Lower Merion Conservancy - Announcing our new Executive Director!

Keith Jones joins LMC as Executive Director

Ellen Davis, Board Chair of the Lower Merion Conservancy, announced today (June 7th, 2010) the appointment of
Keith Jones as the Conservancy’s new Executive Director. Keith is General Counsel of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies in Washington, DC, and previously served as Divisional Deputy City Solicitor for the Philadelphia Water Department.

Ellen Davis said “We are very excited to welcome Keith to the Conservancy. Keith’s environmental expertise and proven leadership skills stood out in a pool of worthy candidates. Our local community will benefit greatly from his knowledge of national environmental issues. Keith grew up in nearby Bucks County and lived in Philadelphia for many years, and we are glad to offer this opportunity for him to return to the area with his wife and young children.”

The Conservancy Board engaged the firm Leadership Recruiters, led by Priscilla Rosenwald, to assist the Search Committee during the selection process. The committee was co-chaired by environmental attorney Jonathan Spergel of Bala Cynwyd and retired real estate executive Jon Weller of Penn Valley. Both are former Chairs of the Conservancy’s 25-member Board. Other Search Committee members were fellow Board members Rita Auritt, Todd Bressi, and Gerry Fisher.

Keith received a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Rider University and received his Juris Doctor from Temple University School of Law. When Keith’s professional interests turned to the environment, he completed a Masters of Environmental Studies in Resource Management at the University of Pennsylvania.

Jones is excited to return to his Pennsylvania roots. “Working on national environmental issues in Washington, DC has been a great experience, but I am thrilled to have this opportunity to return to Pennsylvania and lead the Lower Merion Conservancy,” Jones said. “The appeal for me is that the work of the Conservancy impacts and improves the quality of life for the residents of Lower Merion Township and the Borough of Narberth through watershed protection, land conservation, historic building preservation, and environmental education.”

Ellen Davis noted that 2010 marks the 15th anniversary of the Conservancy’s founding. She indicated that “We see this year as a great opportunity for the organization. We will be continuing the well-respected and well-attended programs for which we are known, and for which there is a strong and experienced staff in place. We also plan to introduce new programs as part of our 15th anniversary celebration. Keith will bring fresh perspectives and a broad range of experience to these efforts. Under his leadership, in our anniversary year we will solidify the long-term future of the organization, building on the strong foundation that has been established.”

Founded in 1994 as the merger of the Lower Merion-Narberth Watershed Association and the Lower Merion Preservation Trust, the Conservancy protects open space, historic architecture, and the natural environment. Almost 1,300 local families belong to the group, making it one of the largest membership groups on the Main Line.

Although Keith will assume his position on August 2nd, Conservancy members will have their first opportunity to meet him at the Conservancy’s June 14th Annual Meeting, beginning at 6 pm in Rolling Hill Park. Anyone interested should contact the Conservancy for more information at 610-645-9030 or click here to register.

Updated: 6/10/2010 © 2010Lower Merion Conservancy. All rights reserved.

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