Aaron Gross
Director, Massachusetts Environmental Police
Col. Gross joined the Boston Police Department in 1974 where he began his career patrolling the streets of Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan and greater Boston, helping to establish over three hundred urban crime watch groups. Prior to joining the Environmental Police, he served as commander of the Boston Police Department’s Sex Offenders unit and as a Federal Task Force Agent and Sgt. Detective in the Boston Police Drug Control unit. Col. Gross served as a U.S. Army Sgt. First Class during the Vietnam War and earned three Purple Heart medals for his service. His favorite outdoor activities are fishing, hiking, boating, camping, and horseback riding.
Anna Waclawiczek
Chief of Staff, Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR)
Before coming on board to DAR, Anna worked at a number of start-up software companies on strategic marketing initiatives. Her marketing background and city roots add a unique perspective to the challenges and opportunities of the agricultural community. Suffice to say she’s hooked on “Ag” and everything locally grown! She received her bachelor’s degree from Salem State College, loves hiking, writing, and eggplant.
Bill Hinkley
Program Director, Massachusetts Environmental Trust (MET)
Bill joined MET in 2007 after ten years raising funds for social service and educational institutions in Ohio and Massachusetts. Bill earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and biology from St. Lawrence University and a master’s degree in nonprofit management from Case Western Reserve University. A dedicated sailor and catboat enthusiast, he can often be found in the waters of the south shore. He has proudly displayed his right whale license plates since 2003.
Bob Greco
Chief of staff, Department of Fish and Game (DFG)
Bob started working with DFG more than 20 years ago as a communications specialist after graduating from Saint Michael’s College. A native of Orange, Bob’s passion for outdoor recreation was sparked at age five while fishing in a small boat with his father and two brothers, dodging ice floes on the half frozen lake. He lives in Ipswich with his wife, daughter, and son and enjoys outdoor hobbies (most often with kids in tow) such as fishing, clamming, birding, hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and snow shoeing.
Dan Clark
Director of Natural Resources, Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Water Supply Protection
Dan has been with the Division since 1995 when he was hired as a Conservation Biologist. Dan became the Natural Resources Director in 2007 and oversees a variety of wildlife, forestry, and land stewardship programs. Dan knew at the age of 7 when he caught his first snapping turtle that he wanted to pursue a career in wildlife ecology. He earned a bachelor’s degree in wildlife management from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and a Master’s degree in wildlife ecology from the University of Missouri, Columbia. Dan enjoys spending time fishing, canoeing, playing tennis, and tinkering around his yard and garden.Edward M. Lambert Jr.
Commissioner, Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR)
Ed Lambert has been working in government for 30 years - including as a state Representative from the 8th Bristol District and Mayor of Fall River - and he brings all that public experience and expertise to his new job at DCR. Most recently, he taught public management at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth and was executive director of the school’s Urban Initiative. When he came to DCR in February, Commissioner Lambert immediately started traveling around the state, visiting parks and forests, beaches and watersheds, getting to know all the natural, cultural, and recreational opportunities that DCR has to offer. He is not inexperienced in these matters: As Fall River mayor, he helped establish the state's first bioreserve in southeastern Massachusetts, which has protected about 14,000 acres of forests and wetlands. In addition to all this, he loves camping and hiking. Commissioner Lambert lives in Fall River with his wife and has a 22-year-old son.
Erin Burke
Protected Species Specialist, Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF)
Erin joined the Division of Marine Fisheries in 2005 and oversees the conservation and management programs for protected species in Massachusetts waters. This work covers a range of species including endangered large whales, harbor porpoise, and sea turtles. She holds a master's degree in Coastal Environmental Management from Duke University. When not working with protected species, she enjoys cooking, jogging, hiking, and spending time with her family.
Gary Briere
Recreation Bureau Chief, Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)
Since 1992, Gary has been responsible for DCR’s recreation services statewide. Each year, nearly 40 million people visit Massachusetts state and urban parks, which include more than 80 ocean and freshwater beaches, 35 swimming and wading pools, 3,000 miles of paths and trails, 30 campgrounds, 47 athletic fields, 25 tennis courts, three golf courses and dozens of historic and scenic sites. Gary joined the state parks agency in 1978 as a conservation helper. When not working in the parks, Gary can often be found there, bicycling on the pathways or hiking the Appalachian Trail across Massachusetts.
