LEED for Affordable Housing – LISC & USGBC Collaboration

By Grey Lee

The Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC) convened a LEED Workshop for facility professionals interested in pursuing the LEED GA credential. LISC works to improve the capacity community development corporations and a lot of affordable housing professionals. Part of our USGBC mission is to help more people enter the green building industry and to improve the capacity of the professional cadre to deliver high quality service. As we build up our crew, we will continue to transform the marketplace toward improved performance. It was great to see all these folks eager to go for the LEED GA!
 

 

One of the Chapter's all-star volunteers, Mike Davis, works for LISC and came up with the idea of connecting his facilities-oriented people to our LEED education capacity. A lot of community developers are looking at the LEED EBOM system as a way to help improve facility management in their portfolios and as a way of enhancing building performance, which results in lower costs for low-income residents.

 
 
In talking with staff and other volunteers, we realized that a one-day workshop would be the best way to meet the needs of these professionals. We also benefited from the offer of another Chapter all-star, Chris Liston of CBRE, who volunteered to provide the workshop. He has done this for his firm and has even created an 8-hour curriculum that he was willing to contribute. Chris' contribution cannot be underestimated: it was tremendous. Thank you Chris!
 
 
I was especially excited to see such a broad diversity of practitioners that were all very engaged with the course. For some it may have been a bit of a review; but for others, it was quite a good deep delve into the intricacies of LEED points and minutiae. Chris was a great teacher and kept people's attention. As a bonus for the participants, each will be eligible to attend our ongoing LEED Study Groups in Boston or Worcester (whichever is closer) in order to stay “in tune” with other students.
 
 
Thank you to LISC for underwriting the program, including the refreshments for the attendees!  We will be following up to help ensure everyone proceeds to prep and take the GA exam.
 
 
It was a great day for the LEED Workshop in Boston. I was happy for the connections the Chapter made to the over 40 participants coming from a lot of organizations that are doing what we do, but haven't previously been very close to us. We will continue to reach out to support CDCs and the affordable housing sector across Massachusetts. I should note that there were a few folks who are old familiar faces – from National Grid, ELP, and the Community Builders to name a few, great to see indeed.  Thank you to Mike, Chris and Betsy Glynn, also of LISC, for pulling this together. See you next time!

 
 

Residential Green Building Committee March Meeting

By Peter Hubbe

By Peter Hubbe  [ICF International, Massachusetts Residential New Construction Program]

 
March 10, 2014 Meeting

RGBC member Craig Foley presented “Energy Efficiency, Valuation of High Performance Homes, & Market Transformation on Massachusetts Residential Real Estate, 2013”

 
Craig is Chief of Energy Solutions for RE/MAX Leading Edge. 
 
Craig Foley speaking to the Residential New Construction Committee

Craig started off by reminding us of weather-related damage that has been more frequent and more severe in the last decade. In New England we have seen the tornados that hit Springfield and western Massachusetts communities, rain and wind damaging infrastructure throughout Vermont, and Super Storm Sandy hitting our neighbors to the south. Harsher weather and climate change are understood as going hand-in-hand by most scientists who model atmospheric activity.
 

Springfield MA June 1, 2011 Tornado Damage

 

“No Exit”
 

Craig explained that there are three interests that can be often be competing with one another and represented them as the apexes of an ENERGY STRESS TRIANGLE.
 

Policy makers often find energy solutions that can relieve stress on two of the points, but increase stress on the third. Energy efficiency is one of the few things that relieves stress on the rate payer, energy grid, and the environment.

Energy Efficiency addresses all three!

 

Environment, Energy Grid, Rate Payer

There is hope – and there needs to be a lot of action to go with the hope. 40% of US energy consumption is in buildings.

Here is a look at how far Green Certified Homes have come in less than a decade:
 

How do we make this growth even more effective? We need all the parts of the tree…
 

At the “above the tree tops” level, 2013 made some significant progress. The NAR (National Association of Realtors) supported “Green MLS Implementation Guide” and the Appraisal Practices Board’s “Valuation of Green Buildings: Background and Core Competency” are just a few specific examples.

Article 11 NAR Code of Ethics

Realtors® shall not undertake to provide specialized professional services concerning a type of property or service that is outside their field of competence unless they engage the assistance of one who is competent on such types of property or service, or unless the facts are fully disclosed to the client. Any persons engaged to provide such assistance shall be so identified to the client and their contribution to the assignment should be set forth. 

