Staff
|
Charlie Baker Executive Director 846.4490 x23 |
Charlie joined the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission in June of 2008. Charlie is focused on supporting the Commission’s member municipalities and improving the financial position of the Commission.
Prior to joining the CCRPC, Charlie was the General Manager for New Castle County, Delaware’s Department of Land Use for eight years in charge of functions that included planning, development review, stormwater plan review, building inspections, property assessment and code enforcement with a staff of 150. While there, he led efforts to develop two County Comprehensive Development Plans, adopt low impact development stormwater and conservation design laws, improve redevelopment laws, adopt the first inclusionary housing law in the State, implemented a community planning program, initiated a SmartCode village/hamlet code revision, drafted revisions to the transfer of development rights laws, and improved customer service. Previous positions include work with two Metropolitan Planning Organizations as the Deputy Director of the Wilmington Area Planning Council and a transportation planner with the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. Charlie also worked as a transportation planner for Burlington County, NJ and as Program Director for the Cross County Connection Transportation Management Association. He holds a bachelors degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Cornell University and did graduate work at both Cornell University and Rutgers University. He lives in South Burlington with his wife, Pam, and children, Brian and Brooke. |
 Michele Boomhower Assistant/MPO Director 660.4071 x15 |
Michele joined the CCMPO as Executive Director in the Fall of 2008 following 15 years of service with the Lamoille County Planning Commission (LCPC). From 1999 to June of 2008, Michele served as Executive Director for LCPC, spearheading the Commission’s programs in economic development, housing, telecommunications, fluvial geomorphology and emergency management.
Prior to her position in Lamoille, she worked for the State of Vermont Natural Resources Board District Environmental Commission #7 Act 250 office in St. Johnsbury, the State of Vermont Divisions of Water Quality and Forestry, and the UVM Entomology Research Laboratory. Michele grew up in Jericho and Underhill, graduated summa cum laude from Johnson State College in 1993, and is a 2004 graduate of the Snelling Center for Government, Vermont Leadership Institute. Michele is a member of the Burlington Rotary and the Johnson State College Alumni Council where she serves as Vice Chair. In her leisure time Michele enjoys downhill skiing, camping, reading, knitting and riding with her horse Mey. She and her family live on the shores of Lake Champlain in Georgia. |
|
Dan Albrecht Senior Planner 846.4490 x29 |
Dan Albrecht’s primary responsibilities are the Lake Champlain Byway Program and the Regional Stormwater Education Program. He also manages the RPC’s fluvial erosion hazard research and planning effort and hazard mitigation planning program. He holds an M.S. in Natural Resources Planning from the University of Vermont (2005) and an M.A. in Anthropology from McGill University (1990). He worked in Alaska for 11 years as a Research Director and Executive Director in fisheries public policy. Prior to joining CCRPC in August 2003, Dan served as Selectboard Assistant for the Town of Charlotte. |
 Daryl Benoit Transportation Planner 660.4071 x12 |
Daryl joined CCMPO in November of 2002 after a tenures with such agencies as; the Vermont Center for Geographic Information (VCGI), The University of Vermont, Center for Rural Studies (CRS), and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). He received his M.A. in Geography from the University of Leeds, focusing on urban modeling. He serves as the agency’s webmaster & transportation data manager, and works in support of technical assistance to communities on local roads issues. He further assists in areas of Park & Ride, bicycle & pedestrian, and freight planning efforts, data collection & analysis, GIS, and web-based application development. |
|
Leslie Bonnette Executive Assistant 846.4490 x21 |
Leslie came to CCRPC in 2001. She is responsible for day-to-day operations of the office, minute-taking and transcription of Commission and Executive Committee meetings, database maintenance, website administration and creation and publication of The Regional Review CCRPC’s quarterly newsletter. She assists Executive Director, Charlie Baker, organize his work-life and orchestrates meetings to accommodate many busy schedules. Prior to CCRPC, Leslie worked for a benefits consulting firm for eight years. |
 Janet Botula Administrative Assistant 660.4071 x18 |
Janet joined the CCRPC in December 2006. She is responsible for maintaining the database, recording minutes for the Transportation Advisory Committee, distribution of organization materials, website administration and assisting with the day to day operations of the office. Before moving to Vermont with her husband and two toddlers in the early 1990s, Janet received her Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from California State University at Long Beach. She worked as a grant administrator for various municipalities and served as Park Planner and City Planner for the City of Anaheim, CA. Since then she has volunteered for a variety of non-profits organizations. Janet lives with her husband in Essex Junction and enjoys traveling, gardening, music, hiking and sailing. |
 Pam Brangan Senior Planner 846.4490 x22 |
Pam Brangan is responsible for GIS data development, GPS projects, cartographic maps for town plans, regional maps and many other map products. She also maintains the computer network for the organization. Prior to joining CCRPC in 1999, Pam spent seven years developing her GIS skills with the US Forest Service in Idaho and West Virginia. Pam lives in Shelburne with her husband, Jim, two boys, Robby and Nate, and their dog, Stella. |
 Jason Charest, EIT Transportation Planning Engineer 660.4071 x32 |
Jason joined the CCMPO staff in 2007 after graduating with Bachelor’s degrees in Civil Engineering and Liberal Arts from the University of Vermont and Saint Michaels College respectively. Jason works predominantly with the Technical Assistance, Transportation Systems Management, Safety, and Signal Optimization programs. He is a member of the Vermont chapter of the Institute of Transportation Engineers.
