Hydie Friend is a retired certified city planner and comes to the ESHP Board with more than forty years of experience using historic preservation for economic development. She has been recognized by her home state of West Virginia and her hometown of Wheeling for her dedication and commitment to community-led preservation and development efforts.

Hydie was an early leader in the National Park Service’s National Heritage Area movement. Now a Florida resident, she is applying her energy in supporting the efforts of the Everglades Society for Historic Preservation.

With her extensive experience, Hydie has been appointed ESHP’s Grants Coordinator. She manages ESHP’s efforts in obtaining grants and funding from various organizations, including state/federal agencies and local private foundations (Collier Community Foundation). Additionally, she is responsible for communicating and working together with the consultant grant writer.