Merrimack Education Center Appoints New Executive Director

The Merrimack Education Center has found a new permanent leader two years after scandals relating to former Executive Director John Barranco.

Last week the Education Center, also known as the MEC, hired David Hastings to be the new executive director at the organization, which aids local school districts and other groups in the Merrimack Valley with special education needs.

Most recently the Director of Administration at the Harvard School of Public Healthy’s Department of Genetic and Complex Diseases, Hastings has also held executive positions with the Massachusetts Hospital Association, the Massachusetts 9-11 Fund, Tufts University and the Museum of Science.

“MEC has been working with a professional executive search firm for some time to locate the right candidate for MEC.  Through the search firm over 35 candidates were considered,” said MEC chairman Gary Garmon.  “David’s varied and extensive experience in numerous organizations in the non-profit sector is an excellent match for MEC.  We look forward to sharing his many talents with both the board and the staff.”

Hastings took over for interim Executive Director Antony Walker, who led the organization following the scandals surrounding Barranco, who was accused of siphoning over $10 million from the organization.