Legacy Endowment experiences transitions

FALLBROOK – Legacy Endowment Community Foundation's incoming board president, Rachel Mason, will be stepping into some well-worn shoes this coming June as the slate of officers will see the transition retirements of two exceptionally seasoned directors. Current president Mark Hvasta and interim treasurer/grants chair Peter Fellios are on the cusp of completing more than 10 years of service helping Legacy meet the needs of nonprofit organizations as well as responding to unexpected community challenges.

In addition, Legacy Endowment's board of directors is excited to welcome Matthew Obermueller, owner of Fallbrook's Seniors Helping Seniors, as a new director to replace one of the two board seats resulting from Fellios and Hvasta's retirements.

"Rachel Mason's extensive background in nonprofit leadership and management and, most currently, as the executive director of Fallbrook Regional Health District, makes her a natural fit for the president's role, especially during a time of fiscal growth and organizational expansion," noted Jean Larsen, Legacy's executive director.

"Legacy's ability to make significant grants has led to more than $9 million in distributions since 1996 and our asset pool continues to grow significantly larger in the current financial climate. Our three longtime financial advisors from Merrill Lynch, Delphi LourdMurray, and Wells Fargo are doing an outstanding job. It could be said that in a way, their hands are – figuratively speaking – on top of ours when we sign the grant checks, which I think makes their work on our behalf extra meaningful.

"Mark Hvasta and Peter Fellios have been honorable shepherds for the endowment, donor advised, scholarship and agency funds entrusted to Legacy for three terms of three years... and then some," Larsen added. "They are turning over the reins to Ms. Mason and her slate of officers after having completed a number of strong organizational initiatives this past year, including the development of a robust Community Fund for urgent nonprofit needs around COVID relief, the addition of five new board members, completion of GOLD status by Charity

Navigator, and reaching a historical all-time record of pooled assets."

"It has been a rare and distinct pleasure to serve Legacy and oversee the distribution of millions of dollars into the community," said. "Legacy has been around for a long time, helping to drive economic development – and with COVID last year, clearly helping drive economic recovery in virtually all sectors of our society. I've been front-row witness to how their menu of gift planning options for individuals creates a lasting stream of charitable giving to the community. That's just a fancy way of saying that one person's idea to help children, pets, or seniors for example, can be turned into reality by using a community foundation to fulfill their dream with Legacy managing their money so prudently, that it keeps giving annual support to their favorite causes forever."

Fellios can easily recall his decision to join Legacy in 2010 knowing the board of directors had an understanding of local governance, important community initiatives, and interested in how Legacy's grants and scholarships could make a major impact.

"I was always aware of the importance of Legacy's work. But over the years of my board involvement, I've been profoundly moved by the personal stories of how grants and gifts from endowments and named funds were fundamentally touching the lives of those living in my community. That has always struck an important chord in my heart," said Fellios. "My various roles on the board and participating as needed really showed me the scope of all they can do and have done to make a difference that a lot of people just aren't aware of. My final term may be ending, but I know my relationship with Legacy never will."

Fellios' sentiments about feeling good while doing good within the community resonates with Obermueller, especially given his business focus and volunteer interests as a past Rotary member.

"You give something to help others and the effort always seems to come back in a full circle," Obermueller remarked recently. "When looking into what I wanted to become involved in that had community-impact in the areas of Fallbrook and Escondido where my business is serving seniors, joining Legacy's Board of

Directors seemed like the perfect fit."

Obermueller was officially recognized as a new member at Legacy's May board meeting and its new slate of officers will become formalized at the June 22 Annual Meeting.

Hvasta is in the process of forming an informal group of past board members as an Advisory Council for Legacy to provide a continuance of historical perspectives for its future projects and initiatives.

For more information about Legacy Endowment Community Foundation, visit Legacyendowment.org or call 760-941-8646.

Submitted by the Legacy Endowment Community Foundation.