Liz sent out a retirement message on the PCTA email newsletter. The text is available below.

Article on The Trek that provides context:

• https://thetrek.co/pacific-crest-trail/liz-bergeron-executive-director-and-ceo-of-the-pcta-has-announced-retirement/

Excerpt:

When she was first hired in 2001, the organization had 3 full-time staff members, a few hundred volunteers, and an annual budget of $400,000. Under her guidance, the PCTA has grown to employing more than 30 full-time staff members, managing a network of over 2,000 volunteers who log close to 100,000 annual hours, and utilizing an annual budget of up to $4.7 million.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg, though – during her time with the organization, the popularity of the trail skyrocketed due to movies like “Wild” and “A Walk In the Woods”. Bergeron assisted the PCTA in managing the massive uptick in thru-hike attempts (from a few hundred in 2001 to just under 5500 in 2019). Other notable projects during her time at the PCTA include developing an updated board policy manual, funding and implementing significant technology upgrades throughout the organization, and strengthening the overall leadership of the PCTA.

...

Bergeron’s departure from the PCTA won’t conclude until June 2022, and the Board of Directors will work on creating a plan for choosing her successor in the meantime. The organization is expected update the community accordingly as more information is released.

Retirement message from Liz Bergeron (PCTA.org mailling list, Sept. 10):

Dear PCT Community,

Twenty years ago, when I was selected as the PCTA’s Executive Director, I never imagined I’d be involved for so long. But the more I learned about the importance of our work, the more my passion for the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail grew.

That passion remains. I have hiked about 1,500 miles of the PCT and spent many days doing trail maintenance work, visiting places we intended to protect and even holding meetings on the trail. It’s been gratifying to walk parts of the trail that volunteers maintained, rebuilt or moved improving the experience for others.

Every time I set foot on the trail I am reminded of the importance of our work. It’s been an awesome journey learning about the complexities of protecting, preserving and promoting the PCT. I now believe the timing is right for PCTA to choose its next Executive Director and CEO; I plan to retire in June, 2022.

Because of my background in nonprofit administration and fundraising, I was hired in 2001 to grow the organization and expand our capacity to take care of the trail, the landscapes around it and the experience it provides. Back then, the PCTA had three full-time staff, a couple hundred volunteers and a $400,000 annual budget. Today with 30 staff, over 2,000 volunteers and a $4.7 million budget, it’s a strong and resilient organization. But now it is also one with different needs.

A few years ago, we identified some organizational priorities, including strengthening PCTA’s staff leadership team, funding and implementing a significant technology upgrade project and developing a board policy manual. Those are all completed or well on their way. A new leader will guide the PCTA on other important initiatives, such as taking full advantage of funding through the 2020 Great American Outdoors Act legislation, determining PCTA’s role in dealing with how climate change is affecting the trail, President Biden’s 30 x 30 land protection initiative and becoming a model in the conservation world for incorporating diversity, equity and inclusion principles in everything we do.

The Pacific Crest Trail has become so much more than a long path between Mexico and Canada. It is a source of health, well-being and self-improvement; it is a place to heal from trauma; it provides world-class outdoor recreation; it nurtures connections and friendship between people; and it provides a protected conservation corridor for plant and animal species between larger protected areas. My hope and vision is that the PCT will continue to provide all these benefits and more for everyone in the future.

As part of the planning process for my retirement, the PCTA Board of Directors created a new staff position—Deputy Executive Director and CEO—to increase leadership capacity and allow me to transfer relationships, information, and cross train in key areas. We are thrilled to announce that Megan Wargo, PCTA’s Director of Land Protection, has been promoted to this new position.

We don’t know what the process for naming my successor will be, but we will continue to keep you updated. In the coming months, our Board of Directors will provide you with more information about this as they solidify a plan.

I am so grateful to have worked on behalf of the PCT. It’s very satisfying to know that I have helped build a strong and resilient organization that will ensure the trail experience is available for all, now and in the future. There’s no doubt that the people I have met and the friends I have made are the best part of the job. It’s been an incredible community effort and I have enjoyed the opportunity to work with so many of you. Thank you for that and for your important role in the PCTA’s success.

With appreciation,

Liz Bergeron