Dear Friends of ELM:

I am very pleased to accept the position as President of ELM, and I’m excited about the prospect of working with you to further the protection of the environment.

While I know many of you, allow me to introduce myself to those whom I have not yet met. I come to this role with an eclectic background. As a former state senator, attorney, Boston University journalism professor and business consultant, I hope I have the blend of experience that can help lead ELM into the future. Over the past several years, I have advised advocacy groups and nonprofits in support of smart growth, the green building tax credit and other environmental issues.

As I take on this new challenge, a word of gratitude is in order. Over the past decade, ELM and the Collaborative, under the strong leadership of Jim Gomes and the board, have made significant contributions in areas of public policy, from toxic reductions to smart growth to the overall protection of our land, water and air. It could not have been done without the diligent leadership and hard work of Jim and all of you.

But now we enter a new era of reinvigoration for ELM and the Collaborative. While I have much to learn from you, I enter with a sense of energy and conviction that we can make a difference. My priorities are clear…to continue the valuable ongoing initiatives of ELM and the Collaborative, but to develop new initiatives that make a difference. We will look for new opportunities to make clear, concrete contributions that are important and measurable.

We will seek to work with progressive municipal leaders to develop pilot programs and case studies that others can follow. We will work with responsible corporate and real estate development leaders to establish higher standards that can serve as environmental models for others in industry and development to follow. We will continue to advise and encourage our elected officials, at every level of government, to do more than we have for the environment.

Help me reinvigorate a venerable organization, ELM. Together we can lead the way. I look forward to meeting you in the weeks ahead.

Best wishes,
George Bachrach