People on the Move: Jones Returns to Thundermist as CEO
GoLocalProv Business Team
People on the Move: Jones Returns to Thundermist as CEO
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Thundermist Health Center announced Chuck Jones will be returning to serve as president and CEO. Jones previously worked as president and CEO at Thundermist 2011-17 before joining Harbor Health Services in Massachusetts. He will start his new tenure beginning December 2.
Interim CEO Maria Montanaro initially stepped in at the Thundermist board of directors’ request on September 9 to manage the fiscal crisis the community health center was facing, and subsequently worked with the board in their recruitment of Jones. Montanaro, who also previously served as president and CEO from 1997-2011, has been successful in her effort to stabilize Thundermist and raise the working capital necessary to see the health center through the current crisis. She credits the willingness of stakeholders across Rhode Island to provide cash advances as the key that has allowed Thundermist to enact fiscal recovery plans without any interruption in service at its locations in Woonsocket, West Warwick, and South County.
Jones rejoins Thundermist after an eight-year tenure as CEO of Harbor Health Center, which provides services at various locations in eastern Massachusetts. His strong record of leadership and intimate knowledge of Thundermist and Rhode Island’s healthcare environment will ensure Thundermist remains one of the state’s premier primary care providers.
“We are thrilled Chuck has agreed to return to Thundermist,” says Erin Cooney, Thundermist board chair. “The board has been actively engaged in managing this crisis, including recruiting Maria to provide strong interim leadership. We have implemented a robust approach to board development and training, including adding new members that have a wealth of industry expertise and community experience to strengthen our efforts. We are confident Chuck is the optimal choice to assure Thundermist’s success.”
Montanaro departs with a seamless handoff to Jones, happy, as she notes, to return to her routine of semi-retirement and part-time consulting. “I will depart with the deepest gratitude to our dedicated staff and board,” she says. “They have worked tirelessly to navigate the way forward. Under Chuck’s leadership, Thundermist will rise to meet challenges and will continue its 55-year legacy of service. And I can get back to my family and grandchildren, who haven’t seen much of me these past few months.”
“Thundermist gave me an introduction to community health 15 years ago, and this feels like coming home,” he says. “I am committed to working with our team to successfully get through this difficult period. As we do, we will continue to focus on delivering the exceptional care our patients rely on, and our communities have come to expect. I look forward to rejoining my colleagues in Rhode Island as we work to ensure the strength of our primary care system.”