Dear John, 

It is an honor to serve as chair of the board of American Rivers, and today I am writing to share exciting news with you. I am thrilled to announce that after an extensive search, the board of American Rivers voted unanimously, selecting Tom Kiernan as the organization’s next President and CEO.

Tom is an accomplished conservation leader with decades of state and federal conservation experience and a personal passion for rivers. He most recently served as CEO of the American Wind Energy Association and was President of the National Parks Conservation Association from 1998-2013.

Thanks to supporters like you, American Rivers has continued to thrive, even in these challenging times. We remain committed to our ambitious vision of clean water and healthy rivers everywhere, for everyone. I am confident that Tom will build on our impressive track record of success. And with your support, he will propel American Rivers into an exciting new chapter.

American Rivers enlisted Koya Leadership Partners in the CEO search to ensure an inclusive and rigorous process. Tom stood out from an incredibly talented and diverse pool of candidates. He is an accomplished executive and a collaborative leader. His management experience, deep expertise in land and water conservation, and proven commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion made him the clear choice.

Tom also has a strong personal connection to rivers. He developed a love for rivers at a young age, growing up on the Potomac River in metropolitan Washington, DC and kayaking daily throughout high school and college. He co-founded the Rocky Mountain Outdoor Center on the Arkansas River in Colorado and worked at the Nantahala Outdoor Center guiding trips on the Wild and Scenic Chattooga. Today, he is an avid rower who spends time on the Potomac River most mornings. 

Tom’s official start date is February 22. Bob Irvin will remain as an advisor until March 2. We are grateful for Bob’s willingness to ensure a smooth transition, and for his leadership of American Rivers over the past decade.

We are also grateful for you. Your commitment to American Rivers is why our organization is strong today, and why our future – and the future of our nation’s rivers – looks bright. 

For the rivers,