D&R GREENWAY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director of Marketing and Communications, Solar Landscape
Alanna is an award-winning communications strategist who specializes in the energy and environment sectors. She currently serves as Director of Marketing and Communications for Solar Landscape, an Asbury Park-based company that makes renewable energy more accessible to lower-income residents through its industry-leading community solar projects. She previously worked at the NJ Board of Public Utilities as Assistant Director of Communications, where she promoted the agency's mission and Governor Murphy's ambitious 100% clean energy goals by supporting New Jersey's Clean Energy Program and helping produce NJ's Energy Master Plan. Alanna also served as a Communications Manager at Taft Communications where she executed all communications activities for Rethink Energy NJ, a statewide grassroots campaign dedicated to promoting renewable energy and stopping the PennEast pipeline.
Job Titles:
- Director of Land Preservation
Fun Fact: Danielle is an avid baker; for the past three years she has baked cookies for an annual historic tractor parade in Burlington County. Last summer, she baked over 500 cookies!
Danielle oversees land preservation for D&R Greenway's properties where she partners with the state, counties and townships to preserve lands for open space and farmland. Danielle has been preserving farmland for almost 15 years in Burlington County, NJ and Montgomery County, PA. She is a Penn State Extension Rural-Urban Leadership Program (RULE) graduate. She has negotiated with landowners, worked with appraisers and technical consultants, monitored easements, administered a county program, and created farm-to-table outreach events and marketing materials. She received a Bachelors of Science degree from the Stockton University. When not walking around on farms, she's chasing after her little superhero, her son Brandon.
David Seiler is our Land and Property Steward. He is supporting the care of our preserves and our significant structures to ensure we present our best image to the world.
David graduated from Cook College at Rutgers University in environmental science. He has worked in historic renovations and construction and owned an architectural salvage company. Returning to his love of ecology, he recently completed an internship identifying and managing invasive species with other interns and volunteers for Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space.
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant to the President & CEO / Manager of Business Partners in Preservation and Special Events
Deb came to D&R Greenway Land Trust in 2011 because she is committed to D&R Greenway's mission of preserving and protecting natural lands, farm lands, and open space in New Jersey.
Deb's responsibility for D&R Greenway's Business Partners in Preservation grew from her former work of 18 years with the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce where her ultimate role was Director of Communications. Deb began her professional career as a Tax Examiner for the Internal Revenue Service. She has subsequently held positions at JDK Restorations; Jones New York; AA Matulay, Inc. and Ethix-Mid Atlantic. She is an accomplished business writer, publicist and editor, as well as skilled in greenhouse management. She studied Business and Photography at Bucks County Community College and later enhanced her skills at the Cittone Institute of Business and Technology.
In her spare time, Deb is the Sole Proprietor of an Antique business with the motto of Recycle, Restore, Relove. Deb maintains a close relationship with the outdoors and nature and enjoys dancing, swimming, gardening, birdwatching, walking and traveling. She is a volunteer for the NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife's Wildlife Conservation Corps, providing updates on the eagles' nest situated on the transmission tower on the D&R Canal in Lambertville and is a member of the Colonial Sportsmen's Club in the Sourland Mountains and the Lambertville-based Kalmia Club. On any Saturday morning, you can find Deb with her camera and binoculars watching the wildlife on the canal or perusing local yard sales and antique markets in search of that very special find.
Job Titles:
- Education ( AWE ) Summer Fellow
Job Titles:
- Co - Head, NJ Estates and Trusts Practice, Stevens & Lee
Heather is a frequent lecturer on a broad range of tax, trust, estate and probate topics and presents before community and professional education organizations for accountants, financial planners and advisers, attorneys and insurance professionals. She served as a judicial clerk for the Honorable Paulette M. Sapp-Peterson, P.J.Cv., New Jersey Superior Court. She is a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association; Mercer County Bar Association, Princeton Bar Association, Mercer County Estate Planning Council, CohnReznick Executive Women's Forum and serves on the Princeton Child Development Institute's Board of Trustees. While in law school at Syracuse University, Heather was an editor of the Syracuse Journal of International Law and Commerce.
