Melwood Appoints Myron Thomas as New Chief Operating Officer

UPPER MARLBORO, Md., April 12, 2017 — Melwood – one of the largest nonprofit organization providing job opportunities for people with differing abilities in the Washington metropolitan area – is proud to announce the promotion of  Myron Thomas, MPA, MBA, to Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Thomas joined Melwood in 2013 as Chief Financial Officer. Melwood is a $100 million non-profit agency that employs 1,500 people in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Northern Virginia.  

“Myron’s promotion to Chief Operating Officer was a natural progression,” said Cari DeSantis, president & CEO. “Myron understands and embraces the caring culture of our organization and lives by our values of serving others and enriching lives. Also, Myron has been instrumental in ensuring the solid financial foundation of Melwood and exploring entrepreneurial ways to enhance its financial future. He is currently leading Melwood’s integration of Linden Resources, an organization in Northern Virginia with a similar mission.”

Mr. Thomas brings more than two decades of operational and business experience ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. Before joining Melwood, he was the President/COO of realty company, The American Home, and before that he served as President/COO of the high-end hospitality company, Raintree Resorts International. Over the years, Myron has also held positions where he has led efforts to negotiate the acquisition of over $2 billion in operating assets and over $500 million in debt financing.

Mr. Thomas obtained his Master of Public Administration from Harvard University, his Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and his Bachelor of Science from Florida A&M University. He is a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Valuation Analyst, Chartered Global Management Accountant, and a Six Sigma Greenbelt.

 “It is an honor for me to serve in this new role for Melwood, especially as we embark on a new five-year strategic plan.  I would like Melwood to be a shining example of an organization opening the world of opportunities for people with differing abilities so they can reach their potential,” said Myron Thomas.

Mr. Thomas will assume the role of Chief Operating Officer effective immediately.

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About Melwood

Melwood is an AbilityOne organization, and one of the largest non-profit employers of people of differing abilities in the Northeast U.S. Melwood has a highly competitive and inclusive workforce, providing a range of services to federal, state, and local governments, and the private sector. Using an innovative and effective social entrepreneurial model, Melwood offers job placement, job training, life skills for independence, and support services to more than 2,100 people each year in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, Maryland, and Virginia. Melwood also provides recreation opportunities through seasonal inclusive camp programs for children and adults of and without differing abilities. In addition, Melwood provides employment and support services to veterans coping with a variety of service-related traumas, such as post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, military sexual trauma, abuse, and more. Melwood employs more than 1,500 workers, including nearly 800 persons of a differing ability. Since 1963, the 501(c)(3) organization has envisioned a world in which people of differing abilities are fully included by advocating for and empowering them to transform their own lives through unique opportunities to work and play in the community. For more information visit www.Melwood.org.