Staff

Jordan has worked for museums and historic sites in North Carolina and Virginia. A graduate of Wake Forest University, she has a Masters in History and a certificate in nonprofit management. She grew up camping on the southern end of the Parkway with her three siblings. Jordan and her husband enjoy biking and exploring the outdoors with their three children. E-mail Jordan or call her at (866) 308-2773.

Kevin Brandt is the Developement Director for the Foundation in the commonwealth of Virginia.

Rita Larkin graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in journalism and went on to serve as a photographer, editor, and designer at community newspapers in Georgia and North Carolina. She joined the staff of the Asheville Citizen-Times in 2000 as a copy editor before becoming news editor and then editor and general manager of the newspaper’s magazine division. Most recently, Larkin was the editor-in-chief of WNC magazine. She fell in love with the mountains while working as a raft guide on the Nantahala River during college summer breaks.

Kelly Fain is a native of Hendersonville, N.C., who loves running, rivers and wild places. A graduate of Appalachian State University, her background is in newspaper editing and marketing for cooperatives. She feels most motivated and alive when her skills are benefitting organizations that share her vision for conserving and sharing the beauty of our natural world. She enjoys running long distances and learning about flora, fauna and fungi in her beloved Blue Ridge Mountains.

Marianne Kovatch has been involved in arts administration and event planning for many years, most recently working at Chestnut Creek School of the Arts as Music and Woodworking Program Manager, Marketing and Development Director, and Galax JAM Program Director. Marianne began playing banjo and dancing in high school, and was first introduced to the Galax area many years ago when she began attending the Galax Old Fiddlers’ Convention and Mt. Airy Fiddlers’ Convention.

Adam came to the Foundation team with an eclectic resume. Graduating from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, with a degree in Digital Media he has worked with mobile games companies, public libraries, and even the Department of Homeland Security. He’s lived out of his car, travelling the country for half a year. The culmination of experience and skills gained through his varied history brought him to the Blue Ridge to help create wonderful adventures for the Kids in Parks program.

Erin, a North Carolina native, graduated from the University of North Carolina-Asheville with a B.S. in Environmental Policy and Management. In 2018, she earned a master’s degree in Environmental Politics and Policy Analysis from Appalachian State University, where she worked as a Research Assistant for the Appalachian Carbon Research Group. Erin previously served the public as a Forest Service Resource Assistant in the National Forests in North Carolina office and the National Headquarters in Washington, D.C.