Meet the New TPT Executive Director, Mark Cameron

Mark Cameron Interview with TPT President Mary Beth Roselli

Previously you were the KTMB Executive Director, what attracted you to the TPT?

• I was attracted to TPT for a few reasons. My family and I have always enjoyed exploring hiking and biking trails; where we live and when we travel – I have a personal affinity for them as a community resource. To that end, I have hiked and biked thousands of miles, many along the TPT, since moving to Sparks in 2005 as a regular commuter and user of the TPT and the trails in our area. I am thrilled to have this opportunity. 
• I am in a position in my career to step back a bit and really enjoy what I do. I want to do something that I am passionate about; something that can bring happiness and connectedness to the community. This position is a great fit for me at this juncture in my life and I can’t think of anything I would rather be doing with my time. 

What do you think are the strengths that you bring to TPT? 

• I like to think I am a friendly guy who has some great organization and collaboration skills. I really enjoy working to improve systems – making things better. In both my work and personal life I have always worked well with others and give credit where credit is due. I am full of good ideas, but there are plenty of ways to get things done I find that others have good ideas, and openly acknowledging folks for their ideas helps to build great organizations, lasting trust, and good friendships. 

What are your short and long-term TPT goals and primary initial focus? 

• In the short term, I want to get to know the team. There are a lot of people who have dedicated years of their lives to supporting the Trail. I need to understand what they have done in order to help figure out where we are going next. 
• In the mid-term, I am going to be keenly focused on finishing what Janet Phillips started 20 years ago in 2003. I didn’t know Janet well but I got a healthy appreciation for who she was. Each year when I went before the Board of the Truckee River Fund (TRF) requesting grant funding for KTMB I witnessed Janet as the TRF Chair, artfully managing that meeting and getting to the point without a lot of fluff – she was focused and passionate. It wasn’t hard to see that she put the same passion and focus into building the TPT. I am not Janet, she is irreplaceable. What I  will strive for is to find a similar direction, focus, and passion so the team can finish the Trail to further honor her legacy. 
• In the long term, with the support of the Board, I want to ensure that TPT is poised for the future. It will be vitally important for the TPT to be sustainable; fiscally secure,  setting it up for succession of the staff and Board, and ensuring plans are in place to maintain and improve the Trail into the foreseeable future. 

Why do you think the ED position is needed now and what is your vision for your position and for the trail? 

• I think that this position is needed now because the TPT is at a juncture having lost  Janet in December 2022 – she was the one who brought everyone together. Since then, the Board has done a wonderful job keeping everything moving in the right direction, but it’s a difficult spot to be in for the long term. Adding an Executive  Director at this point will allow the individual Board members to focus on the things they do best, and the reasons why they got involved in the first place. Each member of the Board brings a specific expertise and they need to focus on those things while the Executive Director works as the conductor to bring it all together. 
• My vision for the position is just that, to be the conductor. Someone who can work to bring the best out in everyone by leveraging the things they are good at and enjoy. I  want them to feel energized and connected to the TPT for many years to come. As for the Trail… Primarily, I want to see it finished. After that, we can begin focusing on maintenance, repairs, and improvements where they are needed and/or wanted. We are the builders and maintainers, but the public are the users and we need to be sure we are providing what the public wants, not what we think they might need or want.

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Mark Cameron Biography:

Mark recently joined the Tahoe-Pyramid Trail (June 2023) as our new Executive Director, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep passion for the outdoors. With over 15 years at the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority and 3 years as the Executive Director at KTMB, Mark has a strong background in both leadership and community engagement.

Deeply dedicated to our local community, Mark’s involvement in various organizations, including the Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce adult Leadership Reno/Sparks (LRS) program is just the tip if the iceberg. Mark has also made significant contributions as a Board Member and President of the Board for the Veterans Guest House and has actively participated in environmental initiatives, lending a helping hand at KTMB clean-ups and Christmas tree recycling sites.

Outside of work, Mark enjoys gardening, camping, hiking, skiing, and cycling. In fact, he has been an enthusiastic cyclist on the Tahoe-Pyramid Trail for years, making him an ideal fit for his role as our trail’s first Executive Director.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Mark as he leads us on this exciting journey. We are thrilled to have him on board, and his expertise will undoubtedly contribute to the continued success of the Tahoe-Pyramid Trail.