Director is retiring from Abilities First, but he'll still be around

Retirement celebration

When: 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 17

Where: Abilities First, 4710 Timber Trail Drive, Middletown

For more Information: Call Pam Roark (513) 423-9496

What others are saying

J. Thomas Wheeler is retiring April 1 after more than 13 years as president and chief executive officer of Abilities First:

“Tom has been a great asset to Abilities First and has accomplished much for our mission and vision of serving children and adults with disabilities. I feel very lucky and blessed to work with him,” Pam Roark, executive assistant of Abilities First.

“Tom has a flair out in the community. He’s able to reach out to people,” Karen Smith, incoming president and CEO.

“He is a very caring, compassionate and kind person. He will be really missed,” Pat Hathaway, front office coordinator.

“Under Tom’s leadership, Abilities First has grown in the community and it has become a leader when it comes to services for children and adults with disabilities. He has shown a dedication for those with disabilities so they can excel,” Mike Sanders, director of the Middletown Area United Way.

MIDDLETOWN — J. Thomas Wheeler is retiring April 1, but he’s not leaving.

“I can’t let it go,” he said of his dedication and desire for children and adults with disabilities at Abilties First.

Several years ago, Wheeler, 65, knowing retirement was nearing, implemented a “succession plan.” At that point, he said, Karen Smith, who has worked at Abilities First for more than 25 years as a speech therapist, human resources and operations manager, was tapped as his replacement. Smith brings “a wealth of experience” to the position, said Wheeler, who called her a “good, positive successful leader.”

Wheeler, director and chief executive officer of Abilities First for the last 13 1/2 years, plans to assist with fundraising — endowment funds, wills and trusts — in a part-time role.

When he looks around the center — whether it’s in classrooms, Doty House, Hopewell Residential or the early childhood learning center — he sees smiles on the faces of children and adults.

“It’s pretty darn rewarding,” he said. “You can’t beat it.”

A “good day” Wheeler said, comes when he “gets the message out to the community.”

And a “bad” day?

“I don’t remember a bad day,” he said. “For some reason, a higher power keeps an eye on us, though I’m not sure I can say that for print today.”

Under Wheeler, programs at Abilities First have grown from four to nine, revenue has doubled, and the number of employees has increased from 100 to 140.

Wheeler said he hopes his legacy — though he’d rather hide from the spotlight — is that Abilities First, founded in 1958, continued to prosper under his leadership.

“We have done the right things,” he said.

Future plans include traveling with his wife, Agnes, a registered nurse at Kettering Medical Center. He also will chase birdies on the golf course and fish.

The ride has stopped. But he’s not getting off just yet.