In early spring, Jeff Jennings can often be found deep in the Appalachian forests on a quest to find as many ephemeral wildflowers as he can. He loves them all but has a particular fondness for the bloodroot and trout lily, which are among the first signs of spring to appear after winter.
Jeff moved to Western North Carolina in the early 1990s as an engineer with the former DuPont plant in Brevard. He quickly plugged into the region’s conservation efforts, playing an instrumental role in the creation of DuPont State Recreational Forest, where his two children spent their weekends mountain biking, climbing boulders, exploring trails and watching for trout in the crystal clear rivers. He was the founding president of Friends of DuPont Forest and also held leadership roles with the Environmental and Conservation Organization of Henderson County (now part of Mountain True). He has been recognized by the Sierra Club for his impactful work to preserve our wild spaces for future generations.
In 2007, Jeff founded Equilibar, a technology company that designs and manufactures specialty control valves for research and industry. Although he sold the company a few years ago, he continues to invent and lead technical innovation projects. He feels lucky to be able to work on exciting green energy and other environmental efforts around the world.
As a Clemson University alumnus who grew up in the Carolinas, Jeff has always felt a close affinity to the mountains. He especially enjoys biking, hiking, backpacking, and photography. With his wife, Elizabeth, he has developed a keen interest in supporting local social justice organizations, specifically in the areas of education and inclusion. He is also an avid traveler who never tires of learning about other cultures and how they view the world.
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