NEWS RELEASE
| FROM: | Sonoma County Regional Parks |
| CONTACT: | Mary Clemens, Program Manager, (707) 565-6144 |
| RELEASE: | Immediate |
| DATE: | December 1, 2011 |
| SUBJECT: | Parks Foundation Appoints Melissa Kelley as Executive Director |
The Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation has named Melissa Kelley as its new executive director. Kelley served as the director of the Sonoma County Book Festival for the past two years. Since 1998, she has worked in Sonoma County as a consultant to nonprofit organizations and public agencies, including the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, KRCB Public Radio & Television, Climate Protection Campaign, Sonoma County Transit, Sonoma County Waste Management Agency and the cities of Santa Rosa and Rohnert Park. She holds an MBA with a specialization in nonprofit management from the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business.
“This is a tremendously exciting time to take over as executive director of the Regional Parks Foundation,” Kelley said. “Although the Regional Parks Department is facing budgetary challenges like other public agencies, this situation presents an opportunity for the Parks Department and Foundation to seek creative and entrepreneurial approaches to secure a sustainable financial situation.”
Kelley added, “As someone who uses our county park system avidly, I know that Sonoma County residents are passionate about our parks. I am confident that individuals, community organizations and businesses will step up to offer support and ensure that Sonoma County Parks will continue to serve as a model park system in California.”
Kelley takes over the executive director position from Mary Jo Delos, who retired after leading the Foundation for nine years.
“We are very pleased to have Melissa serve as the new director of the Parks Foundation,” said Andy Rodgers, president of the Foundation. “Melissa’s extensive experience with nonprofit organizations in Sonoma County, as well as her deep personal commitment to our local parks, made her an ideal choice for this position.”
The Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation is a nonprofit organization that raises funds, fosters partnerships and advocates on behalf of Sonoma County’s 49 regional parks.