Trust chairwoman Kate Wilson said Mr Stevenson would replace Tania Murphy, who was stepping back after a 26-year association with the trust, including 17 years as manager.
Mr Stevenson had a long association with the rail trail through his community involvement and as a business owner.
He also had a passion for community development and was keen to work with schools to develop opportunities for them to experience the rail trail adventure, Mrs Wilson said.
The trust was formed in 1994 to establish and develop the 150km trail from Middlemarch to Clyde, which opened in 2000.
Recognising the potential of the empty rail corridor, the Department of Conservation purchased it in 1993. Local communities were approached and the idea of a rail trail modelled on overseas rails to trails projects was launched.
