From Executive Director Josh Stutz:
Dear Friends of the James River Park,
As a small nonprofit organization, we rely very heavily on volunteers to make our work possible. Some of our strongest and most dedicated volunteers are our Board of Directors. Like most nonprofits, our board consists of talented people who really care about the mission of our organization, and are willing to dedicate time to providing strategic guidance and oversight. We ask them to ensure the ongoing financial stability of the organization, approve policies, and set the overall strategic direction for the Executive Director.
Since I started as Executive Director last Summer I have been working closely with current board members to make sure that our governing board continues to bring together a diverse group of individuals to best represent the people that we serve. We have brought on seven new board members in the past six months, and I wanted to take a minute to introduce them all here in this blog post
Our newest board members are-
This is an exciting time for FOJRP. Together we will continue to work hard to protect, expand, and enhance the park system that we love so much!
Bill Draper– An avid photographer, Bill grew up near the Pony Pasture and spent his youth hopping rocks, fishing, swimming and canoeing on the James River. After retiring from over forty years in healthcare sales and marketing, he spends much of his time running trails, biking and kayaking on the James. Without exception, always having a camera or two to capture and share the sights of the river and James River Park.
Karen Garner– Karen is a recent transplant to Richmond, but has been an outspoken supporter of the outdoors since her youth. Raised by a Parks and Recreation director, Karen earned a B.S. from UNCGreensboro in Leisure Services and Tourism Management. After moves to follow her husband with the USAF, the family settled in Virginia and soon after Karen became a voice for Alzheimer’s families, speaking across the country to raise awareness and funds. She is currently the Maryland, DC and Virginia Advocacy Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association and Mom to a 21 year old daughter and 18 year old son.
Jean Linnell– Jean grew up swimming and kayaking in the James. Although she enjoys the solitude she feels while hiking the trails, she thinks of the park system as a place of community and the focal point of the city. She currently serves as the Associate Director of the Pace Center at VCU.
Kendra Norrell– Kendra Norrell is a Program Officer at the Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC). She works with people of color-led non-profits to support climate-resilient project design and implementation. At ISC, she also supports regional government collaboration and project management around energy efficiency and resident support. Before ISC, Kendra worked in education and engagement with Richmond’s Office of Sustainability, Virginia Commonwealth University, G.R.T.C., and Groundwork RVA. She has a B.S. from Haverford College and a M.U.R.P. from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Matt Rigby– Matt loves the outdoors; and, is in and around the park most days walking, biking, paddle-boarding and enjoying the beauty of this green oasis running through our city. His professional background includes growing companies, investing, and consulting.
Mel Smith– Mel Smith Jr. serves as Director or Diversity and Inclusion at Genworth. As Genworth’s chief diversity officer, Mel leads and coordinates efforts to create and sustain a diverse, inclusive, equitable and welcoming environment for all Genworth colleagues including consultants, suppliers, and customers. Mel’s goal is making diversity, equity & inclusion Genworth’s way of doing business. His vision is to advance Genworth’s culture of belonging where open hearts and minds combine to unleash the potential of the brilliant mix of people, in every corner of Genworth. From the time a job seeker clicks on our website to when an employee retires.
Krista Weatherford– Krista Weatherford has been in environmental education for 18 years. In addition to her tenure as Maymont’s Director of Programming and Community Engagement, she taught environmental education, and managed several programs in Virginia State Parks and at Georgia Southern University’s Center for Wildlife Education. In addition, Ms. Weatherford has animal care experience with non-releasable river otters, birds of prey, native reptiles, amphibians and mammals. She is a Virginia Master Naturalist with the Pocahontas Chapter. Ms. Weatherford is very passionate about wildlife and natural resources, and shares her passion through a variety of presentations, and digital stories. True to that passion she enjoys kayaking, hiking and wildlife viewing as she strives to share her passion with everyone around her.
