From: The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, P.O. Box 504/43355 Route 28, Arkville, NY 12406, Phone: 845-586-2611: Fax: 845-586-3044: E-mail: cccd@catskillcenter.org / Contact: Erik Johanson 845-586-2611 / ejohanson@catskillcenter.org

For Immediate Release     

New Executive Director Jeff Senterman, Recipients of Evers & Ginsberg Awards, Announced at Summer Gathering of the Catskill Center

August 29th, 2015 - MOUNT TREMPER, New York---The Catskill Center announced at its annual Summer Gathering the appointment of Jeff Senterman to the position of Executive Director. The announcement by Jim Infante, Chairman of the Board of Directors, was made at the Maurice D. Hinchey Catskill Interpretive Center, during the summer gathering of the organization’s membership.

Jeff Senterman joins the Catskill Center from the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, based in Mahwah, NJ, where he was the Senior Program Coordinator for the Trail Conference.

Jeff joined the Catskill Center as Associate Director in 2015 after working for the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference as the program coordinator for the Catskill region and manager of regional trail programs. In addition to bringing non-profit, environmental planning and office management experience to his post, Jeff has the experience of growing up and working in the Catskills and in a number of other areas. Jeff has worked as an environmental planner for the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission; Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission; and for Waterman Design Associates.  He also worked as a New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation assistant forest ranger in Greene County.  Jeff is an avid hiker and outdoorsman who has spent a lot of time hiking in the Catskills, Adirondacks, and New England. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Lyndon State College in Vermont, with a concentration in environmental science.

Jeff said, “I am honored and excited to lead the Catskill Center as the Executive Director.  I have a deep love and appreciation for the Catskills and look forward to ensuring that the Catskill Center protects and fosters the well-being of the Catskills for everyone,” about his recent move to the Catskill Center. “I look forward to strengthening the Catskill Center's current programs including the Maurice D. Hinchey Catskill Interpretive Center, our efforts to fight invasive species in the Catskills, improve our two nature preserves, ensure the success of our new riparian buffer partnership with NYC DEP and continue to support arts and culture throughout the Catskills. I also look forward to working with our existing partners and developing new relationships throughout the Catskills to continue to move ahead.”

Jim Infante, Chairman of the Board of Directors, said “I am most pleased that, as the result of a thorough and very extensive search, the Search Committee forwarded the name of Jeff Senterman for appointment as Executive Director of the Catskill Center. The Board of the Center has enthusiastically voted to appoint Jeff, effective September 1, 2015, to the post. Personally, I have the highest regard for Jeff, having interacted with him extensively first when he headed the activities of the NY/NJ Trail Conference here in the Catskills, and subsequently as Associate Director of the Center. I feel that the Center is in very good hands with Jeff as its leader, and I look forward to work intimately with him in the pursuit of the goals of conservation and economic development of our beloved Catskills.”

Also announced at the annual Summer Gathering were the recipients of the prestigious Alf Evers award for excellence, presented to Catskill Mountainkeeper for outstanding leadership and commitment to protection of the Catskill region. Ramsay Adams, Executive Director of Catskill Mountainkeeper accepted the award. Sherret S. Chase, founding president of the Catskill Center, whose dream of developing a Catskill Interpretive Center became a reality earlier this summer, received the prestigious Ginsberg Award for outstanding leadership and commitment to both the Catskill Center and the region.  

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Since 1969, we have led the effort to protect the more than 700,000 acres of the Catskill Park and Catskill Forest Preserve. We are the major force advocating for the Catskill region. OUR MISSION To protect and foster the environmental, cultural and economic well-being of the Catskill region. catskillcenter.org

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