Desert Foothills Land Trust (DFLT) announced that its President and CEO, Vicki Preston, will leave her position at the end of December to join The Trust for Public Land in Ohio. Preston has led DFLT for 13 years, nearly doubling the acreage under conservation protection during her time.
Reflecting on her work, Preston said, “Leading Desert Foothills Land Trust has been one of the great honors of my career. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together – from protecting critical desert landscapes to building educational programs that bring our community closer to the natural world. The Desert Foothills region is truly special, and while I am returning to my home state of Ohio, DFLT and the desert will always hold a place in my heart.”
The organization expressed appreciation for Preston’s leadership and confirmed that Patrick McWhortor will serve as Interim President and CEO during the transition. McWhortor previously served as Executive Director in 2016 before Preston’s promotion. He has lived in Cave Creek for almost 30 years and brings experience from his roles with several nonprofit organizations.
Bill Oelman, Board Chair of DFLT, stated: “Vicki has been an extraordinary leader for Desert Foothills Land Trust. She has transformed this organization, expanding our portfolio of protected lands and building a talented team that will carry our mission forward. Her ability to bring people together, build strong relationships, and inspire a shared vision for conservation has been central to our success. These are big shoes to fill, and we are grateful for everything she has accomplished and wish her continued success in this exciting new chapter. She leaves the organization in excellent hands with an amazing staff who share a deep commitment to conservation and DFLT’s mission to connect people to nature through land conservation and community engagement.”
Desert Foothills Land Trust works on preserving the natural desert environment through efforts focused on land conservation, stewardship, and education.
