Public Matters - Class of 2013

HEATHER BERRY is VP, Deposit Compliance Officer, BSA/AML Officer for Sage Bank in Tyngsboro. Her primary focus is to address every touch point through the eyes of the customer (internal and external) and ensure that the experience delivers the message of the Sage Bank brand and engages the customer each step of the way. Heather is involved in bringing new technology, processes, and ideas to fruition as part of the bank’s Innovation Team. She has served on the Board of Trustees for Lowell Catholic High School and participated as a member of the Leadership Board of the Friends of Merrimack Repertory Theatre. Heather also volunteers on the United Way’s Summer Experiences in Greater Lowell, a program that helps close the summer achievement gap by ensuring that thousands of children have enriching summer experiences that empower them for life. Heather lives in Nashua.

COLLEEN BRADY is the Government and Community Relations Coordinator in the Office of University Relations at UMass Lowell. Colleen moved to Lowell from England as a teenager and graduated from Lowell High School. She earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from UMass Lowell. Colleen distinguished herself as a student leader through her work as Orientation Leader and Resident Advisor, while simultaneously holding the office of Class President from her sophomore through her senior year. Colleen was a legal intern for Massachusetts Department of Children and Families; a Research Fellow at UMass Lowell; and a Congressional Intern for U.S. Congressman Marty Meehan. She holds a law degree from Massachusetts School of Law and lives in Lowell.

ALISON BURNS is the ‎Community Relations and Customer Experience Officer, Senior Vice President at Enterprise Bank. She is the driving force for continually enhancing and upgrading the bank’s customer service program to ensure customer satisfaction and loyalty.  Among Alison’s many responsibilities at Enterprise Bank is the role she plays in managing the logistics for Enterprise Bank’s signature event, The Celebration of Excellence. The event hosts over 1700 local business and community leaders and professionals and was created to honor community leaders that have helped create successful businesses, jobs, and vibrant, prosperous communities. Alison serves as liaison between the nominees, nominators, applicants, and judging committee; and manages the online nomination/application process. Alison is on the Board of Directors for Alternative House and has volunteered for a number of community projects and events. Alison was awarded Assumption College’s Music Department’s Award for Academic Excellence and continues her interest in music as a Soloist, Cantor and also as a member of the prestigious Tanglewood Festival Chorus, the official chorus of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Pops. Alison is a Lowell resident.

DAVID BYERS is a Park Ranger in the Division of Interpretation at Lowell National Historical Park. Dave provides training for seasonal and permanent staff on interpretation, and Boott Mills Museum and Visitor Center services and operations. He is a Certified Interpretive Guide through the National Association of Interpretation and a registered coach for those seeking to certify their achievements in conducting interpretive programs. Dave coordinates the park’s fee management program, serves as a mentor to seasonal staff, and is also a member of the park’s social media and web strategy team. Dave is particularly interested in making the park more accessible for international visitors and has developed translations of the park’s brochure in ten languages. Dave has worked at Boston National Historical Park and at Redwood National and State Parks. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in History from Bridgewater State College, and a Master's in History from the University of Connecticut. 

EILEEN BYRNE has been involved with the Brush Gallery and Studios for over fifteen years, as a resident artist, Board member, Board president, and it former Executive Director. Founded in 1982, the Brush is a non-profit Lowell arts organization modeled after the Torpedo Factory art complex in Alexandria, Virginia. The Brush’s mission is several-fold: to nurture the working artist; keep the visual arts alive in Lowell's historic district; to demonstrate through exhibitions and cultural programming Lowell's diverse and rich heritage; and help make Lowell a destination city. Eileen is a graduate of Duquesne University and spent over thirty years in the computer industry, first with Digital Equipment Corporation, and then with Polaroid, managing technical projects for the Navy, the White House, and many other organizations. When she retired from the corporate world a few years back, she started her own web design business, Pixelbytes, which allowed her to combine her two great interests, art and the computer.

