Chip Rice came to Friends of the Rappahannock in October of 2011 to fill the role of Programs Manager.   In that role Chip manages the Mobile RainScapes Program and the development and implementation of FORs Rappahannock Restore Corp.  The Restore Corp works to engage the community and FOR members in volunteer opportunities that restore and protect the river while building awareness around the connection between the health of the river and the health and vitality of our community.

Prior to joining FOR Chip was working with Virginia Commonwealth University’s Center for Environmental Studies as the Watershed Implementation Coordinator.  This position worked intimately with the Commonwealth’s Department of Conservation and Recreation coordinating interstate watershed partnership efforts in the Shenandoah, Big Sandy, Upper Tennessee and Chowan River Basins, watershed conservation roundtables in the York and Rappahannock rivers and with the development of the Chesapeake Bay Phase 1 and 2 TMDL.  Chip has also worked in local government in Colorado and with Ohio University’s Voinovich Center for Public Affairs developing community lead watershed projects in Southeast Ohio.

 Chip grew up splashing through the streams of the Appalachian foothills in Ohio and now enjoys doing the same thing with his wife and daughter in Virginia and was recently heard saying “Any day spent in or on the water of Virginia’s rivers is a good one”.  He received a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Kent State in 1991 and a Master’s degree in Geography from Ohio University in 1997.  Asked about his new position at FOR Chip said “while working with the State I had the opportunity to work with and witness the good work of this organization.  I was really impressed with not only the work FOR accomplished but the reputation and standing the organization held in the community.  When a chance to work with FOR came about there was no way I was going to let it pass without giving it my best shot.  It really is a special place”.