LEWISTON — The Franco Center has a new executive director, Mitchell Clyde Thomas.

He will begin July 14, Bastille Day.

“Mitch is the one who had the strongest passion, of our applicants,” said Ray Legueux, chairman of the Franco Center board and interim director for the past two months.

The announcement ends a speedy search for a new director.

In April it was decided to replace former Executive Director Louis Morin, who suffered a severe stroke March 19.

At least 18 had applied for the job, Legueux said. The pool was narrowed down to four applicants and then two, who were interviewed by the center’s entire 14-member board.

“He stood out and made our selection easier,” said Larry Gilbert, the center’s vice president. “I think he’ll be an asset to the center.”

Thomas, who lives in Durham, serves on the staff of The Chapman House in Auburn. He previously spent 14 years as the communications director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maine.

He is also an adjunct professor in the humanities and social sciences departments at Central Maine Community College in Auburn, and the choir director and organist at Calvary United Methodist Church in Lewiston.

He may be best known as a volunteer actor, director and public relations officer with Community Little Theatre in Auburn. He has been involved in the organization for 30 years. He also served for more than 25 years as a volunteer historic interpreter and board member at the Washburn-Norlands Living History Center in Livermore.

He will be the center’s third director and its first with neither a Franco heritage nor skill as a French speaker.

Though good candidates arose from Maine and other states, Legueux said, the board didn’t want to make the heritage and language skills a prerequisite. Legueux and Gilbert said their aim is to team up Thomas with one of the center’s many French speakers when needed.

The board wanted someone with strong ties to the community who might be able to lead strong fundraising efforts. The building still has repair needs, including stonework at the rear of the building.

Since it was created in 2000 at the former St. Mary’s Church, the center has spent millions of dollars on repairs to the century-old stone structure. Millions more have been spent updating the interior space to create a modern reception and meeting space and, in the former nave, a grand performance center.

“Fundraising will be a priority,” Gilbert said. “That’s the only way we can operate. The community needs to step up and be supportive.”

dhartill@sunjournal.com

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