Board + Staff

Committed to the Cause

Tricia King Mims

Executive Director

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Tricia began her journey with National Park Partners in 2016, when she became executive director of the Friends of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. Soon after, she led the consolidation of FOCCNMP with the Friends of Moccasin Bend which created the new National Park Partners brand in 2018. Tricia came to NPP from a background steeped in land protection and non-profit management, serving most recently as development director for Lula Lake Land Trust where she oversaw more than three years of steady organizational growth. She opened the Southeast Region office for The Land Trust for Tennessee in 2007, leading the protection of nearly 10,000 acres in her role as project manager. Prior to beginning her conservation career, Tricia worked for the City of Chattanooga and Hamilton County as a grants and special projects manager for parks and greenways, economic development, and other local government initiatives. Tricia previously taught as adjunct faculty at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga in both Environmental Science and Political Science. She holds a M.S. in International Affairs from Georgia Tech, and a B.S. in Applied Economics from the College of Agriculture at Cornell University. She enjoys exploring the outdoors, practicing yoga, and building community, one conversation at a time.

Clay Aldridge

Operations manager

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Clay Aldridge made Chattanooga his home over a decade ago after falling in love with the city’s unique proximity to beautiful natural places. Artist and nonprofit administration wizard, Clay holds a BFA in Media Arts from the University of Tennessee Chattanooga, and a Certificate in Financial Success for Nonprofits from Cornell University. An avid volunteer, Clay leads free urban birding workshops with the intention of connecting folks to the wildlife living all around them. He is committed to preserving our natural world, and connecting it with our communities through public engagement and artistic practice.

Jennifer crutchfield

community engagement + education coordinator

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Jennifer Crutchfield is a Chattanooga native, parent, writer, and community educator. Author of Chattanooga Landmarks, she is committed to connecting kids, community, and success in learning with Chattanooga history. Jennifer manages special projects for National Park Partners focused on educational outreach and community engagement.

Board of Directors

President

Dan Saieed

Vice President + National treasures co-chair

Becky Browder

secretary

Bernie Hilbrandt 

National treasures co-chair

Lana Freeland

capital projects + land protection chairs

Mack McCarley, Larry Zehnder

Treasurer

Blake Kinder

Governance chair

Ansley T. Moses