UWNNM Chair Steve Boerigter introduces new Executive Director Mary Beth Maassen who addresses the crowd at this evening’s Annual Recognition Night at Cottonwood on the Greens. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Former UWNNM Executive Director Kristy Ortega, left, with new Executive Director Mary Beth Maassen at this evening’s Recognition Night at Cottonwood on the Greens. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

United Way of Northern New Mexico announced this evening that the organization has selected a new executive director.

“I am pleased to announce that we have selected Mary Beth Maassen,” UWNNM Board Chair Steve Boerigter said.

Enthusiastic applause followed the announcement from the crowd of company and individual donors gathered for the organization’s Annual Recognition Night this evening at Cottonwood on the Greens.

Maassen replaces Kristy Ortega who resigned in January to spend more time with her family.

“I have been so impressed by the work and accomplishments of Kristy, her staff and the United Way Board,” Maassen said. “They have done a fantastic job. My challenge is to continue the momentum and to move the organization and the community forward.”

Maassen clearly holds the UWNNM in high esteem and shared her thoughts about the organization.

“I am already bound to United Way because I embrace their mission and vision as my own. To Live United requires that we think outside of ourselves and to our community, to those we share this piece of earth with,” Maassen said. “This includes thinking about our neighbors—all of our neighbors throughout Northern New Mexico—and our co-workers, as well as our friends and family, as we exist in this world and move through our days. This increases our compassion. Understanding how their life links to our life make us better neighbors, better friends, and better humans. I believe this is why we are here, or at a minimum, it is why I am here – to be kind, to be compassionate, to be persistent, and to work and live united.”

A native of Phoenix, Ariz., Maassen has lived in Northern New Mexico for most of the last 27 years. She previously worked as Community Relations Director of the Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation and Marketing Director for Los Alamos Medical Center. She has served on boards, worked as an advocate, a fund raiser and volunteer with many local and regional community organizations including The Relay for Life, Los Alamos Rotary Club, Community Health Council, Los Alamos Family Council and many others.

Los Alamos Family Council Executive Director Joy Beery was in attendance when the announcement was made and said, “I’m really happy Mary Beth was selected … she will do a wonderful job but I’m sad that now she will have to leave our board,” Beery said.

Maassen holds a B.A. in Organizational Psychology. She is a mother, sister, grandmother and a writer. She and her husband Larry Maassen live in El Rancho in the Pojoaque Valley with a hound dog and a poodle.