Career conversation with alumni Rich Cochran '91, P'20, Western Reserve Conservancy, President and CEO

In 1996 Rich became the first employee and the executive director of a small land trust that was called Chagrin River Land Conservancy. As a result of mergers among 13 land conservation organizations, today the organization has grown to serve 18 counties in northern and eastern Ohio, and operates under the name Western Reserve Land Conservancy (“the Land Conservancy”). The Land Conservancy employs about 45 people, operates several field offices in addition to its headquarters, has established more than 40 county land banks in Ohio, has created more than 140 public parks and preserves, and has preserved 625 properties totaling 50,000 acres in its history.