Read more below about Elaine’s retirement!
Elaine Chiosso Retires from HRA after 30 Years at the Helm; Emily Sutton Steps Up!
HRA Executive Director, Elaine Chiosso, is stepping down as E.D. August 31, staying on through the end of the year as senior advisor, and working on the HRA archives. Emily Sutton, our Haw Riverkeeper since 2018, will be taking on the additional role of Executive Director, with support from Carolyn Paden, who is expanding her job with us as an Administrative Director.
“I’ve lived along the Haw River for 50 years, and being a voice for these living waters has been an honor, and a fulfilling, if sometimes challenging, experience. The Board, staff and members of the Haw River Assembly have made our successes possible, and working with them has been truly amazing”.
Elaine joined HRA in 1982 when it was formed, and became a member of the Board of Directors in 1991. She became President of the Board in 1995, along with Vice-President Cynthia Crossen, and other amazing volunteers, launched the River Watch stream monitoring project and created a more sustainable Haw River Learning Celebration.
In 1997, she became the first Executive Director, growing the organization, working as the lead voice on advocacy issues for the Haw River with strong support from long time Board members Gerald Lynn Featherstone and Jane Sharp.
Elaine was the main environmental voice pushing for strong Jordan Lake rules from 2002-2009, and against reckless development devouring lands in our watershed. Land conservation successes included the saving of the Haw River headwater springs, the state creation of the Lower Haw River State Natural Area, Haw River State Park, and other public lands along the river.
In 2008 the HRA joined Waterkeeper Alliance and Elaine became the first Haw Riverkeeper,
working with other Riverkeepers throughout the state on issues such as muddy waters, fracking
and industrial contaminants in our waters.She was also appointed by the Governor to serve on
the NC Sedimentation Control Commission. In 2014 Elaine joined with SELC to sue Burlington
over their 3.5 million gallon sewage spill into the river.
Elaine says she is proud of HRA’s work stopping polluters and the progress HRA has made to
clean up the Haw and fight for clean water for all people in our watershed. She is equally proud
of how HRA has built a diverse, watershed-wide community of people who care about the river,
and who give their time as citizen scientists, advocates and teachers of the next generation. “I
have always believed that a successful river organization must fight for what is right, but must
also find ways to renew and reenergize ourselves with time in nature, and by sharing our love
and knowledge of the river with others, especially children”
Elaine is passing on the leadership to a younger generation, confident that HRA’s excellent
staff, with Emily at the helm, and a dedicated Board of Directors, will continue to grow the
important work of the Haw River Assembly into the future. Emily Sutton started on staff with
HRA in 2016 as manager of our River Watch project and in 2018 became the new Haw
Riverkeeper, lead advocate on pollution issues, and leading our lobbying and litigation efforts.
She was approved in 2023 to become the new Executive Director as part of succession
planning for Elaine’s retirement. Emily will also continue on as the Haw Riverkeeper. “Elaine has
been an incredible mentor and has built such a strong organization over decades of relentless
advocacy and protection of the places we love. I feel so fortunate to continue her leadership
with our dedicated team.”
SAVE THE DATE as we give thanks to Elaine with a Retirement Party! November 24th from 5-8pm! Our 44th Annual Membership Meeting will take place at 5 pm, with Board elections, the latest updates on HRA and the 2024 State of the Haw report. Around 6pm, we will start the party with light refreshments, music and appreciation for all of Elaine’s work for the river for the past 30 years. The Plant is located at 192 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro, NC 27312 and there are great choices there for dinner and drinks.
Please join us at The Plant in Pittsboro on Sunday Nov 24 from 5 – 8pm.
