Leadership
Staff and Board of Directors
Staff
Eddie Gill IV
Eddie Gill IV is a passionate environmental advocate, lifelong outdoorsman, and champion for diversity in the outdoor community. Eddie holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and a master’s in Non-Profit Management from Grace College.
Throughout college, Eddie worked at the Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams, gaining experience in research, education, and aquarium management. He also played basketball, helping his team reach the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight in his final two years. Additionally, he previously served as an orangutan keeper at the Indianapolis Zoo. Eddie’s professional journey with Friends of the White River (FOWR) began as an intern and has led to roles as Development Manager, Director of Outdoor Education, and currently, Interim Executive Director.
Eddie founded Journey for a Cause, a project dedicated to raising awareness in diverse communities about the benefits of the outdoors. In 2021, he completed a 10-day boat journey from Indiana and Florida to promote the benefits of the outdoors and industry inclusivity.
In April 2023, Eddie and his girlfriend, Kylie, welcomed their first child. He continues to inspire others to explore nature and promote inclusivity in outdoor spaces.
Board of Directors
Keith Cruz , President
Current Board President. Civil engineering site designer. Bicycle, canoe, and fishing enthusiast. Volunteer with River School and passionate about cleanups/invasive plant removal along waterways.
Lisa Milton , Vice President
Lisa currently serves as the Director of Natural Resources for Newfields and previously worked as the Assistant Operations and Property Manager for White River State Park. Lisa resides in Ravenswood near the White River and is passionate about making the river a safe space for human recreation and protected habitat for native plants and wildlife through community education, civic action, and sustainable management. Lisa serves on the Tactical Advisory Board for Frank’s Paddle Sports Livery and works with a number of other conservation groups on initiatives involving invasive species removal, native plant establishment, water conservation, and waste management.
Jason DeArman , Secretary
Board Secretary. Owner of DeArman Property Group powered by Compass, Owner/Guide at Two Forks Guide Service, and GACC Board Member. Husband to Kara and Father to Avery and Charlie DeArman. Lover of all things White River, especially the Smallmouth Bass.
Cathy Hurt , Treasurer
Treasurer since 2015, Certified Public Accountant. Has lived on the White River for 35 years. Assistant Office Manager for the Indianapolis Public Library Foundation. Former auditor for the State Board of Accounts; past Clerk/Treasurer for the town of Rocky Ripple.
Andrew Churchill , Assistant Treasurer
Andrew serves as the Assistant Treasurer for the Friends of the White River Board. He has been a director since 2023, Owner, JRA Architecture, LLC
Daniel Woody , Marketing Chair
Daniel is a commercial photographer, with a focus on documenting experiences in the outdoors, and he also works in social media management. Daniel is passionate about promoting outdoor recreation, and you can regularly find him kayaking & fly fishing on the White River near his home in Indianapolis. Since joining the FOWR Board of Directors in 2023, Daniel has worked tirelessly to document the mission-critical work that FOWR does along the White River and its tributaries, as well as manage FOWR’s social media presence.
Andrew Lang , Governance Chair
A board member since 2024, Andrew chairs the Governance Committee. Andrew is a local lawyer who has lived on the White River since relocating to Indianapolis a decade ago. Andrew previously served as a naturalist for an environmental education non-profit and enjoys sharing his passion for activities that get him outside and connected to the natural world.
Jonathan Smith , Partnership Development Chair
Jonathan is an award-winning landscape architect with nearly 20 years of experience leading design and planning efforts across the Midwest, from regional master plans to intimate gardens. As Partnership Development Chair, he works with municipal, state, and AHJ agencies, as well as organizations focused on water resource advocacy, to foster meaningful collaborations. Through his role at J2 Design Studio, Jonathan champions creative, site-specific, and purposeful solutions that enhance communities, protect natural resources, and improve quality of life. As a landscape architect, he is passionate about preserving and restoring natural resources like the White River, recognizing their vital role in both ecological health and community well-being.
Jenny Cash
more coming soon
Chris Corr
more coming soon
Alec Gray
Alec is the Director of Marketing and Communications for White River State Park, which welcomes millions of people each year. He did a paddle with Friends of the White River his first week on the job and has been focused on finding ways to make the river more accessible for visitors and residents ever since.
Heather Barnes
Board Member since 2023, Heather loves conservation, clean water and comedy. She has worked as a director at both the John G. Shedd Aquarium and at the Museum of Science and Industry to transform communication, culture, and methods of engaging audiences. She currently teaches executive presentation skills at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, and is the founder of Improv @ Work, LLC.