THOMAS “DOC” DAUGHERTY is Branch Manager Vice President at Eastern Bank. He is responsible for budgeting, accounting for expense control, hiring, performance reviews, facilities management, compliance, auditing, sales production, ATM balancing, and daily operation of the Lowell Branch. He has 15 years of banking, operations, and project management. Among his prior positions are: Channel Relationship Manager and National Sales Manager for Merrill Edge/Bank of America, Boston; and Credit Editor, MBNA America Bank, Beachwood, OH. He has received Awards of Excellence for Banking Center Management and for Market Performance. Doc is active with Adopt-a-Family; March of Dimes; Meals on Wheels; Habitat for Humanity; United Way; and Friends of the Henn Mansion, a 1923 mansion on the shores of Lake Erie listed on the National Register of Historic Places. He is a graduate of Columbia College, Gurnee, IL and lives in Lowell.

ERIN DWYER brought a diverse background in the healthcare, high-tech solar energy, and financial services industries to her position in 2013 as Human Resource Director at LowellBank. She came to LowellBank from Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover, NH where she held the position of Manager of Human Resources of their Physician Corporation. Erin's career spans over 15 years of experience in Human Resources including employment with GT Solar, Inc. in Merrimack, NH and Fidelity Investments of Boston, MA. She has earned the distinction of being Senior Professional Human Resources (SPHR) certified. Erin earned her MBA from Daniel Webster College, is a member of NEHRA (New England Human Resources Association) and lives in Seabrook, NH.

SHARON FLAHERTY is the Senior Associate at Community Paradigm Associates, LLC, an independent consulting firm. In 2013, Sharon was the Assistant Vice President of Marketing at Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union in 2013. She managed the marketing and online banking departments. In addition to these responsibilities, Sharon participated in the credit union’s We Share A Common Thread Foundation activities and oversees its Adopt an Island program in Lowell. Prior to joining the team at Jeanne D’Arc, Sharon was a reporter, editor, and editorial page editor for The Sun. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Master of Business Administration degree from Rivier College, and will shortly complete the requirements for a Master of Arts degree in English from Southern New Hampshire University. She was an adjunct professor at Middlesex Community College. Sharon served on the Board of Directors for the Lowell Youth Development Collaborative and for Rebuilding Together Lowell. Sharon was a grant distribution subcommittee member for the Greater Lowell Community Foundation and volunteered for the Friends of Rodgers Memorial Library. 

VANNA HOWARD is the Constituent Services Representative for Congresswoman Niki Tsongas. She is responsible for helping people navigate services provided by the federal government. Vanna has an expertise in providing constituents assistance with immigration, passport issues, and inter-country adoptions. This requires working with numerous agencies including:  the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services of the Department of Homeland Security; Customs and Border Protection; Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and U.S. embassies and consulates. Vanna is a member of the Board of Directors of the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association and volunteers for Horizons for Homeless Children in Boston, the Cor Unum Meal Center in Lawrence, and Project Bread. She is a former Board Member for Light of Cambodian Children. Vanna lives in Tewksbury.

JOE HUNGLER is the Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell. He is responsible for managing the strategic planning and operation of the Club in support of the organizational mission and goals. The Club provides youth development programming and community partnerships to over 260 youth daily during the school year and 350 each day in the summer time; and ensures their members have a safe, positive environment. Joe received the following awards during his career: Boys & Girls Clubs of America Honor Award for Program Excellence (three times); President’s Call to Service Award from the Corporation for National and Community Service; Professional of the Year from the Yankee Chapter of Boys & Girls Club Professionals; and Worcester Business Journal’s 40 Under Forty. Joe received a Master’s degree in Human Resource Development from Clemson University. He lives in Lowell with his wife Bonnie.

