Welcome Gabriella

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gabriella spitzer

they/them

environmental planner

The Horsley Witten Group is thrilled to announce that Gabriella Spitzer has joined our growing team at the Boston, MA office. Gabriella’s area of expertise and focus is climate change and resilience planning. We are excited to include them on a wide range of technical and community engagement projects.

Growing up in Sharon, MA, Gabriella learned about the connections between social justice, public health, and the environment from their experience working for an organization called The Food Project. The group focuses on youth development and racial justice through urban and suburban farming. These early experiences were formative: Gabriella’s environmental approach has always focused on how environmental issues—especially land use—relate to all other kinds of other social issues.

Gabriella earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Environmental Science at Barnard College/Columbia University in New York City and a Master of Science in Environmental Science with a concentration in planning and management at the University of Illinois in Springfield. While working for the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets they developed a program to help farmers reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and become more resilient to the changing climate. New York’s Climate Resilient Farming program is still going strong! Gabriella then worked as a consultant for FEMA helping the agency assist communities with reducing risks and becoming more resilient to climate change. Gabriella is excited to bring their years of experience in climate change resilience, hazard mitigation, climate policy, and environmental planning to HW.

Gabriella is an artist and, when they are not busy with work, enjoys painting with acrylics on canvas, silk paints on silk, watercolors on paper, and combining them in mixed media in a new basement studio space. They developed a Haggadah for Passover called Haggadah Min HaMeitzar, A Seder Journey to Liberation published by Ben Yehuda Press. It includes a traditional text along with several kinds of commentary, including an environmental commentary, that Gabriella developed. The Haggadah features their art as well. Their next project involves art and essays on Jewish text and climate change.

Welcome to HW, Gabriella!

Welcome Alex

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alex cedrone, e.i.t, esq.

Senior Engineer

The Horsley Witten Group is proud to announce that Alex Cedrone, Senior Engineer, has joined our engineering team in Exeter, NH.

A Groton, Massachusetts native, Alex grew up with an engineer parent who encouraged him to seek out career options in engineering. His love of history propelled him to a college experience centered around engineering and law with the environment a close second. Alex loves green stormwater infrastructure and design and favors best practices for the site where possible. He has relevant experience with site work, remediation, and water treatment, along with research, zoning, site design, and soil evaluation.

Alex earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering with a Minor in Political Science at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and his J.D. from the Mass. School of Law. At HW, he has hit the ground running with peer reviews and school site design projects.

When he is not working Alex enjoys spending time with his wife and Milo a four-year-old Australian Shepherd who lives for frequent long walks and hiking adventures. Alex likes to spend free time on Cape Cod, enjoys skiing, and basically spends as much time outside as possible. *Hint, he owns an Aussie! Alex is a sports fan and especially likes hockey, lacrosse, and football plus horror and comedy movies. We are glad you have joined our team. Welcome to HW, Alex!

Welcome (back) Gary

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gary hedman, lsp

Senior Associate

The Horsley Witten Group is excited to share that Gary Hedman has rejoined the company in the role of Senior Associate! Gary’s career spans 24 years, with experience in site assessment and remediation, contaminated materials management, sediment characterization in support of ecological restoration projects, and assisting clients in complying with local, state, and federal regulatory programs.

After 12+ years with Horsley Witten, Gary spent the last 7 years at a leading New England based engineering/consulting firm helping them to grow their Eastern MA site assessment and remediation team and contributing to their emergency response, contaminated soils management, and sites management practice. He has learned over the years that collaboration across parties and honest communication are key to building meaningful client relationships and ensuring successful project outcomes.

A life-long New Englander, Gary earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Studies at the University of Vermont. Encouraged from an early age to take a hands-on approach to problem solving, there’s nothing he loves more than figuring out a fix or finding a new hack. His roots in Vermont and on Cape Cod drive a strong sense of appreciation and love of the outdoors. Gary is excited to come back to Horsley Witten Group and to see so many familiar faces who are mission driven and committed to nature-based solutions. Gary is “off and running” on new projects and contributing to ongoing efforts. His passion for ecological restoration along with strong project management skills will benefit our clients and partners.

