​William Dowd lives in Amherst County with his wife, Nancy. He grew up on the lower James River, where early work as a commercial waterman sparked a lasting curiosity about—and commitment to—the environment. His circuitous path has led to a range of work and educational experiences around the world. William has guided trips on some of the nation's most iconic wild rivers and worked as a teacher in the field of outdoor experiential education. He now works in leather sales for Moore & Giles in Lynchburg, Virginia, and spends as many days as he can on rivers both near and far.