Three Rivers Land Trust Recognizes Four New Board Members

June 29, 2021

Three Rivers Land Trust (TRLT) is honored to announce the addition of four new board members to the TRLT Board of Directors. The new members were added to the board on Friday, June 11 during the regular Board of Directors Meeting. New board members include Karen Auman of Randolph County, John Bartlett of Harnett County, West Hunter of Iredell County, and Frances Willis of Scotland County.

Karen Auman is a native of North Carolina, and has lived all across the state from the Outer Banks to the mountains where she served in regional, county and state positions with concentrations in tourism and emergency operations. Karen has both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from UNC-Greensboro. Before retiring from a 38-year career in public service, Karen was the Guest Services Director and Safety Director at the NC Zoological Park. Karen is enjoying her retirement gardening, hiking, and kayaking with her husband Ken and dog Bo. They all reside on “family” land in Montgomery County.

John Bartlett, better known by his students as Dr. Bartlett is a professor in wildlife ecology at Campbell University. Dr. Bartlett received his bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech, his master’s degree from the University of Tennessee, and his Doctorate from the University of Maine. Residing with his wife Mary Jane, the two of them enjoy spending time outdoors. As an Ornithologist, his research has touched on land cover changes and how it relates to bird species abundance. In addition, Dr. Bartlett initiated the first TRLT college chapter in 2021.

Returning to the Board of Directors is West Hunter. Graduating from North Carolina State University, West has an undergraduate degree in Political Science and Government. West and his family live in Mooresville, NC. West is the owner of Hunter Construction Group as well as Hunting Creek Farms, a wedding and event venue that he operates with wife Kisten.

The final board member to join the TRLT Board of Directors is Frances Willis. Frances has lived in Scotland, Robeson, and Moore County, and has a history in land management. For the past 57 years, Frances has played a role in family land management decisions, contributing to her passion for land conservation. Frances and her husband Jim operate three businesses in the heart of Downtown Laurinburg, including a bed and breakfast, and have three kids and an AussieDoodle puppy. In her free time, Frances enjoys gardening, cooking, fly fishing and roots music.

In addition to bringing on new board members, two outgoing board members were recognized on Friday at the Board of Directors meeting. John Broadwell of Cumberland County and Vince Zucchino of Moore County both joined the Board of Directors in June of 2019 when TRLT merged with Sandhills Area Land Trust. TRLT is extremely thankful for their unwavering support of local conservation and the Land Trust.

To become a member and support TRLT in their conservation mission, please contact Michael Fulk, Associate Director, at 704-647-0302 or michael@threeriverslandtrust.org.