Rensselaer Land Trust's (RLT) Executive Director, John Middlebrooks has retired after four years of spearheading the organization. John had many accomplishments while working for RLT including doubling the amount of protected land holdings, both owned outright and those on which conservation easements are held; leading the organization through national accreditation; negotiating public fishing access and construction of a boat launch and parking area with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for a RLT property along the Hoosic River in Eagle Bridge, New York; working together with Garry Brown of Brown's Brewing to promote RLT's Tomhannock Reservoir conservation efforts through the development of Brown's Tomhannock Pilsner; assisting in an office move, name change and new logo.  Prior to joining RLT, John worked for thirty years for the New York State Office of Parks and Recreation and Historic Preservation.  He was RLT's first Executive Director and was pivotal in transforming RLT from a small all-volunteer organization to a staffed nationally accredited land trust.  John will continue to work with RLT as an advisor.  Rensselaer Land Trust thanks him for his efforts and wishes him well in the future.