JED MULLENIX was Lead Pastor of the Harbor of Hope Christian Church in 2013. He took on this leadership role in 2008.  During his tenure, the inter-denominational church community grew from 200 to over 400 members. Jed was instrumental in an extensive renovation project that turned the mill space in North Chelmsford into a comfortable, welcoming environment that hosts a richly diverse community. Jed is originally from the St. Louis, MO area where he and his family lived prior to moving to Lowell in 2006; he received his undergraduate education at Ozark Christian College in Joplin, MO, and is continuing his studies at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton. Jed is an active runner and  completed the Bay State Marathon. 

JENNIFER MYERS is the Resource Development and Communications Manager for the Coalition for a Better Acre (CBA), a membership-based community development corporation dedicated to resident empowerment and sustainable community revitalization for current and future residents of Lowell and the Merrimack Valley. The CBA promotes healthy, vibrant neighborhoods by developing resident leaders, affordable housing and economic opportunities, and by responding to community needs through collective action. In 2013, Jen was the Aide to the Mayor of the City of Lowell. She assisted Mayor Patrick Murphy in his daily responsibilities representing the City and chairing the Lowell City Council and School Committee. Jen administered the Room 50 blog and uses this platform to inform readers about events and issues in the city, while building a sense of community and sharing good news. A native of Greater Lowell, Jen became fully immersed in the city during her time as a reporter at The Sun. She began as a freelance Correspondent for The Sun and held various positions there over a 12-year period, completing her tenure as Senior Writer. Jen serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Rebuilding Lowell Together and is a recipient of numerous awards for her writing from the New England Press Association, the New England Newspaper and Press Association, and the New England Society of Newspaper Editors. She graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, with a concentration in Photojournalism. Jen lives in Dracut.

JAMES OSTIS is the Aide to the Mayor of the City of Lowell. In 2013, James was developing new community cultural programs as project manager for the Lowell Heritage Partnership on the Mogan Cultural Center: Next Generation.  James organized the community event, Remembering Peter Stamas: A Celebration of Community and Service, honoring the memory of a longtime Lowell educator and community leader. The project was done in partnership with the Parker Lecture Series, Lowell Heritage Partnership, and the Hellenic Culture and Heritage Society. From 2006-2012, James was the Legislative Aide for State Representative Colleen Garry providing oversight of constituent and legislative programs. He serves a Board Member of the Lowell Cultural Council and as an Advisory Board Member for the Lowell Festival Foundation. James served on the fundraising committee for the Angkor Dance Troupe’s 25th anniversary event, the world premiere of Aspara Dancing Stones. James is also a Co-Founder of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation’s Next Generation Giving Circle. He became a member of the inaugural class of the Sandbox Leadership Institute in 2012. James received his Bachelor's in political science from UMass Lowell and his Master’s in Public Affairs from UMass Boston.  His master's capstone project was on Industrial and Cultural Heritage in Lowell, Massachusetts and its Role in Revitalization. James is  enrolled at the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies as a full-time doctoral candidate in the Public Policy PhD program, with a primary focus on local and regional development, particularly in Massachusetts's Gateway Cities. Completed all coursework and qualifying exams in 2016. James is a Lowell resident.

FRANCEY SLATER is Co-Founder and Co-Director of Mill City Grows, an urban food and sustainability initiative to increase Lowellians’ access to fresh, locally grown produce. Francey manages community garden installations and coordination, conducts gardener training workshops, coordinates a produce donation system, and advocates for urban food production policies. For many years, Francey worked in various capacities at CitySprouts, a Cambridge-based nonprofit that introduces school gardens as a core element of children’s public school education. Francey built and launched the Mass. FoodCorps Initiative in Gloucester, CitySprouts’ first venture outside of Cambridge. She has volunteered on many projects sponsored by Community Garden Greenhouse, Community Food Security Coalition, Lowell Sprouts, Lowell Parks and Conservation Trust, Big Brothers of Merrimack valley, and Lowell Transitional Living Center. She received her undergraduate education at the University of Pennsylvania and a Master’s degree in education from Keene State University. Francey is a Lowell resident.