Job Titles:
- Credit Research Associate at J.P. Morgan
Ian Snyder is a Sell-Side Credit Research Associate at J.P. Morgan responsible for High Grade/High Yield coverage of Transportation (Aviation, Rail, Freight, Shipping) and Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) sectors. Ian has formal coverage of over 100 large corporates within the Transportation and REIT sector, publishing quarterly on each of them for credit investors across the globe. Before joining the Credit Research team at J.P. Morgan, Ian worked at Wells Fargo as an Interest Rate Derivatives Sales Analyst where he provided large corporates and middle market clients interest rate market commentary, educational instruction, and customized analysis for interest rate risk solutions. Ian earned his BS from Duke University, majoring in Public Policy and earned a certificate in Markets and Management Studies. He also was a member of the varsity wrestling team at Duke University, and was on the All ACC Academic Honor Roll.
James Fiorentino is an American artist who currently resides in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. James's artwork was recognized at an early age. At the age of fifteen, James Fiorentino became the youngest artist ever to be featured in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum for his likeness of Reggie Jackson. In 1998, James became the youngest artist to be inducted into the prestigious New York Society of Illustrators, along with such artists as Norman Rockwell and Andrew Wyeth. He is a graduate of Drew University where James was also the starting shortstop for all four years of his college career. He has painted for and met many legends of the past and stars of today, including Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, Cal Ripken Jr., Arnold Palmer and Muhammad Ali to Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and Albert Pujols. His photo-realism in watercolor has helped him become a nationally-known wildlife and portrait artist, painting people from everyday life to Presidents and Nobel Peace Prize winners. Many of James' works currently grace the walls of notable museums, galleries, universities, companies and private collections. James' work has won numerous awards and can be seen nationally in books and magazines and on trading cards. In 2001, "The Fiorentino Collection" consisted of approximately 100 paintings for Upper Deck Trading Cards depicting legends in five major sports. James' work and story has been carried on international and national television shows, and in magazines and newspapers. James is a member of the New Jersey Watercolor Society, American Watercolor Society, Society of Animal Artists and Artists For Conservation. James is also a trustee of the Raptor Trust of NJ. Info on his life and artwork can be found at www.jamesfiorentinonatureart.com
Joan Ruderman is a biologist and environmentalist. Following a long career at Harvard, she served as the first woman President & Director of the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA. Her professional research focuses on the impact of hormonally active pollutants on marine animals and the implications for humans. She is currently a lecturer at the Princeton Environmental Institute, Princeton University.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisors and Non - Trustee Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisors and Non - Trustee Committee
Job Titles:
- Founder / Artistic Director of Music Together LLC
Job Titles:
- Strategic Community Conservation Fellow
Kirsten Clerico is a recent graduate from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey where she studied Environmental Policy, Institutions, and Behavior with a minor in Sustainability. Kirsten will serve as D&R Greenway's Outreach and Program Steward where she will work on developing constant contact announcements, assist with the kayak program, and be a friendly face when visitors come to the Johnson Education Center. Kirsten will utilize the leadership and communication skills she has gained from being a lifelong Somerset County 4H Member to further D&R Greenway's mission. Kirsten has also worked at Round Valley Recreation Area in Lebanon, NJ as a Visitor Service Assistant.
Kirsten notes: "I am very excited to be working with D&R Greenway as they are such an amazing organization that truly promotes environmental stewardship and well-being. I wanted my first job to make me feel like I was truly having an impact on the environment and people's experiences and attitudes toward it, and I feel like this position will be perfect to reach that goal!"
Lara Periard is our seasonal Garden Steward. She is involved in establishing the new garden at Point Breeze; helping out at the Sharing Garden at St. Michaels Farm Preserve; and assisting at the Native Plant Nursery.
Lara spent five years working at Chickadee Creek, a local, organic farm, where she managed field crops and irrigation, and all aspects of greenhouse operation. She was a farmers' market lead for four years, working directly with customers and building relationships. While at Chickadee Creek, Lara managed germination chambers, heat mats, propane heating, greenhouse plastic repairs, seeded vegetable and flower crops, managed pests and diseases, fertilized, sanitized trays, mixed potting medium according to formula.
Job Titles:
- Environmental Scientist
- Retired, Environmental Scientist, ExxonMobil
Laura Napoli is an environmental scientist who has worked in the areas of land restoration, ecosystem services and land conservation transactions. As a corporate member of the Land Trust Alliance representing ExxonMobil, she worked to facilitate the conservation of corporate land within the U.S. She has also served on the Advisory Committee of the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust, and over the years has donated numerous hours to various other conservation related efforts.
