Announcement

The Portland Trails Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Jon Kachmar has been named the organization’s next Executive Director. Jon has decades of experience leading programs focused on coastal and marine habitat, land conservation, urban greening, and connecting people with nature.

“We held a nation-wide, inclusive search, and Jon rose to the top in a unanimous decision by the board,” said Paul Botticello, President of Portland Trails’ Board of Trustees. “We are thrilled to have him in this role. Jon's deep leadership experience with trails, land trusts, and conservation organizations, coupled with his reputation as a credible and thoughtful leader, give us confidence in what's next for Portland Trails.”

Most recently the Executive Director of the Eastern Trail, Jon has extensive experience in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging work and community engagement projects. He was also part of the first cohort of the First Light Learning Journey, a collaboration between Maine organizations and Wabanaki communities,alongside Portland Trails representatives.

"Portland Trails' long history of connecting open spaces and neighborhoods via trails is a testament to how much people value getting outside and enjoying the outdoors,” said Jon. “I look forward to engaging in this work as we consider affordable housing needs, equity across our great city, alternative transportation options, and sustainable development initiatives. I truly believe trails and other active transportation infrastructure are key to our collective health and wellbeing."

Jon is a long-time Portland resident and a volunteer on the Land Bank Commission. In his spare time, he enjoys spending his time outdoors fly fishing, backcountry skiing, hiking, and biking. He will start on July 10 and will work with Portland Trails’ current Interim Executive Director, Dana Totman, to transition into his new role.