ACCESS of Wilmington Appoints New Project SOAR Director
The nonprofit adds veteran-focused leadership to manage and expand its adaptive recreation and community programs.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in People
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ACCESS of Wilmington has appointed Jessie Tait as the new director of Project SOAR, a program serving veterans and first responders in southeastern North Carolina. Tait will oversee the expansion of adaptive sports and recreation initiatives.
Why it matters
The appointment signals a strategic focus on scaling community-based veteran engagement programs through specialized outreach and communications. For local operators, the move highlights the role of experienced nonprofit leadership in managing regional adaptive recreation offerings.
The new director brings 4 years of media and communications experience to the role. The organization manages four distinct programs, including Project SOAR, which focuses on adaptive sports and community outreach.
The players
ACCESS of Wilmington
A Wilmington-based nonprofit organization that operates inclusive sports and recreation programs for individuals with disabilities, veterans, and first responders.
Jessie Tait
The newly appointed program director of Project SOAR with a background in veteran-focused communications and organizational support.
The details
Tait will manage adaptive sports and outdoor recreation programs including kayaking, sailing, surfing, golf, and scuba diving. Her operational responsibilities include steering community outreach and engagement initiatives designed to support veterans and first responders across the region.
Timeline
October 26, 2026: Appointment of Jessie Tait announced
Market Landscape
The hiring of leadership with experience at established organizations like Syracuse University's Institute for Veterans and Military Families follows a trend of local nonprofits professionalizing their operations. This shift aims to align regional programs with national benchmarks for veteran engagement.
Operators in the nonprofit and community services space should monitor the expansion of Project SOAR's adaptive sports initiatives as a signal of local growth in the sector. Increased focus on outreach may present new collaborative opportunities for partners in the Wilmington area.
The takeaway
The move underscores the value of recruiting leaders with specialized experience in national veteran advocacy networks to drive local program scaling. Interested stakeholders should track the upcoming initiative benchmarks to assess the program's impact on regional veteran and first responder services.
Further reading
For more on shifts in local nonprofit leadership, visit People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WWAYTV3.
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