Well, we kicked off the 2025-2026 educational program season last month with our ever-popular “plant tour” program through a visit to Brady-Built in Auburn, and this month we’ll be trying out a sort-of-new venue, Peppercorns on Park Ave for the October program on sustainability. Our very own immediate past President Marty Helly will share personal experiences with flood-plain protections and innovative strategies for dealing with the "500-year storms" that seem to happen three or four times a year.
Marty is practicing retirement these days and winding down his involvement at the Chapter and Region levels. On a very personal note, I want to thank him for building the Worcester Chapter into what it is today and for being the constant mentor not just to the Worcester Chapter but to most of the Northeast Region. A living historian for CSI, Marty is the guy everyone, and I mean everyone turns to when they don’t know the answer to all things CSI. He’s held every role in the Region, been president of at least 2 chapters that I know of, organized all the Region Conferences for as long as I can remember, taught me (and many others) CDT class, holds a Distinguished Service Award from the Chapter, and has held a CDT and CCS. Come on out to Marty’s program this month and make sure you thank him for doing all the things you never knew he did for CSI…
Belated thanks and congratulations to Maria Smith for accepting the role of the Worcester Chapter delegate to the Northeast Region. Maria came to our chapter after the Rhode Island chapter was dissolved and we’re truly glad we have her. She’s registered architect in Rhode Island, a construction project manager with KCM Group RI out of Providence, RI and a former Board Member for the Rhode Island chapter.
We finally held our very belated chapter elections this past month, and membership has unanimously voted the following fine folks to guide the Chapter:
- President - Steve VanDyke
- VP - Peter Caruso
- Secretary - Robert Gutmann
- Treasurer - Michael Lapomardo
- Director - Kendra Likely
I’d especially like to welcome our newest Director, Betsy Ellery, who is replacing Mick Albro on the Board. Betsy should be a familiar face to all of you regulars, as she attends most of the Chapter meetings, particularly the Summer social baseball game. Betsy is a product rep for JB Sash with expertise in the Marvin line of clad wood windows. She holds both a CDT and CCPR certification, so you’re going to want to add her to your network of “trusted advisors.” A self-proclaimed “serial volunteer” and avid Star Trek fan, be sure to congratulate her at the next program.
And speaking of programs, there’s a bunch of good ones coming up at the National Conference in Cleveland next week. Are you attending? We’d love to include your thoughts and insights in the chapter newsletter. Just send any photos or articles to Terri Bracken, Marketing Support Administrator for the Northeast Region at neregcsi@gmail.com.
Steve VanDyke - Worcester Chapter CSI President