Meet the Staff

A staff of seven people bring their experience, expertise, and enthusiasm to the challenge of building a 550+-mile trail around the Bay on the ridge lines. They help focus and leverage the efforts of a committed group of volunteers. 

Janet McBride, Executive Director

In October 2006 Janet joined the Council, bringing over 20 years of experience in urban and environmental planning and policy. Previously she served as Director of the San Francisco Bay Trail Project (1998-2004) and Planning Director of the Association of Bay Area Governments (2004-2006). 

As Executive Director, she oversees all aspects of the Council's efforts including advocacy, funding, financial management, grant review, and planning, building and maintaining Ridge Trail segments. 

Janet has worked extensively with public agencies and districts, elected officials, developers and advocates to advance long-distance multi-use trails. She was instrumental in developing the competitive grant program now offered collaboratively by the Ridge Trail and the Coastal Conservancy. The program was specifically structured to target high priority segments and critical "gaps," to leverage State funds with matching contributions, and to foster new partnerships and creative design solutions. 

Janet is an avid hiker and enjoys both up- and down- hill sections, and has a particular affinity for trails that afford Bay views. She also enjoys kayaking and travel. 

Janet earned a BS in Environmental Policy and Analysis Planning from the University of California, Davis, and a Masters in Urban Planning from the University of Illinois, Chicago. 

 

John Aranson, Trail Steward

 John brings a lifelong passion for the outdoors and trails to his work building and maintaining the Ridge Trail. He grew up in the shadow of Mt. Tam, and his first job after graduating from high school was as Park Aide for Mt. Tamalpais State Park, where he learned the basics of trail maintenance and repair, built bridges, and constructed new trail. 

During summer breaks from college, he worked at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in its Youth Conservation Corps Program in the Marin Headlands. After college, John helped found the Marin Conservation Corps, where he worked for five years, and then in a similar position in the East Bay. He also worked for fifteen years as a Trail Supervisor for Marin Open Space District, where he learned how to build trail with mechanized equipment and built nearly twenty miles of new trail. John's "biggest joy is when you see a smile on someone's face after they walked on trail that you have designed and built." 

John enjoys cycling, skiing, rowing, and coaching Little League baseball. 

He is a graduate of Humboldt State University, with a degree in Natural Resource Management. 

 

Martha Benioff, Office Manager

Since 2001 Martha has served as administrative staff for the Council, with responsibilities that include bookkeeping, the membership database, and computer and other technical support. Before coming to the Council, Martha worked ten years in a similarly varied position at Save-the-Redwoods League. 

She is an enthusiastic hiker who particularly enjoys being able to walk from her front door in downtown San Francisco to the Ridge Trail in San Francisco and southern Marin counties. She also has served on the board of the League of Women Voters of San Francisco and is a member of the Hooker Alley Community Garden. 

Martha has a BA in Mathematics from Revelle College, University of California at San Diego, and a MS in Mathematics from the University of Chicago. 

Joel Gartland, Volunteer Coordinator

A long time Ridge Trail member and volunteer, and a Council Board Director from 1999 to 2007, Joel joined the staff as our Volunteer Coordinator in February 2007. A hiker and cyclist, he brings enthusiasm and indepth knowledge of the Ridge Trail to this part-time position. His goal is to increase volunteer participation in completing the trail, including outings, work days, and advocacy as well as special events. 

Dena Justice, Development and Outreach Associate

Dena joined the Council in December 2008 with many years of experience in parks and recreation. As Development & Outreach Associate, Dena coordinates member and donor support, communications, and events, as well as a variety of special projects.

Dena is a proud native of Colorado. She grew up in the foothills of the Denver Metro area with trails in her backyard and developed a passion for the outdoors. This passion led her to earn a BA in Leisure Studies from Metropolitan State College of Denver in Colorado. In 2008, she earned a Master of Public Administration from North Carolina State University in Raleigh and is finishing up a thesis for a second Master of Natural Resources Outdoor Recreation. 

Dena is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional by the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA). She has been actively involved with NRPA since 2005, serving on the Student Branch Board of Directors as well as the National Forum. Her experience with NRPA includes lobbying for national policies that promote health through physical activity, reconnect children with nature, and protect open space for recreation. 

For leisure, she enjoys spending time with her partner, Kevin, including: indulging in the ethnic restaurants around the Bay, hiking, camping, backpacking, scuba diving, skiing, reading, and traveling.