Work is being done to get green-certified homes language in to Article 11

“Market conditions suggest that green homes will continue to grow in market share in the next five years. We expect a five-fold increase between 2011-2016 to comprise 29%-38% market share – potentially a $87-$114 billion opportunity. This strong growth of green suggests that builders who are not knowledgeable in green home building will be left behind.” 

• McGraw Hill Construction, Bedford, MA “New and Remodeled Green Homes: Transforming the Residential Marketplace”

Green Certifications for Homes – Getting the product to the market with a Green MLS

Realtors working with a Green MLS are asked to input information below:
 

Unfortunately, many realtors do not yet understand green-energy terminology. They often misinterpret what is being asked for.

The Results: Under-reporting of green data

• Listing agents and brokers potentially under-reported 60% of Energy Star home sales in 2013.

• It is likely that 48% of LEED certified condominiums were under-reported in MLS PIN Massachusetts sales in 2013.

• For every one green certified sf homes sold in 2013, 1.5 did not use MLS PIN green certifications correctly

• The evidence suggests that listing agents may have under-reported green condominium sales by a ratio of nearly 2 to 1 in Massachusetts in 2013.

• For new construction condos, the ratio of under-reporting was 3.5 condo sales for every 1 whose listing agent correctly used MLS PIN’s data entry.

Why does accurate reporting matter?

Under reporting of green-certified homes slows progress towards market transformation:

 
  • Buyers are looking for green-certified properties and can’t find them.
  • Sellers marketing green-certified properties can’t distinguish them from the crowd.
  • Appraisers valuing green-certified properties are not aware that a home has green features.
  • Home sales are affected at the state, regional, and national levels

Change is in the air. Realtors and appraisers are being taught how to value green-certified homes. New rules are just now coming into effect that require expertise in green certified homes that effect realtors and appraisers.

The University of North Carolina reports that owners of ENERGY STAR Homes are 32% less likely to default on their mortgages than owners of similar homes that are not ENERGY STAR. FHA 203k rehabilitation loans have become available for energy efficiency upgrades to homes.

Energy Efficient Mortgage products are making a comeback.

The SAVE Act of 2013 is being re-worked on to be brought up for consideration in 2014. The SAVE Act, which offers a voluntary energy efficiency evaluation as part of the mortgage underwriting process, would help consumers and lenders better evaluate the true value of residences.
 

Picking up the PACE (and Resiliency) Financing in MA

By Grey Lee

Every few months, we find an opportunity to push for some legislation which we believe will enhance the prospects of our stakeholders in the green building industry. Yesterday we were called upon to support PACE finance reform in Massachusetts. You can read more about PACE (property-assessed clean energy) at our PACE Advocacy page here.

On March 11th, I went to the Statehouse to make some noise in support of S.177.  Introduced by Sen. Brian A. Joyce (Milton), the bill will help make available private funds for renewables, efficiency and resiliency projects in the State.

 

I met up with Emily Kowtoniuk from Sen. Joyce's office, who has been steering the outreach from his office to the grassroots such as USGBC MA Chapter. We walked all over the place, eventually descending to B-1, Basement Hearing Room One.

It was also Clean Energy Day at the Statehouse and the place was packed with renewable and clean energy fans. The Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy would hear about PACE, Net Metering, and broadband.
 

With me was David Straus, Director of Development and Programs at A Better City – one of our advocacy partners based in Boston. David is also on the USGBC MA Chapter Board of Directors and all-around sustainability all-star. I always learn a lot from David as his specialty is in transportation planning. That is one thing I experience but have never actually studied. We also have an overlapping interest in Latvia and the traditional village model of sustainability and resiliency, but that is another story.

We spent a little while waiting for our turn to address the Joint Committee. Senator Joyce was actually able to claim the first speaking slot to introduce S.177 to the committee and urge its movement through the legislative grist mill and towards a vote. As he said, there really isn't any opposition to this bill – it will enable private lenders to put money into a secure investment, which will result in improved energy performance, environmental responsibility and resilience for our building stock in Massachusetts.
 

Thank you Senator Joyce for your leadership on PACE finance reform! We were proud to work with you and other allies to exhort the Joint Committee, and especially their Chairs – Sen. Downing and Rep. Keenan – to work hard for passage of these reforms. You can read our letter of endorsement here – and feel free to copy and past for your own editing, and send to the legislators above.
 

