Middletown Community Foundation executive director to retire after 3 years

Traci Barnett, who has served as executive director of the Middletown Community Foundation since 2018, has announced her retirement at the end of 2021.

She called her three years at MCF “rewarding and inspiring.”

Barnett began her tenure with MCF in August 2018 and since then, the assets of the foundation have grown to $43 million, a testament Barnett said, to the generosity of the community.

“I consistently tell people from out of town how incredibly giving this community is,” she said in a press release. “The people here have a very real commitment to their neighbors and schools. It’s inspiring.”

During her tenure Barnett led the MCF’s strategic planning initiative in 2019, oversaw the streamlining of the competitive grant process, facilitated revisions to the foundation’s code of regulations and policies and procedures, and guided the foundation through the difficulties of the coronavirus pandemic.

“We have been fortunate to have Traci’s leadership, drive and attention to detail for the last three years,” said John Kiser, MCF board president.

Barnett and her husband Mark will remain in Middletown and continue the historic restoration of the Sorg Mansion, she said.

Barnett’s last official day with the MCF is Dec. 31. The board has assembled a search committee that will handle the recruitment of a new executive director.

“I am leaving a part of my heart here for sure,” Barnett said. “I will always be a friend of this foundation and will watch optimistically as the foundation continues to grow and thrive.”

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