News

We are pleased to announce that Pamlico-Tar Riverkeeper and Deputy Director, Heather Deck, will be taking on the role of Executive Director for Sound Rivers on September 1st! As you may remember, current Executive Director Harrison Marks announced his upcoming retirement this past June.

Heather has spent the last 14 years as the organization’s Pamlico-Tar Riverkeeper, and was given the additional responsibility of Deputy Director in 2016. Heather has a master’s degree in environmental management from the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University, and she has led Sound Rivers’ advocacy, volunteer and educational programs since joining the organization in 2003.

Heather said of her new role at Sound Rivers, “I look forward to working closely with the staff, our board of directors, members and partners as we continue to grow Sound Rivers as a powerful advocate for the protection of our region’s waterways.”

Sound Rivers Board President Lorrie Basnight said of Heather’s new role, “The Sound Rivers Board is so excited to welcome Heather Deck as our new Executive Director. We held a national search for the position, and Heather’s knowledge and skills with policy and advocacy for the river basins, and her 12 years of experience working in the organization made her the outstanding candidate from a strong pool of applicants. While the retirement of Harrison Marks leaves big shoes to fill, we have no doubt that Heather can fill those shoes well and lead Sound Rivers during this critical time for environmental advocacy.”

Heather will be stepping into the Executive Director role on September 1st, and we will begin a search for her replacement as Pamlico-Tar Riverkeeper in the near future.

Thank you for your continued support of Sound Rivers, and our advocacy for clean water in the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico River Basins!