The hearing had multiple topics, but was dominated by supporters of net metering reform – to increase the amounts of energy eligible to be sold by a renewable electricity generating project (mostly solar PV) to the grid. Installers and entities wanting to install PV are facing financial model trouble as the benefit that can be calculated into the project pro-forma from net-metering income is disappearing. Utilities in MA are reaching the maximum 3% of net-metering-sourced generation, after which they don't have to pay so much for what you pump into the grid.

State Sen. Petrucelli and Rep. Smizik want to do away with that 3% cap and let the solar installers continue their boomtimes. National Grid and other utilities are not at all happy about this, describing an injustice where ratepayers who don't have renewables using net metering becoming responsible for a larger and larger share of the grid maintenance costs that net-metered entities skip because they are selling into the grid; thus, not being assessed a portion of a purchase from the grid which would pay for those grid costs. Pardon me for the convoluted explanation of this situation, but I did learn a lot about it in the hearing. You can read more about the situation in this article at the Boston Business Journal.
 

We encountered a few Chapter Members at the hearing including Darien Crimmin (above right), VP of Energy & Sustainability at Winn Development, who took the stand for the continued growth of net metering. It was great to see a vibrant room full of renewable energy and resiliency advocates! Nice work green building pros!
 

Member Spotlight: Conor McGuire

By Grey Lee

Conor is one of our Board of Directors at the MA chapter. Here's some insight to the Man who has the Plan (and eats his Veggies too!).

1.What is your current job and how does it differ from past jobs in sustainability?
I am the Director of Sustainability at Columbia Construction Company. I make sure all of our projects' construction sustainability goals meet or exceed the architect's or owner's projections. I work very closely with the project team and Columbia's PMs and superintendents to understand and implement project goals. I've been involved in sustainable design & construction for the past 7 years, but the biggest change since joining Columbia is that here I spend 100% of my time on this work. My previous companies did not do the volume of green building work that necessitated full time management.

2. When did you first become interested in Sustainability?
My undegrad degree is in Mechanical Engineering from Northeastern Univ. Engineering is all about two things: 1) how things work and 2) how to make things work better. Right when I got into the construction industry, I was eager to figure out how to build it better. After a few years, that desire to build it better inevitably led me into green building.

3. Why are you a member of the MA chapter and how did you get there?
My interest in the USGBC predates the formation of the MA Chapter. I was very appreciative of the Green Roundtable and Nexus Resource Center and their eventual affiliation with the USGBC. Those organizations evolved into other entities and now the MA Chapter fulfills many community aspects they provided. The LEED prep study groups, networking events, as well as learning and leaning on each other through the growing pains the USGBC and LEED have gone through. I can't imagine how different things would be for me personally and professionally without the people of the MA Chapter. Many of the things we're trying to do involve battles with nay-sayers and cynics. The MA Chapter reminds me that I am not crazy and all this stuff is really possible, practical, beneficial and necessary. Plus, the people of the Chapter are a ton of fun and like to network over a cold drink which suits me fine.

4. How are you an environmental steward?
In addition to declaring 100% of my professional life to sustainability, this could be a big list. So I'll just touch on a few things. I am working with a group in the city I live in, Melrose, to get bike lanes painted. In Melrose we have 3 commuter rail stations and is also very close to the Oak Grove T stop (in Malden). Getting bike safety on the correct streets can have an impact on carbon emissions and the health of the city. A lot of people think that somebody should “do something” and they are right. That somebody is YOU. Get into your communities and identify and address the needs there. Another sphere of environmental stewardship is food. Too many people think that vegetarianism or vegan means a 100% commitment 24/7. For the past few years my family has been “home vegans”. We don't grocery shop meat or dairy.  Since I like meat too much to give it up entirely, I order meat if I feel like it if I dine out. Since most of my meals are from home, our overall meat consumption is way down. Not only is it good for the planet, my doctor is happy about the results too!

5. How do you help raise environmental awareness?
Through my work and professional and civic volunteering (Melrose Pedestrian and Bike Safety Advisory Committee) and only answering questions about food when asked!

6. If I needed to find you on a Saturday afternoon where would it be?
Depending on the week, probably at home with my wife playing with our young son. Enjoying the northern New England Outdoors or day tripping around Boston enjoying the city.
 