SOPHEAP SUON was a Fellow of the Paul Sullivan Leadership Institute at Middlesex Community College (MCC) in 2013. The ten-month program uses workshops, off-site programs and community events to teach the students everything from public speaking and business etiquette to team building, leadership skills, media relations, and the importance of community service. Sopheap committed to attending a three-hour workshop each month; volunteering for two large community events and going to as many other community events as possible; and participating in a mentorship program. He is a Mediator for MCC’s Middlesex Community Law Office and a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. He is also a member of the Young Professionals at the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Center. Sopheap is active in the “That’s How We Rowl” team in the Brunswick Lanes Bowling League. He is a Lowell resident.

JENNIE TIM is a Property Manager for Farley White interests, a development and investment firm specializing in commercial properties in New England. Farley White owns Lowell’s Wannalancit Mills, the nineteenth century former textile mill that runs alongside the Northern Canal. Jennie has financial and operational responsibility for a portfolio of buildings in the Greater Lowell area.  She oversees day-to-day operations related to general building operations, and tenant and vendor relations. Prior to joining Farley White, Jennie was the Real Estate Program Manager for the Coalition for a Better Acre. She spent a significant portion of her life in the Bronx, before purchasing a home in Lowell in 2000. Jennie is a graduate of Bomi International, an independent institute for property and facility management education. She continued her education at New York’s Mercy College completing a program in physical therapy. Jennie is a registered precinct clerk poll worker for the City of Lowell and she works as a Khmer translator to ensure that voters understand the balloting process. 

DIANE TRADD is the Director of the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) and Assistant City Manager for the City of Lowell.  She manages all day-to-day administrative activities for the Planning and Community Development Division of DPD on behalf of the Assistant City Manager/DPD Director.  She is responsible for the overall administration of DPD’s programs including, but not limited to: grant administration, Brownfields, Urban Revitalization and Development, Economic Development, Community Development, Open Space and Recreational Programming, Housing and Transportation Initiatives as well as the City Manager’s Neighborhood Impact Initiative. During her career as Chief Planner at DPD, Diane has been instrumental in facilitating the rehabilitation and development of many Lowell parks, streetscapes, and open space projects. She works closely with Lowell National Historical Park on the Canalway, recently identified as a Cultural District.  Her knowledge of the City, coupled with her ability to communicate and form professional relationships, has allowed her to work effectively towards the implementation of many DPD planning and development efforts. Diane received her Bachelor’s of science degree in Environmental Design from UMass Amherst. She lives in Merrimac, MA.

BECKY WARREN is the Assistant Director of Operations at Lowell National Historical Park and in the Tsongas Industrial History Center. Becky manages frontline education operations including supervising up to 30 National Park Service and UMass Lowell staff members. She coordinates all off-site and on-site educational programs for up to 500 students per day; conducts teacher workshops; hires and trains staff; and manages the workgroup budget. Becky began her career as a Park Ranger in Lowell and has worked extensively in the field of museum education and interpretation. She is the President of the Chelmsford Historical Society and a member of the Board of Directors for the Chelmsford Land Conservation Trust. She serves on the Hall of Fame and Scholarship Committees for the Chelmsford High School Alumni Association and as secretary for the Manning Association, a private non-profit family organization that owns and manages the historic Manning Manse in Billerica. She is a graduate of Essex Agricultural Institute and UMass Amherst. Becky lives in Pepperell.

SUSAN WINSHIP was the Director of Development for the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) in 2013. She plans and implements projects that support nonprofits and positions them to realize the goals and objectives of their missions as effectively as possible. Prior to working at GLCF, Susan founded the Sudanese Education Fund to defray the cost of education for the “Lost Boys of Sudan,” Sudanese war orphans who came to this country a decade ago after fleeing to refugee camps in Ethiopia and Kenya. The nonprofit now is a 501(c)3 organization that supports many programs that assist the South Sudanese community in Massachusetts.  Susan is a graduate of New York University School of Social Work and received a Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership at Boston University. Susan lives in Lincoln with her husband.