Boston, MA (September 29th, 2015) – Urban Edge’s Board of Directors unanimously voted for Frank Shea to be the new CEO. Susan Egmont of Egmont Associates, an executive search firm that specializes in non-profits and community development corporations, facilitated the search process. An initial pool of 100 candidates was narrowed down through a series of interview with a search committee and board of directors.
“What I’m most excited about is Frank’s experience collaborating with residents – his leadership led to economic development and other comprehensive revitalization activities for residents in the community. With more than two decades of experience collaborating with community leaders, implementing broad based strategic partnerships, and experience with community development funders, I am confident that Urban Edge is in more than capable hands,” Karen Royston, Urban Edge Board Chair.
Frank joins Urban Edge from Olneyville Housing Corporation in Rhode Island, where he served as Executive Director for the last 15 years. He led the organization from a struggling period, with two staff members and an annual budget of $100,000, to a staff of fourteen, with an annual operating budget of $1.6M, and more than $35M invested in the neighborhood. Frank has more than 20 years of experience with federal and state affordable housing and community development programs and extensive experience implementing strategic partnerships. While serving as Executive Director at Olneyville Housing Corporation, Frank simultaneously served as Interim Executive Director for one year with an organization in the midst of a significant financial and programmatic crisis.
“I am honored and grateful to the board for the opportunity to lead Urban Edge with this exceptional team. Community development is people coming together to build an environment that helps individuals achieve their dreams for themselves and their families. Today as much as any point in history, places likes Roxbury, Jamaica Plain or Olneyville require effective and comprehensive community development like this to build sustainable, successful communities in which people choose to live and have an opportunity to thrive. I look forward to working with residents and leaders in the neighborhood,” Frank Shea.
Frank Shea will officially come on board as CEO on November 3rd, 2015.
