New London Main Street Hires New Executive Director

New London Main Street announced that it has hired a new executive director to work on a part-time basis.

Annah Perch has been working at the downtown organization since April 22. An interim director had been filling the role following the resignation of New London Main Street chief executive officer Penny Parsekian in August. 

The decision to change the organization's top post from a full-time chief executive officer to part-time executive director was made by the NLMS Board of Directors. The position has the potential to be extended to a full-time position.

Perch said in a statement that she was excited to be joining the organization shortly after the announcement that the National Coast Guard Museum will be built on the New London waterfront.

"I’m coming on board at an exciting time for New London’s waterfront district and this organization can be a great resource for everyone involved," she said.

Perch formerly served as the executive director of the Stepping Stones Foundation in Katonah, N.Y. Her roles in this organization included historic preservation, event planning, grant writing, fund raising, community development and nonprofit management. During her tenure, the foundation received designation as a National Historic Landmark. Her duties also included overseeing historic repairs, the planning and building of a welcome center, and the preservation of the founders’ archives.

"Annah’s accomplishments enhanced the historic home and site, helped secure Stepping Stones’ future, and created many possibilities for the organization to continue to grow and serve," said James F. Moogan, president of the foundation’s Board of Trustees.

"I welcome Annah Perch to New London and wish her all the best in this new role," said Mayor Daryl Finizio. "I also applaud New London Main Street for injecting new energy and focus into their organization and I look forward to making the partnership between NLMS and the City of New London even stronger under Ms. Perch's new leadership."

Perch has also worked as the director of annual giving and special events at Mercy College, the development director for the Catalog of Giving for New York City Inc. and a Community Reinvestment Act analyst at the New York State Banking Department.

Perch earned a bachelor's degree at Southern Connecticut State University and a master's degree in urban planning, specializing in housing and community development, at the State University of New York at Albany. She was born in New Haven, grew up in Hampton, and currently resides in Niantic.

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