President's Trailhead February 2026 - Wayne Gross

Dear Hiker and Trail Enthusiast,

I hope you have been enjoying hikes in the snow and cold this winter.

February brings change here at KTA. This month, we wish our Executive Director,  Brook Lenker, a fond farewell as he retires at the end of February. We wish him well as he pursues some hobbies and his writing. During his tenure, the KTA staff has grown from two to six very talented employees. He has been instrumental in obtaining many grants and sponsorships for our programs and mission, including four DCNR grants. He has built partnerships across many areas and organizations, putting KTA at the forefront of many initiatives. Personally, I have enjoyed our three years of weekly Thursday calls as we navigated many of the hurdles that have arisen for KTA along the way, and I count him as a friend. Happy trails, Brook!

We welcome Holly Smith as our new Executive Director. She officially starts on February 17. Following a review of almost four score resumes, virtual interviews, and in-person interviews by the Executive Director Search Committee, the Committee made its final recommendation to the Board of Directors. I want to give Karen Lutz a special shout-out for chairing this Committee and for all the efforts of the Committee members.

The second half of February will be a time of transition as Holly steps in to fill the big "hiking boots" that Brook has made for KTA over the last almost five years. 

Holly grew up outside Pittsburgh and earned her BS in environmental education and her MS in geoenvironmental studies from Shippensburg University. She was an environmental educator and program coordinator with Audubon, a Master Watershed Steward Coordinator with Penn State Extension, a program manager, and then a director at the Center for Land Use and Sustainability at Shippensburg University. She resides in Carlisle with her family. The Board of Directors, KTA members, and staff are excited to welcome Holly to the helm of KTA as we continue on the next leg of KTA's adventure and mission to provide, protect, preserve, and promote recreational hiking trails and hiking opportunities in Pennsylvania.

Through the efforts of the Scott Farm Master Planning Committee and KTA's consultants over the last several years, it appears that 2026 will bring significant action and progress toward the Scott Farm becoming closer to becoming KTA's headquarters. The Scott Farm Master Plan is being finalized and will be available for viewing at the KTA Spring Hiking Weekend. I hope this raises more excitement for this special project. The Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation successfully assisted KTA in obtaining a Local Share Account (LSA) grant toward the preparation of construction plans and bid documents for the farmhouse remodelling and sitework. The next big step is fundraising for the actual remodelling and construction of the farmhouse to become KTA's offices and the visitors' center.

Of course, we have a full lineup of Trail Care events, hikes, slack packs, excursions, podcasts, webinars, club support, advocacy, and training events for this year. These are exciting times for KTA. Ask a friend to join us on the "journey" this year.

My hat's off to Brook, our staff, Board members, and Committees for the many efforts they have made in making KTA what it is today.  

Pull out those maps, or better yet, purchase one of the many trail guidebooks available through KTA to plan your hikes for 2026 in order to earn one of the many hiking awards this year. We had numerous hiking awards at our recognition in 2025. All but one award was presented. We even had two teenagers earn the new Teen Hiker Award. Check out our website for the details regarding each hiking award. In addition, throughout the coming year, please consider your fellow hikers and clubs to be nominated for Certificates of Achievement, KTA Leave No Trace Award, Volunteer of the Year, Club of the Year, and the KTA Citation Award for Lifetime Achievement. You can also plan to take on a 100-Mile Trail Challenge during the year.

See you at the trailhead and on the trail.

For the trails and those who wander on them!

Thanks
Wayne E. Gross
President, Board of Directors 
Keystone Trails Association
The Statewide voice of Pennsylvania Hikers