Dear Friends of the Eno,
In late January, before I had even officially started at ERA, I met with Kim Livingston over coffee to learn more about the agency and to get her perspective on what I should prioritize as I walked in the door. We talked for an hour and a half straight. I subjected her to a relentless stream of questions which intermingled with her thoughtful advice. I left that meeting thankful for her time and clear expertise, and in mourning that I would not be working with Kim as a colleague. It’s hard for any organization to lose people like Kim Livingston.
At our Wildflower Society event in June, I told our supporters that we wanted to get an exceptional person to replace Kim and to be our next Director of Conservation and Stewardship. After an exhaustive and lengthy search, we found one. Chris Dreps, formerly the Land Protection Director at the Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association and a long-time member of our community, started at ERA on August 26th.
I am finding it hard to contain my unbridled enthusiasm for the quiet passion, ‘can do’ optimism, and lengthy track record of accomplishment that Chris is bringing to the Association.
In my experience, hiring can often feel a bit like a coin flip as to whether the person will work out. This feels more like a slam dunk to me. While my default is often to underpromise and overdeliver, I am finding it hard to contain my unbridled enthusiasm for the quiet passion, “can do” optimism, and lengthy track record of accomplishment that Chris is bringing to the Association.
It will take some time to get Chris up to speed on all things ERA, but I hope that many of you will soon have the opportunity to meet and work with him in the coming months. I have felt so warmly welcomed by ERA’s staff, board, and supporters in my short time at the agency. I ask you to do the same for Chris. I’d be remiss not to thank our Land & Stewardship Committee, especially ERA Board Chair Lindsay White, former ERA ED Robin Jacobs, and Committee Chair Hervy McIver, for their time, talent, and perspective throughout this process. Their contributions to this outcome were substantial and invaluable.
This is an exciting time at ERA. I continue to be inspired and energized by our amazing staff and board of directors. We are entering budget season, and will soon begin a comprehensive reboot of our agency strategic plan. The collection of post-it notes documenting my hopes and dreams for ERA is becoming unwieldy. I am hearing that West Point on the Eno will be opening in early September, and that the State Park will soon be welcoming volunteers to help expedite efforts to repair and rebuild after Chantal. And fall is right around the corner! Thank you for supporting the Eno River Association in this and every season. We couldn’t do our work without you.
In Partnership,
Ryan J. Fehrman
Executive Director