When Gary is not working, he’s most likely starting a new renovation or repair project around the house or lending a hand to friends and family, but his lifelong passion is skiing. He believes in “giving back” and is a dedicated member of the Magic Mountain Ski Patrol (his better half, Stacey, is also a Patroller). He volunteers with the Londonderry Vermont Conservation Commission and Village Wastewater Committee. Stacey (a 7^th generation Cape Cod native) and Gary are grateful to call both Vermont and Cape Cod home and share it with her 12-year-old yellow bellied mutt from Louisiana, Cajun! Welcome back to HW, Gary!

Welcome David

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david alfred

staff scientist

The Horsley Witten Group is happy to announce that David Alfred has joined our wetlands and engineering team in Sandwich as a Staff Scientist. A Rochester New York native, David grew up learning about ecology in the Finger Lakes region raising crayfish and tadpoles and enjoying fishing with his family. In college he started out studying human biology and medicine but changed to biology and chemistry with a conservation focus soon after his first year.

David earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology with a Minor in Chemistry at the State University of New York College at Oneonta (SUNY) and his Master of Science in Conservation Biology at Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont. David has experience with good laboratory practice (GLP) and has acquired many technical skills like hydrographic surveying, and trench and excavation competence to name a few.

David has completed several internships in New York and Florida. He was a Research Fellow at SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station in Cooperstown and a Biologist Technician for the US Fish and Wildlife Service in Hobe Sound, Florida. He has held positions as a Field Research Director, Turbidity Technician, and an Environmental Technician Survey Party Chief.

When he is not working in the field, David enjoys disc golf, exploring new places, hiking, fishing, drone work, and learning more about the Cape Cod environment as well as travelling both for work and personally. Welcome to HW, David!

Welcome Ryan

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ryan mitchell

staff planner

Horsley Witten Group is excited to share that Ryan Mitchell has joined our planning team in Providence as a staff planner. Ryan grew up in Newbury, MA and was fortunate to travel abroad with parents involved in international conservation. As a young person he was inspired by nature as he lived close to beaches and marsh areas. After high school, Ryan left home and embarked on his college career in Canada.

Ryan earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Geography with a Minor in French at Mount Allison University in Sackville, NB, Canada and his Master of Arts in International Development and Social Change from Clark University, in Worcester. Ryan is fluent in French, proficient in Spanish and Portuguese and knows some German. He enjoyed his internships as a remote intern researching and working on climate change-related projects for Mexico City and Chile. Ryan worked with the Chile-based Center for Climate and Resilience Research on different projects, including writing climate-focused policy briefs, researching and organizing information on climate laws and regulations, translating texts, and writing a master’s paper on responses to harmful algal blooms.

Through research and writing Ryan has led teams and mentored students with communications and writing assignments. Ryan is a current volunteer for A2Empowerment, an education-focused nonprofit. When he is not working, Ryan enjoys living in the City of Providence and can be found walking, frequenting museums, biking, and discovering the next best tea spot with a good non-fiction (e.g., architecture, history) book in hand. Welcome to HW, Ryan!

Welcome Darsh

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darsh shah

staff planner

The Horsley Witten Group is pleased to announce that Darsh Shah has joined our planning team in Providence as a staff planner. Darsh has experience in designing vibrant, livable, and self-sustainable cities. An avid researcher, creative-thinker, and planning advocate, our clients and staff will benefit from his experience.

Darsh earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in city planning from Anant National University in India, and a Masters of Community Planning at the University of Cincinnati. He worked as a planning intern with the City of Sandusky, Ohio. A prominent project, the Jackson Street Pier, Sandusky’s public space, was nominated by the project team for the 2022 APA Ohio Great Place Award on behalf of the city.

The group won the competition, and the Jackson Street Pier was awarded the title of a 2022 Great Place. A key factor in this accomplishment was the story map Darsh created as an introduction to the area.

Darsh has also worked as an urban planning research associate, junior urban planner, and urban planning research assistant in Ahmedabad, India. He is a co-founder of a foundation located in India that focuses on village development plans to uplift rural areas through green infrastructure and placemaking designs in collaboration with state government.

When he is not working, Darsh loves being outdoors and likes to visit new places. He enjoys cooking and likes to dance as well as listen to music and enjoys watching movies, series, and anime. He is working on a book that can help people who are struggling alone or are unable to convey their emotions. Currently, Darsh is busy lending a hand with our USVI planning projects and learning about open space and recreation planning. Welcome Darsh, to HW!