Fun Fact: Laurie divides her time between New Jersey and Upstate New York where she and her grown family are restoring a 1912 Adirondack Foursquare on Lake Champlain.
Laurie joined D&R Greenway Land Trust in May of 1995. With more than twenty-five years of financial experience and certification in non-profit management, Laurie is responsible for financial and facilities management, office administration, and compliance. Laurie's responsibilities are multi-faceted, including managing rentals and scheduled events at the Johnson Education Center. She supports the land preservation process and general operations by providing document review and paralegal expertise. Formerly, she was a partner in a family business, Tri-Boy Beverage, Inc.
Active in her local community, Laurie has facilitated the preservation of more than 200 acres in Lawrence Township, NJ. She currently serves as Treasurer for Lawrence Township Conservation Foundation, ex-Chairperson of the Lawrence Township Open Space & Stewardship Advisory Committee, ex-Treasurer for Sustainable Lawrence, and is a voting member of the Mercer County Agricultural Development Board.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- President
- President & CEO, D & R Greenway Land Trust
Fun Fact: Linda loves to travel and counts among her best wildlife experiences a safari in South Africa where she says, "We got close enough to hear the breath of the lions!"
Linda has led D&R Greenway since 1997 through a period of phenomenal growth, achieving statewide and national recognition. Her vision led to creation of D&R Greenway's Conservation Campus and its Johnson Education Center that supports land preservation and stewardship, with art galleries and programming that inspire a conservation ethic.
Over more than 30 years, Linda has affected over 20,000 acres of land preservation in Pennsylvania and in New Jersey, a state expected to reach total build-out in 30 years. She is adept at structuring complex land preservation transactions including Greenway Meadows and Coventry Farm in Princeton, and St. Michaels Farm Preserve in Hopewell. Her enthusiasm for fundraising has resulted in significant private/public partnerships to save land, and has ensured a stable organization for the future.
In 2012, Linda founded a national training program co-sponsored by the Land Trust Alliance and Morgan Stanley. She worked on two studies with the National Park Service that achieved designation of National Heritage Areas in PA and NJ. She founded the Delaware River Sojourn and was instrumental in establishing Bucks County's (PA) Open Space Program. She is a graduate of Rutgers University and formerly worked for the Bucks County Conservancy, now Heritage Conservancy. Linda regularly speaks on land preservation and conservation finance at the University of Notre Dame, and has been a guest lecturer at Princeton University, Yale University and other educational institutions, state and national conferences. She has served on several Boards including Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve and the Bucks County Open Space Board. She is currently on the Land Trust Alliance National Leadership Council and the State of New Jersey Historic Easement Advisory Board. Locally, she was a founding member of the Advisory Council for AWE - the Alliance for Watershed Education for the Delaware River Watershed, and serves on the Abbott Marshlands Cooperative Stewardship Council.
Linda Mead brings over 30 years of experience in acquiring land and easements to directing D&R Greenway's Land Preservation work. She is assisted by staff and expert advisors who have the financial and legal skills to enable complicated and beneficial land transactions. In addition, those who are dedicated solely to these responsibilities are noted below.
Job Titles:
- Owner of the Law Firm of Pinto & Butler
- Owner, Pinto & Butler
Lisa M. Butler is the owner of the law firm of Pinto & Butler which specializes in estate planning, probate and estate administration, land preservation and residential real estate. The law office is located 5 miles North of Princeton, NJ. The firm was established in 1972 and Ms. Butler has over 30 years of experience in these areas of the law. Ms. Butler has also lectured before various service and professional organizations and corporations including American Express, UBS, the State of New Jersey - Green Acres Program, Somerset County Legal Secretaries Association and various Land Preservation organizations on the topic of the importance of estate planning.
Michael was born in Trenton and has lived most of his life in central New Jersey. He currently resides in the Griggstown section of Franklin Township with his wife, son, and German short-haired pointer, Duke. Michael is employed by Siemens Financial Services, the financial services division of Siemens AG, as Vice President & Risk Head for its commercial real estate and construction loan businesses. He has been in a credit/risk management role with Siemens for over 15 years and have over 20 years of commercial lending experience. He graduated from Widener University with a B.S. in Business Administration and a concentration in Finance. In his free-time Michael goes outdoors to bike, hike, kayak or just enjoy the natural sights and sounds of his community.
