At its October 21 meeting, the Access Fund Board of Directors elected Becky Hall to lead the climber advocacy organization to new heights as president. A real estate and corporate attorney, Hall assumes the organization's leadership from Michael Kennedy, former owner and publisher of Climbing Magazine, who remains on the board. Five new directors will join Hall in leading the 10-year-old climber advocacy organization.

Hall is an attorney for the Rocky Mountain Division of the Nature Conservancy. A Boulder, CO, resident, she has served the Access Fund in a variety of leadership positions, most recently as Secretary and Chair of the Acquisitions Committee. Hall began volunteering with the Access Fund in 1995 and was elected to the board in 1997. She has played a critical role in the organization's successful land acquisition projects at North Table Mountain in Golden, CO, Cactus Cliff at Shelf Road, CO, Quartz Mountain, OK, and other areas.

"With so many factors threatening our access to crags and mountains across the country, now is the time to step up our efforts on behalf of the climbing community," said Hall. "Working closely with our experienced staff, my colleagues on the board and our membership, I am confident that we will create viable solutions to many of these issues. I look forward to leading the Access Fund into its second decade and furthering the important work that Michael and so many others have accomplished."

The following individuals were elected to the board:

Leslie Brown brings a wealth of business leadership and activism experience to the board. Brown was involved for over 10 years in securing the preservation of climbing at Ragged Mountain, CT, as a Regional Coordinator for the Access Fund and co-chair of a local climbers' organization. She received the Access Fund's Mark Bebie Award for outstanding leadership in 1999. Brown also brings finance and planning expertise to the board. She currently resides in Yacolt, WA.

Andrew Carson owned and operated Jackson Hole Mountain Guides for 16 years prior to its sale in 1999. Carson brings years of experience working with land managers and government agencies. A longtime climber and educator, he has guided for several other institutions including Exum Mountain Guides, Outward Bound and the National Outdoor Leadership School. He resides in Wilson, WY.

Pat Jodice has extensive experience working for both federal and state resource management agencies. Jodice holds a Ph.D. in Wildlife Science and is a post-doctoral research associate with the Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. He has advised the Access Fund board and staff on wildlife ecology and resource management. Jodice received the Access Fund's Sharp End Award for outstanding volunteerism in 1999. He resides in Corvallis, OR.

Shannon Stuart-Smith is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Red River Gorge Climbers' Coalition (RRGCC). Under her direction, the RRGCC increased its membership and spearheaded an important memorandum of understanding between the Forest Service and local climbers. Stuart-Smith was recently named Access Fund Regional Coordinator of the year. She resides in Lexington, KY.

Jeff Widen has years of experience in environmental and public land protection and advocacy through prior work for the Sierra Club in California and his current position as Associate Director for Colorado Environmental Coalition. Jeff resides in Durango, CO.