Striving to Make a Difference

JACK IDDON/The Standard-Times

DARTMOUTH – While working for an environmental group might seem light years away from a career in the city, the transition has been a natural one for D’Arcy MacMahon, executive director of the Lloyd Center for the Environment.

Mr. MacMahon has spent the past 30 years working in the fast paced corporate world in Boston, most recently as a strategic planner for John Hancock Financial Services. He also served as executive director for both the National Brain Tumor Society and the Head of the Charles Regatta for many years.

That blend of business savvy and experience working with nonprofit organizations made Mr. MacMahon a perfect fit for executive director at the Lloyd Center.

D’Arcy MacMahon took over in January as executive director of the Lloyd Center for the Environment in South Dartmouth. “I’m happy to be part of the Lloyd Center because it’s making good use of my peculiar skills and talents,” said Mr. MacMahon. “The Lloyd Center is a place where you can make a difference, and I’m very lucky to be a part of it.”

In January 2004, Mr. MacMahon took over the reins from R. Henry Norweb III, who served as interim executive director after the unexpected death of former executive director Donald M. Tucker.

The Lloyd Center for the Environment is focused on educating the public about coastal and watershed issues. The center also conducts research on coastal ecosystems and endangered species. Its strategy is to be very focused on what they do and to do it well.

“We can’t be all things to all people. We have an expertise on environmental education and research. We’ve got a terrific board and a terrific group of employees. That is one of the reasons the Lloyd Center is able to keep its resources and energies directed.”
One of Mr. MacMahon’s long-term goals is to increase the volunteer base at the Lloyd Center, as well as increase community awareness.

“We need people to volunteer to work on our trails, to help with our classes, assist our teaching staff in the schools, greet visitors here and help them understand what they see. The more people we can get involved, the better.”

While Mr. MacMahon has enjoyed settling into his new role, he admits he was a bit surprised by the diversity of his responsibilities. “The job is not simple. My job is to create straight-forward solutions to complex problems and stay focused.”

The Lloyd Center for the Environment is open to the public, free of charge, Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Tuesday through Saturday, November – April).

Mr. MacMahon lives in Dartmouth with his wife, Ivy.

This story appeared on Page A7 of The Standard-Times on October 26, 2004.