Aquidneck Land Trust proudly announces the selection of its new Development Director, Laura Freedman Pedrick, who officially started on Monday, October 26th.

Laura joins Aquidneck Land Trust from the law firm of Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP, where she served as the Marketing Director since 2006. Prior to that, she spent 14 years at America House Communications in Newport as Vice President of Business Development. Throughout her career, Laura has translated her marketing acumen to successful stints in various diverse industry settings. Her educational background includes an MBA in International Marketing from the Thunderbird School of International Management in Glendale, Arizona, and a BA in French from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

As a resident of Newport, Laura is very active in the community. She is a past president and current board member of Touro Synagogue, on the Board of Governors at Newport Hospital, and on the Community Advisory Board of the United Way of Rhode Island. Laura served two terms on the Board of Trustees at St. George’s School and is a current member of its Religious Life Committee.

Laura’s proven commitment to public service and civic engagement, coupled with her professional expertise, makes her an exciting and ideal addition to our organization,” said ALT’s Executive Director, Chuck Allott. “Please join us in welcoming Laura to the Aquidneck Land Trust family!”

ALT’s time-sensitive mission is to conserve Aquidneck Island’s open spaces and natural character for the lasting benefit of our community. The organization has conserved 2519.49 acres on 73 properties across Aquidneck Island since its founding in 1990. ALT is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and the first land trust in Rhode Island to have received national accreditation.

Ryan Belmore is the Owner and Publisher of What'sUpNewp. Although not the founder or original owner, Belmore has been with What'sUpNewp since its early beginnings in 2012.

Belmore was born in Providence, Rhode Island; grew up and graduated high school in Coventry, Rhode Island; and lived in Newport, Rhode Island for more than ten years. He currently serves as Vice President of the Board Of Directors for Fort Adams Trust and on the Board of Directors for Potter League For Animals.

He and his wife, Jen, as well as their two dogs (Aero and June), recently moved to Alexandria, Virginia. Belmore travels back and forth to Newport every couple of weeks to cover events, work on story ideas, to meet with What'sUpNewp's on-the-ground contributors, to visit friends, and to eat as much seafood as possible.

Belmore is a member of Local Independent Online News Publishers, Society of Professional Journalists, and the North American Snowsports Journalists Association.