The National Forest Foundation (NFF) has announced the hiring of Ray Foote as executive vice president. Foote has had a distinguished career as vice president for development with the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA). He previously worked with federal agencies, community-based groups, elected officials at all levels, and all sectors of the philanthropic community during his 25 years in the nonprofit field, 19 of which have been in conservation and preservation. This is a new position for the National Forest Foundation, a Congressionally-chartered nonprofit that engages Americans in community-based and national programs to promote the health and public enjoyment of the 193-million-acre National Forest System.  

Upon approving Foote’s employment as executive vice president, the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors also promoted Mary Mitsos to the position of executive vice president. Mitsos has been with the NFF since July 16, 2001, and has served as vice president for conservation for nine years. Both Foote and Mitsos will work closely with the Board of Directors and will report to NFF President Bill Possiel.  

Possiel said, “I have worked with Mary Mitsos for more than a decade and she has always demonstrated leadership in advancing our collaborative approach to conservation and managing our on-the-ground restoration activities. She has earned her new position through dedication and hard work. Ray adds an exciting new dimension to our work, having completed a national campaign for NPCA. He has demonstrated a commitment to ensuring that the many values of public lands persist for generations to come.”

John Hendricks, chairman of the National Forest Foundation, said, “Ray is an experienced professional who will help leverage every public and private investment in the $100 million NFF Treasured Landscapes Campaign. I am very impressed with Ray’s professionalism and track record of success. He joins a staff that our board believes is one of the best nonprofit teams in the nation.”  

Ray will work out of the NFF’s Washington, D.C., office and begins his new duties on April 1, 2013.