Warren Cook, president of the board of directors of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, has announced that Karrie Thomas is its new executive director. 
She takes over from outgoing director Kate Williams.
A native of New Hampshire, Thomas graduated from Colorado College.
Thomas is a whitewater kayaker who has co-led private expeditions to Chile, India, Mexico, Nepal, and Peru, as well as throughout North America.
“The Northern Forest Canoe Trail’s vision of strengthening communities—both of paddlers and of place—through 740 miles of the Northern Forest aligns with both my life and career goals,” Thomas said.
“I look forward to working with paddlers, volunteers, community members, land owners and policy makers to ensure that the trail enhances the vitality of the region for generations to come.”
Warren Cook said he is glad to have Thomas on board.
“The Northern Forest Canoe Trail has developed into a strong, internationally-recognized water trail. We are proud of what we have built and look forward to expanding our impact under Karrie’s leadership,” he said.
Cook said the organization remains devoted to maintaining and improving access to the 740-mile water trail, inspiring paddlers to recreate in the Northern Forest region, and contributing to the resilience of the communities along its corridor in the Adirondacks and the northern waterways of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
Plans for the coming years include improved access and paddler infrastructure as well as increased opportunities for paddlers of all ages and skill levels to experience the water trail, which traces Native American and early European settler canoe routes.
