Glacier National Park Conservancy Appoints New Executive Director

COLUMBIA FALLS, Mont., July 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Glacier National Park Conservancy today announced the appointment of Doug Mitchell as its new Executive Director.

Mo Stein, Glacier Conservancy Chair of the Board of Directors, said: "Doug's experience in the public, private and non-profit sectors will ensure that the Glacier Conservancy continues to protect and preserve Glacier National Park for generations to come. Doug's deep Montana roots and his commitment to conservation make him the right leader to expand on our recent success and position the Glacier Conservancy as an even more valuable partner to Glacier National Park. We are thrilled to welcome him to the role."

Doug has been deeply involved in service to Montana for decades. He joins the Glacier National Park Conservancy from his current position as the Deputy Director of the Montana Department of Commerce, where he has served for the past four years. Doug previously served as Montana's Chief Deputy Secretary of State for seven years and as the Montana Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Max Baucus for four years. He has prior experience in land conservation, having been a Managing Director of the Montana Land Reliance for four years, where he helped preserve thousands of acres of land for future generations. Additionally, Doug has extensive experience in the private sector, leading communications firm The Mitchell Group as President and CEO for ten years. He has a BA in Economics and Political Science from Stanford University. Doug and his wife Julie, a Flathead Valley native, have two children.

Doug joins the Glacier Conservancy after a record 2016 ? a year in which it funded 83 percent more projects than the year prior and raised $2.2 million in grants. These donations were funneled toward projects that enhance Glacier National Park, and include maintaining hiking trails, facilitating school field trips and researching Glacier's habitats. These efforts are more important than ever as visitation at Glacier continues to grow. Last year, park visits increased 25 percent. With more visitors comes an increased need for protection and preservation, and the Glacier Conservancy is committed to delivering on these two important goals.

"The work being done by the Glacier National Park Conservancy is truly inspiring.  In my view, philanthropy is a team sport, and I'm excited to collaborate with our team, our donors, the park, local businesses, other conservation organizations and the larger community to help protect and enhance the iconic treasure that is Glacier National Park. Working together, we will ensure that future generations have the opportunity to experience the power and majesty of the park the same way we have. It is truly the honor of a lifetime to join such an amazingly accomplished team and to be able to give back to a place that's meant so much to my family and me. I can't wait to get started," said Doug Mitchell.

About Glacier National Park Conservancy
The Glacier National Park Conservancy is dedicated to sustaining the beauty and spirit of Glacier National Park, a place where wild hasn't lost its meaning and the majestic landscape stirs the soul. Our mission supports critical projects aimed at preserving the park's history, exploring its present and securing its future. Through our partnership with the park, we seek to preserve the unique experience of visiting the park by funding projects and programs that will sustain it for generations to come.

Connect with us at glacier.org, facebook.com/GlacierNationalParkConservancy and instagram.com/glacierconservancy.

Contact
Amy Dempster
Director of Marketing 
Glacier National Park Conservancy
[email protected] 
(406) 892-3250

SOURCE Glacier National Park Conservancy