Equality Pennsylvania Executive Director Ted Martin Departing at end of June

HARRISBURG, Pa. - At its board of directors meeting on June 4, 2017, the Board of Directors of Equality Pennsylvania accepted the resignation of Executive Director Ted Martin.  Martin's last day with the organization will be June 30, 2017.

"It has been a tremendous honor for me to serve as executive director. I never foresaw myself staying for seven years back in 2010, but I am glad I did," said Martin. 

During Martin's seven-year tenure, the organization grew from a small regional operation to a statewide organization.  In those years, Pennsylvania changed dramatically for LGBTQ people and Equality PA was the engine that drove many of the battles and efforts and conversations that made great things happen.  

"As an organization, Equality Pennsylvania is looked to and respected and that makes all the hard work to get here truly worth it," Martin added. "But even more important for me personally, I've witnessed firsthand how the work that Equality PA does daily improves the lives of LGBTQ people and that ultimately makes Pennsylvania a better place.  That alone was worth the stay.  I truly will treasure the many friends I have picked-up along the way.  I will always be a supporter of Equality PA and I encourage every person out there who believes in fairness to do the same.  Thank you for what has been an incredible ride."

"During Ted's seven-year tenure as executive director, Equality PA and its affiliates experienced tremendous growth and helped LGBTQ Pennsylvanians achieve a number of key accomplishments including defending against anti-gay legislation and Constitutional amendments, achieving marriage equality, enacting dozens of non-discrimination ordinances in municipalities across the Commonwealth, and the creation and critical work of our public policy department," said Equality Pennsylvania Board President Jessica Rothchild, DPT of Scranton. "Pennsylvanians now and in the future have much to be thankful for because of Ted's work."

"We want to thank Ted for his service and wish him well in his future endeavors," added Equality Pennsylvania Education Fund Board President Michael Testa of Pittsburgh. "We also look forward to continuing Equality PA's incredibly important work as the leading voice for LGBTQ Pennsylvanians," 

The Equality PA Board of Directors has formed a transition team to guide the organization through the next few months and a search committee to execute the search for new staff leadership.  The organization invites its supporters to contribute a gift to the newly established Ted S. Martin Administrative Fund to honor Ted's work and the work of Equality PA moving forward.

The board of directors also elected Joanne Carroll of Lancaster as Board President of the Equality Pennsylvania Education Fund and Mason Lane, Esq. of Philadelphia as Board President of Equality Pennsylvania's Advocacy Organization. Tricia Dougherty of Pittsburgh was elected as vice president, Sharron Cooks of Philadelphia was elected vice president of advocacy, John Dawe, CNP, CFRE of Kingston as secretary, and Kira Kinsman of Philadelphia as treasurer.  Testa, Rothchild, board Vice President Ernest Owens of Philadelphia, and at large members Terry Barrett (Moscow), Ron Burrage (Mt. Gretna), Susan Roslevege (East Petersburg), J. Mickey Rowley (Philadelphia), concluded their board service.  Departing board members' service was recognized during a reception following the board meeting.