This message is sent on behalf of SWS President Becky Pierce.
 
Greetings SWS Members,

The Society of Wetland Scientists' Executive Board wishes you a happy new year. While we welcome in the New Year, we have something incredible to celebrate. During the past year, SWS leadership dedicated significant time to the planning, recruiting, and hiring of our organization's first Executive Director. While we had several great candidates, one stood out above the others. It is with great pleasure that I welcome Marla Stelk as the Society of Wetland Scientists’ first Executive Director. Many of you in the United States already know Marla as a fierce leader in the wetland community at the helm of the National Association of Wetland Managers (NAWM). After eight years as NAWM’s Executive Director, Marla comes to us with many successes under her belt bolstering membership, engagement, revenue, and communication. At NAWM she advocated for wetland habitats and their proponents in the U.S., and we are excited to bring her energetic leadership into our international SWS wetland community. Marla's first day as the SWS Executive Director is February 1st. She will be welcomed into the position at our in-person Executive Board meeting on Feb 2nd, which happens to coincide with World Wetlands Day. I find that a fantastic coincidence. 

Please give Marla a warm welcome if you interact with her in the coming months. And always feel free to contact me with any questions. Members who have questions or requests should continue using our general email address - info@sws.org. As usual, staff will direct you to someone else, if needed.