The Tennessee River Gorge Trust recently appointed Eliot Berz to serve as executive director of the nonprofit land trust following the retirement of Rick Huffines, who served in the role for about a decade.
In Berz’s time at the trust, he has progressed from field technician and researcher to business and access director to conservation and access director. He became executive director in November.
The trust stewards more than 17,000 acres of land in the gorge, including such sites as Edwards Point, Pot Point, Snooper’s Rock and Williams Island. In addition to its research and conservation efforts, the trust offers a variety of recreational and volunteer opportunities.
The Chattanooga Times Free Press spoke Thursday with Berz in an interview, which has been edited for clarity and length.
Q: Tell me a little bit about yourself — what’s been the progression of your career?