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Clubs & Partners

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We uphold the highest standards for the protection and management of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) to ensure that it can be shared and enjoyed well into the future.

We have a unique cooperative-management partnership with the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service at national, regional, and district levels, a variety of agencies in 14 states, a few other federal agencies, and even some counties and other local communities.

It is with these partners, in combination with our vast volunteer network that we are able to maintain and protect this iconic Trail.

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trail clubs and a.t. communities

​regional partnership committees

There are four regional partnership committees (RPCs) corresponding to the ATC’s four geographical regions. Generally, the RPC includes one primary and one alternate representative from each of the Appalachian Trail-maintaining clubs in the region.

The RPC's serve as communication links between the Trail-maintaining clubs, the ATC, and agency partners and as advisors to the ATC regional directors and the stewardship council on Trail management issues and policies. RPCs do not create ATC policy, but provide forums for discussion and review and make recommendations on proposed policies.

The Trail clubs select their RPC representatives, and the chair of each RPC is selected by its members. At least one member from each RPC is appointed by the ATC board of directors to serve on the stewardship council. 

Each regional partnership committee is self-governing within parameters set by the board. The current makeup of the committees and the club affiliation of RPC members are listed below. 

New England Committee

  • RPC Chair: Dave Boone, AMC-Connecticut Chapter (Primary)
  • RPC Representative to Stewardship Council, Partner Communications and Resource Committee: Cosmo Catalano, AMC-Berkshire Chapter
  • Don Stack, Maine Appalachian Trail Club (Primary)
  • Tony Barrett, Maine Appalachian Trail Club (Alternate)
  • Bob Dresher, Randolph Mountain Club (Primary)
  • Ben Lieberson, Randolph Mountain Club (Alternate)
  • Joe Roman, Appalachian Mountain Club (Primary)
  • Andrew Norkin, Appalachian Mountain Club (Alternate)
  • Rory Gawler, Dartmouth Outing Club (Primary)
  • Keegan Tierney, Green Mountain Club (Primary)
  • Steve Crowe, Green Mountain Club (Alternate)
  • Jim Pelletier, AMC-Berkshire Chapter (Primary)
  • Steve Smith, AMC-Berkshire Chapter (Alternate)
  • Henry Edmonds, AMC-Connecticut Chapter (Alternate)

Mid-Atlantic Committee

  • RPC Chair: Ron Rosen; New York-New Jersey Trail Conference (Primary)
  • RPC Vice Chair: Jim Foster; Keystone Trails Association (Primary)
  • RPC Secretary: Bill Saunders, Mountain Club of Maryland (Alternate)
  • Representative to the Partner Communications and Resource Committee: Rush Williamson, Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (Alternate)
  • Walt Daniels, New York-New Jersey Trail Conference (Alternate) 
  • Jim Haggett, New York-New Jersey Trail Conference (NY East of Hudson, Alternate)
  • Moe Lemire, New York-New Jersey Trail Conference (NY West of Hudson, Alternate)
  • Steve Weissman, New York-New Jersey Trail Conference (NJ, Alternate)
  • Jan King, Wilmington Trail Club (Primary) 
  • Laura Parrish, Wilmington Trail Club (Alternate) 
  • Mike Hughes, Batona Hiking Club (Alternate) 
    • Abbie Wysor, Batona Hiking Club (Primary)
  • Dan Schwartz, AMC-Delaware Valley Chapter (Primary) 
  • Bill Steinmetz, AMC-Delaware Valley Chapter (Alternate) 
  • Scott Birchman, Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club (Alternate)
  • David Reitz, Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club (Primary)
  • Dennis Hurley, Keystone Trails Association (Alternate)
  • Doug Crowell, Allentown Hiking Club (Primary)
  • Barb Wiemann, Allentown Hiking Club (Alternate)
  • Phil Day, Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club (Primary)
  • Cindy Radich, Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club (Alternate)
  • Tom Morley, York Hiking Club (Representative) 
  • Gwen Loose, York Hiking Club (Alternate)
  • Michael O'Conner, Mountain Club of Maryland (Primary) 
  • Kevin Shannon, Cumberland Valley Appalachian Trail Club (Primary) 
  • Mike Bowman, Cumberland Valley Appalachian Trail Club (Alternate)
  • Pete Brown, Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (Primary) 
  • Rush Williamson, RPC Representative to Stewardship Council and Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (Alternate)

Central and Southwest Virginia Committee

  • RPC Chair: Theresa Duffey, Old Dominion A.T. Club    
  • RPC Vice Chair: Ned Kuhns; Tidewater A.T. Club (Primary) 
  • Representative to Stewardship Council, Partner Communications and Resource Committee: Trudy Phillips, Natural Bridge A.T. Club (Alternate)
  • Jim Sexton, Tidewater A.T. Club (Alternate)
  • David Grimes, Old Dominion A.T. Club (Primary) 
  • Mark Heede, Old Dominion A.T. Club (Alternate)
  • Carol Caswell, Natural Bridge A.T. Club (Primary) 
  • David Youmans, Roanoke A.T. Club (Primary) 
  • Jim Beeson, Roanoke A.T. Club (Alternate) 
  • Brittan Wilcox, Outdoor Club at Virginia Tech (Representative)  
  • Jeff Brown, Piedmont A.T. Hikers (Primary) 
  • Steve Yonts, Piedmont A.T. Hikers (Alternate) 
  • Terry Walker, Mount Rogers A.T. Club (Primary)
  • Bill Hurlebaus, Mount Rogers A.T. Club (Alternate) 

 



Deep South Committee

  • RPC Chair: Steve Perri, Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoeing Club (Primary)
  • RPC Representative to Stewardship Council, Partner Communications and Resource Committee: Rebekah Young, Smoky Mountains Hiking Club
  • Babette Broussard, Georgia Appalachian Trail Club (Primary)
  • Joe Boone, Georgia Appalachian Trail Club (Alternate)
  • Katherine Brown, Nantahala Hiking Club (Primary)  
  • Paul Dyer, Nantahala Hiking Club (Alternate)
  • Frank LaFond, Smoky Mountains Hiking Club (Primary)
  • Cindy Spangler, Smoky Mountains Hiking Club (Alternate)
  • Tom Weaver, Carolina Mountain Club (Primary)
  • Paul Curtin, Carolina Mountain Club (Alternate)
  • Steve Wilson, Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoeing Club (Alternate)


​cooperative management system