Mike Pollock joins Lula Lake Land Trust as its new executive director
The Lula Lake Land Trust has tapped long-standing board member Michael Pollock to be its new executive director. Following an exhaustive national search dating back to November 2014, a transition committee of eight board members and community leaders chose Mr. Pollock to replace the outgoing director Katherine Eddins of the Georgia Land Trust who has served in the role for ten years.
Mr. Pollock served in a voluntary capacity as the project manager for Cloudland Connector Trail system since 2009, when the initial Long Branch section was nearly completed. He worked closely with three local foundations and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources leaders, helping to manage a team of Lula Lake staff while creating partnerships with the Southern Off Road Bicycle Association, the Friends of Cloudland Canyon State Park, Wild Trails, and Rock/Creek.
"Pollock is an avid outdoorsman with hobbies too numerous to mention," officials said.
Chairman of the Board Brad Cobb stated, “Although he (Pollock) would never admit it, without his leadership, we would not have one of Chattanooga’s most prized mountain biking areas, 5 Points. The trails there are nationally recognized, and now host our annual 5 Points 50 Mountain Bike Challenge during the River Rocks Festival.”
Answering questions about his readiness for this new position, Mr. Pollock says, “I’ve been an advocate of conservation and recreation on Lookout Mountain since I moved here in 1976 and been involved with Lula Lake dating back to 1997. As a teenager I learned to love the land while swimming, fishing, and exploring Lula Lake – I was once kidnapped there, but we’ll save that story for another day.”
Mr. Pollock began his career working for Rock/Creek and The Adventure Guild in 1992. He and two partners later purchased The Adventure Guild. The outdoor experiential education company was sold in 2004. He then founded RedPoint Management, a human resources development firm providing team development and performance coaching services. Mr. Pollock’s new role officially begins July 1.
“Connectivity is one our greatest allies”, Mr. Pollock stated, “The moment we began building the Cloudland Connector Trail, people to the north, south and east were contacting us to try to make connections to this trail system – and they will happen in time – but for now, I’m focused on relational development, maintenance and access to the core property, and building strong connections with all of our local conservation and recreation organizations. I want us (LLLT) to play a vital role in perpetuating Chattanooga’s number one ranking as Outside Magazine’s best outdoor town.”