![\"\"](\"http:\/\/pnts.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/north_country_trail_bruce_andrea_1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nBruce Matthews retired as Executive Director of the North Country Trail Association on July 31st. Andrea Ketchmark, NCTA Director of Trail Development, took over the role August 1, 2017.
(Photo courtesy Lowell\u2019s First Look)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Ketchmark spent the last eight years as NCTA\u2019s Director of Trail Development, where she worked with volunteers and partners across the North Country National Scenic Trail. Prior to that she worked as Volunteer Programs Manager with the American Hiking Society. She\u2019s excited to step into the role that Matthews held since 2007.<\/p>\n
In a farewell video greeting<\/a> from Matthews, he detailed some of NCTA\u2019s accomplishments in his tenure with the organization.<\/p>\n \u2022 Built almost a thousand new miles of trail \u201cTo be able to be a part of the North Country Trail community has been a huge, huge privilege for me,\u201d he said. \u201cThe relationships that we build among ourselves as we build the trail, as we maintain the trail, are deeply meaningful, and they need to be maintained.\u201d<\/p>\n Ketchmark shared some of her goals in a live video<\/a> and news release<\/a> and said her challenge will be \u201csustaining our success and figuring out what it means to take us to the next level.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2022 Advocate for public land and trails to protect natural resources The Partnership for the National Trails System welcomes Ketchmark and thanks Matthews for his work with the NCTA and National Trails System.<\/p>\n Unless otherwise indicated, all material in Pathways Across America is public domain. All views expressed herein are perspectives of individuals working on behalf of the National Trails System and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of the Federal agencies.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The North Country Trail Association (NCTA) appointed a new Executive Director, Andrea Ketchmark. She started her position August 1, 2017, following Bruce Matthews\u2019 retirement on July 31. Ketchmark spent the last eight years as NCTA\u2019s Director of Trail Development, where she worked with volunteers and… <\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Membership and volunteers reporting their hours are up about 40 percent
\n\u2022 Governance board has grown and is focused on policy\/development efforts<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Engage new audiences through efforts like the Hike 100 Challenge
\n\u2022 Build on financial strength to meet growing and changing needs of the trail<\/p>\n