After a thorough search and meeting with a few highly qualified finalists, we’re excited to announce that Joshua Stutz has accepted our offer to become the first Executive Director of the Friends of the James River Park!
Having Joshua join our team marks a turning point for the Friends of the James River Park – from an all-volunteer working Board with day-jobs to a professional organization that our greater community and region can trust to help implement a multi-million dollar Master Plan. We will continue in our mission to promote the health and wellbeing of Richmond’s James River Park System – but now with new fervor!
Joshua has most recently worked as the Development Director for HomeAgain, an organization in Richmond which helps families and individuals experiencing homelessness secure and maintain housing. In that role, he raised over $700,000 for program operations from individuals, corporations and foundations annually. He managed the process and relationships for receipt of $1.7 million in government funding annually. He conducted community outreach activities to further HomeAgain’s mission and raise awareness about homelessness in Richmond.
Joshua has over eight years of professional experience in fundraising and nonprofit management. This includes three years with the Pacific Battleship Center, a nonprofit historic battleship museum in Los Angeles, where he was the Public Programming Director and the Education Manager. He has a Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies and a Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management from Antioch University.
Joshua and his family live in Henrico and are frequent James River Park System visitors. He has the drive to succeed, significant experience fundraising, the necessary education and a work history in the non-profit world and an engaging personality.
With an official start date of July 12th, we anticipate he will begin to work collaboratively and transparently with the Board so we have consensus on major organizational decisions. We look forward to Joshua having the opportunity to meet with all of you soon, and we’re excited to welcome him to our team!
