NNDF leader: See you later

he founder and executive director of the Coulee Dam-based Northwest Native Development Fund is leaving his post.

Ted Piccolo announced the move in an email Tuesday afternoon, saying he was leaving the community development financial institution simply because it is time for change.

“There may never be a ‘good’ time for a founding Executive Director to leave a company,” he wrote. “However, there are ‘best’ times. Some are better than others. Within the scope of managing change this is probably the ‘best’ time.”

“Ted says see you later- Not goodbye,” he wrote in the subject line.

Piccolo said NNDF has put over $20 million into the community over the last 15 years, helped people own their first homes and new business owners to get established.

With an experienced board of directors, Piccolo said he was confident in the company’s future, which he said is “stronger than ever.”

“That same framework is still there and I am excited to watch the next round of leadership take this company, and the community we serve, to new heights,” he wrote.

Piccolo said Kim Peone, a longtime board member with “extensive” executive and board experience, will take the reins as interim executive director.

Finance Manager Cassandra Waters will keep the staff “humming,” he said. “Because of Ms. Waters, there will be peace.”

Piccolo said he would be taking time to reflect on “‘what does the Creator want’ for me at this time” and alluded to a Vision Quest ride on his Victory Vision motorcycle.