My names Benjamin Gordon and I am both qualified and highly interested in the community lead position at Public Lands, Cville. I have experience in the outdoor retail industry since my first job at L.L. Bean when I was 18. At both L.L.Bean and REI I was able to actively participate in their respective community outreach/outdoor school departments. I was able to both create and execute instructing multiple classes to the general public in regards to various outdoor activities. additionally to working in the outdoor industry I am a active participant in it, at age 18 I did 76 consecutive days on the appalachian trail. I have since logged well over 300 night backpacking since then. Already in 2024 I have gone on six different trips and counting. I have also had the opportunity in my adult life to be a young business leader, working in my family real estate business, and would be able to transfer both my skills in the workplace and my skills and experience outside to create a more stable, professional and positive community program for public lands Charlottesville.