Spring 2007 - Yosemite Online

Cover: A moonbowat the LowerYosemite Fallviewing area; theconstellationsUrsa Major andDraco can be seenshining abovethe north rim ofYosemite Valley.The falls wereilluminated by anearly-full Moonin the sky aboveSentinel Dome.PHOTO BYROBERT STAVERSDear Members and Friends,Last fall, on a rainy October 5, life at the Yosemite Association changed with the tragic loss of SteveMedley, our friend and President, who led our organization for twenty-one years. Change is nevereasy, and change that comes suddenly is a shock. As we made our way in this new reality the eternalbeauty and natural grandeur of Yosemite offered the lesson that nature teaches sowell: life goes on, despite shocks and losses. The Yosemite Association has an eightyfour-yearhistory of service to this park. To continue to fulfill our mission and tohonor Steve’s legacy, the YA board launched a process to find new leadership lastDecember.We have completed our search and are pleased to introduce to our members DavidGuy, our unanimous selection to be the Association’s new CEO. David is a dynamic,entrepreneurial leader who has spent the past eight years as Executive Director ofthe Northern California Water Association, where he did an extraordinary job ofbuilding the organization’s profile, growing its membership, and strengthening its service and influence ina challenging political environment. David’s skills, experience and vision for YA give us confidence that hewill lead the organization successfully in this time of great change and opportunity.David will move to the Yosemite area and start in this new position on June 25. He brings with him alively young family: his wife Ingelise and three children, Nielsen (ten), Maren (seven) and Andersen (two).As a family they are passionate about Yosemite and our national parks; their park passports show stampsfrom over 100 units of the park system. As I write, they have just returned from Olympic National Park,which they explored during their spring break. They have backpacked throughout Yosemite in all seasons;spent summer evenings around the campfire at White Wolf; feasted with good friends on winter eveningsafter skiing the trail to Ostrander Hut; skied at Badger Pass and submerged in the cold waters of theTuolumne at Glen Aulin. This keen involvement and appreciation of the park are important assets Davidbrings to this position.We feel fortunate to bring David into an organization with a devoted and talented staff. We see an excitingfuture with a strong staff team forged by David, his Vice President/CFO Beth Pratt, the senior managersand all the extraordinary employees who deliver our programs in the park.Most of all, we are proud to introduce David and his family to our loyal members, donors and volunteers.You are the heart of this organization, and without your unflagging support, we could never fill themany interpretive, educational, research, scientific and environmental program needs we serve in Yosemite.Your passion, your volunteer hours and your financial support make it all possible. We are sure you willenjoy meeting David at our members meeting on September 8, if not before.Here’s to a bright future and a warm welcome into the YA family for David Guy!Sincerely,Christy HollowayYosemite Association Board ChairA Message from the Chairwoman2