The Devens Eco-Efficiency Center Team:
The Devens Eco-Efficiency Center benefits from a number of talented individuals and organizations that are available to provide members with information, technical assistance and support that enables them to implement economically– and environmentally-efficient operational practices. Collectively we provide a comprehensive approach to sustainable development.
Staff:
Affiliation: Executive Director, Devens Eco-Efficiency Center
Dona Neely has been involved in the development and growth of the Devens Eco-Efficiency Center and EcoStar since its inception. She is responsible for coordinating educational forums, producing and delivering support services, and expanding participation. She also created the Devens Eco-Efficiency Center, a premier resource for a range of conservation and pollution prevention initiatives. Ms. Neely’s business background helps to ensure that the Devens Eco-Efficiency Center and EcoStar program remain pro-business and pro- environment. She has worked with corporations, governments, and non-profits in the areas of sustainable business practices, green building and renewable energy technologies, and watershed protection. Ms. Neely has spoken and written about the value of voluntary programs, produced tools to measure their effectiveness, and designed a program that promotes stewardship practices amongst small businesses located in the Blackstone River Watershed (Massachusetts). Ms. Neely has a Masters Degree in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts.
Affiliation: Staff, Devens Eco-Efficiency Center
Neil Angus is an Environmental Planner for the Devens Enterprise Commission. Working with the Director, Mr. Angus assists in regulating redevelopment of this former army base in a sustainable manner. Mr. Angus has also worked as an Environmental Planner in Connecticut and Calgary, Alberta. Mr. Angus is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and is a US Green Building Council LEED Accredited Professional. Mr. Angus holds a Professional Design Degree in Environmental Planning from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. As a professional environmental planner serving the public for over 10 years, Mr. Angus has been involved in hundreds of development and conservation projects throughout Canada and New England. Through his work, Mr. Angus has continuously and successfully pushed for a balance of economic, social and environmental needs to help ensure that development occurs in a sustainable manner for the benefit of current and future generations.
Officers:
The Devens Eco-Efficiency Center Board of Directors is made up of representatives from the business community, government, and non-profit sectors. The input and direction from this diverse membership helps guide the triple bottom-line approach (economy, ecology and community) that is the core of the holistic sustaianble business approach of the Devens Eco-Efficiency Center. The expertise that each of the individual Officers shares is an invaluable asset to the success of this organization.
Affiliation: Director, Devens Enterprise Commission
Peter Lowitt is Director/Land Use Administrator for the Devens Enterprise Commission. At Devens, Mr. Lowitt manages the regulatory aspects of base redevelopment with a focus on sustainable redevelopment. Mr. Lowitt was key in the development of the EcoStar program. Prior to coming to Devens, Mr. Lowitt served as Director of Planning and Economic Development for the Town of Londonderry, New Hampshire (1993-1999) where he developed the Londonderry Ecological Industrial Park and the award winning Sustainable Londonderry Program. He holds a Masters Degree in Community Economic Development from the Urban Environmental Policy Graduate Program at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts. Mr. Lowitt is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and is actively involved in many sustainability, eco-industrial, planning and economic development initiatives in New England and throughout the United States and the world. He has lectured on sustainable economic development and the EcoStar program in New Zealand, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam and Canada.
Affiliation: Independent Licensed Professional Engineer
Lisa McLaughlin is a licensed Professional Engineer with expertise in the areas of environmental engineering and the chemical process industries. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Environmental Studies from Dartmouth College (Hanover, NH) and a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, NY). Ms. McLaughlin worked for many years as a process development and design engineer and has been a consulting engineer in the areas of toxics use reduction and waste minimization, hazardous waste site remediation, environmental compliance, and industrial wastewater pretreatment for more than 15 years.
Affiliation: Executive Director, Nashua River Watershed
Elizabeth Campbell has served as the Executive Director of the Nashua River Watershed Association since 1994; in this position she has become well versed in the inextricable links between economic and environmental well-being. She is also the project manager for the multi-year “Protecting Today’s Water for Tomorrow” partnership project than won a $700,000 grant from U.S. EPA, one of 14 Targeted Watershed Initiative grants awarded nationally in 2004. Ms. Campbell earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Radcliffe College (Cambridge, MA) and a Master of Arts from the University of Michigan.
Affiliation: Devens Enterprise Commission Member
Bio
Affiliation: Closets By Design
Russ Smith founded Closets By Design of Boston in 2002 and continues today as owner and President. This gives him a well-grounded perspective on the rewards and challenges of small business operation. Prior to founding Closets By Design of Boston, Mr. Smith worked for over 30 years in the high tech industry holding engineering and management positions at Wang Laboratories, Apollo Computer, Hewlett-Packard and Quantum Corporation. Mr. Smith served as the chairman of the Ayer Planning Board for 5 years and is currently one of the commissioners from the town of Ayer on the Devens Enterprise Commission. Mr. Smith earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Franklin Pierce College (Rindge, NH).