Martha’s Vineyard Community Services has appointed chief administrative officer Scott Turton as its interim CEO after Beth Folcarelli announced plans to move to New York earlier this month.

Mr. Turton will fully assume Ms. Folcarelli’s role when she departs in December, overseeing the operations of the nonprofit, which runs an array of services for families, seniors, veterans, domestic violence victims and people suffering from substance use disorder. 

Community Services is also in the process of searching for a permanent CEO.  

In his current role, Mr. Turton works across different departments to ensure the quality of the organization’s services. He is a licensed clinical social worker who sees clients on campus while also overseeing clinical services as a whole.

He said his prior management experience at the organization has prepared him for his interim duties. He also feels his current role’s emphasis on interdepartmental cooperation will be an asset.

“I’ve developed relationships across the entire organization, and I think … I’m the logical person to help [with] this transition, because I already have all of those existing relationships,” he said.

As interim CEO, he hopes to ensure that the transition into permanent new leadership is as seamless as possible. He said this means continuing to prioritize Community Services’ ongoing, multi-year strategic plan, which includes administrative restructuring and a capital campaign to build a new campus.

“For interim positions, it’s really about keeping stability for the organization,” he said.

Community Services board chair Larkin Stallings sits on the transition committee that appointed Mr. Turton. Mr. Stallings is confident Mr. Turton will take a community-minded approach to the role.

“He’s interfaced with every piece of our organization,” he said. “With great change comes great opportunity.”

Mr. Stallings said the support for Mr. Turton’s appointment was “resounding” among members of the organization, including Ms. Folcarelli.

Despite Ms. Folcarelli’s departure coming at a moment of great change for Community Services, Mr. Turton is confident he can cultivate morale among leaders and staff.

“Any transition like this for an organization holds challenge because it comes with a little bit of uncertainty,” he said. “For me, the challenge is instilling confidence in the organization that … the heart of the organization is the people that do the work.”