Robert Grom Named Vice President of External Affairs

UPPER MARLBORO, MD – July 9, 2014 – Cari DeSantis, President and CEO of Melwood is pleased to announce that Robert Grom has been named Vice President of External Affairs for the organization. Melwood is a leading nonprofit organization based in Upper Marlboro, Maryland that is dedicated to empowering people of differing abilities to transform their own lives through employment, job training and supportive and recreational services.

In this role, Grom will play a key role in the development and execution of the marketing, communications, fundraising and volunteer efforts for the organization.

“We are excited to bring Bob on board as Melwood’s new Vice President of External Affairs.” said Cari DeSantis, President and CEO, Melwood. “He brings a wealth of experience in fundraising, grantmaking and communications; we are confident that his expertise coupled with his commitment to Melwood’s mission will make him a valuable asset.”

Prior to joining Melwood, Mr. Grom was the Chief Strategy Officer for the Early Childhood Partnerships Program in the Office of Child Development at the University of Pittsburgh. In that role he was responsible for creation and advancement of comprehensive strategic and tactical plans for business development, revenue generation and promotion of programs and projects supporting children and families, particularly those with developmental delays. Before that, he served as the Deputy Director and Chief Development Officer for the DC Cancer Consortium where he was responsible for board development, advocacy, marketing and communications, and all aspects of initiating and managing relationships with government, foundations, corporations and private donors for the purpose of building financial support through grants and gifts. Over the last 15 years, Mr. Grom has directed efforts that raised more than $125 million and directed grant-making programs delivering more than $68 million to community programs and organizations.

About Melwood

Melwood is a 501(c)3 organization that advocates for and empowers individuals of differing abilities to transform their own lives through unique opportunities to work and play in the community. The organization provides employment, job training, life skill improvement, supportive and recreational services for more than 1900 people with differing abilities in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region and serves as an international model that has been duplicated around the world. Melwood employs more than 700 people with differing abilities through 38 federal contracts at 43 sites as a result of the organization’s partnerships with community employers and the AbilityOne Program, providing total facility management, custodial, grounds keeping and recycling services in Maryland, D.C., and Virginia. For more information, visit Melwood on Facebook or www.melwood.org.

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