Manatee Community Foundation director Marilyn Howard to retire effective first of the year

MANATEE -- After 17 years as Manatee Community Foundation executive director, Marilyn Howard is retiring, effective Jan. 1.

"It's been a great privilege for me to serve as the founding executive director of the Manatee Community Association," Howard said Wednesday. "All good things must come to an end. It is time, but we've accomplished a lot over the years."

Howard announced her retirement in a letter sent to donors and others involved with the Manatee Community Foundation, which she

said individuals should receive by Wednesday.

Starting with absolutely nothing, Howard led the organization to where today it counts community foundation assets of $36 million, and is giving $14 million in grants and scholarships back to the community.

"We have been able to make a difference in the community," Howard said. "I am proud of what we've been able to accomplish but it's not me. It is a group effort. It is the board members, the staff, the donors. If we didn't have wonderful generous people in this community, we couldn't do anything. They are the ones who should get the credit. ... Everybody has had a part in the success of the foundation, and I hope people feel as pleased and proud of the growth and the impact of the Manatee Community Foundation in the community as those of who are closest to us do."

Howard said it is with joy and sadness she announces her retirement.

"I'm proud of this organization," she said. "This will be the first time in the history of the organization that we will be changing leadership. It's with joy and it's with sadness. I've done this now for a long time."

Karen Miller, president of the foundation board of directors, said they knew the retirement was coming but didn't know when.

"She will be greatly missed for sure but it's time for a change as well," Miller said. "We are looking forward to all of it. We are going to look back at all of her accomplishments."

The foundation board has organized a search committee to find the next executive director, Howard said.

"I will look forward to a good outcome to that," she said. "I think it will be very smooth transition and, with our board's leadership being as strong as it is, we will get some very good candidates who want to take this foundation to the next level."

Miller said the board convened Wednesday morning to form the search committee, which is comprised of board members, past board members and one Lakewood Ranch Community Fund board member.

"We are taking the steps to put the search together and make sure we do it correctly and make sure we do everything we need to do to move Manatee Community Foundation to bigger and better," Miller said.

Miller said the committee hasn't met yet so no decision has been made whether the search would be national or regional. There is also no timeline for selecting the next director since Miller said they "want to make the right decision."

"I only see us getting bigger and better," Miller said. "There are just so many good things happening now. Just continuing on doing what we can for the community."

As executive director, Howard said she's accomplished a lot of the things she wanted, adding the organization needs new leadership to take it to the next level.

"It takes some different skill sets going forward," she said. "The Manatee County community is a wonderful and generous community and it truly, truly has been a joy working in this community."

Howard said when you can work with people such as those in Manatee County: "It's a good place to be."

"It really has been a joy because the people are so generous," she said.

"They have good hearts. They want to make a difference. We are really so fortunate to have a close community filled with people wanting the best for the community. It just makes life better here for everyone."

Claire Aronson, Manatee County reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7024. Follow her on Twitter @Claire_Aronson.

This story was originally published October 15, 2015 at 12:02 AM with the headline "Manatee Community Foundation director Marilyn Howard to retire effective first of the year ."