Pat Tarpey, Lake Winni Alliance president, to retire at end of year

MEREDITH — Pat Tarpey, longtime leader of the Lake Winnipesaukee Alliance, is retiring from her role as president of the organization at the end of this year, she said Friday.

“It’s bittersweet, obviously,” she said. “I’ve been working at this for a very long time.”

Tarpey is in her 15th year working with the organization — she was the first paid employee in 2012 and was, for many years, the organization’s only employee. She’s served as president for 14 years. LWA has grown significantly under her leadership, an achievement of which she said she’s proud. 

“I’m at retirement age, and it’s time to enjoy not working, but it comes at a good time — the organization is in a good position,” she said. “We’re hiring two more staff, bringing on a lake scientist as well as a communications person, so that’s exciting, and we just moved to a new office location in Meredith."

In a message sent to supporters Friday morning, board Chair Mark Ishkanian expressed gratitude for Tarpey’s “leadership and vision”, which he wrote left an indelible mark on the organization.

“LWA, under Pat’s leadership, has educated many about the importance of protecting the lake’s shorefront to keep harmful nutrients from entering the lake,” Ishkanian wrote. “She has spoken at hundreds of meetings over the years carrying the message that we must not take for granted that Winnipesaukee’s waters will always be clear and clean. Pat richly deserves a fulfilling retirement after so many years leading LWA.”

LWA has engaged the services of Kittleman & Associates, an executive transition firm specializing in nonprofit environmental and conservation organizations, to search for Tarpey’s replacement and help the organization navigate what Ishkanian deemed a coming “critical chapter” in its history.

“If you know someone who might be a good candidate for this important job, or otherwise have any thoughts about the search that you would like to share, please contact BFeit@kittlemansearch.com by April 10th,” the notice reads.

“In general I have loved this work,” Tarpey said. “It’s a passion, so it’s never really felt like work.”

The success and growth of the organization aside, Tarpey said watching the impact they’ve had over many years has been rewarding.

“It’s seeing the change in attitude of people and municipalities,” she said. “It’s really good to see the municipalities understand the importance of this lake to the region, to the economy, and that they do want to be proactive in protecting it.”

Their strategy focusing on community engagement has paid dividends, and Tarpey said she’s leaving the organization in good hands, looking toward a bright future. 

“I think it’s being out there in the community, talking about this stuff a lot. We’ve put on educational talks, a lot of seminars, workshops on different topics,” she said. “We’ve been involved with the conservation commissions, we have a network of volunteer water quality monitors. And in the last few years we’ve really seen an increase in the interest of the public on the water quality of the lake, because it’s starting to impact them personally.”

While she’s ready to retire, Tarpey said she’ll miss being intimately involved in all aspects of the organization, particularly handling the various challenges which arise. “No day was ever the same,” she said, and she’ll miss the successes most of all. But Tarpey is, at the same time, excited to watch the organization grow under new leadership, as it did under her own.

“We have a great team in place and a terrific board that is committed to this organization,” she said. “We’ve gained a lot of momentum this past year, and I think it will continue, because it will continue with the leadership of the board and we have a very good, dedicated staff.”

Their wins are not without origin — Tarpey said their supporters play an important role in the continued success of the organization.

“It’s up to everybody to take an interest, take a role — whatever that is, financially or volunteering,” she said. “I have nothing but extreme respect and thanks to our supporters and members.” 

Something she hopes members of the public will take to heart is the importance of engagement, broadly, from all of those who live in and love the Lakes Region. 

“I think it’s really important for people to understand that one organization isn’t going to be able to fix everything — it takes multitudes of people from all walks of life,” she said, and the organization's tag-line, “our lake our future”, speaks directly to that perspective. 

“We’re not going to keep this lake clean unless everyone takes a part.”