Meet the Yosemite Conservancy Team:
A Conversation with President and CEO Cassius M. Cash
You could say that service is in Cassius M. Cash’s blood. He grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, the son of a police officer and a hair stylist who made hair pieces for cancer patients. Originally, he thought he’d become a doctor but fell in love with the outdoors as a Boy Scout and traded the dream of a white physician’s coat to become a wildlife biologist in the Pacific Northwest, putting on the green coat of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Interior. Here, he served for more than 30 years before deciding to don a new coat — a business coat — as Yosemite Conservancy’s new President and CEO.
Now based in San Francisco, Cash is eager to spend more time in Yosemite National Park, explore local Bay Area hiking trails, and continue his work in advocating for the protection of public lands and inspiring the next generation of outdoor stewards.
A Q&A with Cassius M. Cash!
If I had to explain my job to a stranger … I’d say my job is to inspire the thousands of outdoor enthusiasts (and future ones) to be part of something that is bigger than themselves and that is to protect, by investing in Yosemite National Park for future generations. By investing our resources — regardless of the amount — in this magnificent resource today not only shows that we love it while we are here, but sends a message, of love for this place, to our future after we are gone.
My favorite part about my job is … that I don’t have to convince people about why Yosemite is important to protect; I just have to inspire. And hopefully by sharing what has inspired me — a city boy from Memphis, who is now part of a wonderful nonprofit organization that facilitates protecting a major National Park like Yosemite — will serve as an “on ramp” for others to join us.
Something people are surprised to learn about me … I played trumpet for more than 15 years and went to college on a full-ride music scholarship. I also played trumpet in the State of Tennessee Governor’s Orchestra. But when it comes to what I listen to around the house — smooth jazz is my favorite!
Where I spend my days … After I get settled into San Francisco, I look forward to spending a lot of my time in Yosemite. I feel that it is important for me to deepen my relationship through my own individual experiences. I am of the belief that hiking throughout national parks is not only good for you physically, but it is also good for the soul! I always tell people that when I hike “I always come out better than when I went in.”
I’m inspired by … having the privilege to utilize my own inspiration to create a wider coalition of diverse stakeholders, businesses, and corporations that have a relationship with Yosemite National Park! You see — when you have a relationship with something that creates an emotional connection. Once you have an emotional connection, that turns into your values. And our values . . . well, that is what we all protect. And to have the job of supporting the National Park Service to protect Yosemite National Park — if that does not inspire you, I do not know what would.
