On November 23rd, the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) will present the 2024 Environmental Awards at The Red Barn at Mitchell College in New London. CTLCV is a non-partisan, statewide, nonprofit organization dedicated to giving our environment a voice at the State Capitol. We work to elect champions who will fight for the air we breathe, water we drink, and values we share. During legislative session, we inform lawmakers and the public about key environmental priorities, track critical votes, and hold our leaders accountable. Over the past twenty-four years, CTLCV has been a part of building a strong, vocal, and engaged environmental community in Connecticut. Each year we look back and honor community leaders from around the state who have shown leadership in their commitment to sustainability and conservation. We hope you will join us for this special event, not only to celebrate our honorees but also to connect with a wide range of community members and advocates who are passionate about protecting our environment. Together, we can continue building a united movement for a healthier, more sustainable future for Connecticut.
Honorees
Environmental Public Service Award Marissa Paslick Gillettis Chairman of Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA). Governor Ned Lamont nominated Gillett to serve on the three member regulatory authority on April 26, 2019.
Prior to her appointment, Gillett was the Vice President of External Relations for the Energy Storage Association – the national trade association representing the energy storage industry. In that role, Gillett served on the association’s executive team contributing to the organization’s overall strategic vision and direction.
From 2011 to 2018, Gillett worked at the Maryland Public Service Commission, an independent agency within the Maryland state government that regulates public utilities, where she most recently served as the senior advisor to the chairman. Her duties included a number of matters on energy issues in the state, such as advising the agency’s chairman and other commissioners on technical, legal and policy matters related to offshore wind procurement, statewide energy efficiency programs, advanced metering infrastructure, grid reliability issues and electric vehicles.
Gillett received a Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering from Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore School of Law in Baltimore, Maryland.
Lifetime Achievement Award Amy Blaymore Paterson has served as the first Executive Director of the Connecticut Land Conservation Council (CLCC) since 2010. Under her guidance, CLCC has grown into one of the most influential land trust service organizations in the nation. Amy collaborates closely with the CLCC Board of Directors and a dynamic staff to provide essential technical and financial assistance, networking and educational opportunities, and advocacy for the Connecticut land conservation community, driving forward the mission of permanent land conservation across the state.
Amy's contributions to conservation have been widely recognized. In 2014, she received the Women Inspiring Conservation in Connecticut Award from Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman, sponsored by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, The Farm Service Agency, and the Connecticut Association of Conservation Districts. She was also honored with the Rockfall Foundation's President's Award in 2015 and the Linda B. Krause Award for Excellence in Conservation Collaboration from the Connecticut Resource Conservation and Development in 2023.
Amy's leadership at CLCC includes directing the organization’s operations, strategic planning, program development, and advocacy. She is dedicated to advancing land conservation, strengthening land trusts, and fostering vibrant, sustainable communities through innovative programming and strong partnerships with national, state, and regional organizations and government agencies.
Environmental Legacy Award Ulysses Hammond served as the Interim Executive Director of the Connecticut Port Authority, a quasi-public agency, responsible for the maritime economic development of Connecticut’s deepwater ports and 35 small harbors. He was also responsible for the transformation of the Port of New London into a world class heavy lift intermodal transport marine terminal that is a marshaling hub for the staging and pre-assembly of wind turbines for America’s new offshore wind industry.
Ulysses has decades of executive experience leading public and private institutions in Michigan, Washington, DC, and Connecticut. As Vice President for Administration and Legal Affairs at Connecticut College for 15 years, he managed campus administration and general business operations and led the college’s $100 million capital improvement project. This included the construction of the Science Center (with geothermal heating and cooling systems). He has served on numerous boards, most recently the North Atlantic Ports Association, Chelsea Groton Bank, the Community Foundation of Southeastern Connecticut, Connecticut Mirror (board chair), and the Innovation Center of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut (Co-chair).
Ulysses earned a B.A. from Kenyon College, an M.P.A. from Wayne State University, and a J.D. from Wayne State University Law School. He retired from the CT Port Authority in August 2024, but has left a tremendous impact and legacy on offshore wind development in Connecticut.
Community Impact Award John G. Harris is currently serving his first term on Tribal Council. Harris began his professional career as a contractor and small business owner. Later, Harris joined pharmaceutical corporation, Pfizer, serving in a wide variety of managerial operational roles in his over 30-year career there. After leaving Pfizer, he started with Mohegan Sun in 2013 as the Engineering Grounds Supervisor, where he oversaw the daily operations of the grounds team, achieving a 60% reduction in operational costs in his final fiscal year.
Harris has been active for many years with both his local and Tribal community, serving the Tribe as the Chairman for the Mohegan Tribal Housing Authority for nearly 25 years, his community as a Site Operations Director for the Preston Redevelopment Agency for the last 10 years and as the Chairman of the Preston Housing Authority from 2007 to 2017. He currently resides in Preston, CT with his wife, Cindy and is the proud father to one daughter, two step-children and grandfather to two grandchildren.
