Tom Mead, center, at the “Hands Off” rally in Hartford, with wife, Elaine, and Patrick Hennessy of the Third Act Coordinating Committee.
Tom Mead has been named Co-Facilitator of Third Act Connecticut, the state’s chapter of the national Third Act advocacy organization of volunteers over age 60.
A resident of Hamden, Tom steps into a role previously held by the Rev. Davida Foy Crabtree who, with fellow Co-Facilitator George Stone, oversaw the successful launch of Third Act Connecticut in November 2023.
Mead and Stone will together co-facilitate the activities of the Third Act Connecticut Coordinating Committee, which is the primary organizing body for the state-wide group. A search is underway for a third co-facilitator for the all-volunteer movement.
Rev. Crabtree will serve as Co-Facilitator of the Volunteer Recruitment and Cultivation team, a role previously held by Tom Mead. She also will work with Lynn Stoddard helping to plan the group’s SunDay solar energy advocacy event in September.
Stone said: “Tom has been an extraordinarily visible and energetic presence on behalf of Third Act Connecticut — testifying in public hearings; participating in our rallies, press conferences and marches, and building relationships with Third Act groups in other states. He is the very model of a Third Act volunteer and we are fortunate that he’ll now be deploying his commitment across our entire organization.”
“I am gratified and excited to take on an even larger role with Third Act Connecticut, and I’m looking forward to helping our volunteers meet all the many challenges ahead of us – especially, the ongoing threats to the health of our democracy,” said Mead.
Stone said: “Davida Foy Crabtree has motivated and inspired us with her dedication and passion, and we could not have possibly advanced our organization so successfully without her involvement. We are enormously grateful that she will continue to be part of the Third Act community and at our side throughout the demanding days ahead.”
“I’ve been honored to help lead Third Act Connecticut and build community among our members who have been so responsive and ready to take action on both climate and democracy. A huge thanks to everyone and to the Coordinating Committee – a top team if there ever was one!” said Rev. Crabtree. “We are well positioned for continued leadership with our members so committed and with George and Tom galvanizing us for the challenges ahead!”
A graduate of the United States Naval Academy with a B.S. in Engineering and Foreign Affairs, Tom spent three years serving at sea. He holds a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. Mead taught math and science in adult education programs and served 11 years as Assistant Principal at Andover High School in Massachusetts.Tom was principal of Algonquin Regional High School in Northborough, Mass., for eight years.
In Connecticut, Mead has been involved in volunteer work at Sleeping Giant State Park. At the Greater New Haven Partner of Experience Corps through the AARP Foundation, Tom led efforts to help first through third graders achieve grade-level literacy. He is part of Smart Local Solar Campaigns helping to incentivize residential solar installations. Tom’s business career included positions at Digital Equipment Corporation.