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The Board of Directors of Friends of the Verde River is pleased to announce that W. David Gressly has been selected as our next Executive Director, beginning December 15, 2023. Gressly will be joining us as our guest at our annual gala, Fiesta de la Garza, on December 7, 2023, at the Cliff Castle Hotel.
The Board of Directors began an extensive national search process to select our next Executive Director early in 2023. Executive Director Dr. Nancy Steele had announced that, after six years of service to Friends of the Verde River, she would be retiring at the end of the year.
The Board Transition Committee received many applications from across the country for the Executive Director position. Over the past six months, the committee conducted a rigorous and thorough process of reviewing these applications and holding multiple stages of interviews with numerous well-qualified candidates. With consideration given to the skills, knowledge, and experiences needed for this important leadership role, Gressly became the board’s final choice.
The Board Transition Committee members lauded Gressly as ranking the highest in critical areas for the organization, including his vision, leadership and management skills, outside-of-the-box thinking, and his knowledge of issues critical to the Verde River. David’s knowledge about water and habitat extends to his work in other countries, especially in Africa.
Gressly is joining Friends after retiring from the United Nations as its Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen. He has held many positions with the United Nations, most recently working collaboratively to prevent what could have been the world’s largest oil spill in the Red Sea. Gressly has worked extensively in Africa and Asia, building teams to effect positive goals in the world.
Gressly grew up working on the family farm. He stated that his initial desire was to become an environmentalist and he is looking forward to working in that milieu with Friends of the Verde River.
Gressly and his family are personally invested in the Verde River and the Verde Valley, having raised their children in Camp Verde. He enjoys taking advantage of the recreational opportunities here, including hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and camping.
