Executive Director of Lever Announces Retirement
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Jeffrey Thomas, founder and long-serving executive director of Lever Inc., will retire from that role at the end of this year.
Lever is the North Adams-based economic development organization that has fostered entrepreneurship and innovation in the region and across Massachusetts since its founding in 2014, a press release stated.
Lever has supported hundreds of entrepreneurs, placed 200 college students in summer internships in Berkshire County, invested nearly $2M in promising startups, awarded more than $1.5M in Innovation Grants to startups participating in Lever's long-running Challenge program, and built a statewide founder's network (MFN) serving 400-plus members.
Thomas will continue to serve as managing partner of the organization's venture investment funds. He is also working with Lever's Board of Directors to determine the path forward for the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
"I've had a wonderful experience leading Lever," said Thomas. "I will miss working with my talented teammates, our board, and especially the extraordinary entrepreneurs we have had the privilege to serve. After more than a decade of building Lever and providing accelerator services to entrepreneurs across Massachusetts, the time is right for me to transition into retirement. I'm grateful for everything we've accomplished together and delighted that I'll be able to remain involved through Lever's venture investment funds."
Steve Jenks, chair of Lever's Board of Directors, said, "While I congratulate Jeffrey on this important milestone, we will miss his energy, experience, and leadership. Jeffrey built Lever into an organization that has made a meaningful difference for entrepreneurs and the communities we serve. I'm delighted that he will continue to manage Lever's venture funds, which are invested in promising startups that he knows well and has worked closely with over the years."
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