KEY LEADERSHIP POSITIONS FILLED AT SCENIC HUDSON

Raul ( Rocci) Aguirre has been selected as executive director of policy, advocacy and science at Scenic Hudson following a national search.  He will assume the office Feb. 1.

At the same time, Scenic Hudson announced the promotion of Land Conservation Director Seth McKee to executive director of The Scenic Hudson Land Trust and land programs, effective June 1. Both Aquirre and McKee will assume duties currently the responsibility of Steve Rosenberg, senior vice president of Scenic Hudson and executive director of The Scenic Hudson Land Trust, who will retire in May after 31 years with the organization.

Aguirre will oversee the operations of Scenic Hudson”™s policy, advocacy and outreach and science, climate and stewardship teams. A native of the Hudson Valley who looks forward to returning to the region, Aguirre currently is deputy director and director of conservation for the Adirondack

As executive director of the Scenic Hudson Land Trust, McKee will lead its efforts to conserve land, create new parks and preserves and help the Hudson Valley”™s cities protect and enhance their land assets, local history and culture in an inclusive and equitable way. He joined Scenic Hudson in 1991 and has been director of land Conservation since 2007.

McKee earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Dickinson College in Pennsylvania and has a master”™s degree in urban and regional planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He worked for The Nature Conservancy”™s North Carolina chapter and the U.S Peace Corps before joining Scenic Hudson. He also served as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Marshall Islands.

Scenic Hudson preserves land and farms and creates parks that connect people with the inspirational power of the Hudson River while fighting threats to the Hudson Valley.