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A staff of six people brings their experience, expertise, and enthusiasm to the challenge of building a 500-mile trail around the Bay on the ridge lines. They help focus and leverage the efforts of a committed group of volunteers.
Janet McBride, Executive Director
In October 2006 Janet joined the Council, bringing over 20 years of experience in urban and environmental planning and policy. Previously she served as Director of the San Francisco Bay Trail Project (1998-2004) and Planning Director of the Association of Bay Area Governments (2004-2006).
As Executive Director, she oversees all aspects of the Council's efforts including advocacy, funding, financial management, grant review, and planning, building and maintaining Ridge Trail segments.
Janet has worked extensively with public agencies and districts, elected officials, developers and advocates to advance long-distance multi-use trails.
She was instrumental in developing the competitive grant program now offered collaboratively by the Ridge Trail and the Coastal Conservancy. The program was specifically structured to target high priority segments and critical "gaps," to leverage State funds with matching contributions, and to foster new partnerships and creative design solutions.
Janet is an avid hiker and enjoys both up- and down- hill sections, and has a particular affinity for trails that afford Bay views. She also enjoys kayaking and travel.
Janet earned a BS in Environmental Policy and Analysis Planning from the University of California, Davis, and a Masters in Urban Planning from the University of Illinois, Chicago.
John Aranson, Trail Steward
John brings a lifelong passion for the outdoors and trails to his work building and maintaining the Ridge Trail. He grew up in the shadow of Mt. Tam, and his first job after graduating from high school was as Park Aide for Mt. Tamalpais State Park, where learned the basics of trail maintenance and repair, built bridges, and constructed new trail.
During summer breaks from college, he worked at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in its Youth Conservation Corps Program in the Marin Headlands. After college, John helped found the Marin Conservation Corps, where he worked for five years, and then in a similar position in the East Bay. He also worked for fifteen years as a Trail Supervisor for Marin Open Space District, where he learned how to build trail with mechanized equipment and built nearly twenty miles of new trail. John's "biggest joy is when you see a smile on someone's face after they walked on trail that you have designed and built."
John enjoys cycling, skiing, rowing, and coaching Little League baseball.
He is a graduate of Humboldt State University, with a degree in Natural Resource Management.
Martha Benioff, Office Manager
Since 2001 Martha has served as administrative staff for the Council, with responsibilities that include bookkeeping, the membership database, and computer and other technical support. Before coming to the Council, Martha worked ten years in a similarly varied position at Save-the-Redwoods League.
She is an enthusiastic hiker who particularly enjoys being able to walk from her front door in downtown San Francisco to the Ridge Trail in San Francisco and southern Marin counties. She also serves on the board of the League of Women Voters of San Francisco and is a member of the Hooker Alley Community Garden.
Martha has a BA in Mathematics from Revelle College, University of California at San Diego, and a MS in Mathematics from the University of Chicago.
Joel Gartland, Volunteer Coordinator
A long time Ridge Trail member and volunteer, and a Council Board Director from 1999 to 2007, Joel joined the staff as our Volunteer Coordinator in February 2007. A hiker and cyclist, he brings enthusiasm and indepth knowledge of the Ridge Trail to this part-time position. His goal is to increase volunteer participation in completing the trail, including outings, work days, and advocacy as well as special events.
Karen Kidwell, Development Director
Working to bring in the funding necessary to build the trail is Karen Kidwell, who joined the Council in 2004 after three years in a similar position at Magic Theatre. For many years, before she fulfilled a long-held dream to work in the nonprofit field, Karen worked in marketing management at large companies and startups, including E*TRADE, Apple Computer, and Knight-Ridder Financial.
Karen worked to protect open space on the Peninsula for seven years as a member of the Board of Directors of Committee for Green Foothills. She is now a member of the Board of Directors of Earthshare of California. Of course, she is an outdoors enthusiast who enjoys getting out on Bay Area trails, as well as organic gardening, tennis, and theatre.
She holds a BA from Barnard College and earned an MBA from the Columbia University Graduate School of Business.
Bern Smith, South and East Bay Trail Director
Long-time park professional and trail advocate Bern Smith joined the Council in June 2006.
Most recently, he was the principal of Landsmiths, managing properties for organizations such as the Peninsula Open Space Trust and Trust for Public Land.
He also brings significant expertise gained from working with the City of San Jose Regional Parks and California Department of Parks and Recreation.
Bern was a co-founder of the Trail Center, and president from 1987-1993.
In addition to his AS Degree in Park Management from West Valley College, Bern is a member of the Professional Trailbuilders Association, and holds certificates in search tracking, swiftwater rescue, low angle rescue, and wildland firefighting, advanced First Aid and CPR.
He is an enthusiastic trail user and bicyclist.
Dee Swanhuyser, North Bay Trail Director
With the Council since its founding, Dee spearheads our efforts in Marin, Sonoma, Napa, and Solano Counties. She also has extensive experience in land use and recreation as a volunteer, including work as a Sonoma County Park and Recreation Commissioner from 1990-98, currently serves as a Greenbelt Alliance Board Member, and was a founder of the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District. She was recognized as Sonoma County Environmentalist of the Year in 1989, and received a California Legislature Assembly Resolution #2811 - 2002 Women in the Wine Country/Woman in the Environment award.
Dee's hobbies include whitewater rafting, photography, gardening, and hiking.
She holds an AA Degree from Glendale College.
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