Northeast Arc Hires Craig Welton As Chief Development Officer

Danvers-based Northeast Arc, a not-for-profit organization that helps children and adults with disabilities become full participants in the community, has hired Craig Welton as Chief Development Officer

In his role, Welton will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of fundraising, public relations, and marketing support to meet the Northeast Arc’s mission.

Welton comes to the Northeast Arc after spending ten years at Best Buddies International where he served as the Massachusetts and Rhode Island State Director. In this role, Welton oversaw operations, management and fundraising responsibilities at the nonprofit organization that provides social inclusion, integrated employment, and leadership development opportunities to more than 8,000 Massachusetts and Rhode Island residents with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“I’m very excited that Craig is joining our team in the critical role of Chief Development Officer,” said Jo Ann Simons, President & Chief Executive Officer, Northeast Arc. “His experience with Best Buddies matches perfectly with the skill set needed to be successful in his new role.”

"I have had an amazing opportunity to work on behalf of people with disabilities for over ten years, and I’m incredibly excited to continue pursuing this passion at the Northeast Arc,” said Craig Welton. “The Northeast Arc has a great reputation for providing life enhancing opportunities to the people it serves and I am humbled to join such an accomplished organization. I look forward to working alongside this dedicated team to continuing raising the bar for people with disabilities."

Welton, who lives in Peabody, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in politics from Saint Anselm College and a Masters of Public Administration degree from Northeastern University. In addition, he earned an Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership from Duke University and an Executive Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship from Stanford University Graduate School of Business. Welton serves as a board member for The Sisters Wish, a New England based nonprofit that provides life enhancing experiences and support to young adults with chronic and terminal illness.