The Environmental Sustainability Commission reviews existing environmental policies and practices. The ESC advises City Council and City Staff on programs that help Hilliard reach its sustainability goals. Other responsibilities include reviewing environmental trends affecting the community, determining community priorities, and helping other City boards and commissions determine if new proposals comply with sustainability goals.
Learn more about the Environmental Sustainability Commission and keep up with everything it’s doing at the Go Green Hilliard website.
ESC member since 2022
Background
Bembenic has a strong educational and science research background with a bachelor’s degree from Penn State University in earth sciences, a master’s in energy and geo-environmental engineering, and a doctorate in energy and mineral engineering. She’s also previously worked in science outreach, which involved promoting earth science literacy at all educational levels.
Hilliard community service
She has served on the ESC since August 2022. She is currently serving as secretary.
Personal
Bembenic enjoys running, plays alto saxophone in the Hilliard Community Band, and enjoys experiencing the Hilliard area with her husband, two daughters, and two dogs.
ESC member since August 2024
Term ends June 2026
ESC member since August 2024
Term ends June 2025
ESC member since 2023
Re-appointed September 2024
Term ends June 2026
Background
Murphy received his bachelor’s degree in biology from The Ohio State University in 1988. In 1993, he became a registered medical technologist. He has worked in a variety of clinical laboratory settings for more than 30 years. His interest in reducing the amount of waste that leaves the laboratory led him to attend an open meeting with the ESC. He was especially interested in the City’s Styrofoam recycling program. After attending a couple of meetings and participating in a few Keep Hilliard Beautiful clean-up sessions, he was encouraged to apply for an open position on the commission.
Hilliard community service
Having moved to Hilliard 2021, Murphy’s community service preceeded his position on the ESC by only a few short months. One event that stands out is the Earth Day recycling event held at the fairgrounds in April 2023. He and other commission members also had the pleasure of attending the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission’s Summit on Sustainability. He serves as the assistant secretary on the commission.
Personal
Murphy’s interest in outdoor pursuits has led him to become involved with conservation organizations such as Pheasants Forever and Trout Unlimited. He is a member the Ohio Environmental Council and an active member of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Green Team.
Board member
Re-appointed August 2024
Term ends June 2026
ESC member since 2012
Term ends June 2026
Background
Smith is a senior program manager at the Great Lakes Environmental Center in Columbus with more than 35 years of experience with water quality issues, including the development of water quality criteria for the protection of aquatic life. His previous employment included Battelle Memorial Institute and Oklahoma State University, where he received a doctorate in aquatic toxicology. His early interest in the environmental sciences first developed as a teenager while fishing, crabbing, and exploring the beaches and saltwater marshes along the Jersey shore.
Personal
He has lived in Hilliard with his wife, Cheryl, and children, Sean and Michaela, since 1991.
ESC member since 2023
Re-appointed October 2024
Term ends June 2026
Background
Smith has practiced environmental law for more than 28 years in the public and private sectors.
Hilliard community service
The ESC is Smith’s first opportunity to serve the broader Hilliard community.
Personal
Smith moved to Hilliard with his family in 2017. He and his wife, Amy, have three children, all graduates of Hilliard Davidson High School. They love the outdoors and enjoy hiking, cycling, kayaking, and working in their vegetable and perennial gardens.
ESC member since 2022
Background
Vega and her husband are co-owners and founders of Freedom Recovery, a faith-based drug and alcohol recovery facility that serves Columbus and surrounding areas.
Personal
She and her family of five are “all in” on doing their part to compost, recycle, and keep the Hilliard schools and community alive and beautiful.
ESC member since 2022
Term ends May 2024
Background
Ward has been an environmental attorney for 20 years. After graduating from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, he has worked at the firm of Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP, where he advises clients about environmental permits, compliance and remediation, and workplace safety issues. His experience enables him to help the ESC and the City to navigate potential state and local partners for sustainability projects and grants, as well as understanding environmental implications for our City and its residents.
Hilliard community service
Ward enjoys his time on the ESC, where he helps with recycling events and collections, represents the ESC in collaboration with other community sustainability organizations, and assists in applying for grants to improve Hilliard’s sustainability efforts. He has also been a volunteer coach for the Hilliard Baseball Association.
Personal
He has lived in Hilliard for more than 21 years with his two kids, Leo and Jack. Leo will graduate from Hilliard Davidson High School in May 2024 and is a proud part-time employee for the City’s Recreation and Parks Department. Jack attends Bishop Watterson High School. The family enjoys Hilliard’s festivals and events, and spending time in downtown Hilliard and the Center Street Market.
ESC member since 2019
Background
Willis has dual degrees in Japanese and psychology, with additional education in motion graphics and design. She’s glad to be a marketing and communication specialist at the Lal Carbon Center in the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University, where she helps to spread awareness about sustainable agricultural practices and soil carbon.
Hilliard community service
She moved to Hilliard because of its beautiful, naturalized areas, and she has been deeply impressed with the City’s commitment to sustainable practices. She is honored to contribute to these ongoing efforts through the ESC.
Personal
Willis is committed to strengthening food sustainability through gardening and education, as well as creating connections with others through art. She loves sculpting with clay and heading out onto Hilliard’s beautiful, natural bicycling and walking trails with her husband and two kids.
Cynthia Vermillion began her first term on Hilliard City Council in January 2020.
She believes effective local government agencies must take steps to involve community residents, seeking their ideas and input, and that bold steps are often necessary for the betterment of a community.
Cynthia is a first-generation American who was raised in San Diego, Calif., by parents who taught her the importance of hard work. Her father started a small wrought iron furniture manufacturing plant in Tijuana, Mexico, while her mother stayed home to take care of her and her three older siblings.
In 2004, Cynthia, her husband, and four children – Rebekah, Sarah, Christian and Madeline – relocated to Hilliard.
In 2014, she and her husband became involved with a group that fed the homeless of Columbus every week. In 2015, they were asked to lead this activity, which they did on a bi-weekly basis for almost 2 1/2 years, serving up homemade meals and gathering donations of blankets, clothing, and other supplies. She believes this service has been one of the most rewarding and eye-opening experiences of her life.
Cynthia received her bachelor of science degree in telecommunications and film from San Diego State University. She works for Coldwell Banker King Thompson as a licensed real estate agent.
She serves as chair of Progress Hilliard, a local progressive group, and is vice president of PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) Columbus. She has been a member of Columbus Board of Realtors since 2015.
Cynthia Vermillion is currently City Council President.
Cynthia’s term runs through December 2027.
Commission meetings are held at 5:45 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Municipal Building, 3800 Municipal Way. All meetings are open to the public. Contact the commission with questions or for more information.
City Hall and Admin
3800 Municipal Way
Hilliard, OH 43026
(614) 876-7361
Hilliard Mayor’s Court
5171 Northwest Parkway
Hilliard, OH 43026
(614) 334-2348
Division of Police
5171 Northwest Parkway
Hilliard, OH 43026
Police Assistance
(614) 876-7321
Police Records and General Assistance
(614) 876-2429
Norwich Township Fire
5181 Northwest Parkway
Hilliard, OH 43026
(614) 876-7694
Hilliard Recreation & Parks
3800 Veterans Memorial Dr
Hilliard, OH 43026
(614) 876-5200
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