LEED Version 4 is Really Cool (BE14 Workshop Report)

By Grey Lee

The USGBC MA had a trio of LEED Champions present a full-day workshop on the v4 update to LEED on 3/4/14. NESEA hosted our workshop at Building Energy 14 (BE14 – the biggest green building-oriented conference in the northeast that comes through Boston each year in March).

Thank you to Chris Schaffner (The Green Engineer), Andrea Love (Payette), and Jim Newman (Linnean Solutions) for facilitating the workshop.
 

 
 
 
We had about 25 green building professionals come out to take the deep dive into the LEED rating system. We heard about how LEED has been evolving over the past 15 years and how LEED is a flexible system – originally designed to accommodate periodic updates and capable of responding to changing market conditions and realities. People asked a lot of questions throughout the day, deepening the experience and getting into the nitty-gritty based on real project experience.
 
 

 The facilitators also guided the attendees through a sequence of exercises to explore the changes in the v4 system. This included looking at environmental product declarations and the old “how to hold a charette” – a charette on charettes as it were – as smaller break-out groups. Much of the afternoon portion was spent looking at the specific changes in each of the credit categories such as what has shifted, what has a new name, what has been eliminated. Our main focus was on how the system is evolving to require better performance in buildings.
 

The group of attendees was really quite an interesting crowd – with representatives from small practices to major firms from across the entire state. Many already knew each other from previous project experience. Everyone made some new connections at the end of the event.

Stay tuned to the USGBC MA Chapter for more opportunities to maintain your LEED AP credentials and stay connected to your most interesting and gregarious green building pros!

Member Spotlight: Neil Angus

By Grey Lee

You may know Neil Angus, one of our Board member from various Chapter events.  He helps man the Education Committee. Neil hosts Wednesday afternoon Webinars. This week we get to know a little more about Neil.
 

1. What is your current job and how does it differ from past jobs in regards to Sustainability?
I am an Environmental Planner with the Devens Enterprise Commission to oversee the development of a former military base outside of Boston in Devens. I act as a Town Planner, but in a unique position since the Commission I serve is a regional and joint board that oversees planning, zoning, historic, local health and conservation-all under one roof! Devens is also redeveloping as an eco-industrial park (one firm's waste becoming another firm's raw material resource-maximizing efficiency and minimizing waste). I assist with the operations of the Devens Eco Efficiency Center as well. This is a unique non-profit organization that provides education and technical assistance to businesses and organizations in Devens, as well as the surrounding region to help them incorporate more sustainable business practices in their day-to-day operations.

2. When did you first become interested in Sustainability?
In my undergraduate program at Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I majored in Geography and environmental studies and was always interested and fascinated in natural systems and how they function. I also have a creative side that was interested in architecture and design. Once I graduated, I enrolled in a professional design degree program in Environmental Planning at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design.  There, I learned to combine my knowledge of natural systems thinking with human development patterns and sharpened my skills as a land use planner. My first job was in Connecticut as an environmental planner where I wrote the Town's first plan for Conservation and Open Space. From there, I knew I found my niche incorporating more sustainable approaches to traditional land use, planning, methodologies and practices.

3. Why are you a member of the MA chapter and how did you get there?
I wanted to learn more about the green building movement as it was directly in my line of work. I joined the education committee of the Mass. Membership Forum at the Nexus Green Building Resource Center in Boston. From there I began to learn about LEED and the planning, design, operations and maintenance that goes into sustainable building design. I earned my LEED BD&C credential. As the Green Roundtable evolved into the Chapter, I decided to take a more active role as a Board Member and represent the Planning community.  Since I joined, I have been working to bring together the planning and building disciplines.  The launch of LEED for Neighborhood Development has also helped bridge the gap between planning and the development community.

4. How are you an Environmental Steward?
I still drive a little too much, but I try to practice what I preach. I have minimized my own carbon footprint and in my own family through energy efficiency, recycling and re-use measures in my home, office, in my wife's offices and at my parents' home. I am always looking to minimize waste and maximize the life of the products I use. Some may call that frugal, but I think we have become a disposable society that has greatly contributed to the situation we are in today with climate change and poor air quality in lots of regions. This coupled with my day-to-day work as an environmental planner contribute to my environmental stewardship.

