Kathy DeCoster, Retired from Trust for Public Land; former consultant to PNTS for Advocacy and Policy
Kathy DeCoster served as consultant to the Partnership for the National Trails System as its Advocacy and Policy Director from January to September 2020.  Kathy retired from The Trust for Public Land (TPL) in June 2019 after 25 years, including the last 10 as Vice President and Director of Federal Affairs, where she directed TPL’s federal program and represented the organization with the Administration, Congress, NGOs and other partner organizations. Prior to joining TPL, Kathy served as a legislative assistant on environmental issues for both Sen. William S. Cohen (ME) from 1983-94 and Rep. David F. Emery (ME-1) from 1980-83.  Kathy received an M.A. in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia and graduated from Kenyon College cum laude with Honors in History.  Kathy served one term on the PNTS Board of Directors and just began a term on the Board of Directors of the Philander Chase Conservancy.