Eight new board members will bring a breadth of experience in land use, infrastructure and government relations to nation’s oldest independent regional planning organization
New members join RPA as the nonprofit pursues key priorities including building a modern regional transportation system, increasing housing production, and adapting the region to climate change
NEW YORK, NY – Regional Plan Association (RPA) announced the addition of eight new members to its Board of Directors, who were unanimously elected to the 102-year-old organization at its March meeting. The members bring many decades of expertise in the fields of transportation, construction, infrastructure, energy and communications. They will join an esteemed group of professionals that help support RPA’s operations, set its strategic vision and reach its policy goals.
The new board members are:
Garrett Armwood, Vice President for Government Affairs, SL Green
Vivienne Edwards, Business Centre Operations Leader, Stantec
Jennifer Hensley, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Con Edison
Ana Rua, External Affairs Director, East Area, Crown Castle
Alison Sant, Partner and Co-founder, Studio for Urban Projects
Midori Valdivia, Founder and Principal, Midori Valdivia Consulting LLC
Mark Weprin, Vice President of Government Affairs for New York, Invenergy
Andrea Woodner, Chair and Founder of Design Trust for Public Space
“Our eight new members will make tremendous additions to RPA’s Board of Directors and we are excited to welcome them,” said Ray McGuire, Chair of Regional Plan Association’s Board of Directors. “These new members bring a wealth of expertise in key issue areas, and experience within the private and public sectors. Each member will play a crucial role in helping RPA advocate for forward-thinking planning solutions that position our region for a better, more sustainable future.”
“We are thrilled to welcome eight proven leaders to RPA’s board, who each bring unparalleled experience, skills and passion to help tackle the most important issues in our region,” said Tom Wright, President and CEO of Regional Plan Association. “Their vision and guidance will be invaluable to the organization as we continue to advocate for the funding of capital projects such as the Gateway Tunnel Project and Port Authority Bus Terminal; land use reforms to promote housing opportunity in every community; and resiliency efforts to adapt our region to climate change.”
In addition to electing these eight board members, RPA also elevated three long-serving members of the board to the position of Director Emeritus, which recognizes individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the organization over the course of several terms of office. The new Directors Emeriti are:
Tonio Burgos, CEO, Tonio Burgos & Associates
Lynne Sagalyn, Professor Emerita at Columbia Business School
H. Claude Shostal, former President, Regional Plan Association
About Regional Plan Association
Regional Plan Association (RPA) is an independent non-profit organization that conducts research, planning and advocacy to expand economic opportunity, environmental resiliency, improved health, and better quality of life in the New York metropolitan area. Since the 1920s, RPA has produced four landmark plans for the region. The most recent was released in November 2017. For more information, please visit www.rpa.org.
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