By John Tredrea, Special Writer
LAMBERTVILLE — After 32 years at Fisherman’s Mark, a nonprofit social services agency based in Lambertville, Barbara Petty will retire on March 31 from her post as the organization’s executive director.
She’ll still be on the scene helping out, however. Ms. Petty will be splitting time with her family and Fisherman’s Mark.
”Barbara has been and will remain a valuable asset and resource for Fisherman’s Mark going forward,” said Daniel Rattigan, president of the board of Fisherman’s Mark.
Linda Meacham, now associate director of the agency, will take over as executive director on April 1.
Ms. Meachem said Tuesday that Ms. Petty and Fisherman’s Mark are virtually synonymous.
”Barbara is this organization,” Ms. Meachem said. “Hers will be huge shoes to fill. She’s been working with us for a year and a half on preparing us for her retirement.”
Ms. Petty was a member of the founding committee that started Fisherman’s Mark in March of 1980 to address the educational, employment, nutritional, and life skills needs of individuals who were not effectively being helped through existing service organizations.
The Mark’s first program offered vocational training, through a printing press business.
The concept took off and, over 32 years, Fisherman’s Mark has expanded into the seven programs it offers today: Case Management; Community Outreach; Fisherman’s Mark Food Pantry; Information, Resource and Referral; Lambertville Academy; Los Puentes; and Volunteer Program.
”As co-founder and executive director, Ms. Petty, or BJ as she is known to everyone, was instrumental in developing the organization’s mission, which defined and guided Fisherman’s Mark, setting the path for growth and development,” Ms. Meachem noted.
”The Mark’s longevity and success would not have been possible without the vision and dedication BJ has shown throughout her 32 year tenure.
” She recognized the need for a vocational program, all those years ago, and that has grown into the seven programs we have today,” Ms. Meachem said.
The Mark serves Hunterdon, Mercer, Warren and Somerset counties in New Jersey and Bucks and Montgomery counties in Pennsylvania.

