Why are you interested in serving on USGBC Colorado's Board of Directors?

As a firm and as a consultant who works with developers, communities, and private homeowners, I am committed to finding the most environmentally responsible alternatives for our landscapes and built environments. I would like to become more involved with the policy-making aspects of this endeavor and believe that my years of experience in a variety of planning roles can be a valuable adjunct to the Board.

What are your qualifications (experiences and expertise) for serving on a nonprofit board of directors? Please address some or all of the following:

a. Business or organizational leadership
As former Community Development Director for the City of Aspen, I co-managed (with my County counterpart) a 33-person office providing land use approvals, long-range planning, municipal engineering, and building department services for the City of Aspen and Pitkin County. I have headed my own 5-person consulting firm since leaving the City of Aspen position at the end of 1998. I have held a Board position with the Aspen Chamber Resort Association since 1998, and co-authored the Aspen Economic Sustainability Report in 2002, addressing resort economic issues in the post 9/11 economic environment.

b. Nonprofit board experience
I have served as Vice-President for Communications on the American Planning Association Colorado Chapter Board from 1999 to 2003, Aspen Chamber Resort Association Board (ACRA) from 1998 to the present, Chair of the ACRA Board from 2006-2009, KAJX Aspen Public Radio Board from 2000-2004, and on the Aspen Rotary Club Board from 2000-2006, and as President of the Aspen Rotary Club from 2002-2003. Some years ago, I served on the Vermont Symphony Orchestra Board (early 1990s) and as President of the Massachusetts Association of Consulting Planners (1980s).

c. Fundraising experience
I have done fundraising for a private school in Cambridge, Massachusetts; for the Vermont Symphony Orchestra and Aspen Public Radio; for the Aspen Rotary Club’s charitable activities; and special events fundraising for the Aspen Chamber Resort Association.

d. Experience promoting the mission and work of an organization
In all of the non-profit activities detailed above, I have had some role in promoting the mission and work of the organization. Probably, most particularly, my work for the Aspen Chamber Resort Association has included the development of two successive strategic plans in 2005 and 2009.

e. Other
Our office has conferencing capabilities as well as the ability to produce quality graphic materials that could be useful in supporting the goals of the Chapter, particularly in relating to Western Slope constituents.

Please describe your experience, involvement, and history with green building,
sustainable development, smart growth, or other relevant areas?
In all of our practice areas in landscape architecture, planning, and resort design, we have sought to encourage our clients in the direction of sustainable development. As Community Development Director for the City of Aspen, I was involved in the implementation of the Aspen Area Community Plan, which won a Smart Growth award from the State of Colorado. Our own office has recently been certified as a “ZGreen Business,” meeting a set of high standards for sustainable operations in the areas of recycling, use of green products, Energy Star certified equipment, and support for public transportation.

How long have you been a member of USGBC Colorado Chapter and is your
membership current?
We have been a member of USGBC since 2006, including Colorado Chapter membership. Our membership is current.

a. What involvement have you had as a volunteer, committee member, program participant, or other?
We have met with the Executive Director in Aspen to discuss ways in which the Colorado Chapter can be of service to its Western Slope membership. I am currently serving on the Consensus Body for the LEED-Neighborhood Development Rating system. Our staff has regularly attended USGBC conferences and we have provided support for LEED accredited professional certification.

What trade and/or business associations are you involved with and how (e.g.
NAIOP, AIA, Chamber of Commerce, etc.)
As noted above, I serve on the Aspen Chamber Resort Association Board of Directors, currently in the role of Past President and Professional Area representative. In addition to the USGBC, I am also a member of the American Planning Association, the American Society of Landscape Architects, the American Institute of Certified Planners, the Institute of Transportation Engineers, and the Urban Land Institute. In connection with ULI, I was recently appointed to their Resort Development Council.