The Public Lands Alliance (PLA) is pleased to announce the appointment of two new Board of Directors and a staff member.
Joining the Board of Directors:
Jeff Gabriel is the executive director of the Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association (ESIA).
He joined the PLA Board of Directors in July 2022 and has served on the PLA Government Relations Committee since 2018. Gabriel worked previously as the executive director of Kansas STARBASE. Before Kansas STARBASE, he worked for the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) as the vice president of member services. Prior to ARA, Gabriel was the director of environmental services for the National Pork Producers Council. Before joining NPPC, he worked for Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc in Des Moines, Iowa as a government affairs manager. He also served as confidential assistant to the assistant secretary of natural resources and environment at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Gabriel had two years' experience on Capitol Hill working for former Congressman Dave Camp as his legislative director and former Congressman Bill Schuette as his agricultural legislative assistant. He is a Certified Interpretive Guide and Certified Interpretive Guide/Host trainer through the National Association for Interpretation. Jeff enjoys hiking, gardening, backpacking, biking, woodworking, and international travel.
Theresa McMullan is the CEO of Grand Canyon Conservancy and joined the PLA Board of Directors in October 2022.
She leads the organization’s diverse activities in raising private funds to benefit Grand Canyon National Park, growing earned income streams through operating retail stores within the park, and providing educational and adventure opportunities through the Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute. In addition, she works closely with the NPS staff at Grand Canyon to implement special projects related to major fundraising initiatives and participates in the park’s Inter-tribal Working Group. Theresa joined Grand Canyon Conservancy as a board member in 2014 and transitioned to staff in June 2015. As the previous Chief Operating Officer for GCC, she provided oversight of retail operations, human resources, publishing, IT, and facilities management. She also served as the acting chief financial officer for eight months in 2016. Prior to GCC, Theresa was the Vice President of Marketing & Merchandising for SkyMall (the company that produced the in-flight shopping catalog) in Phoenix, Arizona and the co-founder of a strategic marketing firm. Theresa is an avid hiker and enjoys exploring the Grand Canyon backcountry.
View our full Board list here.
Joining the Staff:
Katie Cavanaugh joins PLA in the position of Membership and Marketing Manager.
Katie is originally from Florida, where she received a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Florida in English with a focus on Environmental Literature.
She has spent the last four years in Colorado working for Suzie’s Pet Treats, where she oversaw marketing efforts and a nationwide donation program for animal shelters and wildlife sanctuaries. Through this work, she gained extensive experience creating promotional and educational material, providing member support, and producing thoughtful marketing strategies.
Katie is passionate about wildlife conservation and equitable access to public lands and looks forward to bringing that passion into leading PLA’s marketing and membership efforts. In her free time, Katie volunteers with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, runs a small business creating wildlife art, and explores trails with her husband and their dog.