After 28 years of service as the President of United Church Funds (UCF), Donald G. Hart has announced his plan to retire in June 2019. Don has played a critical role in the growth and development of UCF since joining the organization in 1989 and becoming president in 1991.
Under Hart’s leadership, UCF assets under management grew from $35 million to over $825 million as of December 31, 2017. There was a commensurate growth in staff from three part-time employees in 1991 to 13 full-time employees in 2017.
“It has been a privilege to work with the talented and dedicated staff and management of UCF. Their integrity, professionalism and customer focus has made UCF the trusted, respected and successful investment organization it is today,” Don said.
Hart also expanded the UCF family of funds, including introducing the Small Cap Equity Fund, International Equity Fund and Alternatives Fund. The most significant fund introductions, however, may have been the Beyond Fossil Fuels Fund and Beyond Fossil Fuels Balanced Fund in 2014, created in response to a 2013 General Synod resolution. Today, UCF offers 13 competitive funds that integrate social responsibility investing into their investment strategy.
John C. Dorhauer, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ, said, “The United Church of Christ celebrates the work and ministry that Don Hart has brought to UCF. His expertise and his diligence have been deeply appreciated throughout his tenure. He has helped build and maintain an instrument that enables us all to be confident that our precious resources are being safeguarded, wisely stewarded and invested for the sake of our future growth, vitality, and mission. We are grateful to him for all he has done to serve this denomination, and it will be with a heavy heart that we release him from his office upon his retirement. We wish him all the best in the next chapter of his life.”
The UCF Board of Directors has formed a Search Committee with the Rev. Dr. Kathy Dwyer serving as chair. The Search Committee has developed a timeline with a plan to appoint a new President in early Summer 2019 and will retain an executive search firm to help identify and select a candidate with the leadership skills, experience and investment background necessary to continue UCF’s growth and innovation.
“We appreciate that Don gave the Board a long lead time to create a transition plan and to select the right individual with the quality of leadership, expertise and qualifications required for the job of President. We’re confident that the leader identified by the Search Committee will honor the legacy that Don Hart has built,” said the Rev. Dr. Charles Buck, Chairman of UCF Board of Directors.
“We celebrate Don’s achievements and ministry he has brought to UCF and we are truly thankful for the leadership, wisdom, passion, enthusiasm and vision of Don Hart in his 28 years of dedicated service,” added the Rev. Dr. Buck.
Hart said that he is confident that UCF will continue to produce great results and provide stellar customer service to clients. “I will take great pride in watching UCF continue to fulfill its mission of supporting clients’ missions and providing competitive, values-aligned investment performance,” he said.
Read the press release and full letter from the Rev. Dr. Charles Buck.