Swiss Bear Executive Director Announces Retirement

Sun Journal - July 16, 2014

Susan Moffat Thomas, executive director of the Swiss Bear Downtown Development Corp., is retiring at the end of December.

Thomas, a key figure in the growth of downtown New Bern since joining Swiss Bear in 1985, turned in her resignation a week ago to her executive board of directors.

Swiss Bear, a nonprofit, was established in 1979 to spearhead and coordinate the revitalization of downtown New Bern and its waterfront. It is widely recognized throughout the state and nation for its award-winning program working in partnership with local government.

Thomas McGraw, chairman of Swiss Bear Downtown Development Corp., said he has worked with Thomas for more than seven years and remains amazed at her ability to develop ideas into projects, raise needed funds and see projects to completion.

“Susan has literally built what people remember about us as a city,” McGraw said. “She has substantially improved our economy, created jobs and brought in new businesses. People want to live in a dynamic, lively, robust area which is a special place, and Susan has been instrumental in creating that.”

Bob Mattocks, former Swiss Bear chairman, agreed.

“The community will not have to take many steps in downtown New Bern to view the accomplishments of her leadership,” Mattocks said. “My two years of working with her while I was chairman of the organization have been a highlight. In observing and working with her when I was a member of the N.C. Board of Transportation in the mid-1990s, I was pleased to dedicate a plaque in Council Bluff Green in her honor.”

Through Swiss Bear’s efforts and Thomas’ leadership, $320 million in private and public economic investment has been made in the greater downtown area with 252 new business openings since mid-1980.

When asked to name her favorite project, Thomas could not.

“It is like having children,” she said; “each one of them was special.”

But one thing Thomas said stands out has nothing to do with downtown New Bern.

Years ago, she initiated the improvements to the Richard Dobb Spaight grave site off Madam Moore’s Lane.

“As a history major, I was excited we had the grave site of one of the signers of the Constitution here,” she said

The grave site used to be on private property owned by Hughrena MacDonald and Thomas got permission from her to fix it up and acquired a $1,000 grant for a marker. She also got the county involved in the project by putting in a road and a bench. It later became part of Tryon Palace and the once neglected grave now attracts bus-loads of tourists, she said.

“I’ve always been proud of that,” Thomas said. “How many cities do you know that have grave sites of signers of the Constitution? It is really an attraction for the community. …I wish more people were aware of that site and what a historic figure we have buried right in New Bern.”

Under Thomas’ leadership, Swiss Bear Downtown Development Corp. has won numerous national and state awards from the International Downtown Association, North Carolina Downtown Development Association and the North Carolina Main Street Center. Under her leadership, Mumfest, a signature family fall festival celebrating 34 years, now attracts more than 100,000 visitors annually to the historic downtown and its waterfront.

Thomas has been recognized with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the most prestigious award presented by the governor of North Carolina to individuals who have a proven record of extraordinary service to the state.

Other awards include the Gertrude S. Carraway Award of Merit from the Historic Preservation Foundation of North Carolina, N.C. Festival & Events Association Best Director of the Year, Special Recognition Award from the N.C. Board of Transportation, N.C. Main Street Champion Award and New Bern Rotarian of the Year Award.

Thomas has served on numerous local and state organizations throughout her career. She now serves on the boards of the N.C. Museum of History Associates, the New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce and the New Bern Historical Society.

“After 32 years (of working for nonprofits), it just seemed it was time to look at retirement,” Thomas said. “I plan to do a lot of things I haven’t been able to in the past: spend time with my husband, travel and probably do some volunteering, maybe write a book about the revitalization of the city.”

Thomas has plenty of material for a book after 29 years with Swiss Bear. She spent two years before that as executive director of the New Bern Preservation Foundation and worked as a membership administrator for the New Bern Chamber of Commerce before that, she said.

Thomas said she still has projects to finish before retiring, like the dedication of the Ship Hauling Machine at Lawson Creek Park in September, the annual Mumfest in October, and fund-raising efforts for a small park in the Duffyfield area.

“I’m particularly grateful to have had the opportunity all these years to work for an organization that has done so much to help this community,” Thomas said. “The role I’ve played with Swiss Bear has been extremely rewarding.”

Thomas said the decision by New Bern aldermen during budget deliberations in May to cut funding to Swiss Bear and all nonprofits did not affect her decision to retire.

“Funding has been a challenge all these years,” she said. “It’s nothing new. It’s just one more hurdle to jump over and we have jumped many hurdles over the years. We have always come up with solutions and I have no doubt that will be the case this time, too. Swiss Bear will continue to work as it has, an asset to the community, and I have no reason to think otherwise.”

Thomas said she realized while working for the Chamber of Commerce that she was “mission oriented.”

“Nonprofits seemed to suit me,” she said. “I’ve been passionate about what I’ve done and how it has made such a difference. I’m just lucky I found myself.”

Thomas said she appreciates all the support the community has extended to Swiss Bear, to her and all of the projects.

“You can walk around town and see people’s names on bricks who have contributed to the projects and enhanced the quality of life for everyone in the community,” Thomas said. “I hope everyone will continue to support other projects in this community.”

Originally from Michigan, Moffat Thomas received a Bachelor of Arts from Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Va. She is married to John Thomas and they have four adult children, David, Robert, Jennifer and Charlotte, and nine grandchildren.