Our Staff
Thomas Baxter IV, President
As Alliance president, Thomas Baxter is responsible for implementing the 9/11 Trail vision, which includes completing remaining sections of the 1,300-mile September 11th National Memorial Trail. Baxter works with public and private stakeholders and partnering organizations, to make sure the 911 NMT moves forward smoothly, duties include community outreach engagement with elected and municipal leaders within the multi state network.
Prior to joining the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance in 2018, Baxter spent 14 years as executive director of Friends of the Riverfront, where he focused on the continued development, planning and construction of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail in the Pittsburgh region. His experience includes several successive positions with Fayette County Redevelopment Authority, Riverlife Taskforce, Allegheny Conference and Carnegie Mellon University, focusing on public trail access as a means of economic development and community connectivity.
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Prior to joining the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance in 2018, Baxter spent 14 years as executive director of Friends of the Riverfront, where he focused on the continued development, planning and construction of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail in the Pittsburgh region. His experience includes several successive positions with Fayette County Redevelopment Authority, Riverlife Taskforce, Allegheny Conference and Carnegie Mellon University, focusing on public trail access as a means of economic development and community connectivity.
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Amy Valenty, Bookkeeper
Amy Valenty joined the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance in 2017. She has focused her accounting career on nonprofit organizations. Although each organization's mission is slightly different, they all have worked toward bettering the local community. Valenty enjoys supporting the mission and focus of the dedicated volunteers, board and staff as they work diligently to establish a system of trails, which connect these important memorial sites. In addition, she is very involved with local scout groups and uses those opportunities to pass along a love for the outdoors and a clean environment.
William Prince, Development Director
William (Will) Prince has over a decade of experience in non-profit management with a focus on historic preservation and community development. Prince served two years of national service through both AmeriCorps and the Student Conservation Association (SCA). From his work with the SCA, he went on to manage and expand the nation's first Trail Town Program connecting outdoor recreation and economic development along the Great Allegheny Passage and connecting trails.
He continued working in Main Street revitalization roles with the Allentown neighborhood of Pittsburgh, the City of Washington, PA, and ongoing volunteer efforts in his hometown of Elizabeth, PA and surrounding Monongahela River Valley communities.
Prince holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pittsburgh and a Masters of Preservation Studies from Tulane University and is currently based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
He continued working in Main Street revitalization roles with the Allentown neighborhood of Pittsburgh, the City of Washington, PA, and ongoing volunteer efforts in his hometown of Elizabeth, PA and surrounding Monongahela River Valley communities.
Prince holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pittsburgh and a Masters of Preservation Studies from Tulane University and is currently based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Jeffery McCauley, Director of Trail Development
Jeffrey S. McCauley, residing in Pittsburgh, PA a graduate of Duquesne University with a Master's Degree in Environmental Science and Management in 2012. McCauley has been engaged in the nonprofit sector for over eight years in the Pittsburgh region including, Friends of the Riverfront and Hollow Oak Land Trust. He has managed trail development and stewardship projects throughout the Pittsburgh region and endeavors to bring his skill set to the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance to help them develop this crucial Trail in remembrance of September 11th. McCauley’s passions include volunteer work, outdoor recreation such as biking, hiking, and hosting backyard barbecues with his friends.
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Leanne Janowski, Communications Director
Leanne Janowski joined the Alliance in May 2020 after graduating from Virginia Tech, where she studied public relations. While taking rigorous communication classes geared towards sharpening writing techniques and PR practices, Janowski was also an active member of the women’s club lacrosse team and the Public Relations Student Society of America.
Last summer she interned for Wolf Trap, the National Park for Performing Arts, which provided her with additional experience with nonprofit organizations and the NPS. In her free time, you can find her outdoors either playing with her corgi, biking, or playing tennis. Inspired by nonprofits and mission-oriented organizations, Janowski is beyond excited to work with the Memorial Trial Alliance.
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Last summer she interned for Wolf Trap, the National Park for Performing Arts, which provided her with additional experience with nonprofit organizations and the NPS. In her free time, you can find her outdoors either playing with her corgi, biking, or playing tennis. Inspired by nonprofits and mission-oriented organizations, Janowski is beyond excited to work with the Memorial Trial Alliance.
Write to Leanne