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Streams & Valleys’ Stacey Pierce announced Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, she has stepped down as the nonprofit organization’s executive director. She will start as the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce’s vice president of investor relations Oct. 28. (Courtesy photo | Stacey Pierce)
” data-medium-file=”https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Stacey-Pierce.-SV-e1728506749510.jpg?fit=282%2C300&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Stacey-Pierce.-SV-e1728506749510.jpg?fit=780%2C829&ssl=1″ tabindex=”0″ role=”button”>After 11 years of service, Streams & Valleys’ Stacey Pierce is stepping down as the nonprofit organization’s executive director to move into a new position with the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. “As you can imagine, this is a huge change for me personally and certainly bittersweet,” Pierce wrote in an Oct. 4 email announcing her departure. “I’m thrilled with the new opportunity but will be leaving a big part of my heart on the Trinity River & Trails with all of you.”Her last day with Streams & Valleys was Friday. She will begin her new role as the chamber’s vice president of investor relations Oct. 28. “I’m super excited about being able to continue to do the things I love for Fort Worth as a whole,” Pierce told the Report. Founded in 1969 by a group of philanthropists and concerned residents, Streams & Valleys has served as the lead fundraiser for trail and river improvements and has hosted one of Fort Worth’s most popular festivals, Mayfest, since 1973. The group frequently works alongside the Tarrant Regional Water District and Fort Worth’s parks and recreation department to improve access to the river. Streams & Valleys was also among the organizations that funded a new road map for riverwalk development on Panther Island, the island that will be created through the $1.16 billion “Central City” flood control project between downtown Fort Worth and the Northside neighborhood. Pierce praised Streams & Valleys and its partners for their work on a new master plan for the Trinity River, which focused on projects like the envisioned Bomber Spur Trail and enhancements to the Trinity Trails. The organization also launched a membership program, Friends of the Trinity River, to boost financial and community engagement with the river. “These are not my accomplishments; it’s our team’s,” Pierce said. “It’s been such a fulfilling group effort.”As for the chamber, it looks forward to Pierce’s contributions. “I’m super excited about her joining our team,” said Steve Montgomery, the chamber’s CEO and president. “She has this passion and unwavering dedication to the success of our city and I just think she’s going to be an amazing, invaluable addition to our team.”As vice president of investor relations, Pierce will be focused on leading the chamber’s membership team, overseeing recruitment and retention of members at all levels, according to Montgomery. Following her departure, Pierce said the nonprofit’s executive committee is organizing a strategic planning group to consider Streams & Valleys’ next steps for finding a new executive director. “[Pierce’s] passion for our mission to advocate for the Trinity River is evident in every project and initiative. As she steps down, we sincerely express our deepest thanks for her contributions to our community and our river,” said Jennifer Harnish, chair for Streams & Valleys. “We congratulate Stacey on her new role with the Fort Worth Chamber. She will bring her signature enthusiasm to their organization and we wish her only the best.”Pierce’s career in Fort Worth includes tenures with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, the Fort Worth Zoo, Downtown Fort Worth Inc., and All Saints’ Episcopal School before being named the executive director for Streams & Valleys in 2013. Nicole Lopez is the environmental reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at nicole.lopez@fortworthreport.org. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.