Meet the Crew: Gerry Seavo James & Jens Sutmoller, new board members

We're excited to introduce our two newest board members, both of whom already have longstanding connections to the Crew!

Gerry Seavo James joins the board after having contributed to the Ohio River Paddlefest race planning team for several years. He currently serves as deputy campaign director for the Sierra Club's Outdoors For All Campaign, where he works on a team focused on securing federal legislative and administrative opportunities that accelerate outdoor access and equity across the U.S.

He is also the founder of Outdoor Recreation Design Lab, a creative think tank focused on inclusive outdoor environments, helping all people be active, preservation of biodiversity and just transition for rural communities.

Gerry is a certified American Canoe Association (ACA) instructor in various disciplines, and he co-founded the ACA's DEI working group that kickstarted the organization's inclusion efforts. Gerry earned a bachelor of science in mass communications from Campbellsville University. A Kentucky resident, he is also an Air Force veteran, social artist and photojournalist.

Jens Sutmoller is returning to the board for another term after a hiatus. He has more than 15 years of experience in government, nonprofit, political and issue campaigns. He has managed public affair and levy campaigns for dozens of public school districts, career centers, hospitals, mental health boards, zoos and other institutions throughout Ohio. His company, JS Strategies offers a full range of advocacy and campaign expertise to organizations and companies.

Jens attended Miami University, where he was student body president. He's raising his two boys, Augie and Hugo, in Cincinnati.

Welcome to the board, Gerry and Jens!