Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments
Staff
Samuel S. Gold, AICP
Executive Director
(860) 581-8554 ext.706 | sgold@rivercog.org
Master of Urban Planning, B.S. Ecology, and B.A. Architectural History
Member of the American Institute of Certified Planning since 2006
Proficiency: Regional Planning, Public Policy, Land Use Regulation and Process, Greenways, Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning, Public Transportation, Transportation for the Elderly and Disabled, Long Range Transportation Planning, Economic Development Planning, Demographic and Economic Analysis
Responsibility: RiverCOG Work Program Administration, Regional and Shared Municipal Services, Legislation, Contract and Program Administration, Chief Elected Official, Legislator, and Congressional Assistance
Also serves as a member of the state Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations.
Megan Jouflas
Deputy Director
(860) 581-8554 ext.711 | mjouflas@rivercog.org
B.A. – Political Science, Master of City Planning, Juris Doctor
Proficiency: Community Planning & Development, Sustainability Planning, Public Policy, Land Use Law, Long Range Planning, Current Planning, Zoning & Permitting, Public Outreach
Responsibility: Regional Plan of Conservation and Development, Project Referrals and Other Special Projects
Rob Haramut
Senior Transportation Planner
(860) 581-8554 ext.708 | rharamut@rivercog.org
B.S. & M.R.P. Regional Planning
Proficiency: Transportation /CTDOT Coordination, Transportation Safety, Planning/Technology (Trans)
Responsibility: Congestion Management, Incident Management, Freight Planning, Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning, Traffic Data, Title VI/EJ/LEP/ADA Compliance, Municipal STIP, CMAQ,TAP, LOTCIP, 5310 MGP, discretionary grants coordination, UZA/TMA coordination, Performance measures, MPO board/municipal transportation support
Margot Burns
Senior Environmental Planner
(860) 581-8554 ext.702 | mburns@rivercog.org
B.A. – Environmental Geography
M.S. – Geography/Environmental Protection
Proficiency: Natural Hazard Mitigation, Open Space and Natural Resource Planning; Non-Profit and Community Outreach and Coordination; GIS; Small Business Administration
Responsibility: Natural Hazard Mitigation; Aquatic Invasive Species; Recreational Trails, Greenway/Blue ways, Title VI Accessibility, Open Space; Data Analysis, Non Profit Coordination, GIS, Mapping, Conservation, Forestry
Sally Rothenhaus
Financial Administrator
(860) 581-8554 ext.703 | srothenhaus@rivercog.org
Proficiency: Financial and HR administration including budgets, compliance, payroll, data management, and organizational efficiency. Supports mission-driven operations with integrity and precision
Responsibility: Administration of financial records & accounting system. Preparation of budgets & financial reports. Oversees grant reporting & billing, human resource records, & benefits programs
Janice Ehlemeyer
Community Resource Planner
(860) 581-8554 ext.704 | jehlemeyer@rivercog.org
B.A. Design, Architectural Drawing, HHW Certification
Proficiency: HHW/Waste Systems/Contract Management/ Recycling/ Data Collection/ Agriculture
Responsibility: Bikeway/Pedestrian Planning, 5310 Application – Buses, Climate / Infrastructure planning, LEED Projects, Clean Fuels Program – Transit, Housing /Access (EJ- Title VI), HHW/Recycling, Regional Paper Shredding Events, Repair Cafes, Food Systems/ Freight, Utilities –Energy Planning, Physical Operations, Special Regional Projects, Demographics – Census, DESPP Administration support, Town Assistance, Staff to Regional Agriculture Council
Eliza LoPresti
Community Planner
(860) 581-8554 ext.717 | elopresti@rivercog.org
M.A. Sociology & B.A. Psychology
Proficiency: Regional Housing, Project Management, Legislation, Communications, other
Responsibility: Regional Housing Committee, Referral and Plan Review, Shared Foundations Program, Legislative Tracking, other projects
Susie Beckman
Regional Planner
(860) 581-8554 ext.709 | sbeckman@rivercog.org
B.A. Communications, M.A. International Policy
Proficiency: Economic Development, Public Policy, International Trade & Policy, Data Analysis, Public Affairs, Marketing, Financial Development & Parenting
Responsibility: Regional Economic Development Committee, Connecticut River Gateway Commission, DEMHS Region 2 Emergency Management Fiduciary & Other Projects
Marcos Gonzalez
Regional Planner
(860) 581-8554 ext.719 | mgonzalez@rivercog.org
Master’s of Landscape Architecture and Master’s of Regional Planning, B.S. International Politics
Proficiency: Economic Development, Public Policy, Landscape Design, all things bikes
Responsibility: Housing, Economic Development, Transportation, other long range planning projects and referrals.
Vicki Harris
Office Manager
(860) 581-8554 ext.701 | vharris@rivercog.org
Proficiency: Operations, Process Optimization and Efficiency, Document Management, Event/Project Planning And Management, Relationship Management
Responsibilities: Office Operations, Communications, Regional Support, Project Assistance, Facility Vendor Management, Human Resources
Brendan Geraghty
Transportation Planner
(860) 395-9752 ext.111 | bgeraghty@estuarytransit.org
Master of Regional Planning, B.S. Sustainable Community Development
Proficiency: Regional Planning, Public Transportation Planning, GIS Spatial Analysis and Mapping, Economic Development, Socioeconomic Data Analysis, Green Infrastructure and Climate Change Research
Responsibility: Transportation Planner for both RiverCOG and Estuary Transit District, Public bus system planning including route creation and optimization, data collection and analysis, and operational assistance for Estuary Transit District. Will also work for RiverCOG in other regional planning projects.
Jake Capobianco
Environmental Planner
(860) 581-8554 ext.705 | jcapobianco@rivercog.org
M.S. Wildlife Ecology & Management, B.S Biology
Proficiency: Invasive species management, ecology, habitat restoration
Responsibilities: Aquatic invasive species program, GIS mapping, brownfields projects, other environmental projects
Kevin Armstrong
GIS Planner
(860) 581-8554 ext.710 | karmstrong@rivercog.org
B.S. – Geomatics
Proficiency: Online & Digital Mapping, GIS Data Maintenance, Database Infrastructure, Information Technology, Web Programming & Design, Graphic Design
Responsibility: Maintenance and Organization of Regional GIS Data, Annual State Data Submissions, GIS and IT Consulting, Database Planning, Online and Cloud Resource Management, Census Geographic Updates, Town Assistance, Technical and Web Support
Joy LaSorsa
Financial Assistant
(860) 581-8554 ext.703 | jlasorsa@rivercog.org
Proficiency: Business Management, Payroll, Human Resources
Responsibility: Assist Financial Administrator with general finance department operations, including accounts payables and receivables, payroll processing, and human resources support.
Carlee Kirla
Digital Communications & Engagement Coordinator
(860) 581-8554 ext.712 | ckirla@rivercog.org
B.S. Digital Marketing
Proficiency: Digital Marketing, Social Media Management, Content Creation, Public Engagement, Graphic Design, Brand Development, Community Outreach
Responsibility: Supports digital communications and engagement efforts across RiverCOG projects, including social media management, content creation, branding, and community outreach.
John McDonald
Planning Intern
(860) 581-8554 ext.720 | jmcdonald@rivercog.org
B.A.- Psychology/Urban Studies
Proficiency: Data Collection and Analysis, Regional Plan of Conservation & Development