Sponsors
Sponsorship Opportunities
WHY SPONSOR? The CTLCV Environmental Awards is a tremendous opportunity for sponsors to show support and engage with Connecticut’s environmental community. Sponsors also appeal to the Connecticut public at large through their association with the conservation agenda promoted at the event. As we honor environmentally conscious leaders in the state, this VIP experience provides an opportunity to promote sustainable business practices and a commitment to Connecticut’s environment. Significant exposure will be gained through digital/online promotion of the event as well as networking with a high profile audience.
The success of our 2023 Awards showcased the potential networking and exposure opportunities for our sponsors. Last year’s event saw over 100 people in attendance including lawmakers, key business leaders, policy makers and advocates. Our sponsors were thrilled with the recognition they received from this exclusive event.
SPONSORSHIP LEVELS For sponsorship confirmation or more information, please contact Connor Yakaitis, CTLCV Development Director at (860) 236-5442 or [email protected]. Sponsors can either contribute to the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters 501(c)(4) or the CTLCV Education Fund 501(c)(3). To find out more information about CTLCV and CTLCV Education Fund, please visit our websites at www.ctlcv.org and www.conservationeducation.org.
Contributions to CTLCV Education Fund are tax-deductible. Contributions to CTLCV are not tax-deductible.
ANNUAL “UNIVERSE” SPONSOR - $25,000 (includes 150 trees planted through One Tree Planted) Premium sponsorship placement at our three biggest events
Environmental Summit
Twenty complimentary passes to the Summit
Acknowledgement from podium at the start and end of the event
Full slide ad in program slideshow
Logo on both ctlcv.org & conservationeducation.org Summit pages
Logo displayed in program booklet & full page ad
Logo/ad displayed on poster board at event
Name on press release and social media promotions
Access to VIP reception area with distinguished guests/speaker (TBD)
50 trees planted through One Tree Planted organization
Environmental Achievement Awards
Includes a reserved table at awards program
Feature from the podium
Full page advertisement in the Environmental Awards program book
Full slide during slideshow presentation
Sponsor logo on website event page
50 trees planted through One Tree Planted organization
Legislative Session Debrief (Virtual event)
Opportunity to speak for 3 minutes at event
Acknowledgement from podium at the start and end of the event
Full slide ad in program slideshow & full slide of logo
Logo on event’s webpage and flier on social media
Name on press release and social media promotions
TITLE "GALAXY" SPONSOR - $20,000 (includes 100 trees planted through One Tree Planted) ▪ Includes 20 complimentary tickets to the awards ceremony w/ premium table ▪ Feature from the podium (intro remarks during the program) ▪ Full page advertisement in the Environmental Awards program book ▪ Full slide during slideshow presentation ▪ Sponsor logo on website event page
EARTH SPONSOR - $15,000 (includes 50 trees planted through One Tree Planted) ▪ Includes 15 complimentary tickets to the awards ceremony w/ table ▪ Mention from the podium ▪ Full page advertisement in the Environmental Awards program book ▪ Full slide during slideshow presentation ▪ Sponsor logo on website event page
WIND SPONSOR - $10,000 (includes 50 trees planted through One Tree Planted) ▪ Includes 10 complimentary tickets to the awards ceremony ▪ Mention from podium ▪ Full page advertisement in Environmental Awards program book ▪ Full page slide during slideshow presentation ▪ Sponsor logo on website event page
FIRE SPONSOR - $5,000 (includes 20 trees planted through One Tree Planted) ▪ Includes 10 complimentary tickets to the awards ceremony ▪ Half page advertisement in the Environmental Awards program book ▪ Half slide during slideshow presentation ▪ Sponsor logo on website event page
RAIN SPONSOR - $1,000 (includes 10 trees planted through One Tree Planted) ▪ Includes 4 complimentary tickets to the awards ceremony ▪ 1⁄4 page advertisement in the Environmental Awards program book ▪ Sponsor logo during slideshow presentation ▪ Sponsor logo on website event page
ADVERTISING IN PROGRAM - PNG files preferred for best quality, includes five trees planted $500 - Includes 2 tickets and a 1/4 page advertisement in the event program (1.375” x 2.125”)
For sponsorship confirmation or more information, please contact Connor Yakaitis, CTLCV Development Director at (860) 236-5442 or [email protected]. Sponsors can either contribute to the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters 501(c)(4) or the CTLCV Education Fund 501(c)(3). To find out more information about CTLCV and CTLCV Education Fund, please visit our websites at www.ctlcv.org and Conservationeducation.org.
Directions (Click Map to access Google Maps)
CTLCV is thrilled to host our 2024 Environmental Achievement Awards at the Red Barn at Mitchell College. This unique venue brings the vibe and style of a rustic and charming New England barn to an eclectic neighborhood on the banks of the Thames River in New London. We are grateful for the Red Barn generously donating this event space in support of our awards event!
