DEER ISLE — Nelson Monteith, the first director of the Reach Performing Arts Center, has resumed leadership of the center after spending the past three years in China.

The Reach opened in the Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School in June 2001. The state-of-the-art, 400-seat auditorium was funded entirely by private donations and was included in the construction plans for a new elementary school.

Acting on a recommendation from Superintendent Bob Webster, the local school board hired Monteith to fill the vacant director’s position at a special meeting on Aug. 13.

Monteith said this week that the unexpected vacancy provided a moment of serendipity as he prepared to leave China and return to his home in Little Deer Isle.

“It was two days before flying home when I heard Jim Gray had resigned,” he said. “I called Bob [Webster] immediately.”

Monteith returned home in late July and was put into the candidate pool for a director at the Reach. He was one of five interviewed for the position.

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