MCED's executive director, Don Gooding, announces resignation
FILE PHOTO / Tim Greenway
Don Gooding, executive director of the Maine Center for Entrepreneurial Development, has announced his resignation from the nonprofit effective June 17.
The executive director of the Maine Center for Entrepreneurial Development, Don Gooding, has announced his resignation from the nonprofit effective June 17.
In his resignation letter to the board of MCED, Gooding cited a budget shortfall the nonprofit is facing of $130,000 to $150,000 this year among the reasons for his resignation — calling it a “tall order to fill.”
“It will require someone to give their 110% at fundraising and committing to execution of a long-term new vision,” Gooding wrote in his resignation letter obtained by the Maine Startup Insider. “I have learned in the last year that fundraising isn’t how I want or like to spend my time.”
Gooding also said MCED’s transition from focusing on helping startups launch to assisting in growth was also a contributing factor.
Jess Knox, creator of the Maine Startup & Create Week, told the Portland Press Herald that he was taken aback by the news of Gooding’s resignation announcement.
“Don and the team have positioned MCED in a strong place,” Knox said. “I think it will be exciting to see what he does next. I don’t have any doubt he’ll continue to be involved with startups and entrepreneurship.”
Catherine Renault, chair of MCED’s board, confirmed Gooding’s resignation to the Maine Startup Insider, adding the board didn’t see any signs of a possible resignation.
“We definitely did not ask him to do this,” said Renault. “On the other hand, he’s been with us six or seven years. Nobody stays still in this business for very long.”
Gooding is also a member of the leadership team of Maine Angels, a group of private equity investors focused on providing funds for startups in the state and region.
Sandra Stone, who worked with Gooding at Maine Angels, told the Press Herald that she is hopeful he will remain involved in startup development.
“I think what he does well — find those startups that deserve attention and capital — he’ll continue to do,” she said.
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