Haley Hillesland
Multimedia Intern, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)
Haley, a junior at Boston College, is working for the EEA during the fall semester of 2011. She is enrolled in the college of Arts & Sciences, majoring in English and finishing a minor in Art History. She loves to travel and absorb the local food culture. Originally from the Midwest, she is enjoying the New England foliage and the close proximity of all-things-outdoors.
Jessica Macfarlane
Multimedia intern, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)
Jessica is the multimedia intern for the fall of 2011. She is in her final semester at the University of Massachusetts – Boston, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental, Earth, and Ocean Sciences. Jessica’s love of nature began early, when she embarked on fishing adventures, frequent hikes through the woods, and storm watching, during long Missouri summers. These experiences took her to study meteorology and climate studies in Oklahoma, then on to finish her degree in Massachusetts. Jessica enjoys mineral collecting, hiking, traveling, football, photography and storm chasing.
Greg Skomal
Senior biologist, Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF)
Greg is an aquatic biologist with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) who specializes in the study of ecology and physiology of sharks. He has been a fisheries biologist with DMF since 1987 and currently heads up the Massachusetts Shark Research Program. He earned a master’s degree from the University of Rhode Island in zoology and a Ph.D. from Boston University in biology. His shark research has spanned multiple fish habitats around the globe including Arctic Circle, the Red Sea, the coasts of Australia and Europe, the Caribbean, and the Central Pacific Ocean.
John Tulik
Captain, Massachusetts Environmental Police
John, who joined the Massachusetts Environmental Police force 30 years ago, is responsible for coastal enforcement of federal and state environmental protection laws that protect species including right whales and porpoise. The Environmental Police also enforce the state’s recreational boating laws that require life jackets and prohibit operating boats under the influence of alcohol or drugs. A Gloucester resident, John enjoys astronomy, fishing, kayaking, scuba diving, and foraging for wild mushrooms.
Jonathan Yeo
Director of Water Supply Protection, Department of Conservation and Recreation
Jonathan has been the Director of Water Supply Protection since 2005. He earned a bachelor’s degree in earth science from Wesleyan University and a master’s in public policy from Harvard University. Jonathan held several positions in water resources management at the MWRA from 1989 to 2005. He traces his interest in science, protecting the environment, and public sector management to a 7th grade science project on water pollution. He loves to travel and hikes wherever he is.
Kate Samp
Multimedia intern, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)
Kate worked as the photo/multimedia intern at EEA for the Spring 2011 semester as she completed her final year at Boston University, where she was pursuing a degree in photojournalism with a concentration in anthropology. During the summer of 2010, Kate was a Wilderness Trips Leader for an all-girls summer camp in Minnesota, where she was also a camper. She enjoys martial arts, horseback riding, and camping trips with the Boston University Outing Club.
Laurie Burt
Former Commissioner, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
An outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking and kayaking, Commissioner Burt started her career as an environmental professional as a Massachusetts Assistant Attorney General in environmental enforcement. She went on to establish and lead the Environmental Practice Group at Foley Hoag LLP. Serving from 2007 to 2010, Commissioner Burt championed environmental, energy and public health issues such as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), climate action programs, a statewide integrated water management plan, streamlining environmental permits and wetlands appeals, protecting drinking water resources, Brownfields redevelopment and maximizing the recycling and reuse of solid wastes.
Madeleine Barr
Multimedia intern, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)
Madeleine is working with the EEA as a communications intern for the 2012 spring semester. As she prepares to graduate with a degree in Environmental Studies, Madeleine is exploring the different roles various types of agencies play in the protection of our environment. Madeleine enjoys the modest activities of hiking, bike riding, cooking, and swimming in oceans.
Lindsey Palatino
Multimedia intern, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)
Lindsey worked as an intern at EEA for the 2010 spring semester while studying to earn her master’s degree in photojournalism from Boston University. Lindsey earned a bachelor’s degree in film and digital media from the University of California in Santa Cruz. Lindsey spent the last five years in Santa Cruz, where she developed a love for trail running and backpacking along California's central coast. Now she loves running the Blue Hills with her dog, Ginger, and her camera.
Marcy Marchello
Universal Access Program Coordinator, Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)
As a teenager, Marcy watched her father as he visited institutions to create custom seating and head support for severely disabled children. Marcy has coordinated accessible recreation in the great outdoors for people with disabilities at DCR parks since 1995. She finds her work helping people extremely rewarding. She earned an Environmental Education degree from Lesley College. Marcy enjoys hiking, bicycling, paddling, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, ice skating, birding, and letterboxing – all activities that have been adapted through the DCR Universal Access Program.
