Another employee from the Nantahala Outdoor Center has joined the staff of American Whitewater, a national advocacy group that works for paddling interests.

Mark Singleton, a long-time employee of NOC, became executive director of the organization last November. Last month, Singleton brought friend and former co-worker Craig Plocica on board with American Whitewater as the director of development. Singleton and Plocica both worked in marketing and sales at NOC. Both now work out of American Whitewater’s Asheville office.

Plocica said it is an exciting time in the world of advocacy for whitewater stewardship. He said it is fitting that paddlers with a WNC background are now leading the national whitewater organization. Thanks to American Whitewater’s work, paddlers will soon be able to enjoy new scheduled releases on the West Fork of the Tuckasegee River and the Cheoah River.

“As these resources add to the extensive whitewater this area has known for years, the paddling community will have even more opportunity to demonstrate river conservation and responsible access and safety on these wonderful natural resource,” Plocica said. “My job is Director of Development, and these types of examples are crucial in showing to our membership and supporters the value of our organization. I am excited to be a part of an organization with a mission like American Whitewater’s.”

In addition to his time at NOC, Plocica spent a year with the Colburn Earth Science Museum in Asheville as the marketing director. He was instrumental in re-branding the museum’s message and image to the Western North Carolina community.

“The combination of Craig’s experience within the paddling community and the non-profit sector make him an ideal member of the AW team,” Singleton said.

American Whitewater is a membership that works for paddling interests such as river conservation, whitewater releases and public access. In addition to lobbying and promoting all three paddle sports — kayaking, rafting and canoeing — American Whitewater keeps the paddling community connected through sanctioned competitions and races, whitewater events and festivals, and email news alerts and magazine publication.