5. How do you help raise Environmental Awareness?
As a member of the Education Committee, I help organzie green building and LEED ND events that help educate others. I also try to share my knowledge and experiences when I can present to my colleagues and the general public on more sustainable approaches to land use planning and development.

6. If I needed to find you on a Saturday afternoon, where would you be?
Depending on the time of year…in the summer you will find me surfing in Rhode Island.  In the Spring and Fall, you might find me mountain biking up north and in the Winter you would find me on the ski slopes searching for my own fresh powder. Needless to say, I love the outdoors. I think that helps me feel even better about what I do-knowing that my day-to-day activities ultimately help to preserve the natural environment and some of the places I love spending time in or at!

 

EPMA Soiree! Good times with the Emerging Professionals

By Adam Kreitman

By Adam Kreitman, EPMA
The 2014 EPMA Soiree (held at the Baseball Tavern on 12/20/14) was a great success, thanks in part to our incredible attendees and Lee Kennedy Co., Inc. for sponsoring! 
The night was full of networking, trivia and our first ever “EPMA Baggo Madness Tourney.” Even though the event was rescheduled due to the never-ending weather curve balls, we were able to meet many new faces and draw in several new members!
 
The night concluded with a giveaway of multiple raffle prizes such as gift cards to Starbucks, Evoo, Henrietta's Table and the Fireplace. Our winners of the “Baggo” Tournament were Scott Balboni (Chapman Construction) and Tyler Murphy (Suffolk Construction). We saw a lot of good moves on the floor during Baggo.
 

 

As is usual at our EPMA networking events, we had free appetizers (from the Tavern) and drinks were underwritten by Lee Kennedy. Though there were a lot of “regulars,” about half the crew were fresh faces and we made a lot of new contacts. In fact, LinkedIn reported a significant jump in connections the next day due to our event. 
 
 
But seriously, one of the reasons these EPMA events are so cool is that people are coming from a lot of different companies – we have construction, architecture, engineering, retrofits, schools, and many more backgrounds. If you go to your standard industry thing, you are just surrounded by your (friendly) competitors. At the USGBC and EPMA events, you connect across the industry.
Thank you all who made this night so enjoyable! 
[Editor's Note: special thanks to the EPMA leadership team – Stephanie MacNeil (HMFH), Javier Burgos (Navigant), Kristin Malyak (Gensler), Jenna Dancewicz (Suffolk Construction) and especially to Adam Kreitman for organizing this event and securing the sponsorship from…Lee Kennedy.]
 
 
 

USGBC Member Spotlight-Interview with Bill Holland

By Grey Lee

Bill Holland heads up our Residential Green Building Committee. I sat down with him for a few minutes to chat about work, life and sustainability.
 
 

 

 
Bill, what is your current job? How does it differ from past jobs in regards to Sustainability?
In my current position as the Mass Dept. of Housing and Community Development, I support local housing authorities in developing capital improvement plans for preserving state-assisted low income housing. Sometimes this work is simply re-roofing buildings to prevent building damage. Other times it may involve adding insulation, upgrading windows, replacing toilets with low flow models or installing high-efficiency heating systems. In rare situations that involve projects with new construction, we design to high performance standards. Although I have handled LEED certification on commercial projects in the past, this work is the first time that preservation and improved building performance have been the center of my team's efforts.
 
When did you become interested in Sustainability?
Back in the 1960s and early 70's there was a lot of interest amoung young designers and the counter-culture in designing with Nature rather than disregarding it. The technology was not so developed then as it is now but the ideas developed at the time provided much of the underpinning of today's green technologies. I was attending architect school at MIT at the time and became quite interested in the possibilities highlighted in such publications as The Whole Earth Catalog.
 
Why are you a member of the Mass. Chapter and how did you get there?
I am a member of the Mass. Chapter because I believe that making buildings better is an essential part of achieving a sustainable culture. I also believe the consensus model and inclusion of all stakeholders are important elements for the transformation of our environment. Before there was a Chapter, I joined a group of other design professionals working with the Green Roundtable (GRT) in Boston to create a Massachusetts Membership Forum, which was the precursor to the Chapter. With support from the GRT, we incorporated to set up our first Board of Directors and became the USGBC Massachusetts Chapter. I was Vice Chair of the Board in our first year. More recently, I took up the Chairmanship of the newly formed Residential Green Building Committee which is in its third year.
 
