Conservation Voters Names New Executive Director
September 7, 2016
Conservation Voters’ founding Executive Director, Ann Timberlake, announced that she will retire as Executive Director of the organization before the end of the Year.
Timberlake noted that she accepted the task of building a “bi-partisan conservation majority” at the State House in July of 2003. “It has been a great pleasure to work with dedicated board members and staff, and a community of exceptionally talented professionals and volunteers to make the protection of South Carolina’s air, land and water a priority for leaders of both parties. I am ready for a new challenge.”
The Board of Directors has tapped John Tynan to serve as the next Executive Director of the organization. Hired in early 2016 as CVSC’s Political Director, Tynan oversaw the implementation of CVSC’s engagement in primary contests earlier this Year and launched the organization’s first strategic field campaign to elect endorsed candidates. Together, Timberlake and Tynan raised and spent over $145,000 to support the election of 22 endorsed Republicans and Democrats, including the defeat of Lee Bright by Scott Talley in Spartanburg.
Remarking on Timberlake’s service to the organization and South Carolina, Tynan shared “Ann has and will always be a force in the South Carolina political landscape. She has left her mark on South Carolina and our natural resources and we are better for it. I cannot thank her enough for her support and guidance as well as her and unwavering commitment to CVSC and South Carolina’s conservation legacy.” Timberlake will continue with the organization through November to ensure a smooth transition.
Prior to his work with CVSC, Tynan served as Director of Customer Relations & Public Affairs at Central Arkansas Water, the largest drinking water utility in Arkansas. Tynan also has served as an elected member of the Greenville Water Commission and as Deputy Director for Upstate Forever in Greenville, South Carolina.
“Having taken both CVSC and the CVSC Education Fund from a beginning budget of under $60,000 to a combined budget this Year of over $600,000, Ann is departing with both organizations thriving and stronger than ever” remarked Cody Smith, Chair of the CVSC Board of Directors. “While we were reluctant to accept Ann’s departure, we are glad that John has had the opportunity to work alongside her this Year. We are impressed with John’s unique combination of skill, passion, and vision for conservation in South Carolina. He is uniquely suited to continue the work of CVSC and we can think of no better person to lead this organization into its next phase.”
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