Leadership Transitions at Catawba Riverkeeper

October 13, 2025

John Searby Steps Down as Executive Director After 6 Years of Leadership

On Friday, our Board of Directors announced the resignation of our Executive Director, John Searby, and outlined the leadership transition plan to fill his role.

 

John has served as the joint Executive Director for both Catawba Riverkeeper and Daniel Stowe Conservancy over the past two years and will remain with Catawba Riverkeeper throughout the search process. Once our new leader is onboarded, John will transition to serve exclusively as Executive Director of Daniel Stowe Conservancy. 

 

We are grateful for John's leadership and for the organizational growth that he has fostered over the last 6 years. As we begin our search for a new executive director, we look forward to finding a leader who will champion Catawba Riverkeeper's mission, as John has done so well during his time with us.


In 2023, Catawba Riverkeeper began a partnership with Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden to develop synergies in programming and create new opportunities for both organizations. Over the past 2 ½ years, the staffs have worked together on various initiatives, shared resources, and frequently partnered on joint programs. Both organizations intend to continue their collaborative relationship moving forward, while each retains its own Executive Director. Although John will be transitioning to his new role as Executive Director at Daniel Stowe Conservancy, he will remain actively engaged with Catawba Riverkeeper. 


Catawba Riverkeeper is currently one of the ten largest riverkeeper organizations in the United States, boasting over 8,000 members across the 26 counties of North and South Carolina where the waters of the Catawba flow. Supported by a staff of 12 and a volunteer board of 22, the new Executive Director will be charged with advancing the organization’s mission to preserve, protect, and restore the waters of the Catawba-Wateree River Basin for all through education, advocacy, and engagement. 


Adam Ackerman, the Chair of our Board of Directors, shared that “We are confident that the opportunity to lead Catawba Riverkeeper is going to be attractive to many outstanding candidates. We are looking for someone to come in and not only continue the good work and growth that John and his team have accomplished over the past several years, but to expand our impact on clean water across the Catawba River basin.”  Adam also expressed his gratitude to John for his vision, dedication, and service to Catawba Riverkeeper. 


Individuals interested in applying for the Executive Director position should click here and complete the online application. A search committee made up of board and staff members will review applicants on a rolling basis and conduct interviews of selected candidates. 

We're Moving Our Headquarters!

February 5, 2026
We're excited to announce that we are relocating Catawba Riverkeeper's headquarters to Confluence South Fork, our community center taproom in downtown Cramerton , NC . Th is move follows four years of operating out of The River Room in McAdenville and reflects an organizational transition focused on aligning our facilities with Catawba Riverkeeper's mission and long-term sustainability . “Our two taprooms have served as creative and welcoming spaces for engaging the community and inviting more people into the work of protecting our local waterways,” said Wendy Cauthen, Retail Manager. “We are grateful for all the opportunities we’ve had to connect with people over a beer brewed with water from the Catawba-Wateree River basin while enjoying a view of McAdenville Lake at The River Room. While we’ll miss that space, we’re excited to be just a few minutes down the road at Confluence, where we can more fully integrate our mission into a single, dynamic community hub.” Confluence, known affectionately as a “taproom with a purpose,” reminds all visitors who step through the door that “good beer needs good water.” Visitors are greeted by the phrase prominently displayed next to a striking mural by local artist Heidi Nisbett, which illustrates both the beauty and geography of the Catawba–Wateree River basin. “With staff now working on-site at Confluence, we can more intentionally connect the art, music, and recreation people already love with mission-driven programming that highlights education and conversation surrounding water conservation,” said Executive Director Dr. Mo Drinkard. “Our mission has always been to preserve, protect, and restore the waters that millions of Carolinians depend on every day. This move allows us to streamline our efforts, deepen public engagement, and continue serving as a trusted, science-based voice for the river.” We are deeply grateful for our time at The River Room and for the support of the Town of McAdenville, Pharr Corporation, and the surrounding community. Now headquartered just minutes away in Cramerton, we look forward to continuing these and other partnerships across the entire 5,610-square-mile Catawba–Wateree River basin. We invite longtime supporters, Confluence regulars, and new visitors alike to stop by and say hello to staff following our February move.

2025 Year in Review

January 13, 2026
Reflecting on a year of growth and impact.

Catawba Riverkeeper Welcomes Dr. Mo Drinkard as New Executive Director

December 17, 2025
Catawba Riverkeeper is pleased to announce that Dr. Mo Drinkard has been hired as their new Executive Director. A standout among over 100 applicants, Mo was offered the position by the Catawba Riverkeeper Board of Directors search committee on Thursday, November 20th, and she assumed her role as leader of the organization on Monday, December 1st, 2025. Catawba Riverkeeper Brandon Jones, who participated on the search committee, shared that “Mo’s education, experience, and passion are directly aligned with the organization’s mission and needs. We are excited for her perspective and leadership in continuing the critical work of protecting our waters.” Mo is a mission-driven non-profit leader, professor, and scholar with a passion for building strong organizations, nurturing future leaders, and tackling big challenges in conservation, equity, and education. With over 20 years of experience spanning academia (Kent State University, Brevard College, Miami University), community partnerships, and environmental science, she's worn many hats: executive director, grant writer, program architect, DEIB strategist, faculty and student mentor, and not often enough, field biologist in muddy boots. Mo's work lives at the intersection of applied research and social change. She specializes in transforming great ideas into funded, functional, and impactful programs, whether that’s designing experiential learning curricula, guiding strategic organizational turnarounds, or helping community-based groups access the resources they need to thrive. From leading national workforce development initiatives to restoring urban watersheds (Doan Brook Watershed Partnership) and mentoring the next generation of environmental scientists, Mo brings an entrepreneurial spirit and deep subject matter expertise in biology, ecology, sustainability, and inclusion. Mo believes that science is for everyone, and that real change happens when we build spaces where all voices can lead. “I am honored and excited to offer leadership for the next chapter of Catawba Riverkeeper’s work. I believe deeply in the mission and am fully invested in the health and future of this watershed. I look forward to getting to work supporting the waterways, communities, and people that make up this expansive and impactful basin,” Dr. Drinkard said. Catawba Riverkeeper, currently one of the ten largest riverkeeper organizations in the United States, boasts over 8,000 members across the 26 counties of North and South Carolina where the waters of the Catawba flow. As the fifth Executive Director of the organization, Mo will bring new and innovative ways to advance the work of her predecessors and the mission of the organization in this new chapter of Catawba Riverkeeper’s leadership. Mo will be supported by 11 full-time staff and 22 volunteer board members to preserve, protect, and restore the Catawba River so that it sustains plentiful, clean water for generations to come.