New Executive Director for GMC

GREEN MOUNTAIN CLUB ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

WATERBURY CENTER, Vt., March 26 –– The Green Mountain Club’s Board of Directors announced today the appointment of Michael DeBonis as the organization’s next Executive Director. Mike is currently the Executive Director of the Forest Guild, a national non-profit forestry organization.  “It is an honor to have the opportunity to join the dedicated team of staff and volunteers at the Green Mountain Club. I very much look forward to getting back out on the trail in Vermont,” said DeBonis.

Mike is a native Vermonter and longtime member of the Green Mountain Club. He and his wife Jennifer will be relocating from Santa Fe, New Mexico where the Forest Guild is headquartered. Mike grew up hiking, camping, and backpacking in the Green Mountains and has hiked both the Long Trail and Appalachian Trail. A Peace Corps volunteer in Jamaica, he also served as a park manager for Lake Carmi State Park in Vermont. Mike has a bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management from Johnson State College and a master's degree in Forestry from Yale University.

“We have been impressed by Mike’s intellect and his quick understanding of the issues,” said Jean Haigh, President of the Green Mountain Club. “Mike’s strengths and experiences lie in the areas of organizational, financial, and personnel management – skills that he has used to successfully manage organizational change within the Forest Guild, and which are very important to the Green Mountain Club.  And he already has a number of positive and collegial relationships in Vermont. Mike is very much a fit for the club!”

The Green Mountain Club looks forward to officially welcoming Mike as its new Executive Director in mid-May.

The Green Mountain Club is recognized by the state of Vermont as  "the founder, sponsor, defender, and protector" of the Long Trail System.  With its 273-mile footpath, 175 miles of side trails, and nearly 70 primitive shelters, the Long Trail is the oldest long distance trail in the United States. In addition to the 450-mile Long Trail System, the club also maintains Vermont’s Appalachian National Scenic Trail and many hiking trails in the Northeast Kingdom in collaboration with partners including the U.S. Forest Service, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

Contacts:             Maisie Howard, Interim Executive Director - (802) 241-8322