New Executive Director

Changes are underway at your land trust!   George Kimberly joined EIOLT earlier this year as Development Director.  In September he became Executive Director to replace Marian Brailsford, who will be stepping down at year end.

George grew up near Winston-Salem, NC, and has always enjoyed fishing, hunting and outdoor sports.  After getting his Bachelor and Law degrees from Wake Forest University, George practiced law in NC for many years.  In 2000, he and his wife, Karen, took a 3-year sabbatical and moved to Montana to manage a fly-fishing guest ranch.   When they returned, they moved to Charleston, where Karen took a position with Porter Gaud School and George went back to practicing law.  George recently decided to redirect his career to combine his legal skills with his passion for conservation. 

George welcomes ideas and suggestions from EIOLT members’ on what they would like to see accomplished, and said, I am honored to have the opportunity to work with EIOLT members to preserve the farms, natural lands, and cultural heritage of this historic island.  My goals are to serve our Board and membership by working to identify key conservation and community outreach initiatives that advance the land trust’s mission, to build upon Edisto’s standing as a model for community-based conservation, and to strengthen EIOLT’s role as a partner in the island’s future.

Board of Directors

Officers

Alex S. Crawford, Jr.
President & Chair
 
Robert E.
"Bobo" Lee, Jr.
Past President

Fisher C. Walter, Jr.
Secretary

Charles E. Callahan
Treasurer

Other Directors:
Mark T. Crawford
Bobby Creech
Sidney A. Gauthreaux, Jr.
Louis Heyward
R. Walter Hundley
Pamela G. Jacobs
James O. Kempson
Burnet Maybank III
I. Jenkins Mikell, Jr.
Chalmers W. Poston, Jr.
Sue H. Thorton
Ellen E. Unger

Land Protection Committee

Development Committee

Co-Chairs:  Sidney A. Gauthreaux, Jr. &
Mark T. Crawford

Members:
Fisher Walter
Pam Jacobs

Audit Committee

Chair: Bobby Creech

Members: Pam Jacobs
Walter Hundley
Ellen Unger   

Executive Director

George Kimberly

Office Manager

Melinda Hester

STEPPING INTO THE WINGS:

At the end of the year Marian Brailsford will be stepping down after eight years with the Edisto Island Open Land Trust.  BoBo Lee, Past President EIOLT Board and current member of the Board had this to say, “There is no one person on earth who has put as much of her heart and soul into protecting Edisto Island as Marian Brailsford.  She got the land trust focused and led EIOLT to become a force in the conservation effort in the Lowcountry.  She is admired and respected by her peers and EIOLT is blessed to have had her at our helm.  Generations to come will benefit from her dedication and vision of Edisto, and they will get to enjoy Edisto as we have . . unspoiled and beautiful.

Lex Crawford, President of EIOLT Board of Directors added, Marian has worked tirelessly during her term as Executive Director, and she has played a huge role in conserving our beloved island, which will result in an Edisto Island that will forever look much the same as today.  She really put Edisto on the map and is leaving our organization on sound financial footing!  We went from a handful of (protected properties) when she took over, to many easements with several thousand acres preserved.  Her service to the Land Trust and Edisto was a love and passion that went way past a job. 

Marian conveyed her gratitude to EIOLT members and fellow-staff.
“You made it possible for me to serve in the most fulfilling work of my life – what a privilege to work with such wonderful people on so many worthy projects!  Together, we have achieved something significant and unique . . . but we still have a ways to go on Edisto, and I know EIOLT can count on your on-going support.

Thank you
Marian Brailsford