Most of you already know Courtney, who has served as our Operations Manager for the past four years. Whether she’s leading group rides, coordinating volunteers, organizing trail projects, running kids camp, or crafting incredible cardboard creations for the 4th of July parade, Courtney has become a cornerstone of the SVT community.
With that in mind, her promotion to Executive Director is incredibly well deserved and marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for SVT. Her creativity, dedication, and positive energy will continue to shape and strengthen the Slate Valley in meaningful ways, and we couldn’t be happier to have her leading the charge.
Accomplishments as Operations Manager & Promotion to Operations Director
Courtney started out at the Operations Manager in 2022 and was promoted to Director of Operations in 2024, expanding her role to include the oversight of trail maintenance staff. Under her prior roles as SVT’s Operations Manager and Operations Director, Courtney has brought immense value to the organization:
Fundraising Stats (click for drop down stats)
Since 2022, Courtney has grown fundraising efforts and increased SVT’s overal revenue.
- Membership has grown by nearly 49%, increasing from 222 members in 2022 to 330 members in 2025.
- Business sponsorships have more than doubled, growing from 14 sponsors to 30 sponsors — a 114% increase.
- Annual giving has risen by approximately 67%, increasing from $22,666 to $37,786
- Fundraising event revenue has grown by nearly 48%, from $17,852 to more than $26,479.
Expansion of Youth Programming
- Led and expanded Youth Mountain Bike Camp to a week-long event
- Further expanded Youth Mountain Bike Camp to 4 separate, week-long offerings in July and August
- Brought on an Americorp, Youth Programming Coordinator to further expand youth programming
- Additional youth programs founded under Courtney’s leadership include:
Other Highlights: Grants, New Hires & Trail Completion
- Increased grant writing projects
- Development of additional staff: Professional Trail Crew and Communications & Events Coordinator
- Completion of the CCC Loop
Courtney’s Background Before SVT
Previous to her tenure with Slate Valley Trails, as an educator in Maryland, Courtney built community among diverse groups of people while instilling an enthusiasm for learning and a love of the outdoors. Growing up in a small town near Lake Erie, swimming, biking, soccer and snow sports were regular fixtures in Courtney’s life. After college she moved to Maryland to pursue a job and an advanced degree in Art Education, beginning a career as a K-12 educator and coach. Over time, bikepacking trips, marathon running, mountain biking and gravel riding became important fixtures in her life – eventually leading her to Slate Valley Trails and the Poultney area. Summer trips fostered a growing affinity for the Slate Valley community, and the ties deepened as she worked with youth and women’s mountain biking camps in Poultney and became a mentor in the Trailblazers youth program.
“SVT was one of the main reasons my husband and I wanted to make the town of Poultney our forever hometown. I have cherished my time on the trails and I can’t wait to continue to connect with the community and help grow SVT’s mission. This is a dream job come true.”
Courtney Behnken