Job Titles:
- Director of Donor and Community Engagement
- Public Relations Consultant
Fun fact: Goat Hill Overlook is Nancy's go-to vista for inspiration and strength.
Nancy Faherty is a public relations consultant with more than 30 years experience working with organizations in the areas of marketing, communications, programming and development. A 1989 graduate of the College of New Jersey, Nancy was presented with its Humanitarian Award in 2005 for her work with Angel's Wings, a non-profit organization she co-founded in 1999 to care for children in crisis while developing foster families. She built upon that work from 2012-2018 as Director of Advocacy & Development at YWCA Princeton. Born in Trenton, Nancy currently lives along the Delaware River in Lambertville with her husband, Flip. They recently took up kayaking as they learn more about the 2020 River of the Year and the lands surrounding it. Nancy was a participating artist in the 2020 Jim Hamilton Memorial Shad Fest Poster Auction which funded two local scholarships despite the challenges of the pandemic.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisors and Non - Trustee Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisors and Non - Trustee Committee
Job Titles:
- Senior Counsel, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath, LLP
Job Titles:
- Database Manager and Website Wizard
Sharon comes to D&R Greenway with an extensive background in business management and administration through her long-time involvement as a senior vice president and founding member of several area community banks. She is happy to be contributing to D&R Greenway's mission in her role as Database Manager and Website Wizard, drawing on her previous experience in marketing, administration, and new product development to bring consistency to donor data collection, maintenance and reporting, as well as developing new content and improving functionality of the D&R Greenway website. She has also served on the board and as Chair of a number of local nonprofit organizations.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisors and Non - Trustee Committee
Susan Charkes has been assisting D&R Greenway with various communications projects since 2010. A writer and poet, she is the author of AMC's Best Day Hikes Near Philadelphia and Outdoors With Kids-Philadelphia. She works in easement stewardship with Brandywine Conservancy, a Pennsylvania-based land conservation organization. She is a long-time volunteer with community environmental organizations in Pennsylvania, has worked as an attorney and in information management, and has been in the nonprofit environmental field since 2006, with prior positions at New Jersey and Maryland organizations. She has served on the Stewardship Council of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Susan holds a BA from The University of Chicago, a JD from Columbia University, and an MLS from Rutgers University. She leads hikes and is a volunteer Appalachian Trail maintainer. See more on her website, www.
Job Titles:
- Director of Land Stewardship
Tina oversees the stewardship of D&R Greenway's preserved properties where she manages reforestation efforts along with the Stewardship Team. Previously, Tina founded the Office of Sustainability at Drew University, where she spent over a decade tracking and working to reduce the carbon footprint. She also managed trees on the extensively forested campus, as well as the creation of native no-mow areas and meadows and managed the annual fern restoration event with student and faculty involvement. She has worked extensively with contractors and coordinated grants with the development office. Tina regularly presents to the local community to educate about conservation and sustainability. Tina received a Bachelors of Science degree from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
Job Titles:
- Owner, CEO and Design Director, Mottahedeh and Company
Wendy is the CEO and Design Director of Mottahedeh & Company, a wholesale distributor and design firm specializing in antique reproduction of porcelain, brass and other ceramic decorative accessories. She is a sculptor and has worked at the Johnson Atelier Institute of Sculpture. She holds or has held licenses with the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Colonial Williamsburg, Historic Charleston, Mount Vernon, U.S. National Trust, Musee des Arts Decoratifs, National Geographic and Passion for Maps. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount Holyoke College and a Bachelor of Fine Arts: Sculpture with Honors from Pratt Institute of Fine Art.
Job Titles:
- Chairman and Chief Investment Officer, Raging Capital Management
Bill is an entrepreneur and investor. He currently runs Raging Capital Management, a private investment partnership focused on public equities that he founded in 2006. Bill is also a co-founder of Princeton Ventures. As an entrepreneur, he has co-founded a number of financial information companies, including Raging Bull and InsiderScore. He has served on a number of public company boards, including Bankrate (2000-2009), Vitesse Semiconductors (2014-2015), and Immersion (2019-present). Bill has also been a guest speaker at Harvard Business School, Harvard Law School, MIT, and the University of Virginia. He attended the University of Virginia.