We have some important, bittersweet news to share.
After over a decade of dedicated service, John Cottingham, Founder and Executive Director, has decided to transition out of the Executive Director position.
Some of you may know John’s story: after a lifetime of hiking, camping, and building memories in Pisgah, he retired from an impressive law career and sought to provide direct support to the forest he loved. From John’s lifelong connection to Pisgah, The Pisgah Conservancy (TPC) was born.
In the ten years since, John has turned that idea into an organization with real, measurable impact: a full-time Trail Crew and Ecological Restoration Crew working in the forest year-round, a seasonal Pisgah River Rangers program, a formalized partnership with the Forest Service, and a Pisgah Project Day that now draws hundreds of volunteers each year. He has also led our vital Hurricane Helene recovery work across the Pisgah Ranger District. None of it would exist without him.
The good news is that John isn’t going far. He will continue to serve on TPC’s Board of Directors after the transition, and his knowledge of and passion for Pisgah will continue to shape the organization for years to come.
Due to John’s leadership, TPC continues to move forward. Our programs are strong, our partnership with the Forest Service is deep and valued, and our volunteer and donor community has never been more engaged. The Board sees this moment as the natural next step to bring in new leadership to carry TPC into its next chapter of growth and impact.
John will continue to lead day-to-day operations during the transition, and the Board has launched a national search for TPC’s next Executive Director, in partnership with Potrero Group, a nonprofit executive search and leadership consulting firm. For more information about the position and how to apply, please visit potrerogroup.com/tpc.
Interested candidates should apply by November 1, 2026, for priority consideration. To share candidate recommendations or for additional information, please contact Jena Kuznik, Senior Consultant, Potrero Group, at [email protected].
Thank you, John, for everything you have built. And thank you, as always, to our supporters for being part of this community. You are what makes TPC’s work possible, in this chapter and the next.
With gratitude,
Peter Barry, Board Chair