The River Management Society has a good guide steering it to the future. Its Board of Directors recently hired Risa Shimoda as its new Executive Director beginning October 1, 2010.
Shimoda, a veteran advocate for river users, whitewater park promoter and paddlesports-related event planner, will hold this part time position in addition to her work as a river recreation marketing consultant. She replaces Caroline Kurz, who has held the post for 17 years.
“Caroline’s departure leaves enormous shoes to fill and we’re excited we’ve found someone in Risa who clearly has the capability to step into those shoes and keep the organization moving forward,” says Steve Johnson, RMS President. Kurz will continue to produce the quarterly RMS Journal on contract basis.
Shimoda heads The Shimoda Group, LLC, which specializes in whitewater park development. She is the former Executive Director of American Whitewater, and former Treasurer of RMS’s Northeast Chapter. During the 1990’s she led sales and marketing programs for Perception, the world’s largest kayak manufacturer, and is a world-class whitewater kayaker. She lives in Takoma Park, Maryland.
Creating an expanded executive position follows the organizational momentum created by recent conference successes, and fills the gap that will be created by the upcoming departure of Kurz, Program Director since 1993. Shimoda will begin work with RMS October 1 and Kurz will work through the end of October, providing for a smooth transition. Both will attend the RMS Board’s annual meeting October 7-10 at Nehalem Bay State Park in Oregon.
“After many wonderful years of working with truly inspired and dedicated people in our close-knit organization, I am excited to pass the baton to Risa Shimoda, who is passionate about rivers and well-connected in the river community. I am confident that Risa will provide excellent customer service, as well as critical financial leadership so that RMS may continue to support its members and organizational partners,” said Kurz.
The River Management Society is a national, nonprofit professional organization whose mission is to support professionals who study, protect, and manage North America’s rivers. Its diverse membership of federal, state, and local agency employees, educators, researchers, consultants, organizations and citizens is dedicated to the practice of holistic river management. For more information, contact Caroline Kurz (406) 549-0514 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (406) 549-0514