Martin D. Schwartz To Retire From The Kennedy Center: Its First CEO & President

Marty Schwartz of Trumbull, the President and CEO of The Kennedy Center, has announced his retirement slated for mid-January 2018. A champion for people with disabilities, he has touched the lives of thousands of families throughout Connecticut during his nearly 40 years as an executive and is nationally recognized in the rehabilitation field. According to Jordan A. Scheff, CT Commissioner of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), “Marty has played an integral role in Connecticut’s success in supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities.”

Michele Macauda of Monroe, Chairman of The Kennedy Center Board of Directors added, “Marty is an exceptional leader who has made a difference in the lives of countless people with intellectual disabilities, allowing them to achieve their fullest potential. His passion to serve, visionary leadership and collaborative style have been an inspiration to all of us who have had the pleasure to know and work with him.”

Initially A Small, Grassroots Rehabilitation Organization

When Schwartz became the first President and CEO of The Kennedy Center in 1978, this small community-based rehabilitation organization was a grassroots non-profit founded in 1951 by its namesake Evelyn Kennedy and 12 parents. At the time, the agency served under 200 adults with intellectual disabilities, employed 48 staff, and operated with an annual budget of $776,000. Now headquartered in Trumbull, The Kennedy Center serves over 2,000 individuals annually from birth through their senior years with a variety of disabilities, employs over 750 staff, and operates with an annual $32 million budget. The agency is one of the largest employers in the region and one of the largest rehabilitation organizations in the State of Connecticut.

Innovative and Groundbreaking Programs Created

Throughout the decades, under his stewardship, one groundbreaking program after another was created providing greater opportunities for people with disabilities. “Our team of highly skilled managers, staff, board members and volunteers has contributed greatly to our organization’s excellent reputation for quality service,” added Schwartz. “When we discover unmet needs and emerging trends, we seek to find the necessary funds to start related programs in the community. One such example was the creation of our highly successful Autism Project which was started through a fundraiser created by parents of a child with autism. Since then, it has served over 500 families.”

Numerous other innovative programs and services for people with a variety of disabilities were developed. The Kennedy Center was the first organization in Connecticut to start Travel Training, which assists individuals with disabilities and the elderly throughout the state to access public transportation. Care for the Caregiver, created by The Kennedy Center, is a nationally recognized program providing training and support enabling adults with Intellectual Disabilities and their elderly parents to assist each other so they can remain in their own home. The Norma F. Pfriem Foundation Alzheimer’s Center at Faust Hall is another unique program assisting those with Intellectual Disabilities and Alzheimer’s to maintain the highest possible quality of life.

Mary Brown of Bridgeport, Secretary of The Kennedy Center Board of Directors for over 30 years and a parent of a Kennedy Center client, reminisced about Schwartz’s many accomplishments stating, “I have had the pleasure of working with Marty since he was first hired by The Kennedy Center,” she said. “ As a parent of a client, I was always confident that my daughter would be safe, loved and provided many opportunities for growth. Plus, as a long-time Board Member, I have watched Marty successfully grow the organization, building both a well-respected business and community partner. Marty sustained and expanded Evelyn Kennedy’s vision. He has made the world of people with disabilities better through his work and ongoing commitment.”

Broad Range of Programs and Services

Today, The Kennedy Center offers a broad range of programs and services for children, adults, and the elderly with diverse disabilities through its Rehabilitation Services, Residential Services and Kennedy Industries Divisions. Some of the noteworthy programs include: birth to three services; after school supports; the establishment of 30 community experience programs and 16 group homes; an industries program composed of six businesses providing competitive services in cleaning, scanning/mail fulfillment, catering, lawncare and framing; acquired brain injury support services; mental health services and the Maggie Daly Arts Cooperative (MDAC) in downtown Bridgeport offering unique opportunities for artists with and without disabilities for creation and expression in a very supportive environment.

DDS Commissioner Scheff added, “Marty has been a leader in rehabilitation services, residential services and creative employment initiatives. He has dedicated his life to advocating and supporting the many individuals who have been part of The Kennedy Center the past 40 years. He is well respected by his staff, DDS, colleagues, families and those he served.”

In addition to the development of many new programs, Schwartz also oversaw two major million dollar capital campaigns that led to the expansion of The Kennedy Center. In fact, Dorothy Larson of Easton, a Lifetime Board Member of The Kennedy Center and Co-Chair of The Center’s most recent capital campaigns, complimented Marty for always looking out for the best interests of the clients. “I have known Marty since he was hired. I was a member of the initial search committee that interviewed him,” said Dottie. “What he has done to make The Kennedy Center grow and flourish is absolutely unbelievable. It’s amazing that one person has accomplished so much.”

Leadership Beyond The Kennedy Center

His leadership ability extended beyond The Kennedy Center. Schwartz has provided leadership to numerous community and philanthropic organizations throughout the state and country. He has served as President of the Trumbull Chamber of Commerce, President of the Probus Club of Greater Bridgeport, a civic organization supporting individuals with disabilities, and President of the Connecticut Community Providers Association, the statewide advocacy organization for organizations serving individuals with disabilities. In 2000, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Bridgeport for his humanitarian accomplishments. Other honors have included the Regional Leadership Award from the Bridgeport Regional Business Council, Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award from the Bridgeport Dental Association, Probian of the Year from the Probus Club of Bridgeport, Lifetime Achievement Award from the Connecticut Community Providers Association and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission Humanitarian Award.

On the national level, Schwartz has been an accreditation surveyor from 1984 to the present for CARF, the international accreditation body for rehabilitation organizations. His commitment to excellence is unparalleled. Since 1981, The Kennedy Center has sought and consistently achieved the highest accreditation from CARF. Most recently, the organization has received three perfect accreditations, an outstanding accomplishment achieved by less than 1% of those seeking accreditation internationally.

The Work Continues into the Future

Although the decline in public dollars compounded by the increasing needs of an aging population has created major challenges to the organization, Schwartz credits the combination of efficiently run services and the generosity of the community as major factors contributing to its ongoing success. Schwartz indicates that he is excited to see the organization reach its next pinnacle of success in the continued delivery of high quality services. The Board of Directors of The Kennedy Center will be hiring a national search firm to find the best candidate to succeed him as well as ensure a smooth transition. Visit www.thekennedycenterinc.org for more information.