James Tresner named executive director at Wanakee

Dear Companions in Christ,

On behalf of the New England Conference, I am pleased to announce that James B. Tresner has been named executive director at Wanakee, our camp in Meredith, NH. James will begin his new role on Feb. 15, 2016.

James already has experience with camping and retreat ministries in New England; he has been involved at Wanakee since 1999 as a camper, staff member, and, most recently, as the volunteer director of Senior High Camp and member of the Operations Committee, where he helped Wanakee earn accreditation through the American Camp Association (ACA). He also served as a staffer at Camp Aldersgate in Rhode Island.

Most recently James, who lives in Somerville, MA, has been the development manager and brand steward at Year Up, a nonprofit that offers a one-year intensive training program for low-income young adults that provides a combination of hands-on skill development, college credits and corporate internships.

In his most recent role as a front-line fundraiser, James raised and stewarded over $500,000 in five months by cultivating and maintaining external partnerships. Prior to joining the development team, James was on Year Up's admissions and outreach team, where he designed admissions processes and developed innovative digital outreach tools.

From 2011 to 2013, James managed a school-based after school program, overseeing enrollment growth of 70 percent while building sustainable relationships with families, district staff, and other stakeholders.

I look forward to the gifts that James will bring to Wanakee and the New England Conference, especially in the areas of development, team leadership, familiarity and understanding of camping and ACA standards, and his passion and commitment to the Wanakee experience.

The Wanakee Board of Directors and I are confident that he will give excellent leadership in building congregational and community partnerships, and strengthening our camping program while administering a collaborative vision for expanding the mission and offering meaningful outdoor ministry in New England.

“As a former camper and staff member, and longtime volunteer, I have personally seen and experienced the fundamental ways that Wanakee can positively influence people from all backgrounds,” James said. “It is a uniquely joyful and caring community. There is no place that means more to me; the relationships formed at Wanakee provide a lifetime of support. I am eager to partner with families, the Wanakee Board of Directors, and the Conference to lead Wanakee towards a bright future.”

Asked where he sees Christian camping today, James responded: “(There is) an opportunity for camps to take on increased importance; to continue to be a source of support to churchgoers, and to be an inspiration to those without a faith home. It is possible to meet the needs of churches while also serving individuals from all backgrounds. Wanakee must remain a safe place for diverse people.”

James graduated magna cum laude from Middlebury College in Vermont with a BA in Environmental Studies/History and Music.

“Growing up in the Methodist Church, I am acutely aware of the significant ways in which the core theology of Methodism has shaped my values,” said the native of West Hartford, CT, who grew up attending the United Methodist Church of Hartford. “I am grateful to my parents and grandparents, whose lifelong commitments to the church and longtime commitments to Methodism are bedrock to our family.”

James takes over leadership of Wanakee from Michael Moore, who stepped down in September 2015 after 10 years as executive director.

Please join me in welcoming James to the New England Conference. I am confident I speak for the board when I say that we anticipate the 2016 camping season with excitement and look forward to the camp’s next chapter with James at the helm.

Connected in Christ,

Rev. Erica Robinson-Johnson
New England Conference Director of Connectional Ministries