Catalina Island Conservancy president set to retire

CATALINA ISLAND — Ann Muscat, president and CEO of the Catalina Island Conservancy, announced she will retire at the end of 2016 to provide the nonprofit organization time to find her replacement and the successor to become oriented to the new position.

When she retires, Muscat, 62, will have served as the Conservancy’s president and CEO for 13.5 years – longer than anyone other than the organization’s first president and CEO, Doug Propst.

“I’ve had the great pleasure of working with some of the most dedicated staff and members of the community that care deeply about Catalina Island. I am proud that together we have accomplished great things for conservation, education and nature-based recreation on Catalina,” Muscat said. “I’m looking forward to joining my husband, Jack, in retirement so that we can pursue our travel plans and other goals, which will, of course, continue to include work in support of the Conservancy and Catalina Island.”

Muscat leaves behind a long list of achievements, such as creating a new strategic vision for the future of the Conservancy. Under her tenure, the Conservancy improved the ecological health of the island, increased public access to the natural resources of Catalina and expanded the financial and humans resources needs to protect and restore Catalina’s wildlands.

John Cotton, chairman of the Catalina Island Conservancy Board of Directors, said: “Ann is a great leader and isn’t afraid to push for the things she believes in and that are right for the Conservancy. Rarely do you see that kind of conviction and leadership. While we’ll miss her, I respect her decision to enjoy retirement and greatly appreciate her providing the next 18 months to finish some projects and assist us with a smooth transition. I’m confident Ann will always be a resource for the Conservancy and help us on key projects from time-to-time in the future.”

Muscat will be working with the Conservancy’s Board of Directors as it launches its search for a new president and CEO.