakes Region United Way and its staff can still be reached at 524-6864.