Galápagos Conservancy is pleased to welcome Hurdle H. “Trip” Lea III as its Board Chair beginning October 1 of this year.

A long-time advocate for conservation, education, and cleaner energy sources, Lea joined Galápagos Conservancy’s Board in 2019. He currently serves at the Managing Director of NuCapital Inc., a Curaçao-based renewable energy company that emphasizes origination, development, operation, and ownership of utility-scale wind farms in Central and South America and the Caribbean.

“Trip has been a stalwart champion of conservation and preservation in Galápagos for years,” said Hugo Mogollón, Galápagos Conservancy CEO and president. “And we are very excited for him to bring his energy and vision to the table as our Board Chair.”

A life-long entrepreneur in asset management, venture capital, mining, and clean energy, Lea has founded numerous companies over the years. He has also served on dozens of not-for-profit and corporate boards across the Caribbean basin and Latin America, working to bring sustainable and renewable energy development and technologies to areas where it is needed most.

 “Galápagos Conservancy is uniquely positioned to continue its 40-year history of leading and supporting science-backed conservation for the restoration, protection, and preservation of the archipelago,” Lea said. “I look forward to helping expand our reach, strengthen the resources behind our work, and build partnerships that help protect such an extraordinary place for decades to come.”

Lea also expressed his gratitude to the outgoing Chairman of Galápagos Conservancy, Dan Sherman, noting that “his steady hand, wisdom, and leadership have positioned the organization as one of the foremost advocates for the protection of one of Ecuador’s greatest national treasures.”

Lea began his career working as an officer, director, and partner of companies in the alternative assets arena, and managing assets across the venture capital, hedge fund, and private equity sectors. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance, Management and Meteorology from the University of North Carolina at Asheville.

The extraordinary beauty and biodiversity of Galápagos have long inspired him, beginning more than 40 years ago as his career took him deeper into Latin America and he began traveling to Ecuador. His longstanding commitment to conservation and sustainable solutions, coupled with his experience in finance and renewable energy, will help strengthen Galápagos Conservancy’s efforts as it expands it impact and advances conservation across the islands.