Appalachian Trail Conservancy Announces Search for Next President and CEO

A committee representing ATC stakeholders will lead search and seek input from the A.T. community

HARPERS FERRY, W.V. — The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) Board of Directors has initiated a search process to advise the board in selecting ATC’s next President and CEO, board chair James LaTorre announced today. A CEO Search and Transition committee will be formed to facilitate the selection process.

On April 9, 2025, President and CEO Sandi Marra announced her retirement, effective January 2026. Since she took office in July 2019 as the tenth leader in ATC’s 100-year history, Marra guided the nonprofit through one of its most transformative and sustained periods of growth amidst unprecedented challenges and threats to the world-renowned Appalachian Trail experience.

“Under Marra’s leadership, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy is now recognized as an international model for long trail stewardship and conservation,” LaTorre said “As the nonprofit begins its second century in service to the iconic A.T., we will be looking for a visionary and collaborative individual who will accelerate the ATC’s mission to protect, manage, and advocate for the wild and transformative Trail experience in the face of escalating challenges posed by development, extreme weather and increased visitor use. We seek a strong, passionate, entrepreneurial-minded individual to help us safeguard this national treasure.”

The search committee will include members from across ATC’s stakeholder groups that contribute trail, conservation, and fundraising expertise.

Greg Merritt, vice chair of the board, will chair the CEO Search and Transition committee.

“I look forward to helping this search committee identify and secure an outstanding new leader who will accelerate the ATC into our next century,” Merritt said.

The search committee will solicit feedback from various stakeholders to inform the position description and the search committee’s lens for this National search.  The search committee, charged with building a broad pool of candidates and conducting outreach and interviews, will ultimately recommend the next leadership candidate to the ATC board. The ATC board has engaged an executive search firm, Armstrong McGuire, to assist in this search. For those interested in applying for the position, please contact: Hannah Randall, Senior Advisor, hannah@armstrongmcguire.com.

About the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Founded in 1925, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy works passionately to manage and protect the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. As the only non-profit devoted exclusively to the entirety of the Trail and its landscape, we endeavor to keep its vast natural and scenic beauty healthy, resilient, and connected, so that everyone can experience its transformative power for generations to come. Together with our supporters, partners, and thousands of volunteers, we keep the Trail alive.

Media Contacts:
Ann Simonelli, Director of Communications, 304.885.0482, asimonelli@appalachiantrail.org
Jeri Ward, Chief Growth Officer, 304.885.0793, jward@appalachiantrail.org