The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
CEO to retire after 30 years of service
MIDDLETOWN — Longtime Middlesex United Way President and CEO Kevin Wilhelm will be retiring Dec. 31.
He started with the organization in 1991 as the local United Way campaign director.
The Middlesex United Way has been fortunate to have Kevin’s dedication and leadership for these three decades, the agency said in a press release. “He has continued Middlesex United Way’s tradition of strong volunteer leadership and broad-based community support. He has helped create a collaborative culture of building partnerships in challenging times.”
Wilhelm calls his decades with the United Way “the greatest honor of my life.”
“Middlesex County is a special place, and Middlesex United Way is a special organization,” he said in a statement. “I have many, many positive memories and will leave having built wonderful relationships that truly matter to me. I am grateful every day I had the opportunity to show up to work, and make life better for so many people.”
Under Wilhelm’s leadership, the Middlesex United Way has invested more than $20 million in the community, which helped to strengthen lives and improve community conditions in Middlesex County, addressing the needs in the areas of education, health, housing, financial stability, and racial equity and inclusion, the news release said.
He has also served as an advocate in the community targeting local and statewide issues.
“Kevin has been a beacon in our community. His legacy leaves a long-lasting impact with our partner agencies and throughout the communities Middlesex United Way serves,” Kimberly Hogan, chairwoman of the Middlesex United Way Board of Directors, said in a statement. She also congratulated him on 30 years of service and “welldeserved retirement.”
Key accomplishments
Wilhelm created a comprehensive fundraising program, including corporate sponsorship package, as well as securing 20 planned gifts (a way for donors to continue their impact beyond their lifetime), adding a significant stream of income.
Helped launch An End in Ten, a community initiative to end homelessness in Middlesex County, which has since become the Coalition on Housing and Homelessness.
He was instrumental in the creation of the Amazing Grace Food Pantry, a program through St. Vincent de Paul responsible for feeding over 800 families each month.
Wilhelm led the creation of the collaborative initiative Middletown WORKS, which aims to reduce poverty for Middletown singleparent families living at or below the federal poverty level.
He also helped create the Middletown Thanksgiving Project, an initiative to feed 1,000 families each year for the holiday.
Wilhelm led the creation of two Middlesex United Affinity Groups: the Young Leaders Society and The Women’s Initiative.
He wrote a weekly guest column in the Middletown Press for over 15 years.
Wilhelm also added two additional focus areas to address community needs — housing, and racial equity and inclusion. Through these areas, the Middlesex United Way works to assist individuals and families with safe and affordable housing.
It allows individuals and
families to be part of an anti-racist, inclusive community where everyone has equal access to community resources, the agency said.
The search to find Wilhelm’s successor is underway, led by an internal board search committee and Middletown-based Harvest Development Group, a consulting firm specializing in nonprofit organizations.