John D. Judge Named President of the Appalachian Mountain Club
Boston, MA – John D. Judge, a successful nonprofit and government leader, has been named President of the 136-year-old Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) following a nationwide search. The announcement was made today by Laurie Gabriel, Chair of AMC’s Board of Directors.
Judge, 44, will become the fourth chief executive of the AMC effective February 1, 2012. He will succeed Andrew J. Falender, who is retiring after 23 years of successful leadership as AMC President.
As President, Judge will oversee the nation’s oldest outdoor recreation and conservation organization with more than 100,000 members, advocates, and supporters in 12 chapters from Maine to Washington, D.C. Headquartered in Boston, the AMC advocates for the conservation and protection of the mountains, rivers, and forests in the region; offers over 8,000 outdoor trips each year; maintains over 1,500 miles of hiking trails; and hosts over 150,000 overnight guest visits at its huts and lodges. Over the last eight years, it has conserved 66,500 acres of land in Maine’s 100-Mile Wilderness region used for outdoor recreation, education, and sustainable forestry, where AMC manages over 90 miles of hiking and cross-country ski trails and three year-round lodges.
“We are excited about John’s experience, talent, and passion for AMC’s mission, particularly in getting young people engaged with the outdoors,” said Gabriel. “We can’t think of anyone we would rather have leading AMC as we work to broaden and diversify our constituents, help more kids and families get outdoors, and expand our role as a conservation leader in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.”
AMC’s Board of Directors approved the selection of Judge on January 5.
“I am energized by the challenges AMC has committed to taking on over the next decade,” said Judge. “Attracting 500,000 constituents, helping 500,000 kids experience wild places, fulfilling our vision for the Maine Woods Initiative, and engaging more people in our conservation and trail stewardship efforts is a tall order, but an exciting one. I am looking forward to using my experience in building partnerships to increase the impact of AMC in the region.”
“John possesses an extensive understanding of management issues as well as a commitment to our mission,” said Falender. “The diversity of his nonprofit experience will be extremely valuable as AMC takes on new initiatives. I look forward to working with him to ensure a smooth transition and continue the momentum we have created in support of AMC’s long-term strategic plan, Vision 2020.”
Judge joins AMC as a respected nonprofit and government leader, having served in executive and senior development, finance, and marketing roles. Judge is credited with transforming a financially troubled Greater Boston chapter of Habitat for Humanity to a top-performing urban affiliate. Most recently, Judge served as Chief Development Officer for the City of Springfield, where he oversaw projects with a collective value of hundreds of millions of dollars and set the city on a path of sustainable development, including the construction of the state’s largest solar field. Judge founded and led Judge Co. LLC, focused on inner-city real estate development and construction.
An active community volunteer, Judge serves on the Boards of Northeastern University’s School of Public Policy and the Springfield Technical Community College Foundation. He co-founded the New Frontier Society of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, a non-partisan group that encourages young adult participation in public affairs. He also served as State Chair of the Massachusetts Commission on Community Service and Volunteerism from 2001 to 2004. Additionally, he served as a volunteer with scouting and other youth groups.
Judge holds a B.A. in economics from Stonehill College and a Master’s of Public Administration from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. He lives in Boston.
Judge’s selection follows a nine-month search process by a committee that included current and former AMC Board members and other nonprofit and business leaders from outside the organization. The committee worked closely with AMC’s chapters, staff, and Board of Advisors in identifying requirements and candidates.
AMC chapters offer local outdoor activities in Maine, New Hampshire, Boston, Southeastern Massachusetts, Worcester, the Berkshires, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York/North Jersey, Mohawk Hudson (NY), Delaware Valley, and Washington, D.C. It operates eight backcountry huts in the White Mountains as well as full-service lodges and programs in New Hampshire and Maine. Its outdoor programs for young people include its Youth Opportunities Program for urban and at-risk youth, its A Mountain Classroom school program, Teen Volunteer Trail Crews, and Teen Wilderness Adventures. AMC volunteer trail crews provide close to 25,000 hours of volunteer labor annually, helping to maintain over 1,500 miles of hiking trails, including 350 miles of the Appalachian Trail. AMC conducts research on the impact of air quality and climate change on alpine and high-altitude forest ecosystems in the White Mountains, translating its findings into science-based policy advocacy. A founding member of the Northern Forest Alliance, the Highlands Coalition, and the Eastern Forest Partnership, AMC advocates for policies and funding to conserve the region’s natural landscapes and recreational resources.
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Laura Hurley, AMC Public Relations Associate Director
617-391-6621
lhurley@outdoors.org
Rob Burbank, AMC Director of Media and Public Affairs
603-466-8155
rburbank@outdoors.org
Founded in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club is America’s oldest conservation and recreation organization. With more than 100,000 members, advocates, and supporters in the Northeast and beyond, the nonprofit AMC promotes the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the mountains, forests, waters, and trails of the Appalachian region. The AMC supports natural resource conservation while encouraging responsible recreation, based on the philosophy that successful, long-term conservation depends upon first-hand enjoyment of the natural environment.
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