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La Foret selects new Executive Director
By Robb Lapp

Following a nationwide search, the La Foret Board of Directors has named Ralph Townsend as Executive Director.

Ralph comes to Colorado from Worcester, Pennsylvania, where he has been for nearly four years as Director of the Variety Club Camp and Development Center, a facility for special needs children. Ralph’s previous experience also includes six years as Director of Olivet Blue Mountain Camp in Hamburg, Pennsylvania and three years in the for-profit sector.

Ralph Townsend holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Wilmington College. His key strengths are business development, marketing and public relations, and fund raising, as well as the administration of day-to-day operations.

Ralph began his work at La Foret in November, when he met with Board and Committee members of the Rocky Mountain Conference who were attending a working retreat at the facility.

Ralph succeeds Susan Lander, who has managed the center for the past three years. Lander moved to Ouray at the end of September, where she has purchased an art gallery.

Joining Ralph in Colorado will be his wife, Calise, and their 13 year-old son, William and 11 year-old daughter, Caroline. The Townsends will live in the Gatehouse at La Foret.

The typically slow time over Thanksgiving and the year-end holidays will give Ralph and his staff time to prepare for 2006, which begins with many retreats in January.
Ralph is looking forward to meeting all the ministers and people from the Conference churches.

In this search, the La Foret Board advertised exclusively on web sites, including La Foret’s. From an exceptional pool of qualified candidates, with seven semi-finalists, Townsend and one other candidate were interviewed in person in Denver and were given tours of La Foret.

When visiting La Foret, Ralph fell in love with the facility and was pleased to meet the senior staff. He called his wife and told her he was moving to Colorado, even if he didn’t get the job! The La Foret Board is equally excited about his coming.

Published - December 2005/January 2006 - News of the Rocky Mountain Conference, United Church News