February 8, 2022
Fresno, CA - The San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust announces the promotion of Sarah Parkes to Assistant Executive Director and the addition of Valerie Aguilar as Finance Director.
The Trust is expanding its executive leadership team with the promotion of Sarah Parkes. Sarah has worked diligently in many roles with the Trust since first joining the organization as an intern in 2006. Sarah is a graduate of Fresno State with a BA in Cultural Anthropology and received a certificate in nonprofit management and leadership from the Humanics Program, a specialty that set her up for success in the nonprofit environment. During the course of her career with the Trust, Sarah helped create and garner private funding for the River Camp Firebaugh Program and has expanded the Trust’s individual connections to supporters with various specialty events and monthly members' walks. More recently, Sarah has expanded her leadership skills by serving as a Parks Commissioner for the City of Fresno. In her new role, Sarah will be overseeing the Trust’s Fundraising Activities, Community Programs, and Rental Events.
Sarah is an avid runner and park-and-trail enthusiast and has a deep personal connection to the land conservation work of the Trust.
“I’m grateful for all of the opportunities I’ve had during my career with the Trust, and I’ve learned so much along the way from each dedicated leader who came before me. I’m honored to step into this new leadership role, and I’m eager to build the Trust’s capacity to conserve land and provide quality public access to the San Joaquin River Parkway.” Sarah Parkes
Valerie comes to the Trust after several years as an accountant in the real estate management industry, and 15+ years of experience as a bookkeeper and accountant in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors. She replaces Lori Logalbo, who retired in early December after serving five and a half years as the Trust’s Finance Director. Valerie has a BS in Business Administration-
Accountancy Option from Fresno State. Previous nonprofit experience includes work for the Fresno Housing Authority and Fresno EOC.
“I’m excited to bring my financial expertise to the land conservation and environmental education work of the River Parkway Trust. It’s wonderful to be back to work in the nonprofit sector.” Valerie Aguilar
The San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit land trust formed in 1988 to preserve and restore San Joaquin River lands of ecological, scenic, or historic significance, to educate the public on the need for stewardship, to research issues affecting the river, and to promote educational, recreational and agricultural uses of the river bottom consistent with the protection of the river’s resources. For more information, visit us at www.riverparkway.org or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SJRPCT.
The Trust is expanding its executive leadership team with the promotion of Sarah Parkes. Sarah has worked diligently in many roles with the Trust since first joining the organization as an intern in 2006. Sarah is a graduate of Fresno State with a BA in Cultural Anthropology and received a certificate in nonprofit management and leadership from the Humanics Program, a specialty that set her up for success in the nonprofit environment. During the course of her career with the Trust, Sarah helped create and garner private funding for the River Camp Firebaugh Program and has expanded the Trust’s individual connections to supporters with various specialty events and monthly members' walks. More recently, Sarah has expanded her leadership skills by serving as a Parks Commissioner for the City of Fresno. In her new role, Sarah will be overseeing the Trust’s Fundraising Activities, Community Programs, and Rental Events.
Sarah is an avid runner and park-and-trail enthusiast and has a deep personal connection to the land conservation work of the Trust.
“I’m grateful for all of the opportunities I’ve had during my career with the Trust, and I’ve learned so much along the way from each dedicated leader who came before me. I’m honored to step into this new leadership role, and I’m eager to build the Trust’s capacity to conserve land and provide quality public access to the San Joaquin River Parkway.” Sarah Parkes
Valerie comes to the Trust after several years as an accountant in the real estate management industry, and 15+ years of experience as a bookkeeper and accountant in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors. She replaces Lori Logalbo, who retired in early December after serving five and a half years as the Trust’s Finance Director. Valerie has a BS in Business Administration-
Accountancy Option from Fresno State. Previous nonprofit experience includes work for the Fresno Housing Authority and Fresno EOC.
“I’m excited to bring my financial expertise to the land conservation and environmental education work of the River Parkway Trust. It’s wonderful to be back to work in the nonprofit sector.” Valerie Aguilar
The San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit land trust formed in 1988 to preserve and restore San Joaquin River lands of ecological, scenic, or historic significance, to educate the public on the need for stewardship, to research issues affecting the river, and to promote educational, recreational and agricultural uses of the river bottom consistent with the protection of the river’s resources. For more information, visit us at www.riverparkway.org or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SJRPCT.
Sarah Parkes, Assistant Director
Valerie Aguilar, Finance Director