New Director At Friends Of The River

A group dedicated to revitalizing the Smoky Hill River has a new person in charge.

Salinan Amber Dennett is the new executive director of the Friends of the River Foundation. According to the organization, Dennett will guide their management, financial development, and community outreach.

The Friends of the River Foundation strives to restore the natural channel of the Smoky Hill River as an integral part of Salina’s aesthetic, recreational and economic life.

The organization, to this point, has been privately funded and operated by volunteers. Dennett will secure grants and raise funds for ongoing operations and work with the City of Salina and other agencies in an effort to restore water flow and determine how to best complete the project.

Dennett is a Salina native with a journalism degree from the University of Kansas and a master’s degree in organizational development from Friends University. Dennett has over 15 years’ experience in marketing and management, most recently as founder and “Head Chef” of SalinaSoup.com from 2010 to March, 2014. She has consulted for organizations including Salina Downtown, Inc., and been an active volunteer for the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce and other community development initiatives.