David Brown, Consultant

During the early 1980s, David headed the efforts to preserve recreation opportunities on the Ocoee and Gauley Rivers. His book, The Whitewater Wars, is a fast-paced true story of those political brawls as an emerging outdoor recreation industry carved a foothold in the mountains of Appalachia. Known as David to his friends, he served as the Executive Director of America Outdoors Association, the nation's leading outfitter trade association, for 27 years and began writing books in his retirement. Since his semi-retirement, demand for his services has kept him busier than ever. Since 2018 David has been a consultant to America Outdoors, the TN Paddlesports Association, the Chattahoochee River Whitewater Park, the Virginia Paddlesports Association and Lehigh Gorge Outfitters Association and the Pigeon River Outfitters Association.

Tom Christopher, New England Flow

Thomas J. Christopher is one of the founding directors and Secretary of New England FLOW, the first organized coalition of recreational boating groups in the Northeastern United States. As secretary he directed communications and helped to establish the organization with a high political profile with both state and federal agencies in New England. He is recognized for his role in helping to develop the Deerfield Settlement Agreement, a major environmental victory in New England.

He was a signatory to the Upper Androscoggin Settlement Agreement, which protects the Rapid and Magalloway Rivers as well as 10 miles of river and lake shoreline in western Maine; helped to secure a settlement agreements on the Kennebec River and on the South Branch of the Penobscot River that provide recreational boating flows, many miles of shoreline protection, and fisheries improvements. He has been the recipient of the “Outstanding River Advocate Award” from American Rivers in Washington, D. C. for his advocacy work, River Conservationist of the Year Perception Kayaks and “Legacy Award” from American Whitewater.

Paul Fogal, Pocono Whitewater

Paul Fogal is the owner of Pocono Whitewater and Pocono Biking in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. Paul started whitewater guiding on the Yough and Ottawa Rivers in 1975 and 76. He and his brother started Pocono Whitewater on the Lehigh in 1977.
Pocono Whitewater was in business on the Lehigh River prior toit becoming the Lehigh Gorge State Park. Paul was very involved in establishing the river operations plan that was used to transition to operating in the park. Paul and Pocono Whitewater worked closely with DCNR, Army Corp of Engineers, and the private boating community in the Francis Walters Dam renovations which secured the current water release program. Paul and Pocono Whitewater have also owned and operated rafting operations in West Virginia, New York, and Canada, Paul lives near the Pocono Whitewater offices in Jim Thorpe. He has served on the board of the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor. He is currently a board member of the Jim Thorpe Tourist Agency, the Pennsylvania Parks and Forest Foundation, and the Penn Forest Township Zoning Board. Paddling is in Paul’s blood. He has paddled on all 7 continents, and still enjoys paddling and guiding on the Lehigh.

Robert Kauffman, PhD, American Canoe Association

Dr. Kauffman is Professor Emeritus at Frostburg State University. Some awards earned include a Regents Award in Public Service for his boating safety contribution, seven award-winning boating safety videos, and the prestigious Higgins & Langley Memorial Award in Swiftwater Rescue for his educational materials. Books include risk management, swiftwater rescue, rafting, and canoeing. He serves as an expert witness on boating safety cases, currently serves on the ACA Board of Director as Treasurer, is a former instructor trainer educator, and studied river fatalities on the main-stem of the Potomac River for the Maryland DNR.

Jared Skaggs, Grand River Dam Authority

Jared serves as the GRDA supervisor overseeing Oklahoma’s Scenic Rivers and associated public access areas, where he focuses on protecting natural resources while promoting safe, sustainable recreational opportunities. His work sits at the intersection of environmental stewardship, public service, and partnership-building. He collaborates closely with private landowners, tribal governments, and local and state agencies to manage river corridors, resolve access and land-use issues, and support long-term conservation goals. He values practical problem-solving, clear communication, and relationship-driven leadership—especially in complex environments where diverse interests meet. He is passionate about preserving Oklahoma’s scenic rivers for future generations while balancing ecological health, public access, and community needs.

Tom Waters, Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

Tom Waters is the Park Manager for the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA) with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. A Denver native and CSU graduate, Tom oversees the most visited river corridor in the state, managing everything from Class I-V whitewater to Colorado’s longest Gold Medal fishery. As an active boater and fly angler himself, Tom lives, works, and plays in Salida, where he is dedicated to the stewardship of the waters he personally enjoys.