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Environmental Sustainability Commission

Environmental Sustainability Commission

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.

Members

ESC member since 2023

Term ends June 2025

Background

Becker has a long track record of work on environment and sustainability. From 2017-2021 she led the Sierra Club’s Ready for 100 Columbus campaign, which worked with the City of Columbus to enact electric aggregation for 100% renewable energy and create a climate action plan that commits to reducing greenhouse gas emissions 45% by 2030.

Clean Energy Columbus is the third-largest renewable energy aggregation program in the country. It inspired Grove City, Grandview, Upper Arlington, and Hilliard to pass their own clean energy aggregation programs. Since then, Becker has worked as executive director of the Columbus sustainability nonprofit Simply Living and worked with ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability and Buckeye Environmental Network.

She works as the Responsible Finance Campaign director for the national sustainability nonprofit Green America and serves on the steering committee for the all-volunteer citizens group Save Ohio Parks. She holds a dual master’s in public administration and environment and natural resources from The Ohio State University.

Hilliard community service

Becker moved to Hilliard in May 2023 and joined the ESC in August 2023. She is still learning the ropes and looking forward to serving this community.

Personal

She lives in Hilliard with her husband, Paul, a professor of sociology at University of Dayton, and their two beloved cats.

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 2014

Term ends August 2024

Background

Hosni has a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ohio University. She serves as the director of marketing for Resource International Inc., a local engineering and construction management firm. As director, she works with civil engineers who design sustainable solutions for new site development and improvements to utility infrastructure, roadways, bikeway facilities, and more.

Hilliard community service

She joined the ESC in 2014 to help fulfill her passion for serving the community and promoting environmental awareness. Since joining the ESC, Hosni has enjoyed serving as a member and past chair. Her most memorable projects include the City’s platinum-certified Sustainable2050 achievement with MORPC; Central Ohio’s first community foam densifier project, for which the City was awarded grant funds from the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio; and the community collection of thousands of plastic bottle caps and lids that were made into recycled benches.

Personal

In her spare time, Hosni enjoys spending time with her three kids, family, and friends. She also likes to lift weights, run, and read books for enjoyment. 

ESC member since 2023

Term ends July 2025

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

ESC member since 2012

Term ends 2025

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

Term ends October 2024

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.

Meetings

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.

Educational Videos

Additional Resources

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