The Gunflint Trail Historical Society Board chair Bill Douglas announced today that a new Executive Director has been appointed for the Gunflint Trail Historical Society. Mark Hennessy, will assume the role of Executive Director and fill the newly created position for the organization.  The Executive transition will take place over the next several weeks. Long time Campus Director Bonnie Schudy will continue in her role with the organization.

Hennessy has a residence on the Gunflint Trail and has had a lifetime connection to the area starting when he served as a canoe guide for YMCA Camp Menogyn.   Hennessy has spent the past 13 years as Executive Director of the Minnesota Alliance of YMCA’s and as a consultant for the YMCA of the USA.  In his role, he provided support in board governance, strategic planning and operations to the 18 YMCA’s and 47 branches around Minnesota.  Hennessy facilitated early discussions for the development of the Cook County YMCA.

Hennessy served 15 years as the CEO of the Red Wing YMCA.  Prior to that he served as Executive Director of YMCA Camp Ihduhapi, and a Program Director at Camp Menogyn.  Hennessy has also provided consulting services for a variety of non-profit organizations, including the National Eagle Center, Red Wing Environmental Learning Center, Friends of the Boundary Waters, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA), YMCA of the Rockies, and the Anderson Center for the Arts.  

“We are pleased to make this announcement and welcome Mark Hennessy. His qualifications and past experiences make him a great match for our organization.    We feel that Mark will continue the great work of the Gunflint Trail Historical Society and help us move it forward in a positive way,” said Bill Douglas

  “I am looking forward to the opportunity to engage with the community and for the work ahead with this wonderful mission focused organization,” said Hennessy

###

About the Gunflint Trail Historical Society/Chikwauk Museum and Nature Center

Founded in 2005, the Gunflint Trail Historical Society is a vibrant community focused on preserving the stories of the Gunflint Trail.   At Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center cultural and natural history are interwoven. The Gunflint Trail Historical Society builds community by connecting people to the Gunflint Trail region, sharing its natural and cultural history.  The purpose of the Gunflint Trail Historical Society is to preserve the cultural history of the Gunflint Trail, to acknowledge the significance of the natural environment and its influence on Indigenous people to recent inhabitants, and to provide opportunities for exploration and education at Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center

Mark Hennessy: