(JOHNSON CITY, TN) – Andy Brown, a distinguished conservationist, entrepreneur, leader and farmer has been named executive director of the Appalachian Resource Conservation & Development Council (ARCD). The ARCD Board of Directors unanimously approved Brown’s appointment following an extensive search. Brown begins his role as executive director on July 15.
An inspirational and values-driven administrator with a track record for cultivating partnerships, innovation through inclusive excellence, and recognized advocate for sustainable agriculture, conservation and education, Brown ushers in a new chapter in the leadership of ARCD as it enters its 30th year as the premier regional organization dedicated to natural resource conservation, improving local food systems, and upgrading the quality of life and standard of living in northeast Tennessee.
Brown comes to ARCD with extensive experience in nonprofit programming and leadership, most recently as executive director of the Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust, where he worked with diverse farmers and ranchers to protect the land, water and way of life of Colorado’s San Luis Valley, the source of the Rio Grande River. He previously was conservation manager with Trout Unlimited, covering the southern Appalachian region, where he developed and implemented conservation projects to benefit wild and native trout and associated ecology on high elevation streams. He has also taught entrepreneurship and small business management at Mayland Community College in North Carolina.
“We are very excited to have Andy coming to lead our team at Appalachian RC&D”, said Board Chair Roy Settle. “His positive history, combined with experiences in the conservation and non-profit worlds made him a natural choice that the Board and Staff approved Andy unanimously. He puts us in a great position to take us into our next 30 years of serving the greater agricultural community.”
“I am honored that the Board and Staff of the Appalachian Resource Conservation & Development Council has selected me to serve as its new Executive Director,” Brown said. “I have been an advocate and supporter of the rural economy, ecology and way of life for a long time throughout my personal and professional life, so working here is a natural fit for me. I am thrilled to join forces with such an effective team and its partners to continue the great work they have been doing and position ourselves as a thriving enterprise who makes a big difference for food security and the health of our rural communities for the long term. I eagerly look forward to getting to know the people of northeast Tennessee better in the coming months and years.”
Since 1994, ARCD programs have worked to achieve a sustainable natural resource base, increase social and economic opportunities, and improve quality of life for citizens in the six-county region ARCD serves through meaningful experiences. From its signature gardening and beginning farmer training programs, Build It Up and The Field School, to conservation programs and supporting area farmers markets, ARC&D provides practical solutions to support local agriculture, ensure access to nutritious food for local communities, and protect the natural beauty of Appalachia.
About ARCD: The Appalachian Resource Conservation & Development Council (ARCD) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization serving Northeast Tennessee and beyond. ARCD’s mission is to conserve natural resources and improve rural economies through community leadership and enhanced educational opportunities. www.arcd.org