Salem Resident Named Chair of Northeast Arc Board

The Northeast Arc, helping people with disabilities become full participants in the community; choosing for themselves how to live, learn, work, socialize and play, has elected Salem resident, Darcy Lenden Immerman as chair of its Board of Directors

Immerman, who has served on the board of the Northeast Arc since 2013, was sworn in as chair at the organization’s 63rd Annual Meeting on June 2, 2017. Immerman most recently served as the board’s vice president.

The Northeast Arc was founded in 1954 by parents of children with developmental disabilities who wanted to raise their sons and daughters as full members of the community. By having the courage to challenge professionals who told them their children could not be educated and would not live to become adults, these parents created the systems that enabled them to attend public schools, develop friendships, reside in the neighborhoods of their choice and to earn a paycheck.

“I applaud the parents who took a stand more than sixty years ago to make sure people with developmental disabilities were included in society and I am inspired by the strides made in this area during my time on the board,” said Darcy Immerman, senior vice president, resiliency at AECOM. “We have done a great deal of work in the last few years to expand our programs and services and with the help of my fellow board members and the incredible staff of the Northeast Arc I know we can continue to do much more. We truly are changing lives!”

“I’m very excited to work with Darcy in her new role as the Northeast Arc’s board chair,” said Jo Ann Simons, CEO, Northeast Arc. “I’ve witnessed Darcy’s passion and dedication to our mission as a board member and chair of our development committee and know under her leadership we will accomplish many of our goals and will be well positioned for future success.”

The Northeast Arc Board of Directors consists of volunteers who give their time and talent to help raise funds and awareness about the organization’s programs and services for people in our communities living with disabilities. The board is responsible for guiding the organization’s future growth strategy by identifying and developing long-term corporate and individual partners that share the organization’s vision to enhance the lives of people with disabilities and celebrate their triumphs and achievements.

Immerman succeeds, Don Fournier of Beverly who served as the chairman of the Northeast Arc’s board for the last three years. Fournier will continue to serve on the board in the role of immediate past chair.