HANOVER — A nonprofit organization created by the founders of Hypertherm to address early child care in the Upper Valley has hired an executive director.

Sara Vecchiotti started in her role as the Couch Family Foundation’s first executive director Monday.

The nonprofit organization was founded by Dick and Barbara Couch in 2002 to focus on funding for early childhood education and care in the Upper Valley. It also supports programs on Martha’s Vineyard. The Couches, along with their daughter, Brooke (Couch) Freeland, were running the foundation before Vecchiotti was hired.

Before coming to the Couch Foundation, Vecchiotti was vice president of the Foundation for Child Development in New York City, according to a news release. She was also the chief operating officer at Lutheran Social Services of New York. At the Couch Foundation, Vecchiotti will be tasked with expanding the organization’s programs throughout New Hampshire, in addition to developing programs, conducting research and developing and monitoring grants.

]]>