When it was time to enter the work force Jason found himself wanting to stay in Vermont for some of the same reasons he decided to attend college there – good mountains, people, quality of life, and still close to his family in New Hampshire. He enjoys playing soccer, mountain biking, snowboarding, hiking, camping, and lives in Burlington. |
 Eleni Churchill Senior Transportation Planning Engineer 660.4071 x11 |
Eleni joined the CCMPO in 2007 following 12 years of service with the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans). At VTrans, Eleni worked as a Traffic Engineer and Transportation Planner where she managed Modal Policy Plans and multimodal Statewide Transportation Studies. She was also involved with freight transportation planning and Act 250 reviews as they relate to transportation issues.
At the CCMPO, Eleni manages the Regional and Local Corridors and Circulation program as well as several Scoping and Technical Assistance projects. She is also involved with the State’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan, Act 250 reviews and congestion policy issues. Eleni was born in Cyprus and came to the US to study Civil Engineering. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Drexel University in Philadelphia and her Masters from Clemson University in South Carolina. She lives with her family—husband David and daughter Anna—in Burlington. |
|
Forest Cohen Business Manager 846.4490 x24 |
Forest is responsible for all aspects of accounting and bookkeeping duties for CCRPC, including budget planning related to the annual Work Program, benefits, payroll accounting, and audit assistance. Forest brings experience from his previous employment in the organizational development consulting field. After completing an extended exploration of the outdoor recreational opportunities in the western US, and earning an undergraduate degree, Forest returned to his home state of Vermont in 2002. He has since earned a Master’s of Public Administration degree from the University of Vermont. While not busy balancing the RPC books, Forest spends time with his family and tries to run around outside as much as possible. |
 Bryan Davis Transportation Planner 660.4071 x17 |
Bryan is passionate about alternative transportation options and is thrilled to be able to work on those projects at the CCMPO. His outreach efforts keep him in touch with local communities and engaged in their issues. A graduate of Texas A&M University, Bryan moved to Colorado to pursue mountain biking and public service with the US Forest Service. He gained non-profit experience in land conservation and affordable housing, and found his way to Vermont in 2003 for graduate school at UVM where he earned a Master’s degree in Natural Resource Planning. He finds peace in the outdoors, enjoys quality time with family and friends, and rocks out with his band Drive the Hour. |
 Bernadette (Bernie) Ferenc Business Manager 660.4071 x10 |
Bernie has been with CCMPO since 1984. She provides administrative support, manages the agency’s finances and budget, prepares and maintains consultant contracts, human resources, supports the Finance Committee, and prepares the minutes for the Executive Committee and CCMPO Board, as well as assisting the executive director as needed.
