CLICK on the image to ENLARGE At the reception to celebrate the merger between the United Way of Merrimack Valley and the United Way of Massachusetts Bay: Leonard A. Wilson, Sovereign Bank regional senior vice-president and UWMV board of director’s member; Thomas H. Tulip, Ph.D., chairman of the Board of Directors of United Way of Merrimack Valley (UWMV); Milton James Little, Jr., president and chief executive officer at United Way of Massachusetts Bay, (UWMB); Nancy Donahue, UWMV board member and Robert M. Mahoney, Vice Chairman of Citizens Financial Group and member of the United Way Executive Committee and Board of Directors. Milton James Little, Jr., president and chief executive officer at United Way of Massachusetts Bay, a nonprofit organization that unites the collective resources of the community to surround kids with everything they need to grow to be healthy, productive adults, raising and guiding the investment of over $40 million dollars annually in a diverse portfolio of community based organizations. A prominent national and community leader, Mr. Little’s 20-years experience in the public and private sectors includes creating workforce and education programs, building national partnerships to fund housing and developing corporate philanthropy and community involvement strategies. Thomas H. Tulip, Ph.D., has been named chairman of the Board of Directors of United Way of Merrimack Valley (UWMV). Tulip succeeds James J. Karamourtopoulos of Methuen who has served his two-year term as chairman of the Board. Tulip, a vice president with Billerica-based Bristol-Myers Squibb Medical Imaging, brings to this position considerable professional expertise and experience. Most recently, he served as vice president, International Operations where he was responsible for strategic business units outside the United States including Canada, Europe, Australia and Puerto Rico as well as the distribution relationships in the Pacific Rim, Asia, Middle East and Latin America. Previous to this appointment, Tulip held a variety of positions of growing responsibility which have developed his expertise in business development, customer relations and strategic planning. Robert M. Mahoney, Vice Chairman of Citizens Financial Group. He is responsible for New England Banking, which includes oversight of Citizens’ state banks in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut. Mahoney oversees several additional business lines, including Citizens Capital Inc., Citizens Investment Services Corp., Citizens Business Credit, Leasing and Dealer Finance and Communications and Publishing. Mr. Mahoney also holds several community leadership positions in Massachusetts. He is a Trustee of the University of Massachusetts and is Co-Chairman of the University’s Foundation. He is a Trustee of Catholic Charities and serves on the organization’s Development Committee and is a member of the United Way Executive Committee and Board of Directors. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Greenwich Capital and serves as Vice Chairman of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable.

The merger was announced at a reception held at the Lanam Club, located at 260 North Main Street, in Andover, on Tuesday, December 6, 2006.

“Our merger reflects our commitment to combining resources on a regional level in order to effect greater change in local communities,” said Milton J. Little, Jr., president and chief executive officer at UWMB. “Many of the issues facing the Merrimack Valley – such as affordable housing, workforce development and creating environments where children and youth learn and thrive – are issues that know no geographical boundaries. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of the people and neighborhoods where we live, work and raise our families.”

The new organization will include 87 cities and towns and community investments totaling $34 million. To ensure that the Merrimack Valley maintains a strong voice in decisions, four leaders from Merrimack Valley will join the Board of United Way of Massachusetts Bay.

In addition, the merged entity will open a new office in Lowell and also keep open the existing office in Haverhill. United Way’s “Gifts in Kind” Product Philanthropy program will operate out of the Lawrence area.

In addition to the injection of new funds to develop math and science skills of youth, the organization is taking steps to ensure that current funding levels are protected. United Way will continue to invest the funds that are raised in Merrimack Valley in agencies and programs serving the region.

The agreement contains a strong commitment to engage local volunteers and community leaders. It calls for maintaining three existing Impact Councils in Merrimack Valley to advise United Way on specific issues affecting the region. Four new local committees will be formed to advise UWMB’s Board on regional economic issues, guide community allocations, provide leadership for the annual campaign and recruit Merrimack Valley volunteers for these roles.

“This is a tremendous growth opportunity for investment in the human capital of the Merrimack Valley,” said Thomas H. Tulip, Ph.D., vice president, global brand champion, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Board chair of UWMV. “The agreement reflects United Way’s ongoing commitment to building a strong, stable region and a vibrant economy that holds the promise of a brighter future for everyone.”