Upper White River Foundation CEO to retire

Branson-based Upper White River Foundation announced in a Sept. 9 news release that its President and CEO John Moore will retire at the end of September. David Casaletto, former director of Table Rock Lake Water Quality Inc. will take the reins following Moore's departure.

Moore held the position for more than three years, the release said.

Though Moore is retiring, he will still be active on the foundation's board of trustees, he said in a prepared statement.

"My plans for retirement don’t have me sitting around in a rocking chair, but are filled with projects that will keep me busy," he said in the statement. "I expect to be active with the foundation’s projects and other water quality issues, although not on a staff basis."

Before becoming president and CEO of Upper White River Foundation, Moore was named Springfieldian of the Year in 1989, was president of Drury University for 22 years and was the former chair and board member of Wonders of Wildlife, among his other accomplishments, according to SBJ coverage. He is also a guest columnist for SBJ.

Moore said in the statement he will assist throughout the month in the transition process for Casaletto, the executive director for the last 10 years of Table Rock Lake Water Quality Inc., a nonprofit corporation that focuses on preventing and resolving water pollution issues.

“We’re extremely pleased to have David Casaletto taking over leadership of Ozarks Water Watch from Dr. Moore,” Peter Herschend, foundation board chairman, said in the release.  “He knows the water quality business, is well connected to other environmental interests and understands the challenges in making the general public aware of the importance of keeping our lakes and rivers clean."

Herschend noted Moore's influence during his time as president and CEO, including communication and educational efforts, a bi-state agreement between Arkansas and Missouri involving watersheds between the two states and the establishment of the annual Status of the Watershed report on water quality trends throughout the region.

Upper White River Foundation is a nonprofit organization that works to promote and create water quality projects for Beaver, Table Rock, Taneycomo and Bull Shoals Lakes.[[In-content Ad]]