July brought with it a new fiscal year for ANCA, and alongside the new fiscal year came updates to the ANCA Board of Directors. This year we welcomed four new members of the Board, and thanked two departing members for their contributions to our organization. In addition to these updates, the Board underwent changes in Officership, including Board President.
The new ANCA Board members are:
- Allison Mackley, Vice President for Education at Berks Nature in Reading, Penn.
- Andy Williams, Director of Satellite Properties at the Museum of Science and History in Memphis, Tenn.
- Jason Sanders, Executive Director of Dodge Nature Center in West St. Paul, Minn.
- John Harrod, Engagement Director at the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary in Wilmington, Del.
Being immersed in the work of a nature center, like my own, is rewarding in a variety of ways. At the same time, being an active member of ANCA, and specifically being a member of the board, allows for a global view of nature centers and helps to build a professional community. The ANCA board is the voluntary service that I choose to engage in for the benefit of our field.
— Allison Mackley, ANCA Board Member
John DeFillipo, Executive Director of the Texas Conservation Alliance in Dallas, Texas, departed the ANCA Board after serving nine years, including two years as President. Brooks Paternotte, Executive Director of Irvine Nature Center in Owings Mills, Md., departs the Board after serving six years, including four years as Vice President (VP) of Development. We are immensely grateful to both John and Brooks for their many contributions to ANCA as an organization.
Kitty Pochman, Executive Director of the Linda Loring Nature Foundation in Nantucket, Mass., completed her two-year term as Board President. Kristin Smith, Recreation Manager for the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District in Beaverton, Ore., is now President. We thank Kitty for her leadership these past two years, and look forward to Kristin’s time in this role.
Dennis Pilaske, Executive Director of Chippewa Nature Center in Midland, Mich. was elected the new VP of Strategic Direction and Chad Truxall, Executive Director of Marine Discovery Center in New Smyrna Beach, Fla. was elected the new VP of Development.
The Board supports ANCA's work and provides mission-based leadership and strategic governance. We welcome ANCA members to express interest in joining the Board of Directors and/or a Committee of the Board using this interest form.
We've been so fortunate to have the leadership, support, and guidance of Kitty, Brooks and John these past several years and their presence on the board will be greatly missed. But they've set us up for great success. Combined with the experience, knowledge, and perspectives of our new board members Allison, Andy, Jason and John, I'm excited for the future of the ANCA board and fulfilling our mission and goals.
— Kristin Smith, ANCA Board President