PISGAH FOREST, NC – FIND Outdoors President and Chief Executive Officer, Natalie Britt, who has led the more than 50-year-old nonprofit for the past three and a half years, announced that her last day as President/CEO would be January 31.
Natalie will be joining Zion Forever National Park Project, the official nonprofit partner for Zion National Park, Cedar Breaks, and Pipe Spring National Monuments as their new President/CEO. Chief Operating Officer Beth Hooper will serve as the Interim President/CEO starting on January 23.
“My time at FIND Outdoors has been marked by the incredible transformation of our organization, celebrating 50 years of unprecedented organizational growth all the while meeting the demands of the 21st century with an updated vision and innovative ways to serve our visitors, along with the growth and impact of services throughout a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, which allowed for steady progress and commitment toward our collective mission. I am most proud of our small but mighty team and the opportunity to have meaningful and engaging outdoor experiences at all of our sites,” said Britt. “It has been an honor to serve as the President/CEO of FIND Outdoors through a period of significant growth and I am confident in Beth Hooper’s experience and leadership to continue as Interim President and CEO to carry our organization forward.”
Under Britt’s leadership, FIND Outdoors strengthened its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion while implementing new strategies for new times. The organization’s focus shifted to empowering people to lead, solve problems, become creative, and take action for the sites and public service to ensure education and stewardship of our public lands for generations to come.
“On behalf of the FIND Outdoors Board, we are incredibly grateful to Natalie for the impact she has had on the organization and her ability to inspire and lift others. She has been a dynamic and transformative leader at FIND Outdoors, positioning our organization for great success in the future. I look forward to working closely with the Board, Beth Hooper, and the Executive Leadership team as we move through this next phase for the organization,” said Eric Caldwell, FIND Outdoors Board Chair.
Interim President and CEO, Beth Hooper, who has been a leader in executive roles at FIND Outdoors for more than 8 years, has been integral to the success of FIND Outdoors during her tenure. She, along with the entire staff at FIND Outdoors, is well-equipped to carry forward the strategies and shared vision for delivering the mission of FIND Outdoors.
“I welcome the incredible opportunity to lead FIND Outdoors during this important time for our organization and will continue building on our established vision, working toward our goals, partnership commitments, and collaborations, and growing our organization’s impact by working with our talented, enthusiastic and dedicated team,” said Hooper.
About FIND Outdoors
A 50+-year-old 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Pisgah Forest, NC. We serve over 1,000,000 visitors annually with a mission that promotes educational, recreational, and interpretive opportunities about forest and water resources, natural history, and the Cradle of Forestry in America. FIND Outdoors proudly manages campgrounds, visitor centers, sales outlets, and educational facilities on five National Forests in North Carolina, Georgia, Indiana, and Kentucky, along with the Northwest Trading Post on the Blue Ridge Parkway. FIND accomplishes its mission by providing exceptional outdoor experiences through partnership opportunities for the health, safety, and education of all visitors to local and regional public and private lands.
