CONSERVATION GROUP ELECTS NEW LEADERSHIP: FoRR Announces its New Board President

Friends of the Reedy River (FoRR) is pleased to announce the election of Katie Callahan as the new FoRR Board President. Katie serves as the Director of the Clemson University Center for Watershed Excellence, an EPA and SC DHEC recognized center for watershed management and watershed outreach activities.  For more than eight years, Katie served as the program coordinator for the Clemson Extension Carolina Clear program, reaching millions of SC residents annually with stormwater outreach and pollution prevention programming. She has more than 16 years of experience in surface water monitoring and studying how land use management affects water resources. Katie also co-leads the SC Adopt-a-Stream program with SC DHEC. “FoRR has a great legacy of leadership. During my time as president, I hope to further grow the organization through relevant and necessary improvements to the Reedy River’s management and protection, and with a greater awareness of how individuals can create a healthier Reedy River watershed,” said Callahan. 

A slate of new officers and four new board members were elected at the group’s 2017 Annual Meeting held last November. Officers include: 

·      Rion Smith, Vice President, Principal Sales Rep and Co-owner, Outdoor Sports Marketing, Inc.;

·      Bob Lloyd, Treasurer, Robert M Lloyd Consulting Services;

·      Phil Townsend, Secretary, Director of Information Systems and Security at Wyche, PA;

·      Scott Butler, Board Member, Former Lay Leader, Treasurer, Finance Committee Chair, and Pledge Campaign Chair at Grace United Methodist Church, Des Moines, IA;

·      Andy Douglas, Board Member, Director of Stewardship Ministries, First Presbyterian Church;

·      Kelly Grant Purvis, Board Member, Associate Director of Sustainability Programs, Furman University; and

·      Dick Stelling, Board Member, Former Southeastern Sales Manager at 3M.

“We are thrilled to have such a talented and diverse board of directors," said FoRR executive director Patricia Carson. “This group of individuals brings the experience and expertise needed to take FoRR to the next level as we continue to protect and restore the Reedy River."

Friends of the Reedy River will celebrate their 25^th anniversary in 2018 and are planning several programs and events to bring greater awareness to the Reedy River’s role in our quality of life and the local economy. These programs will provide more hands-on opportunities for corporations, churches, schools, and individuals to protect this valuable resource.