Nancy Stoner ’86 Named President of Potomac Riverkeeper Network

Washington, DC – April 2 – Nancy Stoner ’86, Water Program Director and Senior Fellow at Pisces Foundation, has been named President of Potomac Riverkeeper Network (PRKN), Nick Kuttner, Chairman of the Board, announced today. “Since PRKN was founded in 2002, we have grown and strengthened our mission to protect the public's right to clean water:  stopping pollution, promoting safe drinking water and enhancing the public’s use and enjoyment of our nation’s river. And now I have the distinct honor to announce that PRKN will continue to build on our successes as a new president, Nancy Stoner, prepares to lead our organization into the next chapter of its evolution,” said Kuttner.

Stoner brings to PRKN an extensive, deep and distinguished career in water. Currently serving as Director of the Water Program and as a Senior Fellow at the Pisces Foundation, Nancy previously held the office of Acting Assistant Administrator for the U.S. EPA’s Office of Water. As a top EPA policymaker on water, Nancy was responsible for protecting surface water resources and ensuring the safety of tap water across the United States. A highly experienced environmental lawyer, she is exceptionally knowledgeable and passionate about water and has had a leading role in cultivating new technologies, pioneering cutting-edge programs and innovative partnerships to further water quality programs across the country. Stoner will begin work as PRKN’s President on June 1.

When asked about her new role, Stoner said “I am excited about the opportunity that awaits me as President of the Potomac Riverkeeper Network. It is an amazing fit for me given my background and experience. PRKN protects the Potomac and Shenandoah watersheds, which are the same watersheds that I have been living in since I was 8 years old. PRKN does so primarily through implementing and enforcing the Clean Water Act, which is the same statute I’ve been working to implement and enforce for more than 30 years.” 

Jeff Kelble, retiring after serving as President of PRKN for four years and nine years as Shenandoah Riverkeeper, said “I’ve stood on the shoulders of giants to help achieve the successes of PRKN during my time here. Protecting and defending the Potomac watershed is a lifelong passion of mine and I couldn’t be more certain that the organization I love and the mission it accomplishes will be in the best hands. Furthermore, every Riverkeeper I know has actually been following Nancy’s leadership and campaigns for more than 20 years. She has few peers in water conservation at the national level.”

Kelble led PRKN to its greatest growth and success during his tenure. His accomplishments were many and varied and included eliminating two of the biggest sources of untreated sewage pollution in the Potomac from Alexandria and the District of Columbia, leading to a clean, safe river for all to enjoy. Three years ago, he launched RiverPalooza, a summertime annual event designed to provide families and river enthusiasts with memorable on-the-water experiences that build a deep and enduring appreciation for our rivers. And through his efforts, PRKN is now established as the region’s leading clean water watchdog after launching dozens of legal enforcement actions over the last 10 years against polluters across the watershed.   

“It has been an honor to serve this organization and protect our beloved river, but most importantly I want to thank all of the passionate and dedicated people who made our accomplishments possible,” he said.

Stoner added, “I will bring to this position my love of the watershed, my passion for freshwater protection, my knowledge of clean water law and policy, my experience as an advocate, my philanthropic relationships, and a broad range of contacts across the water field. I hope to use that love, passion, knowledge, and experience to grow a much bigger name and profile for the organization, but, more importantly, to strengthen protection for the watersheds to benefit all the people who use it for drinking water, fishing, recreating, and all forms of enjoyment. I am grateful to have the opportunity to lead an organization dedicated to its protection.”

When asked about the mission and future of PRKN, Kuttner said “Under Jeff’s leadership, the organization added two new Riverkeeper positions and a Vice President of Programs and Litigation that broadened our ability to monitor and resolve water quality issues.  As a result, we have vastly expanded our ability to pinpoint new areas of concern across the region and to fight aggressively to have them addressed. We have protected our communities and waterways, educated new audiences about the importance of environmental stewardship, and connected growing numbers of residents to the beauty of the nation’s river. Now, with Nancy’s help, we are ideally positioned to continue the upward trajectory that Jeff established.”

About Potomac Riverkeeper Network
Potomac Riverkeeper Network is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization with three regional Waterkeeper branches: Potomac Riverkeeper, Upper Potomac Riverkeeper and Shenandoah Riverkeeper. Their mission is to protect the public's right to clean water in our rivers and streams. 
For more information, visit http://www.potomacriverkeepernetwork.org.