Staff

Ken Grudens - Executive Director
As Executive Director of the Indian River Land Trust, Ken works closely with the Board of Directors to develop and implement a variety of programs which protect farmland and conserve the natural resources and special places of Indian River County. Ken has a Master's Degree in Landscape Architecture from the State College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, New York and a Bachelor's Degree in Architecture from the University of Buffalo. Prior to joining IRLT in 2004, Ken was the Program Manager for the Farmland Protection Program for the Department of Agriculture and Markets in Albany, New York. Before accepting that position, he was Director of Land Protection for the Columbia Land Conservancy in Chatham, New York where he negotiated numerous conservation easements and managed several projects and conservation areas. Currently, Ken is the Vice President of the Florida Land Trust Alliance, is on the Board of Sustainable Treasure Coast, Inc. and is a member of the Indian River County Conservation Lands Advisory Committee.

Ralph Monticello - Land Protection Manager
Through the generosity of the Elizabeth Ordway Dunn Foundation, Ralph joined our staff in Spring 2007 as our highly experienced Land Protection Manager. Ralph was previously Project Manager for Palm Beach County's $250 million environmental and agricultural land acquisition program. Prior to moving to Florida, Ralph, an economist by training, was the Conservation Easement Manager at the Trustees of Reservations, a well regarded land trust in Massachusetts. He earned his Master's Degree in Economics from the University of Vermont and a Bachelor's Degree in Business and Economics from Hofstra University.

Kelley Williams - Director of Development
Kelley joined the Land Trust in January 2010. She graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in marketing and most recently worked for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County as the Director of Marketing & Special Events. With experience in marketing, public relations, events and capital campaign management, Kelley will assist IRLT in its fundraising and outreach efforts and raise awareness of our important land protection projects. Currently, Kelley serves on the Board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals as Secretary and Governance Committee Chair and is the 2010 National Philanthropy Day Co-Chair.

Lois Fay - Database Analyst
A Baltimore native, Lois moved to Sebastian Florida in 2007, seeking a simpler life, warmer weather and expanded offshore fishing opportunities. With 30 years of administrative experience in the Baltimore-Washington corridor (11 years directly in the non-profit sector), Lois brings a solid base of skills to the Land Trust, ensuring accuracy and organization in database functions.

Dana McDougall - Administrative Assistant
Dana joined IRLT in November 2007 as our Administrative Assistant. Dana, a Vero Beach native and graduate of Vero Beach High School, has several years of professional experience in the administrative field. In addition to managing the day to day office operations, Dana maintains our extensive Raiser's Edge database and provides invaluable board and membership support.