Rebecca Logan has served as the Executive Director of Main Street Lexington (MSL) for a little more than six years and was a founding board member of the organization in 2013. While six years may feel like a blip in some of our lives, it’s a lifetime in the Main Street world. Logan led downtown Lexington through a pandemic, and anyone remotely associated with government or Main Street would let you know that is nothing to scoff at! On Tuesday, May 6, MSL announced that Rebecca Logan would be retiring from her role on Friday, May 23, making way for a new Executive Director.
In the world of nonprofit leadership, especially in Main Street communities, turnover is natural — and in most cases, it happens quicker than six years. In fact, according to the 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American worker has only been in their job for less than four years, and that number has only declined since 2014. In such a public-facing leadership role, where there are several stakeholders involved and where relationship-building is a foundation, it’s crucial for the outgoing executive director and board to publicly pass the torch via a press release.
A press release serves several purposes:
- Notifies the public that there will be a change of leadership;
- Ensures the public that the organization will be in the care of a new executive director;
- Introduces the new executive director;
- Provides an opportunity for the outgoing executive director to say farewell and set the oncoming executive director up for success and to hit the ground running.
“It has been my pleasure to be a part of Main Street Lexington these past 11 years. We have accomplished so much in a short amount of time, which was only possible with the leadership of the MSL board, the help of hundreds of volunteers, and the support of the community. I’m delighted to pass the torch to Jeremy; I’m confident MSL will thrive under his leadership and continue its mission to support the downtown community.” – Rebecca Logan, Main Street Lexington
However, major announcements such as “passing on the torch” shouldn’t fall on deaf ears. The last thing an organization would want are for their stakeholders to be surprised when a new face takes the helm. When disseminating this information, consider notifying stakeholders in this order:
- Staff and board members (and the Virginia Main Street team if applicable)
- Trusted constituents and/or stakeholders
- The wider community and local news outlets
To see an example of a well-written “changing of the guard” press release, click HERE to read the MSL announcement.
Join the Virginia Main Street team in wishing Rebecca Logan a wonderful and relaxing retirement and Jeremy Franklin a long and successful tenure as Executive Director of Main Street Lexington!
Image Credit: Main Street Lexington
Virginia Main Street 