• Billie Blair's Resignation from SFCF

Billie Blair's Resignation from SFCF

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 2009
Contact: Jerry Jones, 670-4505

Billie Blair, president of the Santa Fe Community Foundation since 2001, has announced she will be stepping down effective Jan. 15, 2010.

A search committee has been appointed by Jerry G. Jones, chair of the Board.
Jones said the team will undertake a thoughtful and transparent process of reviewing candidates.

Blair is taking a hiatus after 36 years in high-level positions in journalism, publishing, and nonprofit management, including 11 as Associate Publisher of the Santa Fe New Mexican. “I simply want a rest and more time to do the things that I love, such as read, write, spend time in the outdoors and with our grandchildren,” Blair said.

“I am confident the Community Foundation has the strongest management team ever and a dedicated Board of Directors and will remain responsive to community needs,” she said. “The Community Foundation will remain in my heart – and in my will.”

“We appreciate Billie’s dedication to the Foundation, first as a Board member and then as CEO, and respect her decision to take time for her family,” said Jones.

“Under Billie’s stewardship the Foundation has increased its visibility and respect in the community,” Jones said. He cited her accomplishments of tripling the Foundation’s assets, increasing grants made each year from $1.4 million to $3.4 million, completing the Circle of Care for Health endowment and launching the Circle of Care for the Arts endowment and her leadership in establishing the Community Foundation Coalition of New Mexico.

Of the Foundation’s funds, more than half – 130-plus -- have been established during her tenure, helping individuals and business practice more strategic philanthropy and nonprofits sustain their operations.

Further information about the Foundation’s search process will appear in the coming weeks on the web site at www.santafecf.org.

For 28 years, in partnership with the people of the area, the Santa Fe Community Foundation has helped local residents meet their charitable goals, made grants to vital community organizations and built assets of close to $27 million to meet the future needs of the region.