Jay Burgess
Director of Communications, Scenic Hudson, Inc.
Tel: (845) 473-4440 x222 Cell: (914) 489-0362 Fax: (845) 473-0740
jburgess@scenichudson.org
HUDSON VALLEY, N.Y.—Adding to the expertise represented by members of its Board of Directors, Scenic Hudson announces that Eileen D. Millett and Maarten van Hengel are the organization’s newest board members.
Eileen D. Millett of New York City
Ms. Millett, a partner at Phillips Nizer, LLP, counsels national and international clients in managing environmental risk and complying with regulations. She represents multinational companies in resolving violations of federal accident prevention laws in environmental enforcement actions; she has counseled clients with investigation and cleanup of contaminated sites through standardizing facility safety operating procedures. Knowledgeable on real estate transactions and environmental compliance, she encourages clients to adopt sustainable development practices and climate change initiatives.
A former general counsel to the Interstate Environmental Commission, a tristate water quality authority, she also was a staff counsel to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Her past posts also include serving as a New York State assistant attorney general, New York City Police Department assistant deputy commissioner, New York City Department of Personnel inspector general and an assistant district attorney for the Borough of Queens.
Ms. Millett earned her undergraduate degree and law degree from Syracuse University. She is Regent of the American College of Environmental Lawyers. Her past professional activities have included serving as editor of the New York State Bar Association Journal and as a member of state bar association committees for environmental law and energy. She also chaired the New York City Bar Association’s Environmental Law Committee.
Scenic Hudson President Ned Sullivan said, “Eileen Millett has deep and varied legal experience that aligns with the core of Scenic Hudson’s work to protect the health and welfare of the Hudson Valley’s people, communities and natural resources. Her public- and private-sector expertise will help us partner with government and business to create win-win scenarios for the region’s environment and economy.”
She resides in New York City.
Maarten R. van Hengel of Sleepy Hollow
Mr. van Hengel is a co-founder of Highmount Capital, an independent wealth management firm. In 2015 Highmount Capital joined Brown Advisory, where Mr. van Hengel currently serves as a partner and portfolio manager.
Prior to forming Highmount Capital in 2002, Mr. van Hengel spent more than 10 years with Bankers Trust and Trainer Wortham. He has served as a member of the Scenic Hudson Investment Committee for nearly a decade and in the last year led a mission-related investing effort for the organization’s portfolio. He now will assume the role of chair and lead this committee.
Mr. van Hengel earned a bachelor’s degree from Wagner College in Staten Island, N.Y. He resides in Sleepy Hollow, Westchester County.
“A lifelong valley resident, Maarten van Hengel has a passion for protecting the natural assets of the region for the public to enjoy and to enhance communities and local economies. His expertise in business analytics and leadership in investing, particularly social investing, will provide strong benefits to Scenic Hudson and the people we serve,” said Mr. Sullivan.
About Scenic Hudson
Scenic Hudson helps citizens and communities preserve land and farms and create parks where people experience the outdoors and enjoy the Hudson River. We also bring together people, businesses and government to protect the river and natural resources that are the engines of the valley’s local economies. Started in 1963 by a handful of citizens who cherished the simple pleasures of the outdoors along the Hudson, Scenic Hudson is credited with launching the modern grass-roots environmental movement. Today, in the face of new challenges and the effects of climate change, we are dedicated to making the Hudson Valley a great place to live, work and play. Our focus is on strengthening and maximizing benefits all can enjoy from the region’s great assets—beautiful open spaces, working farms, and vibrant cities and town centers.
