Rochester Area Foundation Announces New President

Source: Rochester Area Foundation 12/21/2011

(Dec. 21, 2011) - The Rochester Area Foundation Board of Trustees has approved the hiring of a new President. After an extensive regional search, facilitated by KeyStone Search, the Board is happy to announce the hiring of Ms. JoAnn Stormer. Ms. Stormer is currently the Executive Director of Leadership Wisconsin, a non-profit organization working in partnership with the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension to design and deliver leadership training programs across state, nation and international regions. The programs have been recognized by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation as “one of the exemplary leadership programs in the nation.”

Leigh J Johnson, Chairman of the Board of Trustees said, “We are fortunate to have JoAnn with such great leadership experience to take us to the next chapter in the Rochester Area Foundation”.

“I am excited at the prospect to work with such a growing and challenging Foundation. I look forward to working with a great group of staff,” commented Ms. Stormer after meeting the staff at the Foundation.

Ms. Stormer will replace retiring Executive Director Steve Thornton under whose 20 year leadership the Foundation showed unprecedented asset growth from $3.7 million in 1991 to more than $40 million today. Mr. Thornton’s achievements also include the creation of the First Homes Initiative, which has created over 900 homes for working families; First Steps, an initiative to assure children are ready for kindergarten; community investments through grants of over $39 million; and development of an innovative staff focused on community vitality growth and involvement.

“I’ve been honored to lead the Foundation during the last 20 years.  I have greatly benefitted from the support and leadership of the Board of Trustees, been inspired daily by donors, and have been blessed to work with a talented and dedicated staff,” Thornton said.

The transition will occur February 1, 2012.

About Rochester Area Foundation

Dedicated to community vitality since 1944, Rochester Area Foundation’s mission is to strengthen community philanthropy by promoting responsible and informed giving and to assist donors in meeting their charitable objectives. The Foundation uses its resources to improve the quality of life, promote greater equality of opportunities and to develop effective methods to assist those in need in the greater Rochester area.