From Jenice View, Chair, Board of Directors

September 16, 2008

With a great deal of regret, I announce that Vernice Miller-Travis is stepping down as Executive Director of the Environmental Support Center.  During her tenure with the organization, she helped ESC move a step further along our path toward becoming a stronger ally for environmental activists, and especially for environmental justice organizations.  We thank her for representing us in many settings and sharing her networks and talents with us.  We will miss her passion for justice, her boundless energy, and her explosive laughter. Vernice’s last day with ESC will be September 24, 2008.  Please join the staff and board of ESC in wishing her the best of luck in her future endeavors. 

At the same time, I’m pleased to announce that Judy Hatcher will succeed Vernice as Executive Director.  Judy brings nearly 30 years’ experience in grantmaking, fundraising and consulting for local and national social change organizations to her new position.  She joined ESC in 2005, as Director of Programs.  She spearheaded a special publication (in collaboration with River Network and Institute for Conservation Leadership) to focus attention on the struggles of grassroots organizations in the wake of Hurricanes Rita and Katrina.  For most of last year, Judy served as ESC’s interim Co-Director, along with veteran Director of Finance and Administration Donna Muñoz.  In 2007, Judy initiated a special project that will examine the opportunities and barriers for environmental justice groups addressing climate change issues.

Vernice and Judy are working closely together to ensure a smooth transition.  Leadership changes are always challenging, but I’m confident about our future.  ESC has a committed, hard-working staff and an active board of directors, grappling with greater demands and limited funding. However, over the past two years, we’ve been preparing the groundwork to evaluate our programs and to engage in the deep level of listening, assessment, and experimentation needed to deliver strategic programs for our constituents in the years to come. 

For those of us who promote the quality of the natural environment, human health, and sustainable communities, these are perilous, exciting times.  I’m pleased to say that the Environmental Support Center’s board of directors—community leaders, capacity builders, and funders—have stepped up their volunteer leadership to help determine ESC’s best role as the organization enters its third decade.  On behalf of the board, I thank Vernice once again for her contributions to ESC, and congratulate Judy as she takes on this new role.