Feb. 23, 2010 --

After nearly 15 years working and volunteering for The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County, Executive Director Brian Stark is stepping down to be closer to his family. 

Conservation Director Bob Hill will assume the leadership role as executive director on March 1, 2010.

Stark has accepted a leadership position at the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy where he aims to bolster their budding restoration program.  Married in August 2009, Stark has been commuting weekly between San Luis Obispo and Thousand Oaks where his new family permanently resides.  

“It’s not easy to leave The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County, but this transition for me is about love.  I want to put my family before work so that I can be a part of the everyday lives of my closest loved ones,” reflected Stark.

Stark’s involvement with The Land Conservancy began 16 years ago as a volunteer.  He joined the staff as a GIS mapping specialist in 1994 that established The Land Conservancy as a leader in conservation decision-making based on cutting-edge technology and sound science.  Stark authored the San Luis Obispo Greenbelt Plan in 1996 and the San Luis Obispo Creek Watershed Plan in 2002.  He then oversaw dozens of restoration projects county-wide.  Stark was appointed Deputy Director in 2001 under Ray Belknap and became Executive Director in 2004.  His last day at The Land Conservancy is March 9, 2010.

The Board of Trustees and Stark unanimously support current Conservation Director, Bob Hill, as the new Executive Director.  Hill has served as Conservation Director under the Board of Trustees since 2004.  Hill joined The Land Conservancy as an intern in 2001 while at Cal Poly working on his Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning.  As an intern, Hill updated the San Luis Obispo Greenbelt plan and was hired as a full-time employee shortly thereafter.  “It’s a great feeling to have started off as an intern, then join the staff, followed by a leadership role, and to now have the trust and support of the Board and our community to lead our local land trust well into the future,” remarked Hill.

“The Land Conservancy Board of Trustees wholeheartedly supports Brian’s decision to spend more time with his family and sincerely appreciates his long tenure with the organization.  Brian and Bob have worked closely as co-directors; both remain committed to providing a seamless leadership transition as Brian moves on to another organization,” said Gary Felsman, Land Conservancy President. 

This is only the third leadership transition in The Land Conservancy’s 25-year history.  Former Executive Directors include John Ashbaugh (1984-1991) and Ray Belknap (1991-2004).