HARPERS FERRY, W.V., Jan. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s (ATC) Board of Directors has appointed Mark J. Wenger as the new Executive Director who will lead the organization beginning February 2012. Wenger will succeed David N. Startzell, the longest serving Executive Director in the ATC’s history.

Wenger is active in the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) community as a life member of both the Tidewater Appalachian Trail Club (TATC) and the Old Dominion Appalachian Trail Club. He is past program chair, vice president, and president of TATC. He was most recently Regional Partnership Committee (RPC) representative and chairman for the Virginia region. He also served on the steering committee for the recently completed 2011 Virginia Journeys, the ATC’s 38th Biennial Conference. On August 1, 2011, he completed an 8-year, 3-month effort to section hike the A.T.

“I feel honored to be offered the position of Executive Director at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. I intend to build on the high standards and excellence that defines this organization while moving forward to serve the next generation of Trail users,” stated Wenger.

Wenger previously held a variety of leadership positions over 32 years with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in Williamsburg, Virginia, the largest outdoor museum in the world. In his most recent position, he served as Director of Facilities where he was responsible for managing an operating budget of $30 million, maintaining more than 800 buildings, 1,500 acres, and 200 employees and volunteers.

Wenger graduated from the University of Southwestern Louisiana with a Bachelor of Architecture degree. He received a Master in Architectural History from the University of Virginia and is a licensed architect in Virginia and Louisiana.

Wenger has volunteered for over 22 years with the Boy Scouts of America. He serves on the board and is vice chair of the Williamsburg Landing, a not-for-profit retirement community. He is active with Delta Tau Delta and serves of the board of the Mountain State Railroad and Historical Logging Association.

About the ATC

Our mission is to preserve and manage the Appalachian Trail – ensuring that its vast natural beauty and priceless cultural heritage can be shared and enjoyed today, tomorrow, and for centuries to come. For more information visit www.appalachiantrail.org.

Contact: Javier Folgar
304.535.6331 x117
[email]jfolgar@appalachiantrail.org[/email]
www.appalachiantrail.org

For images of Wenger, or to view his complete profile, visit www.appalachiantrail.org/newED.

SOURCE Appalachian Trail Conservancy