January 17, 2024
With pride for the program and a bit of sadness, I’m writing to announce my plan to retire from serving as REquipment Inc.’s executive director. As many of you know, I retired from state government in 2015 to focus exclusively on developing our statewide reuse program. Now, it’s time to truly move on to new adventures. Rest assured, this transition will be slow and methodical, but my position is posted, and I want to share my thoughts about how this year will unfold.
First, l have to say how proud I am of what we’ve built together. Prior to 2017, Massachusetts had no comprehensive way to find free, durable medical equipment online and accessible to anyone in Massachusetts. Today, the REquipment program is a unique public-private partnership, teaming five nonprofits with three state entities to provide this essential service. Most important, however, is our collaboration with the public at large. With the commitment and generosity of our neighbors, each year, we divert 25-30 tons of valuable equipment from solid waste and refurbish it for a second life. The dedication of our partners and staff is also what keeps the program running smoothly and focused on our mission. From our director and service coordinators to our technicians and drivers, you have seen us through some rocky times and kept going what has become a vital state safety net.
I have to say how proud I am of what we’ve built together.
This year, we achieved another important milestone: the addition of assistive technology to our inventory. From the very beginning, this has been our objective. In 2015, after a successful pilot serving Greater Boston, I incorporated the nonprofit REquipment Inc. with the full name “REquipment Durable Medical Equipment & Assistive Technology Reuse Program.” We needed a nonprofit to have a way to raise private dollars as well as manage an anticipated state contract. The name reflected our goal to expand to assistive technology. With support from the legislature, REquipment became a statewide service in 2017. In October of 2023, we began providing assistive technology in addition to DME.
Now, it’s time for me to move on. Our Board of Directors has engaged Christine Griffin of Joyce Bender Consulting, and she began an executive director search last week. The Board is committed to finding the “right” person for the position and will leave the position open until we find that person. I have committed to working with the new ED for as long as needed to ensure a smooth transition. This program is too important to me and the community to do it any other way.
The Board is committed to finding the ‘right’ person for the position and will leave the position open until we find that person.
Highlights of the last eight years include statewide expansion and badly needed funding increases. The worst moment was the sudden passing of our beloved Program Director Jennifer Baker. Along the way, we survived the pandemic and rallied supporters during funding delays and budget season surprises. For me, every minute has been challenging, from juggling mundane administrative tasks to financial/fundraising and board development. But I loved it. I had the opportunity to forge relationships with local or regional reuse programs to become trusted partners, not competitors.
Thank you for your support over the last eight years. Your testimonials always lift me up. Also, our “top fans” on Facebook, always with a “heart,” sharing our message, or contacting legislators when we need to remind them how vital this program is that we’ve built together. Rest assured, I will stay involved, but in a different way. New leadership will bring the program to the next level.
Please share our job posting with interested candidates.
I’m here for months to come, and we will keep you updated as this transition unfolds.
Sincerely,
Karen Langley
Executive Director, REquipment, Inc.
