We're growing! Meet FMR's newest staff and board members

We're excited to introduce the FMR community to our new Individual Gifts Officer Allyson Petry and two new board members, Chris Crutchfield and Jake Keeler. 

Welcome Allyson Petry, Individual Gifts Officer

Allyson Petry joins Friends of the Mississippi River after over a decade of nonprofit work, most recently as the Executive Director of Nazareth Farm, Inc. — a small nonprofit in West Virginia that offers service retreat experiences and addresses substandard housing issues in rural Appalachia.

In addition to her leadership and organizational management responsibilities, she worked to raise funds for the nonprofit's mission, including envisioning and launching a capital campaign. 

Allyson is the newest member of our development department, and the addition of her role is an expansion of the team. Together with Tessa Enroth, FMR's longtime Individual Gifts Officer, Allyson will help supporters develop connections to the river through opportunities to engage with and invest in FMR's work. "In recent years, as FMR has grown, so has the community of people interested in caring for the river and investing in our river conservation work. We're thrilled to welcome Allyson to the team, and together, deepen relationships with the community of people who love the river as much as we do," said FMR Development Director Sara DeKok. 

Throughout her life, Allyson has spent a lot of time outdoors camping, canoeing and learning about environmental justice initiatives. Having just moved to Minnesota with her family, Allyson says, "I'm excited to learn more about the Mississippi River watershed as I work to protect it." She also invites your recommendations on great places to explore in the metro area.

Welcome two new board members

FMR is excited to welcome two new board members who offer their unique talents and networks to advance the organization's mission.

Chris Crutchfield

Chris Crutchfield has decades of experience as a community leader, educator and attorney. Chris is the executive director of Ujamaa Place, a St. Paul-based nonprofit working to help young African-American men succeed. Since the 1980s Chris has been involved in outdoor education, focusing on anti-racism and race equity. These programs include Underground Railroad re-enactments and other cultural outdoor programs for youth. For over ten years, he also served on the Audubon Center of the Northwoods board, now known as Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center. 

"I'm just thrilled to have Chris join the FMR board," said Executive Director Whitney Clark. "He has deep roots and relationships in the community and a love for Minnesota's rivers and lakes. Chris also has a great sense of humor and a relentlessly positive attitude that make him a lot of fun to work with." 

Chris is a serious angler whose love for the river extends especially below the surface to our finned friends who seem to flock to his line. His camera roll contains numerous impressive catches, which appear to be legit.

Jake Keeler

After many years of engagement with and support for FMR, Jake Keeler is a welcome addition to our board of directors. He is an avid fly angler and talented artist whose work is concerned with conserving the natural world, especially rivers. Jake's day job is vice-president of strategic management for Rahr Corporation, which provides malt to the beer industry.

"We're really excited to have Jake join the board," said long-time board member Stewart Crosby. "His connections and networks within the fly fishing, art and craft brewing communities will be a major asset for the organization. He's also a strategic and creative thinker, which every board needs."

Jake grew up near the river in St. Cloud and reflects, ​​"The Mississippi River, the land that surrounds it, and the communities that are intertwined with it are part of my soul. The river has given me so much; it has been one of my greatest teachers. I feel an obligation and purpose to give back and do what I can to protect, support and improve for the generations to come."

Read more about our staff and board.