The Conservation Alliance membership elected Gareth Martins, director of marketing at Osprey Packs, and Kate Ketschek, director of marketing and public relations for NEMO Equipment to new three-year terms on the Alliance board of directors.
Martins was re-elected after serving a full term during which he has chaired the Alliances Outreach Committee, and been active in advocacy efforts. Ketschek is new to the board, and fills the seat vacated when Black Diamonds Adam Chamberlain completed his board term.
This election brings us both continuity and fresh blood, said John Sterling, Conservation Alliance executive director. Gareth has made huge contributions over the past three years, and were excited to have his passion and expertise for another three years. Kate brings us new energy and marketing depth, and adds to the boards East Coast contingent.
Five nominees ran for the two board seats in what was another tight election. The Conservation Alliance board and staff thank everyone who ran.
We are fortunate to have such strong interest in board service, said Sterling. We only wish we had seats for everyone who is interested in serving.
The new three-year board terms begin immediately after the August 3rd board meeting.
The Conservation Alliance is an organization of outdoor businesses whose collective contributions support grassroots environmental organizations and their efforts to protect wild places where outdoor enthusiasts recreate. Alliance funds have played a key role in protecting rivers, trails, wildlands and climbing areas.
Membership in the Alliance is open to companies representing all aspects of the outdoor industry, including manufacturers, retailers, publishers, mills and sales representatives. The result is a diverse group of businesses whose livelihood depends on protecting our natural environment.
Since its inception in 1989, the Alliance has contributed more than $8.3 million to grassroots environmental groups. Alliance funding has helped save over 49.5 million acres of wildlands; 27 dams have either been stopped or removed; and the group helped preserve access to more than 17,000 miles of waterways and several climbing areas.
