Adams Chapter of Trout Unlimited Elects First Female President

Elizabeth Petrella McKellar takes the helm

By Lynda Wheatley | Jan. 29, 2022

The Adams Chapter of Trout Unlimited this month elected the first female president in its history. Elizabeth Petrella McKellar — a dedicated trout fisher, community volunteer, and conservationist — is the first woman president.

“The chapter has been working hard to expand our membership base. Liz is going to bring a new perspective to the organization,” says Cory Golden, past president of the chapter. “Electing Liz to the position of president not only will help Liz in her support of our organization but also will positively impact our organization’s ability to appeal to a wider audience of potential members.” 

McKellar, who serves as chief of staff for Traverse Connect, has been a resident of Grand Traverse County for 37 years. She lives on the Boardman-Ottaway River with her husband. The Adams Chapter district includes the Boardman, Betsie, and Platte Rivers. It was chartered in 1996 by 26 concerned locals who shared a common goal: conserving, protecting, and restoring the region’s local cold-water resources. Today, the chapter exceeds 400 members.

Trout Unlimited itself was founded in 1955 on the banks of the Au Sable River in Northern Michigan. It grew out of discontent with the state’s practice of stocking Michigan waters with hatchery fish. The early group started an effort to improve the state’s river system to ensure wild and native trout populations were allowed to thrive, as nature intended. TU keeps to the tenants of the founders. To learn more, see tu.org.