Great Swamp Watershed Association Elects Board Co-Chairs
Great Swamp Watershed Association Elects Board Co-Chairs
New members appointed to the Board of Trustees
MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY (April 10, 2023) — The Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) is announced today that Jordan Glatt, Special Assistant to the President and Director of Strategic Partnerships at Felician University and B. David Naidu, Partner at K&L Gates, a global law firm, were elected to co-Chair the Board on January 20, 2023. Glatt joined the GSWA Board in 2019 and Naidu in 2021.
In addition to his position at Felician University, Glatt is the Shared Services Czar for the state of New Jersey reporting directly to the Governor. Prior positions include Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Community Foundation of New Jersey and /President/CEO of Magla Products. Glatt is a former two-term Mayor of Summit and served as an at-large councilman in the town. Volunteerism is an important part of his life. He resides in Springfield with his wife.
With over 20 years of experience advising clients on environmental and land-use issues, Naidu has authored a book on biotechnology and nanotechnology. He served on the Summit Common Council and on the Planning Board and Environmental Commission in Summit. Naidu is currently President of The Summit Conservancy and serves on the Reeves-Reed Arboretum Board. He has lived in Summit for 20 years with his wife and two sons.
“David and Jordan have made significant contributions to the organization since each of them joined the board,” said Sally Rubin, GSWA Executive Director. “We are fortunate to have these two experienced, environmentally focused professionals helping to drive our mission forward. The collaboration of their unique skillsets brings the organization expertise, leadership, and results.”
Glatt and Naidu succeed Tony DellaPelle, partner with the law firm of McKirdy, Riskin, Olson & DellaPelle, located in Morris Plains. DellaPelle served as Chairperson for two years and remains on the Board of Directors.
“Tony provided tremendous support and guidance over the last two years as we continue to extend our geographic reach downstream,” said Rubin. “His lifelong commitment to conservation and open space is apparent and inspiring. It has been my great pleasure to work with him.”
GSWA’s most recently appointed trustees, Lydia Chambers and Susan Kessel, joined the board in March 2023.
“I have envisioned these two amazing environmentalists joining our board for many years as they bring a wealth of knowledge to our educational programs that they have experienced firsthand,” stated Hazel England, Director of Education, Outreach, and Land Stewardship. “They are true champions of the work we do, and I welcome their talent, energy, and can-do attitudes through their official partnership with GSWA.”
Lydia Chambers, Co-Chair of Friends of the Drew Forest, has worked as an environmental organizer in the Chatham-Madison area for 20 years. Her involvement with GSWA began at her childrens’ school where she organized the watershed demonstration for third graders. She also initiated GSWA’s successful native plant sale and has assisted since its inception in 2021.
Susan Kessel, General Manager and Sales Manager of Chatham Print and Design, is the second-generation owner of this family business. Susan’s personal passions include the environment and animals. She is a member of the North American Butterfly Association and the Native Plant Society of NJ and is knowledgeable about and planting vegetables and native flowers.
Also new to the board is Meisha Williams Bertels who began her term in December 2022.
“Meisha was recommended to us by an outgoing board member,” stated Ms. Rubin. “Before she was officially elected to the board, she was already hard at work sharing her insight and significant marketing skills on current projects. We are extremely fortunate to Meisha on the board.”
Meisha is a digital strategist and social impact advocate with 20 years of experience. She supports commercial and nonprofit organizations as their DEI and marketing expert with her firm, Phase One Strategy, LLC. A women’s rights advocate, Meisha serves as Board Member for UN Women USA’s New York chapter.
This news follows an impressive start to GSWA’s 3rd annual, online Native Pollinator Plant Sale running now through April 28. The event is operated with the help of Community Plant Sale Partners that include 16 local towns and 8 non-governmental organizations. GSWA also announced their 6th annual Great Swamp Great Music festival will take place June 25, 2023. More information about GSWA can be found at GreatSwamp.org.
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About the Great Swamp Watershed Association
For over 40 years, the Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and improving the water resources of the Passaic River region, from the Great Swamp headwaters to Newark Bay, for present and future generations. Through education, advocacy, science, land preservation, and stewardship, in collaboration with partners, we work to instill our communities with an awareness of water’s effect on health and the beauty of the environment, from source to sea. The organization educates over 3,000 school children, monitors over 30 stream locations, and holds approximately 40 public events each year.
For more information about the Great Swamp Watershed Association, visit www.GreatSwamp.org.
