President of Lake Winnipesauke Alliance to Retire

Meredith, NH – March 3, 2025 – Patricia Tarpey, President of the Lake Winnipesaukee Alliance (LWA and formerly the Lake Winnipesaukee Association) has announced her intention to retire later this year. Her early announcement affords the Board of Directors ample time to conduct a national search for her successor and to ensure a seamless leadership transition.

“No one has done more to advocate for Lake Winnipesaukee than Pat Tarpey,” said Mark Ishkanian, Chair of LWA’s Board of Directors. “She has fought tirelessly to raise public awareness of the fragility of Lake Winnipesaukee’s cool, clean water and the need to keep harmful nutrients out of the lake. Over the years, Pat has been a steady and persistent presence in town halls, in the state Capitol, and in the media making clear that we must not take for granted that Winnipesaukee’s waters will always be clean and safe. Her leadership and vision have left an indelible mark on LWA for which we are grateful.”

Under Tarpey’s leadership, LWA evolved from an all-volunteer organization to one whose staff capacity, resource base, and stakeholder investment continue to grow. The organization has recently attracted its largest-ever public and private grants and is in the process of moving into a new headquarters in Meredith. Having been led expertly by its departing leader, LWA is a strong, resilient organization equipped to carry on the protection of the Lake Winnipesauke watershed with ample community support.

The Board of Directors has partnered with Kittleman & Associates, a firm specializing in nonprofit CEO searches, to help find the right person to lead LWA during its next chapter. LWA’s next Executive Director will join the organization at an auspicious moment when it is poised to meaningfully grow its impact. Widespread cyanobacteria blooms during the summer of 2024 highlighted the fragility of the lake’s watershed, resulted in broader stakeholder investment in LWA’s mission, and created an opportunity for LWA to mobilize resources and to galvanize agencies, nonprofits, businesses, and communities to support the organization’s work. The Board is committed to ensuring a seamless transition, maintaining operational excellence, and continuing to serve the Lake community without disruption. A national search is currently underway, and the job posting, along with further details, can be found at

http://www.kittlemansearch.com/Winnipesaukee

“Each of us must do our part to protect the precious resource that is Lake Winnipesaukee, and no one has done more to advocate for the lake than Pat Tarpey,” Ishkanian said. “The Board is committed to building on the legacy of Pat’s work by striving to protect the lake for generations to come.”

About the Lake Winnipesaukee Alliance
The Lake Winnipesaukee Alliance is the leading voice for its protection, defender of its water quality, and custodian of its future. LWA utilizes scientific research and action in its pursuit of the best policies and practices to ensure a healthy, vibrant lake. Through monitoring, comprehensive education programs, active stewardship initiatives, and science-based lake management practices, LWA works to safeguard the lake’s water quality, wildlife habitat, and recreational value today and for generations to come. For more information, visit www.winnipesaukee.org

Questions? Contact Mark Ishkanian at maishkanian@gmail.com