Washington, DC – March 31 – Betsy Nicholas takes over as President of Potomac Riverkeeper Network (PRKN) Board Chair Randy Benn announced today.
“Betsy has served us exceptionally well as Vice President of Programs and Litigation and during that time achieved passage of historic legislation in both Maryland and Virginia as well as major litigation victories. The natural choice for us was to ask her to become PRKN President. We could not be happier that she agreed,” said Benn.
Nicholas came to PRKN from Waterkeepers Chesapeake, the regional coalition of 17 Waterkeepers protecting the Chesapeake and Coastal Bays Watersheds. Previously, she worked as a trial attorney in the Environmental and Natural Resources Division of U.S. Department of Justice for several years. Prior to that, she was the General Counsel for Chattahoochee Riverkeeper in Atlanta, Georgia for more than five years. Her experience includes all types of stormwater pollution, industrial agriculture, regenerative agriculture, clean water act litigation, legislative advocacy, endangered species act conservation, hydropower licensing and a host of other issues that come with over 25 years of environmental work.
Said Nicholas, “I have always been an advocate for clean water. Being given this opportunity to lead a group of other advocates who are as passionate and dedicated as any I have ever seen is an honor. I will do my utmost to keep their trust as we all work to protect and defend our right to clean water.”
Benn concluded, “I am so eager to see Betsy in her new role. She is unfailingly cheerful, even when faced with stern and difficult opposition – in court and in legislative offices – to actions we know are right and necessary. I speak for the entire board when I say that we are in good hands, especially as we embark on an increasingly challenging environment in securing the promise of clean water.”
