Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness has named Greg Seitz as its new Communications/Engagement Director, the organization’s executive director, Ron Meador, announced today.

“Greg Seitz is a thoughtful, graceful writer and a devoted advocate for the canoe country, who also understands new and emerging communications tools,” Meador said. “We couldn’t be more delighted as we welcome him to our team.”

"Joining the Friends is a true pleasure,” Seitz said. “The mission of the organization is near to my heart and I am overjoyed to have this opportunity to dedicate myself to it full-time.”

Seitz has worked as a communications specialist at Thomson West, the legal publisher based in Eagan, MN, since 2003. In addition to writing for company publications, he has built and operated Web-based tools for internal communication and collaboration. Away from work, he has volunteered his skills to such groups as Voyageurs National Park Association, the Kinnickinnic River Land Trust and the Minnesota Environmental Fund, while operating a wiki on visiting the Boundary Waters and a personal blog centered on paddling, wilderness and literature of the natural world.

He will assume his Friends duties April 1.

“Not so long ago, organizations like ours limited communications to member newsletters, press releases and infrequent e-mail alerts,” Meador said. “We want to do much, much more. We need to do more, and our supporters want more from us.

“We’ve already begun to explore new ways of advocating for our mission, communicating with our large and loyal membership, and engaging both members and nonmembers in volunteer work that supports wilderness in the Boundary Waters and beyond. Above all, we need to reach and recruit the next generation of wilderness champions.

“Greg is the perfect person to move these efforts forward. Moreover – and this is really important to me – the guy writes beautifully.”

Seitz said, “Communications plays a critical role in an organization like the Friends. It helps members see the value of their support, and serves to engage Boundary Waters visitors and make our work relevant to their experience in the wilderness. It will be a pleasure to do this work.”

Seitz grew up in Stillwater, MN, and earned his bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Minnesota. He is an avid paddler, hiker and angler, and lives in Maplewood, MN, with his wife, Katie, an editor at Metropolitan Media Group.

Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness, based in Minneapolis, is a non-profit organization founded in 1976. Its mission is to protect, preserve and restore the wilderness character of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the Quetico-Superior ecosystem. It has more than 2,500 member households.