I’m motivated by civics: how we participate in, and shape our world, develop local leadership, and match our passions and interests to the needs and goals of our communities. To do this well, we need teams that bring out our individual strengths.
My interests include sustainable and equitable transportation, and constructive civic engagement. I led the Town of Natick’s efforts to create the Cochituate Rail Trail Advisory, and make the Natick Center MBTA station fully accessible, served on the Town Governance Study Committee, and am a long time member of Town Meeting.
I am the Director of Capital Strategy for the MBTA, working with a team that develops our Capital Investment Plan and guides our long range planning. At the MBTA we have solid leadership, a new strategic plan with an actionable mission, goals and values, and a duty that ensure that people in Massachusetts have access to high quality, safe, accessible and convenient public transportation.
I was an elected member of the Natick Board of Selectmen from 2006 to 2016, and have been an elected Town Meeting member for about 25 years. I was served on the Board of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, including a term as President, and continue to volunteer with the MMA.
Thank you, WalkMassachusetts for the 2022 Golden Shoe Award.
Please get in touch!
Scooter Share
I have a fun side hustle/hobby loaning out knee scooters to people recovering from a foot or ankle injury or surgery. Read about it here, listen to this WBZ Radio story (here and here), and get in touch if you have a scooter to donate, need (kneed) a ride, or want to replicate this project.
98 riders and counting since 2017!
Three of the fleet, which includes Akneeta, Barknee, Bethaknee, Cam Kneely, Corkneelius, Kneena Knievel, O’Kneel and the original Scootie. 72 riders and counting since 2017!
Cochituate Rail Trail
The CRT project has been a community priority since the 1990s, and a Town initiative since 2006, my first year as a member of the Board of Selectmen. The project construction in Natick was completed in 2021. Since its completion, over 540,000 people have walked, ridden or rolled on the CRT.
Natick Center MBTA Station
The Natick Center commuter rail station was the busiest, fully-inaccessible station in the MBTA’s commuter rail network. I helped jumpstart the redesign in 2012 by leading a local initiative. It is now an MBTA project that began construction in 2020, and is anticipated to open in 2024.
Fun With Food
Food connects us to each other and to the planet. It’s a reflection of our culture, identities, families and communities, important to health, and for me a form of creative expression and relaxation.
Festival of Heat
I like to organize and convene people around ideas and causes. Just preparing and sharing horseradish was not enough - several years ago I established the Festival of Heat as a “food raiser,” collecting donations to support our local food pantries. It is unlikely that you have had anything else as tangy, colorful and interesting.
Dignified Humor
I have never been accused of taking myself too seriously. It’s healthy to share a laugh now and then.
