Watershed Association Welcomes New Trustees and Says Good-Bye To Retiring Trustees

Eight new trustees, Michele Blanchard, David Budd, George Cassa, Catherine Coultas, Susan Deeks, Tom Hollo, Mariellen Keffe, and Frank Stillinger have been elected to three-year terms, according to Robert Blanchard, Chairman of the Board of the Great Swamp Watershed Association. The Watershed Association is celebrating more than 20 years as a non-profit organization.

Michele Blanchard of Harding Township has previously served on the Board of Trustees and as a long-time Chair of the Outreach & Education Committee. She has also served on the Executive Committee.

David Budd of Morristown is Managing Director of the financial firm of McConnell Budd & Romano, Inc. in Morristown and in his previous term on the Board served as Chairman of the Board, Chair of the Development Committee, and as a member of the Land Use, Finance, and Executive Committees.

George Cassa, who resides in Tewksbury Township, is a marine engineer with CG International Inc. in Scotch Plains. In his previous term on the Board, he chaired the Land Use Committee, and as Board Secretary also served on the Executive Committee.

Catherine Coultas has been a resident of Madison for 55 years. Although this is her first term on the Board at the Watershed Association, she is Conservation Chair of the Madison Garden Club, Program Chair of the Madison Historical Society, and is a member of the newly formed Madison Open Space Committee, the Parks Committee, and the Shade Tree Commission.

Harding Township resident Susan Deeks has previously served on the Board of Trustees and as a member of the Development Committee. She is involved with the Morristown Garden Club and served as a member of the Environmental Commission in Harding Township.

Tom Hollo is a 20 year resident of Morristown and serves as President of the Morristown Friends of Great Brook. He is Senior Vice President of the Merrill Corporation, a financial and legal printing company in New York.

Mariellen Keefe is a member of the Watershed Association Finance Committee and lives in Bernards Township, where she is active in the public school system and with the Somerset Hills Handicapped Riding Center. She has a degree in Business Administration and previously worked as an auditor at Price-Waterhouse and as a portfolio manager and securities analyst.

Chatham Township resident, Frank Stillinger, Ph.D., is a long-time member of the Science & Technology Committee of the Watershed Association. He is a Senior Scientist in the Chemistry Department of Princeton University. He has spent several years working at the Watershed Association's Conservation Area in Harding Township.

"This is a diverse and well-rounded group," said Blanchard, "they bring unique characteristics to the board. Each one of these trustees will be an asset to the Watershed Association and we appreciate their willingness to share their time and expertise."

Retiring as trustees of the Watershed Association are William Aiello, Richard Clew, Chris Hepburn, Judy Kroll, Ned Kirby, and Dorothy Stillinger. They have each been members of the board for two consecutive three-year terms, the maximum provided by the by-laws.

William Aiello, Ph.D of Madison served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees and has been a member of the Nominating, Finance, Science & Technology, and Executive Committees. 

Harding resident Richard Clew was a member of the Finance Committee and Nominating Committee; Edward Kirby, Ph.D., of Basking Ridge is past Chair of the Science & Technology Committee, has been a member of the Executive Committee, and is currently a member of the Development Committee; Madison residents Chris Hepburn and Judy Kroll were members of the Land Use Committee; and Dorothy Stillinger of Chatham is past Chair of the Land Use and Finance Committees, is a former Treasurer and member of the Executive Committee and the Development Committee.

Great Swamp Watershed Association was created in 1981 to protect the Great Swamp watershed basin. Celebrating more than 20 years as a non-profit organization, the Watershed Association relies solely on membership and contributions to protect the continued health of our water. If you're not already a member, become one today. For more information, call (973) 966-1900, or visit their website at www.greatswamp.org.

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