Kirtland’s Warbler Alliance Announces Executive Director Transition
- William Rapai
- Feb 23
- 2 min read
For Immediate Release
February 2026
Okemos, MI: The Kirtland’s Warbler Alliance (KWA) today announced that long-time Executive Director Bill Rapai will retire from his staff role at the end of February 2026. Mr. Rapai will continue to serve the organization as a member of the KWA Board of Directors. He will work closely with the incoming executive director to ensure a smooth and effective leadership
Transition.
“Bill has been instrumental in guiding the Kirtland’s Warbler Alliance through a period of growth and change, strengthening partnerships and elevating awareness of this remarkable conservation success story,” said the Kirtland’s Warbler Alliance Board Chairman, Tom Cook. “We are deeply grateful for his leadership and are pleased that he will remain actively engaged on our board as we enter this next chapter.”
The Board has appointed Ray Stocking as the next Executive Director of the Kirtland’s Warbler Alliance, effective February 20, 2026. Mr. Stocking brings a strong record of nonprofit leadership and conservation service, having previously served as Board Chair for Michigan Audubon and as President of the Washtenaw Bird and Nature Alliance (formerly the Washtenaw Audubon Society). Across these and other roles, he has accumulated 14 years of board experience focused on conservation, research, and education, experience that will help advance KWA’s strategic priorities in habitat management, science, and community engagement.
“I am honored to follow Bill and to work with our partners and supporters to secure the future of the Kirtland’s Warbler,” said Stocking. “The Alliance has played a vital role in sustaining a conservation-reliant species, and I look forward to building on that foundation by expanding our outreach, strengthening our collaborations, and connecting even more people to the jack pine ecosystem that this bird depends on.”
About the Kirtland’s Warbler Alliance
The Kirtland’s Warbler Alliance’s mission is to be a force for Kirtland’s Warbler conservation and to facilitate connections between people, the jack pine ecosystem, and the Kirtland’s Warbler to ensure the long-term conservation of the species. Through partnerships with public agencies, conservation organizations, and local communities, KWA supports habitat management, research, education, and outreach that keep this conservation success story moving forward. Additional information about the Kirtland’s Warbler Alliance, its mission, programs, and ways to get involved or support its work can be found at www.kirtlandswarbler.org.
Media Contact:
Kirtland’s Warbler Alliance
Website: www.kirtlandswarbler.org