The Equine Land Conservation Resource (ELCR) is proud to announce Anna Gibson of Alexandria, Va., has joined the organization as chief executive officer. Gibson will be heading up an expert team of staff and volunteers dedicated to the conservation of land for horse-related activity, a mission which recently earned ELCR the 2012 Equine Industry Vision Award. Gibson, a lifelong equestrienne, comes to ELCR with almost twenty years of professional experience in conservation, communications, and development.

Highlights of Gibson’s career include her recent work as senior director of development and communications for TechnoServe, a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit. Gibson was responsible for communications, marketing, and fund raising for the organization. Gibson also served as director of resources for the South American Conservation Region with The Nature Conservancy, where she was responsible for creating and implementing resource mobilization strategies for large-scale conservation projects across the continent.

"I come from a region that is losing farms and trails to development every day," Gibson said. "For that reason, I am very excited to put my skills to work at ELCR to ensure that we keep the farms, trails, and open spaces we need to support and maintain our strong, historic culture of horses as a key thread in the fabric of American life."

"We are thrilled to have Anna Gibson at the helm of ELCR," said ELCR Board President Susan Harding. "With Anna Gibson’s direction and leadership, ELCR will build on the strengths developed during Deb Balliet’s tenure as CEO. Anna Gibson’s strong nonprofit management experience combined with her conservation and equestrian backgrounds will be tremendous assets for our organization