Marion Larson
Outreach Coordinator, MassWildlife
Since 1999, Marion has worked as an outreach coordinator for MassWildlife. When she first joined MassWildlife, Marion worked as an educator hosting wildlife and watershed education workshops. She began her career with the Commonwealth as an Environmental Police Officer, formerly known as a game warden, in northern Worcester and Middlesex counties. Marion enjoys birding, hiking, kayaking, gardening, and the occasional bird or deer hunt. She earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental education from the University of Vermont.
Mary Griffin
Commissioner, Department of Fish and Game (DFG)
An avid angler, hiker and hunter, Commissioner Griffin has worked as an environmental professional for the past 18 years, serving as Acting Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Environmental Protection, Chief of Legal Services for the state parks system, and Assistant Attorney General in the Environmental Protection Division of the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office. She earned degrees from Davidson College and Cornell Law School. She has worked on land conservation throughout her career, and is pleased that with support of the Patrick-Murray administration the DFG protected 10,280 acres of open space in 2009 for the benefit of both wildlife and people.
Rachel Offerdahl
Multimedia intern, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)
Rachel served as the photo/multimedia intern at the EEA for the Fall 2010 semester as she delves into her final year at Boston University, where she is pursuing a dual degree in photojournalism and international relations. Rachel grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina. She spent her summers with her aunt and uncle visiting Hanging Rock State Park. There she developed a love for animals and the outdoors and an interest in environmental protection and preservation. She enjoys local food, rivers, reading outside, her kitten Puck, and making pictures of it all.
Reginald Zimmerman
Assistant Press Secretary, Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)
Formerly a correspondent with GateHouse Media and the newest member of the EEA Communications & Public Affairs team, Reggie is a native New Englander who feels as much at home outdoors as he does in the city. With interests that range from sports to marine biology, Reggie enjoys hiking, rock-climbing and camping.
Rick Sullivan
Secretary, Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)
Appointed as secretary in 2011, Secretary Sullivan served as DCR commissioner from 2007 to 2010. Prior to that Secretary Sullivan served as the mayor of Westfield for 13 years. He is a past president of the Massachusetts Mayors Association and a founding president of the Winding River Land Conservancy, which has protected 1,700 acres in western Hampden County. Sullivan earned a bachelor’s degree from Bates College and a jurist doctorate from Western New England Law School. Among his favorite vistas in DCR parks is the view from the top of Mt. Greylock and from the banks of Castle Island.
Scott Soares
Commissioner, Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR)
Commissioner Soares keeps busy by spearheading efforts to ensure a vibrant agricultural future for the Commonwealth. A strong advocate for sustainable farming, he focuses on enhancing economic opportunities for the Commonwealth’s farming community as more and more people become keenly interested in where and how their food is grown. Scott’s agricultural roots go back to his childhood where his family enjoyed small-scale farming including vegetables and livestock. He’s a big fan of aquaculture from his marine biology background and early days with DAR. His favorite vegetable is Brussels sprouts.
Tim Purinton
Director, Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Ecological Restoration
Tim coordinates a division that’s mission is to restore and protect the Commonwealth’s rivers, wetlands and watersheds for the benefit of people and the environment. Prior to the working for the Commonwealth he was an outreach coordinator for Mass Audubon. Tim lives in Ipswich with his wife, family and an English mastiff named Flora. If he's not at work coordinating a first-in-the-nation division dedicated to ecological restoration, he’s probably gunkholing in the Great Marsh or flyfishing the Bash Bish.
Tracey Workman
Former Multimedia intern, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)
Tracey, who is working for EEA’s summer intern program, attends Boston University where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in public relations at the College of Communication, with a minor in business administration from the School of Management. Tracey has been an avid hiker since middle school, with much of her interest occurring from her upbringing in the mountains of Hawaii. She also enjoys jogging around the Charles River, the culinary arts and photography.
Wendy Fox
Former Press Secretary, Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)
Wendy spent her entire career as a journalist before joining DCR. She has loved the outdoors since she was old enough to open the back door. Wendy’s been hiking, camping, boating, and cycling ever since.
Wendy Pearl
Preservation Planner, Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)
Wendy has been a preservation planner in DCR's Office of Cultural Resources for 14 years, working on the preservation of DCR's rich collection of historic landscapes, buildings, and sites. She holds a masters degree from Boston University and lives with her family in Beverly, where she encourages her two young daughters to go outside and get dirty whenever possible.
