The Coalition for Transportation Choices (CTC) is bidding farewell to Co-Chair, and State Director of Clean Water Action, Sheila Dormody.

Sheila has accepted the position of Providence's first Sustainability Director where she will oversee efforts to reduce the city's energy expenditures, promote a green economy, develop a comprehensive sustainability action plan, promote composting and increase recycling.  

We also expect that she will also be working on complete streets and sustainable transportation!

Sheila stepped down from her responsibilities both at Clean Water Action and the CTC on November 30, 2011 and began her new job on December 5, 2011. The Conservation Law Foundation's Jerry Elmer has agreed to assume Sheila's CTC responsibilities and will join Grow Smart RI's John Flaherty as co-chair.

Sheila has served with John Flaherty as the CTC co-chairs since the coalition was formed in 2009. Under their leadership, CTC has convened a broad partnership of organizations who have engaged policy makers in thoughtful analysis of sustainable funding options for supporting and expanding Rhode Island's transportation system. The CTC has put transportation on the State House policy agenda and has worked with legislators to craft long-term funding solutions for public transportation. These solutions were in the Transportation Investment and Debt Reduction Act of 2011 which garnered significant support and will be reintroduced in 2012. Under the leadership of CTC member organizations Sierra Club and AARP, The CTC has promoted complete streets policies in cities and towns throughout the state and has worked with the Audubon Society of Rhode Island on Safe Routes to School and the International Walk to School Day in October.

The CTC made up only a portion of Sheila's distinguished body of work. A resident of Providence, Sheila has been an advocate for environmental and peace movements for over 20 years. In 2000, she began her work at Rhode Island Clean Water Action, coordinated the New England Zero Mercury Campaign, and led the Rhode Island campaign that has won first in the nation policies to phase out products that contain mercury.

Her impressive resume includes a U.S. EPA Merit Award in 2008; Policy Co-Chair of the National TakeBack Coalition; and coordinator of the national Mercury Products Campaign.

Sheila's leadership, wit and commitment will be missed at CTC meetings, and we wish her the very best of luck at her new assignment. The City of Providence is lucky to have its sustainability efforts by led Sheila.  

The Sustainability Directors position in Providence is funded by a federal Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant. Other Rhode Island cities and towns might consider creating such a position to contribute to the long term maintenance of the environment, the economy and the sustainability of Rhode Island.