The Last Green Valley, Inc. (TLGV) is pleased to announce the appointment of Francesca Kefalas as its next executive director. Kefalas has been with TLGV since 2017 and will take over the leadership role upon Lois Bruinooge’s retirement in May.

“Fran has the experience, passion, and vision to elevate TLGV’s impact and lead the organization into the future with excellence,” said Sandy Gibson-Quigley, Chair of TLGV’s Board. “After an in-depth search process, Fran’s commitment to and knowledge of the National Heritage Corridor, combined with her inspiring ability to connect and collaborate with our constituents, resulted in a unanimous Board decision to appoint her to the executive director position,” said Gibson-Quigley.

Kefalas began her career as a journalist, moving to the region several years after college to work as a reporter for the Norwich Bulletin. She quickly rose to substantial management roles at the Bulletin, serving over the years as the features editor, city editor, and editorial page editor. Kefalas was hired by TLGV as a communications and program coordinator in 2017, but her connection to the National Heritage Corridor runs much deeper and longer. She covered the hiring of Charlene Cutler as TLGV’s first part-time executive director in 1997.

Kefalas became TLGV’s assistant director in 2018 and has been responsible for the significant expansion of TLGV’s signature programs like Walktober and Spring Outdoors, and for the creation of new and exciting programs such as the annual Perseids Party, a free family camping weekend. She has greatly increased TLGV’s marketing efforts while also writing and managing production of TLGV’s In Touch member magazine and Explore! Guide to the National Heritage Corridor.

TLGV’s current executive director Lois Bruinooge is retiring in May after 20 years with the organization. Bruinooge began her tenure at TLGV in 2006 as deputy director and was appointed TLGV’s second executive director in 2014. Before joining the TLGV staff, Bruinooge was an accomplished environmental lawyer, serving in various roles with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection for more than a decade. Protecting waters and woods has always been her passion.

Bruinooge’s tenure at TLGV will leave a legacy. She led TLGV’s 2009 Source to Sea program, an effort to paddle the entire Thames River watershed and educate people about both the recreational opportunities and the environmental needs of the watershed. Source to Sea sparked an evolution in TLGV’s programming and led to the creation of almost 90 miles of National Recreation Water Trail in the Corridor. It helped expand TLGV’s water quality monitoring program and spurred the Organization to begin monitoring bald eagles and coordinating the mid-winter eagle survey in partnership with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Source to Sea also led to the creation of TLGV’s trail assessment program, which provides accessibility information for people with mobility challenges.

Under Bruinooge’s leadership, TLGV has strengthened ties with agricultural producers to enhance their sustainability, collaborated with land trusts to improve conservation capacity, and partnered with historic and cultural organizations to interpret and preserve Corridor resources. During her tenure, TLGV launched its member magazine, In Touch, and doubled Walktober participation in both the number of activities and the number of people attending. Year-round programming also increased substantially, including the launch of youth programs and Adventure Camp. Bruinooge also spearheaded the Southern New England Heritage Forest project, leading 20 partners who turned $6.1 million in USDA funding into $13.7 million infused into the region’s conservation efforts and hundreds of acres of land conserved.

“During Lois’s time with TLGV, we have increased non-federal revenue, established two endowment funds, and improved our financial stability. We have made significant progress towards our strategic priorities including preparations for an innovative discovery center and hub for the National Heritage Corridor that is anchored in the ideals of community, outreach and education,” said Gibson-Quigley. “Lois is always professional and personable. While we will miss her creative, engaged, and inspiring leadership, we are excited to embark on our next phase of growth and are pleased to welcome Fran as the right person to help us do so.”