Andrew Alli is a Richmond native with a deep love for the outdoors. He is a VCU graduate with a bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies. He has been working with the City of Richmond Department of Parks and Recreation where he is the current Trails and Greenways Superintendent. When he is not working, he can be found enjoying the Richmond trails and touring as a professional blues harmonica player.

Tim Barry is a Richmond musician, explorer, wanderer, traveler, and James River enthusiast.

Ana Edwards is a public historian and assistant professor in VCU's Department of African American Studies. As founding chair of the Defenders' Sacred Ground Historical Reclamation Project (2004), and in collaboration with other community organizations, she contributed to the popularization of Gabriel's Rebellion, reclamation of Richmond's first municipal African Burial Ground and helped lead the community campaign to establish a Memorial Park in Shockoe Bottom–a 10-acre area that was central to the city's role as the epicenter of the US domestic slave trade.

Giles Garrison is the Superintendent of James River Park System, a City of Richmond park division, comprised of over 600 acres of urban trail, natural wetlands, historic works of civic architecture, and native inhabitants including osprey, bald eagle, sturgeon, and longnose gar to name a few. Previous to this role, Giles served as the City of Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities workforce development program supervisor and community engagement liaison. Before joining the City, she was the director of Groundwork RVA, a nonprofit dedicated to helping teens develop the skills to make positive changes to green spaces in their communities. A Richmonder from the beginning, Giles attended Governor's School and Williams College and received a Masters of Urban and Regional Planning at Virginia Commonwealth University. She is thrilled to be raising her one year old within a short walk of JRPS with her husband Evan.

Joey Parent was born and raised in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. He started exploring rivers and trails on an old BMX bike that his father pulled out of a dumpster and a hand-me-down canoe that his mother gave him. Since then, the gear has gotten nicer and the trips have gotten longer, but a yearning to explore has remained the same. A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University's Photography and Film Department (2005), Joey currently directs the Outdoor Adventure Program at VCU where he hopes to inspire others to live their own adventures.

About Tricia, in her own words: "The James River Park and the James River and its banks have been a part of my Richmond life from the time I moved here in the late 1960s. We'd explore along the river in the Park, and I'd take my kids snorkeling and swimming in the River. Later, I guided river camps for kids, and led history hikes for all ages along the river. I now serve on the Historic Falls of the James Scenic River Advisory Committee and the Board of the James River Outdoor Coalition.

As I approach my 8th decade, I remember when we excitedly explored by few, if any, paths, discovered and marveled at all James River Park natural lands and animals. Now I'm advocating furiously to protect the degradation of biomass and loss of habitat caused by too many paths or trails and over use. The river and the JRP park are RVA and must remain a priority in protection management and funding. I only hope tomorrow's children get to experience the JRP as we have. Now retired, I have been an experiential education teacher and administrator at St. Catherine's School, an adult ESL teacher at Richmond Public Schools, and a kayak and backpack instructor with Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation.

In addition to being a Board Member for the Friends of James River Park, Greg Velzy is the longest serving Board Member of the James River Outdoor Coalition, Chair of the Falls of the James Scenic River Advisory Committee, and Council Member of the James River Advisory Council. Why is he so busy? Because his 50 years in Richmond have made him fall in love with the river and our Park.