The head of New Jersey Audubon has been chosen to lead Friends of Acadia as its new CEO and president.
Eric Stiles takes over for David MacDonald, who stepped down from the role last month after more than a decade leading the park friends group that works to support Acadia National Park.
Stiles has held leadership roles at New Jersey Audubon, the state’s leading and largest conservation organization, for 21 years, most recently as CEO and president. During his tenure at the helm there, New Jersey Audubon has grown its philanthropic resources annually through increased corporate, foundation, and individual support; and rededicated its efforts to deliver conservation at the local level, resulting in more direct mission impact.
Key accomplishments under Stiles’ leadership also include the passing of permanent multi-billion-dollar funding for state open space and farmland preservation; initiating and leading a four-state Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed that secured nearly $100 million in federal funding for water and habitat restoration projects; and leading international efforts to save endangered shorebirds migrating through the Delaware Bay.
“Eric brings two-and-a-half decades of conservation leadership experience, a deep commitment to environmental and social justice issues, and great energy and passion for preserving and protecting our parks and natural areas,” said Jack Kelley, chair of the Friends of Acadia Board of Directors. “Eric is an exceptional choice to be our president and CEO. The board and I look forward to working with him as we build on Friends of Acadia’s successful tradition of public-private partnership and protection of the park and its surrounding communities.”
Prior to New Jersey Audubon, Stiles worked for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. He received a M.S. in Ecology and an M.P.A. at Rutgers University, and a B.S. in Biology from Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. A fellow of Lead New Jersey, he also serves on a number of philanthropic foundation and nonprofit boards and local advisory committees.
“Friends of Acadia is a best-in-class organization, and I’m excited and honored to help lead the important work that lies ahead,” Stiles said. “I enthusiastically look forward to working with the Friends of Acadia staff and board, Superintendent Kevin Schneider and the team at Acadia National Park, and the entire Acadia community, to build upon past successes and meet future challenges.
"This work includes ensuring the park’s resilience in the face of climate change, engaging young people in the park, expanding diversity and inclusion, balancing visitor experience and use with resource protection, and maintaining Acadia’s amazing trails and carriage roads. My wife Lydia and I have spent years appreciating Acadia’s many virtues as frequent visitors, and we can’t wait to relocate to MDI and start this exciting new chapter in our lives.”
Stiles will officially assume his responsibilities as president & CEO of Friends of Acadia in early July. Friends of Acadia invites its members and public to meet the new president at the Friends of Acadia Annual Meeting on Wednesday, July 6, at the Bar Harbor Club in Bar Harbor.
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