Staff
Samuel S. Gold, AICP
Executive Director
(860) 581-8554 ext.706 | [email protected]
Master of Urban Planning, B.S. Ecology, and B.A. Architectural History
Member of the American Institute of Certified Planning since 2006
Proficiency: Regional Planning, Public Policy, Land Use Regulation and Process, Greenways, Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning, Public Transportation, Transportation for the Elderly and Disabled, Long Range Transportation Planning, Economic Development Planning, Demographic and Economic Analysis
Responsibility: RiverCOG Work Program Administration, Regional and Shared Municipal Services, Legislation, Contract and Program Administration, Chief Elected Official, Legislator, and Congressional Assistance
Also serves as a member of the state Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations.
Megan Jouflas
Deputy Director
(860) 581-8554 ext.711 | [email protected]
B.A. – Political Science, Master of City Planning, Juris Doctor
Proficiency: Community Planning & Development, Sustainability Planning, Public Policy, Land Use Law, Long Range Planning, Current Planning, Zoning & Permitting, Public Outreach
Responsibility: Regional Plan of Conservation and Development, Project Referrals and Other Special Projects
Rob Haramut
Senior Transportation Planner
(860) 581-8554 ext.708 | [email protected]
B.S. & M.R.P. Regional Planning
Proficiency: Transportation /CTDOT Coordination, Transportation Safety, Planning/Technology (Trans)
Responsibility: Congestion Management, Incident Management, Freight Planning, Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning, Traffic Data, Title VI/EJ/LEP/ADA Compliance, Municipal STIP, CMAQ,TAP, LOTCIP, 5310 MGP, discretionary grants coordination, UZA/TMA coordination, Performance measures, MPO board/municipal transportation support
Margot Burns
Senior Environmental Planner
(860) 581-8554 ext.702 | [email protected]
B.A – Environmental Geography
M.S. – Geography/Environmental Protection
Proficiency: Natural Hazard Mitigation, Open Space and Natural Resource Planning; Non-Profit and Community Outreach and Coordination; GIS; Small Business Administration
Responsibility: Natural Hazard Mitigation; Aquatic Invasive Species; Recreational Trails, Greenway/Blue ways, Title VI Accessibility, Open Space; Data Analysis, Non Profit Coordination, GIS, Mapping, Conservation, Forestry
Janice Ehlemeyer
Community Resource Planner
(860) 581-8554 ext.704 | [email protected]
B.A. Design, Architectural Drawing, HHW Certification
Proficiency: HHW/Waste Systems/Contract Management/ Recycling/ Data Collection/ Agriculture
Responsibility: Bikeway/Pedestrian Planning, 5310 Application – Buses, Climate / Infrastructure planning, LEED Projects, Clean Fuels Program – Transit, Housing /Access (EJ- Title VI), HHW/Recycling, Regional Paper Shredding Events, Repair Cafes, Food Systems/ Freight, Utilities –Energy Planning, Physical Operations, Special Regional Projects, Demographics – Census, DESPP Administration support, Town Assistance, Staff to Regional Agriculture Council
Paula Fernald
Financial Administrator
(860) 581-8554 ext.703| [email protected]
Proficiency: Business Management, Accounting, Treasurer for Nonprofits, Non Profit Management, Financial Administration, Human Resources, DEMHS Region 2 Fiduciary
Responsibility: General Financial Administration including Accounts Payable/Receivable, Payroll, DESPP Region 2 Fiduciary, Grant Funding Administration, Annual Audit, Budget Preparation, Human Resources, Insurance Management
Eliza LoPresti
Community Planner
(860) 581-8554 ext.717 | [email protected]
M.A. Sociology & B.A. Psychology
Proficiency: Housing, Communications, Project Assistance
Responsibility: Staff to the Regional Housing Committee & Lower CT River Land Trust, Special Regional Projects, Shared Services Project Support, Communications, Municipal Assistance, HHW Coordination, Legislative Tracking
Susie Beckman
Regional Planner
(860) 581-8554 ext.709 | [email protected]
B.A. Communications, M.A. International Policy
Proficiency: Economic Development, Public Policy, International Trade & Policy, Data Analysis, Public Affairs, Marketing, Financial Development & Parenting
Responsibility: Regional Economic Development Committee, Connecticut River Gateway Commission, DEMHS Region 2 Emergency Management Fiduciary & Other Projects
Serendipity (and the US Navy) transplanted the Beckmans in Ivoryton in 1997. Susie and husband, Phil, cherish the quality of life experienced in the Lower Connecticut River Valley where they raised their two children. They share a desire to sustain the qualities that make this area such a treasured place for all of us lucky enough to live here or visit.
Marcos Gonzalez
Regional Planner
(860) 581-8554 ext.719 | [email protected]
Master’s of Landscape Architecture and Master’s of Regional Planning, B.S. International Politics
Proficiency: Economic Development, Public Policy, Landscape Design, all things bikes
Responsibility: Housing, Economic Development, Transportation, other long range planning projects and referrals.
JH Torrance Downes
Deputy Director Emeritus
(860) 581-8554 ext.705 | [email protected]
B.S. & M.S. Geology
Proficiency: Zoning/Coastal Structures/Marine Land Use Planning/Model Regulations/ Village Districts/ Permitting/Riparian/NHMP/ Geology/Arts-History Planning/ CAZEO/Gateway/Legislative/Graphic Design
Responsibility: Gateway Commission, DEMHS Region 2 Fiduciary Responsibilities, Natural Hazards Mitigation, FEMA Coordination, Marine and Harbor Management, Land Use Assistance, Project Referrals, Village Districts, Zoning Assistance/CAZEO, Inter-municipal Referrals, Special Project Research, Long Island Sound Grants, Kayak and Canoe Trails, Website Responsibilities
Kevin Armstrong
GIS Planner
(860) 581-8554 ext.710 | [email protected]
B.S. – Geomatics
Proficiency: Online & Digital Mapping, GIS Data Maintenance, Database Infrastructure, Information Technology, Web Programming & Design, Graphic Design
Responsibility: Maintenance and Organization of Regional GIS Data, Annual State Data Submissions, GIS and IT Consulting, Database Planning, Online and Cloud Resource Management, Census Geographic Updates, Town Assistance, Technical and Web Support
Brendan Geraghty
Transportation Planner
(860) 395-9752 ext.111 | [email protected]
Master of Regional Planning, B.S. Sustainable Community Development
Proficiency: Regional Planning, Public Transportation Planning, GIS Spatial Analysis and Mapping, Economic Development, Socioeconomic Data Analysis, Green Infrastructure and Climate Change Research
Responsibility: Transportation Planner for both RiverCOG and Estuary Transit District, Public bus system planning including route creation and optimization, data collection and analysis, and operational assistance for Estuary Transit District. Will also work for RiverCOG in other regional planning projects.
John McDonald
Planning Intern
(860) 581-8554 ext.720 | [email protected]
B.A.- Psychology/Urban Studies
Proficiency: Data Collection and Analysis, Regional Plan of Conservation & Development