UTICA, N.Y. –– The House of the Good Shepherd, which provides foster care and other services to children, announced it has hired Myron Thurston III as its new development and communications director.

Thurston will succeed Carol Altimonte, who worked at the nonprofit for 33 years. Altimonte is retiring today (Feb. 27), according to Sean Farrell, the organization’s communications coordinator.

In his new job, Thurston will be responsible for building relationships with the community to help raise funds for The House of the Good Shepherd, Farrell says in a phone interview. Thurston’s work will include exploring capital campaigns to secure funding for new buildings and other renovations.

“The House is excited about the energy and enthusiasm that Myron brings,” Bob Roberts, executive director of the organization, said in a news release. “He is extremely eager to build upon the solid foundation that has been laid out, and is committed to our mission of changing children’s lives.”

The House of the Good Shepherd has not has run a capital campaign since the mid-1990s, Farrell says, but it planning one for the future.

Thurston has been the assistant director of development and communications at the Cardiac Research Institute at Masonic Medical Research Laboratory for the last five years, according to the release. Previously, he was the campaign director for the United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area.

Thurston is a member of the board of directors and chair of the Publicity Committee of Utica Safe Schools and Healthy Partnerships, as well as vice chair of the board of directors for the American Red Cross of the Mohawk Valley.

The House of the Good Shepherd is a regional provider of treatment services for 600 traumatized children and families annually, according to the release. A treatment program ranges from psychiatric services to foster care, with 80 percent of children served in the community.

The House operates from 13 sites, with a $23.2 million budget, and 350 employees who work in the Utica and Watertown area, according to the release. Its main campus is at 1550 Champlin Ave. in Utica.