Catharine Terry - Image courtesy of GSMIT

TOWNSEND, TN — Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont names Catharine Terry as President and Chief Executive Officer, to begin September 4th.

Most recently Chief Financial Officer for SOAR, an accredited ADHD adventure camp and year-round academy in North Carolina, Terry replaces Dr. Jen Jones who resigned earlier this year.

Board President Elizabeth Estill announced the appointment and said, "We are pleased and excited to have found a new leader with the capability and enthusiasm of Catey Terry. She embodies the spirit of Tremont and its commitment to connecting people and nature. She has a clear understanding of our mission and her background is a natural fit. We look forward to having her on board."

Tremont Directors. From left to right: Hank Dye (Board of Directors), Tonya Campbell (Tremont Director of Finance and Administration), Elizabeth Estill (Board of Directors, President), Catey Terry (President and CEO), Chuck James (Board of Directors), Bill Cobble (Board of Directors) - Image courtesy of GSMIT

A Tennessee native, Terry grew up making mud pies and climbing trees. She formed an early connection to the outdoors and first attended Tremont Institute in the sixth grade with her school. She later reconnected with Tremont while sending her son to Firefly camp.

Inspired by her time in nature, Terry received a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Environmental Biology from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. She then completed an internship with the Fisheries Department in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and hiked 400+ miles of the Appalachian Trail.

Terry says, "It is an honor to lead an organization that allows me to witness people, of all walks-of-life, as each discovers and develops their own connection to nature and to the Park. I look forward to working with and learning from the passionate staff and dedicated board members as we focus on the growth of this remarkable organization. This is an exciting time to be at Tremont, and I am grateful to be a part of its future!”

Terry has worked in non-profit administration for nearly 15 years, most notably as SOAR’s Chief Financial Officer. She has a strong commitment to conservation, serving on the board of Conservation Trust of North Carolina and with their Future Leaders of Conservation advisory board. Terry brings a multitude of skills in leadership, finance, fundraising, development, non-profit management, programming support, marketing and technology. Her certifications include CPR, Wilderness First Aid and PADI Open Water Diver. Terry enjoys trail running, paddling and traveling in a restored vintage camper with her husband and two children.

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont www.gsmit.org provides in-depth experiences through educational programs that celebrate ecological and cultural diversity, foster stewardship, and nurture appreciation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.