Jess Martin
The Pinchot Partners, a nonprofit that works to promote restoration projects and improve accessibility to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in a responsible manner, has a new executive director.
Jess Martin, of Mineral, is set to take over the reins from Jamie Tolfree, who has led the organization for the past eight years.
During Tolfree’s time in charge, the Pinchot Partners have initiated a project to improve the growth of huckleberries within the forest, helped fund outdoor excursions for the White Pass School District’s Discovery Team and improved relations between the nonprofit and the state Department of Natural Resources.
An extended period of organizational growth combined with Tolfree’s desire to retire from her leadership role led to the hiring of Martin, who has worked for the Mt. Rainier Railroad and Logging Museum, the Fire Mountain Arts Council and taught courses for Centralia College East in Morton.
“She just has the type of experience we’re looking for,” Tolfree said.
Tolfee said there’s a chance she will still perform contract work with the Pinchot Partners on a case-by-case basis. She expects the nonprofit to look at diversifying its efforts to include more hands-on projects within GPNF as well as expanding its reach to the realm of recreation.
“They’re financially secure now, so they’ll be able work on getting more grants and funding that will help with projects on the ground as opposed to just planning,” Tolfree said. “As we’ve grown, we’ve needed to have more contact within the community. We’ve definitely improved our rapport with the U.S. Forest Service over the past eight years. I think Martin will be able to take the Pinchot Partners through the transition while exploring new ideas we haven’t yet been able to explore.”
Pinchot Partners Board Chair Taylor Aalvik and Vice Chair Bob Guenther voiced their support for Martin in a press release distributed by Tolfree.
Her first order of business will be assessing the impact of the government shutdown on projects already in motion. She said the five-week hiatus has thrown a lot of timelines into limbo while placing added stress on the USFS staff who haven’t been at work since last year.
Other priorities for 2019 include collaborating with state and federal organizations on restoration efforts and finding collective goals for partners at all levels to work toward.
“Prior to being hired in November, I had a very limited knowledge of the nonprofit,” Martin said. “I’ve lived in Washington for four years. I’ve worked in Lewis County and Pierce County during that time. A board member tapped me as a candidate when the job was opened. I’m grateful I was made aware of the opportunity to work with a nonprofit with so much room for growth.”
