by Liz Bergeron, Chair, PNTS Executive Transition Taskforce
Gary Werner has announced that he will be stepping down as Executive Director of the Partnership for the National Trails System (PNTS) and retiring from full-time work early in 2020.
Werner, who has served as PNTS Executive Director since 1991, made the announcement on February 9, 2019, at the PNTS Board and Trail Leaders Council meetings. Werner recited a promise he had made to his wife, that as she retired, he would too. This transition has been anticipated for some time. Werner reminded the Board he had mentioned it five years beforehand.
This transition was an “Action Step” for 2019 in the Partnership’s 2017-2019 Strategic Plan. An Executive Transition Taskforce has been established and is chaired by immediate-past-president Liz Bergeron.
The Taskforce has been meeting to draft a position description and prepare for the transition. The next report to the board is scheduled for July 24, and recruitment will begin in August 2019.
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