Bernie grew up and was educated in Detroit, Michigan, but has lived in Williston since 1975. She has two grown sons and three grandsons. Bernie is readily available to answer questions ten hours a day, four days a week, but on Thursdays she can be found caring for and having fun with two of her three grandsons. In her spare time, Bernie is a decorative painter, is active with the Green Mountain Decorative Painters and teaches painting in her home studio. |
 Christine Forde, AICP Senior Transportation Planner 660.4071 x13 |
Christine is responsible for managing the county’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). She also oversees planning and scoping studies for the organization’s project development program. She has over 20 years of transportation planning experience, including ten years managing and contributing to transportation studies focusing on Environmental Impact Statements and Environmental Assessments. She is a certified planner and a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). Christine has a Masters degree in City and Regional Planning from Rutgers University and a Bachelors degree in Botany/Environmental Studies from the University of Vermont.
Outside of work Christine spends as much time as possible enjoying the natural beauty of Vermont through hiking, biking and cross country skiing. She lives in South Burlington. |
 Peter Keating Senior Transportation Planner 660.4071 x14 |
Peter joined the CCRPC staff in 1988 following completion of his MA in Geography from UVM. Four years later he migrated over to the CCMPO. His transportation planning work over these years has spanned a variety of interests and tasks, including: Burlington International Airport access studies, Intelligent Transportation Systems strategies, Park and Ride facilities, public transportation services, Safe Routes to Schools programs, bicycle and pedestrian issues, and Metropolitan Transportations Plans.
Outside the office his interests include walking/hiking, world and folk music, and travel – which he has vicariously experienced and enjoyed the past ten years by teaching Geography at the Community College of Vermont and Champlain College |
|
Claire Leonard Associate Planner 846.4490 x26 |
Claire began working at CCRPC as a GIS Intern in December 2007, and became an Associate Planner in April 2010. Her work mostly consists of using GIS to develop and update regional-level datasets that aid others in land use and transportation planning. She has also participated in emergency management planning, map production, and GPS fieldwork. Claire has a B.S. in Geology from the University of Vermont, and lives in Burlington. |
|
Paul Luciano Emergency Management Planner 846.4490 x34 |
Paul Luciano has joined Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission with more than 10 years of experience in public health and emergency preparedness planning. He has a Masters of Public Health from Emory University. Paul will be responsible for emergency planning-related efforts in Chittenden County including the Local Emergency Planning Committee #1, the Chittenden County Citizen Emergency Response Team, annual municipal emergency operations plans, all hazard mitigation plans, regional public safety district coordination, hazardous materials education programs, and incident command system training programs. He continues to serve as both the Health Officer and Emergency Management Director for the Town of Jericho and as a occupational health consultant. Prior to coming to CCRPC, Paul has worked for the Vermont Department of Health in emergency planning and training. |
|
Regina Mahony Senior Planner 660.4071 x28 |
Regina joined the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission in November of 2011. Prior to the CCRPC Regina worked for the Town of Milton for 7 years; first as the Town Planner, then as the Planning Director from August 2006 to October 2011. Regina will be using her municipal planning experience to help confirm the municipal planning processes of the member municipalities, as well as, coordinate the ECOS project and Regional Plan update. Regina has a B.S. in Geography from the University of Maryland at College Park and a Masters in Regional Planning from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. |
 Melanie Needle Senior Planner 846.4490 x27 |
Melanie Needle began work in December; 2004 as a Staff Planner. Her primary responsibilities include use of Community Viz Scenario 360 in various local and regional planning projects, Regional Plan update and preparation, and performing diverse local technical assistance tasks. Melanie has a B.S. in Environmental Planning from Rutgers University and a Master’s Degree in GIS Technology from University of Redlands in California. |
|
Juliana Potter Senior Planner 846.4490 x30 |
Julie is a Senior Planner with Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission. Current project areas include air quality, energy and climate change, and Brownfields. She has over 20 years experience working as an environmental professional and planner in the private and public sectors. Julie has Masters Degrees from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in Urban and Regional Planning and in Water Resources Management. |
 David Roberts Senior Transportation Planning Engineer 660.4071 x16 |
David has been on the CCMPO staff since 1999. David manages several programs for the MPO, including the municipal technical assistance program and regional transportation modeling. He also serves on the executive committee of the Vermont chapter of the Institute of Transportation Engineers.
David received a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Virginia and a Masters degree in Business Administration from the University of Vermont. He lives in South Burlington with his wife Natalie and their dog, Rosalita. |
 Meeka A Dog |
Meeka joined the CCMPO in Summer 2010 and is responsible for maintaining staff morale. She does bark and jumps up sometimes, but is overall a pretty good dog. |