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New Bern, NC – CarolinaEast Health System President and Chief Executive Officer Ray Leggett is pleased to announce Jill Shumate Thompson has joined the ranks of the senior leadership team as Executive Director of the CarolinaEast Foundation.
“I am confident Jill will provide phenomenal management as we take the Foundation in a new direction and begin its next chapter of success,” said Leggett.
Prior to joining the CarolinaEast organization, Thompson most recently served as Director of Development for the Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association (AOPA) Air Safety Foundation. This organization, located in Frederick, MD, benefited significantly from Thompson’s expertise in fundraising as she secured several major gifts and coordinated national events raising over $100,000.00 each.
Her New Bern connection stems from her long association with Camps Sea Gull and Seafarer which, while located in Pamlico County, draw diverse campers from across the nation and the world to enjoy the waterways of our coastal community. While with the Camps, Thompson coordinated the annual fundraising campaign which included grant writing and identification, and oversight of fund disbursements to deserving children and families. She was responsible for community outreach and served as personnel director supervising a staff of 250.
“This is an exciting time for the CarolinaEast Foundation,” said David Wilkins, Chair of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. “We are in the process of redefining our philanthropic goals and welcome Jill’s guidance as we chart this new path.”
Wilkins commends Foundation staff members Joni Bass, Development Specialist and Office Assistant Amy Willis for their work fulfilling beneficiary need and continuing to advance the Foundation efforts during the interim period between directors. “We were blessed to have these two talented professionals in their positions as we began the recruiting process. I have every confidence these three dynamic individuals will come together and form a team that will mean nothing but success for the Foundation,” said Wilkins.
Thompson received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from North Carolina State University in Raleigh. She considers the most important education she has received comes from her travels throughout the United States and internationally to places such as South Africa, Botswana, Scandinavia, Russia, Australia and Great Britain.
But Thompson is thrilled to put away her suitcase and settle back in to the lifestyle that is Coastal North Carolina with her husband, Dean, and children, Hilliard, Josie Paige, Lincoln, Laura Grace Foundation
CarolinaEast Foundation (formerly Craven Regional Medical Center Foundation) was established in 1996 as a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit foundation.
Since 1998, the Foundation has awarded over 2 million dollars in grants, assistance and support to local communities throughout the tri-county area and Wilton.
“I am so excited to be home in New Bern. You never realize how much you appreciate an area until you leave it and you never know how much you missed it until you are back,” said Thompson. “I am eager to work closely with my board, staff, the community, past donors and new to generate renewed interest in and support for CarolinaEast Foundation. This organization has the potential to be a significant player in the region’s health care as we move forward into an uncertain future,” she added.
Thompson began her duties with CarolinaEast on June 27, 2011. Her office is located in the O’Marks Building on Middle Street, downtown New Bern. She can be reached at 252-633-8247.
Submitted by: Megan McGarvey, Director, Public Relations, CarolinaEast Health System, 2000 Neuse Blvd., P.O. Box 12157, New Bern, NC 28561, 252-633-8154