Welcome Ava

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ava schully

environmental engineer

The Horsley Witten Group is happy to announce that Ava Schully has joined our engineering team in Boston as an Environmental Engineer. An editor, teaching assistant, mentor, musician, athlete, and engineering student are only a few of her former roles. Her experience with numerous technical programs as well as technical skills and presentation experience with state organizations make her a well-qualified addition to our group.

Ava earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in environmental engineering and urban studies from Brown University. At Brown, Ava helped an engineering professor to understand the music side of articles he

peer reviewed for scientists addressing the relationship between fluid mechanics and music. She also served as the editor of the urban studies department newsletter. Ava completed internships at the Nature Conservancy in Providence as a coastal restoration scientist and as a team leader for data analysis on a Coronavirus visualization team remotely. She presented the team’s findings to several environmental organizations including the Sierra Club.

Ava has a strong interest in sustainable agriculture and food system efficiency. Her work with the RI Commerce Corporation as a food strategy intern and the Farmlink Project as a logistics coordinator has prepared her well for future project work. She is currently helping out with stormwater peer reviews, watershed delineation, and work on a river model.

Ava plays the cello, which she started practicing at age six along with her twin sister who started on violin. She is a long-distance runner who as a teenager participated in cross country running and enjoys cooking with her father who is a chef and specializes in seasonal cooking practices. Ava plays soccer as a striker in a co-ed pick up league and hopes to find a spot in a community orchestra. We hope you do too Ava, and we are glad that you are part of our group.
Welcome to HW!

A brief interview with Rich Claytor

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Richard claytor, Jr., P.E.

Sr. Water Resources Engineer

HOW WOULD YOU BEST DESCRIBE THE HORSLEY WITTEN GROUP (HW) AND THE WORK YOU DO TO SOMEONE OUTSIDE OF THE A|E|C AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONS?

HW is a small business planning, engineering and environmental service consulting firm. Much of our work involves ensuring that clean and plentiful water is available for use by humans and nature. We do this through careful short- and long-term planning, assessment of natural resources, and designing solutions to ensure a sustainable future for people and the natural world alike. HW is also engaged in making communities a better place to live, work, and play; our mission is to address both environmental and social challenges with sustainable solutions.

IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT IS ONE THING ABOUT THE HORSLEY WITTEN GROUP THAT IS A DIFFERENTIATOR FROM OTHER FIRMS IN YOUR INDUSTRY?

HW is a mission driven firm, and this informs all aspects of our decision-making process, particularly as related to our staff and wanting them to feel proud to work here.

HOW DO THE HORSLEY WITTEN GROUP COMPANY VALUES IMPACT THE WAY YOU OPERATE ON A DAILY BASIS OR MAKE IMPORTANT DECISIONS?

Similar to answer above, our values drive our day-to-day decision making; from the projects and work we pursue, to the clients we work with, and the outcomes we strive to achieve. We frequently ask how a given project aligns with our values. These values are not static nor were they defined by a small group of HW staff. These values can evolve over time or as conditions change and they are truly our shared values.

BEYOND THE REQUISITE TECHNICAL SKILLS, WHAT SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES DO YOU LOOK FOR WHEN YOU HIRE SOMEONE TO JOIN THE HORSLEY WITTEN GROUP TEAM?

We seek out and attract people who really want to make a difference in protecting our natural resources and enhancing the communities where we live. Our staff are committed to making our world a better place.

WE NEED MORE PROFESSIONALS IN THE CIVIL ENGINEERING AND ENVIRONMENTAL INDUSTRY TO KEEP UP WITH THE PROJECT WORK DEMANDS. WHAT IS THE HORSLEY WITTEN GROUP DOING TO ATTRACT THE YOUNGER GENERATIONS INTO THE INDUSTRY?

We work in partnership with local high schools and trade schools to expose future professionals to the kind of work we do. Our staff volunteer annually at local high schools to engage STEM students in a few technical areas covered by our engineering and planning practices, for example. In the last several years, we’ve been very active in the X-CEL Education program working with students in Greater Boston’s underserved communities to expose students to sustainable career paths in the technical and geographic areas where we do business.

WHAT ENCOURAGED YOU TO BECOME AN ENGINEER, AND WHAT ABOUT YOUR CAREER ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?

I was an analytical-type child, and I enjoyed the order and precision of engineering and I loved nature. Civil engineering afforded me a career that combined the natural and built environment and I gravitated to the earth-sciences (water, soils, geology, etc.). I’m most proud of the people who work for HW and their collective aspirations for the future.

WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF LEADERSHIP ADVICE YOU WISH SOMEONE HAD SHARED WITH YOU SOONER?

I had a mentor who often repeated the adage “the client is always right,” and that’s true, except when it’s not. But what was never said, was you can choose your clients and you can both be right. It took me several years to recognize that when we work together with shared values so much more can be accomplished.

LOOKING FORWARD, WHAT ASPECTS OR TRENDS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL INDUSTRY ARE THE MOST EXCITING FOR YOU?

That is a difficult question. Certainly, the technological advancements in data collection, management and manipulation allow us to do so much more, with more accuracy and in less time. That’s exciting. But equally exciting are the challenges brought on by climate change. Though troubling, they are also motivating, and it often involves water, maintaining or restoring quality water supplies for the future, managing the risks of changed precipitation characteristics that cause or contribute to flooding and/or drought, reacting to sea level rise and associated coastal impacts, all while protecting or enhancing nature and human interactions are important now and will only be more so in the future.

Credit: Smith and Wilkinson.

Video: Hear Rich Claytor, P.E., talk about the importance of natural stormwater management best practices.

Horsley Witten Group Appoints Nathan Kelly President

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NEWS RELEASE

Planning Industry Veteran to Lead Environmental Consulting Firm:

SANDWICH, Mass., June 20, 2023 – Horsley Witten Group, a full-service environmental consulting firm providing sustainable and resilient design solutions, has announced the appointment of Nathan “Nate” Kelly to the position of president.

Kelly succeeds Richard Claytor, Jr., P.E., who will remain with Horsley Witten Group as senior water resources engineer and will continue to serve on the company’s board of directors. Claytor led the firm for over a decade and is a prominent leader in the stormwater management field.

An accomplished environmental planning professional, Kelly joined

Horsley Witten Group in 2001, most recently serving as the firm’s principal planner and leading its Providence, R.I. office.

Kelly has been instrumental in the growth of Horsley Witten Group during the past two decades, having provided professional planning, zoning and facilitation services to more than 50 municipalities throughout New England. He is also widely recognized as a leading expert in the disciplines of comprehensive planning, affordable housing, regulatory reform, village and downtown planning, low impact development and watershed assessment.

In his new role, Kelly will assume overall responsibility for Horsley Witten Group’s strategic planning, business administration, financial management, marketing, business development, DEI efforts and human resources.

“The environmental, economic and social challenges facing our communities are considerable and only getting more urgent as the effects of global climate change take hold,” said Kelly. “I look forward to leading Horsley Witten Group and our world-class team of environmental engineers, scientists, and planners to create and implement sustainable solutions that mitigate the effects of and adapt to climate change.”

“Nate is a perfect choice to usher in the next era of environmental stewardship and growth for Horsley Witten Group,” said Claytor. “His collaborative leadership style, experience and proven expertise in developing solutions for a wide range of issues will serve Horsley Witten Group well, now and into the future.”

Kelly holds a bachelor’s degree in English and philosophy from Boston College and a master’s degree in urban and environmental policy and planning from Tufts University.

He was appointed to the Rhode Island State Legislature’s Land Use Commission in 2021, and regularly provides training services for the Cape Housing Initiative and MassHousing. Kelly has also served as president of the Rhode Island Chapter of the American Planning Association.

Welcome Bobby

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Robert J. Esposito III

CAD technician

The Horsley Witten Group is proud to announce that Bobby Esposito has joined our engineering and landscape architecture team as a CAD Technician in Sandwich and Providence. We are hopeful his role will grow into a CAD Manager position. Bobby’s current assignment will ensure that all CAD drawings meet all of our standards by ensuring they are accurate, consistent, clear, and presentable. A Smithfield, RI native, Bobby’s past experience includes a traffic/transportation internship at a prominent engineering firm, and an architectural CAD Technician position at Brown University.

Bobby earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering Design & Configuration Management and two Master of Science Degrees in Data Analytics and Engineering Management from Johnson & Wales University at the Providence, RI campus. Bobby was a member of the JWU National Society of Leadership & Success Program, JWU Emerging Leadership Program, and the Alpha Beta Kappa National Honors Society.

In his free time Bobby enjoys playing basketball and watching New England professional sports. He enjoys being active and can often be found leading all types of landscaping projects. Hiking is also a favorite activity, and we look forward to sharing our holiday hikes and other activities with him. Welcome to HW, Bobby!