Washington, DC: The boards of League of Conservation Voters and League of Conservation Voters Education Fund have named Pete Maysmith as the next President of both organizations, succeeding Gene Karpinski who announced he would be stepping down last September. Maysmith currently serves as the organizations’ Senior Vice President of Campaigns where he has overseen the largest electoral campaigns in the organization’s history.

“We are facing unprecedented challenges to our democracy and our environment and Pete Maysmith is the leader to meet this moment. Pete’s been part of LCV’s leadership since 2017, he’s driven our political and campaign operations, and he’s helped build LCV into the premier advocacy organization it is today,” said LCV Board Chair Carol M. Browner. “His selection as president ensures steady continuity and vision for a more powerful future that LCV needs at this tumultuous time. The LCV boards are confident we have found the leader for this critical time. While we will miss Gene’s leadership and wish him well, we are also excited about the next chapter for LCV.”

“LCV is a fantastic, smart, and powerful organization and I am so honored to succeed Gene Karpinski as President,” said Pete Maysmith. “The threats to our environment and democracy have never been more connected or more dire, and our nation’s biggest challenges – including the climate crisis – require political solutions. Together with our over 30 state affiliates in the broader Conservation Voter Movement, LCV is uniquely positioned to influence policy by working with and holding elected officials accountable, mobilizing, organizing, and building grassroots power in communities, and electing candidates who share our values. I can’t wait to get started.”

Pete Maysmith is the 7th president of the powerhouse advocacy organization League of Conservation Voters. He has been at the forefront of environmental leadership for over 30 years, fighting for clean air, clean water, protecting public lands, and a safe climate and environment for all. Pete developed, managed and raised hundreds of millions of dollars since 2017 as the Senior Vice President of Campaigns for LCV. In that role, Pete worked alongside his team conducting elections, advocacy and organizing programs, public opinion research and messaging strategy. Pete is a proud product of LCV’s unparalleled Conservation Voters Movement network of state affiliates and became the founding executive director of Conservation Colorado in 2009 where he oversaw a sevenfold increase in the organization’s budget and growth to more than 36,000 members. During his time at Conservation Colorado he also sat on the national board of LCV.  He graduated in 1991 from Duke University with a Public Policy degree and graduated with honors from the University of Denver school of law in 2008. When he’s not leading winning campaigns, you might find Pete running, riding his bike, cooking, reading, and spending time with his three amazing, red-haired daughters.

“I first started working with Pete 33 years ago, and he has been an incredibly successful leader at every step of his public interest career,” said Gene Karpinski. “In particular, over the past 16 years he has played a key role in building LCV and the larger Conservation Voter Movement into ever more powerful forces for change. I know he will take us to even greater heights in the years ahead, with his vision, his leadership, his commitment and his political acumen.”

“Pete and LCV have long understood the importance of partnering with unions,” said Roxanne Brown, International Steelworkers Vice President At-Large. “Together we know that the clean energy economy we are working for creates family-sustaining union jobs, lowers energy costs and makes our communities healthier and safer.”

“Pete is a fighter and he wants to win,” said Daria Dawson, Executive Director of America Votes. “He’s already overseen massive campaigns that have been the difference-maker in key elections. I look forward to working together even more to grow and engage voters and fight back to strengthen our democracy.”

“Pete understands that the work is often outside Washington, DC and he understands the critically important role states play in building political power and making progress on policy. I’m looking forward to working with him to have an impact on climate change in state legislatures and in the halls of Congress,” said Kerry Schumann, Executive Director of Wisconsin Conservation Voters. 

“Pete understands that people all across the country are deeply concerned about kitchen table issues, like lower energy costs, good paying jobs and drinking water free of toxic pollution,” said Lisa Wozniak, Executive Director of Michigan League of Conservation Voters. “With Pete at the helm, I am confident that LCV will meet people where they are and fight for their communities.”

Since 1970, LCV has grown into a potent political force for protecting our planet and everyone who inhabits it.  As part of the Conservation Voter Movement (CVM), LCV and our network of over 30 state LCVs work together to make change at all levels of government. Over the years, LCV’s strategy has grown into a sophisticated, multi-pronged approach involving influencing policy, working with and holding elected officials accountable, and making some of the biggest investments in elections up and down the ballot.

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