How are you an Environmental Steward?
I try to live lightly by minimizing waste, eating meat only rarely, recycling whatever I can, composting, walking, bicycling, using public transportation and installing a high efficiency boiler in my house. I recently added photovoltaic panels on the roof of my house, with the expectation that they will be able to generate an amount of electricity equal to that my wife Meg and I consume.
 
How do you help raise Environmental Awareness?
I use Facebook and emails to highlight environmental issues with friends and family members scattered throughout the country. I also participate in the environmental discussions among the members of the First Unitarian Society of Newton, which has a Green Sanctuary committee to promote environmental issues.
 
On a Saturday afternoon, where would we find you?
I might be taking a walk or doing house projects with Meg, chopping vegetables for one of my super salads or taking a nap. However two weeks ago, I was visiting my son in Amherst MA and helping with his car. Last week, I was in Raleigh NC “rallying” for a more equitable world. This week, by contrast Meg and I are on a vacation relaxing in Florida!
 

Congratulations to USGBC MA New Officers

By Grey Lee

On Thursday 2/20/14, the Board of Directors of the USGBC MA Chapter elected, through the consensus-based process of Dynamic Governance, a new slate of officers. 
 

 

  • New Chair of the Board: Jim Newman (Linnean Solutions)
  • Continuing Vice Chair: Neil Angus (Devens Enterprise Commission)
  • Continuing Secretary: Sandy Brock (Nitsch Engineering)
  • New Treasurer: Carolyn Day (DBA-W Architects)
  • and new representative to the Upper Northeast Regional Council: Conor McGuire (Columbia Construction)
  • Greg Sampson (Robinson & Cole) will remain on the Executive Committee as Past Chair
Thank you to the departing officers: Phoebe Beierle who is stepping down as Past Chair to take on the Green Apple Day of Service subcommittee of the Green Schools Committee and Emily Greenstein, who is leaving us to pursue other interests beyond green buildings after having served us as an amazing Treasurer for the past 6 years. Thank you Phoebe and thank you especially to Emily for your major contribution in time and effort to get this organization off the ground and into an established 501c3. You've done a truly outstanding job for the USGBC MA!
 
Some of the new officers shared their thoughts about the new group, which will form the Executive Committee of the Board for 2014.
 
From Carolyn Day: “I believe in the organizational mission so I decided to get involved at the early stages. The Chapter is the organization bringing people together for cross-pollination of knowledge and ideas in order to elevate the level of sustainable design happening in the commonwealth and beyond. This year I look forward to greater engagement from a more diverse membership, and extending our reach.”

From Conor McGuire: “I’m looking forward to learning from our USGBC Chapter Members so I can best represent our Massachusetts values and progress to the Upper Northeast Regional Committee and USGBC National.  See you all at our Networking & Educational events, and Award Ceremonies!”
Congratulations and thank you!  I look forward to working with you all. Chapter Members: feel free to reach out and send them your best wishes. Thank you.

Introducing Julia Mejia, our new staff member at the USGBC MA Chapter

By Grey Lee

Julia Mejia is the new Outreach & Communications Manager for the USGBC MA Chapter. She will be responsible for coordinating our outward messaging to prospective members and sponsors. 
 
Julia obtained a Bachelors degree from Mount Ida College and developed an expertise in community engagement, marketing and communications. Julia’s previous employment includes Communication/Engagement Strategist at the Center for Social Policy at UMass Boston, where she designed and implemented messaging strategies to promote their efforts. 
 
Prior to that, Julia served as the Campaign Manager for MTV Networks where she successfully launched a national multi-media grassroots effort for political engagement. Julia also wrote, produced and developed creative content for MTV’s hit series True Life, My Super Sweet 16, MADE as well as various award-winning news and documentary specials. 
 
In addition to MTV, Julia has also worked on national marketing campaigns for numerous companies such as the Advertising Council, Proctor & Gamble, Miller Lite, Verizon Wireless, Frito-Lays, Paramount, Sprint and many others.
 

Julia’s remarks:
 
“I bring my experience both in the private sector and in community based work to this endeavor. This results in new thinking about how to engage others, and how to effectively identify and build on their interests and needs.  In addition, marketing and public relations naturally involves community outreach and engagement; these are skills I have honed over the past fifteen years.  I look forward to working closely with our membership to inform, influence and inspire others to be innovative with intent.”