November 2020 marks the beginning of a new cycle for our Kingdom Trail’s Board of Directors. During this time of transition we say thank you to those who have served, welcome new Board members, shift leadership, but also take time to self evaluate and look toward the future.
Kingdom Trails is fortunate to be led by an all-local group of dedicated volunteers. Each Board member is an active representative of our community who knows and cares about our landowners, neighbors, organization, trails, members, and the beauty that surrounds us. The Board is composed of trail enthusiasts, local leaders, area business owners, and of course KTA landowners, all bringing their unique skill sets to support KTA.
Our 11 member Board of Directors can serve 3 consecutive 2 year terms elected at our annual meeting. As these terms are staggered, we find ourselves thanking Rob Elmes for his incredible service to the Board for the past 6 years. We appreciate Rob volunteering his time and energy, going above and beyond the normal Board member commitment. Kingdom Trails is in the position it is today because of his insight, skill, dedication to our community, and passion for our mission. We are so grateful to Rob, yet are comforted that he will always remain part of the KTA family.
To fill Rob’s seat, Kingdom Trails is excited to welcome Eric Wilson. Eric is a long standing member of the community, having attended and worked at Burke Mountain Academy, as well as AG Edwards and currently Edward Jones in St. Johnsbury. Eric and his wife Karen live in North Kirby and have 2 grown children, Moriah and Matthew. We also welcomed Colleen Leonard this past summer to fill an early vacancy. Colleen is an agricultural loan officer for the Vermont Economic Development Authority. She grew up on a Jersey cow dairy farm just north in West Charleston, that her parents still operate today. She and her husband, Jonathan, now reside in Sutton on a small farm property with a flock of chickens, quail, and a rescue puppy named Winnie.
Our Board of Directors will also host a new Executive Committee. Tabitha Bowling will assume the helm as Board Chair, transitioning from Katie Story’s leadership. We are appreciative of Katie’s poised guidance throughout this past year, always making sure meetings were productive, prompt, and punctual. Jake Wheeler will serve as Vice Chair, Harry Morrison as Treasurer and Tom De Carlo Secretary.
Our new 2020-21 Board of Directors recently met for their annual Summit, a daylong opportunity to connect and plan. They worked to engage with KTA’s mission, core values and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion; support the capacity and empowerment of board members to leverage their role and committee structure; and analyzed KTA’s current strategic position, reviewing priorities and identifying changes to advance KTA’s future goals. We were grateful to Claire Wheeler of RE:WORK for providing facilitation to support and maximize the Board’s time and effectiveness.
Please know folks are always welcome to contact the KTA Board at Board@kingdomtrails.org. The Board of Directors meets every other month on the third Thursday of the month.
2020-21 KTA Board of Directors
Tabitha Bowling, Chair - East Burke
Jake Wheeler, Vice Chair - East Burke, Landowner
Harry Morrison, Treasurer - Lyndonville
Tom De Carlo, Secretary - Kirby
Doug Clarner - East Burke, Landowner
Matt Langlais - West Burke
Elise Lawson - West Burke, Landowner
Colleen Leonard - Sutton
Ann Nygard - West Burke
Katie Story - West Burke
Eric Wilson - Kirby
