Great Rivers Greenway is pleased to announce the addition of three new people to its growing team. Angie Weber has joined as Conservation Program Manager, Matt Brinkmann as Special Events Manager, and Jason Valentine as Visitor’s Center Crew Leader. They will work with other Great Rivers Greenway staff members to expand the River Ring, a planned 600-mile interconnected system of parks, trails and greenways that will encircle the St. Louis region. They will also work together to help promote and sustain the existing greenways and trails in St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County.
As Conservation Program Manager, Weber will spearhead the District’s conservation planning efforts, coordinate programs to promote natural resource stewardship, and develop the District’s volunteer program. She is tasked with integrating conservation practices throughout the entire greenway development process. In addition, she will be responsible for building strategic partnerships with local organizations to engage volunteers in efforts that conserve and restore native habitats. Weber, a resident of Crestwood, joins Great Rivers Greenway with more than 10 years of experience in conservation planning, environmental education and volunteer management. Her background includes seven years with the Missouri Department of Conservation, where she most recently served as Community Conservation Planner.
Brinkmann joins Great Rivers Greenway as Special Events Manager after most recently serving as director of concert production with the Sheldon Arts Foundation. There, he managed contracts and hospitality arrangements for all major concerts and recruited, trained and supervised 120 volunteers. His background also includes serving a combined 20 years with the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission and the St. Louis Science Center. As Special Events Manager for Great Rivers Greenway, Brinkmann is responsible for working with a variety of partners to develop, plan and execute special events and programming along the riverfront in an effort to engage residents and tourists in a variety of experiences. He is a resident of the Tower Grove neighborhood in South St. Louis.
As Great Rivers Greenway’s new Visitor’s Center Crew Leader, Valentine is responsible for building awareness of the organization’s mission and goals. He will also be in charge of gathering feedback from the community and engaging people in greenway events, programs and volunteer efforts. Valentine’s background includes 14 years of experience at Camp Ondessonk, in Ozark, Illinois, where he served in a variety of roles, including time as an outdoor program specialist. There, he worked with visitors of all ages to complete conservation projects and aid in outdoor recreation and special events, and he also performed outreach to school groups across the Midwest. His experience also includes public outreach efforts for WSIE-FM radio in Edwardsville, Ill. Valentine is a resident of Freeburg, Illinois.
“We are thrilled to have these three talented people join our team as we work to expand the River Ring and improve St. Louis’ quality of life,” said Susan Trautman, executive director of Great Rivers Greenway. “Their experience will be vital as we engage the community and build a strong volunteer base; educate area residents about planned and existing greenways, and cultivate even stronger relationships with our partners.”
For more information about Great Rivers Greenway, please visit GreatRiversGreenway.org.
About Great Rivers Greenway
Great Rivers Greenway is St. Louis’ regional parks district, created by a vote of the people in 2000 to make the St. Louis region an even better place to live. Great Rivers Greenway is connecting St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County through a network of greenways for residents to explore and enjoy. For more information, visit www.greatriversgreenway.org.
For More Information, Contact:
Pamela Powell
The Hauser Group
314.436.9090
OR
Emma Klues
Great Rivers Greenway
314.932.4919 office;
314.603.4782