Archived Outdoors

Trail conservancy chooses new leader

out tiptonThe Appalachian Trail Conservancy has a new executive director and CEO.

 

The organization’s board of directors appointed Ronald J. Tipton to lead the ATC beginning in late August.  

Tipton has spent more than 30 years as an advocate for public land preservation and national park protection. With a degree in law, Tipton first worked at the National Academy of Sciences and on the oversight and investigative staff of the House Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee. 

Since 1978, he has been a part of the advocacy or management team of four non-profit national conservation organizations: The Wilderness Society, National Audubon Society, World Wildlife Fund and the National Parks Conservation Association.

“Ron has the passion, management experience, and advocacy skills that the Appalachian Trail Conservancy is looking for, plus a strong connection to the Appalachian Trail and the Trail community,” Bob Almand, chair of the board of directors for the ATC, stated.

The ATC currently has more than 43,000 members, a vast network of over 6,000 volunteers and an operating budget of $7.3 million.

Smokey Mountain News Logo
SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM
Go to top
Payment Information

/

At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. We don’t plan to change that model. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News.

The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us.