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.
ESC member since 2022
Background
Bembenic has a strong educational and science research background. She holds three degrees from Penn State University: B.S. In Earth Sciences, M.S. in Energy and Geo-Environmental Engineering, and a Ph.D. in Energy and Mineral Engineering. She’s previously worked in science outreach, which involved teaching and promoting earth science literacy at all educational levels. At Penn State, she researched the geochemistry of the East African Rift System, carbon dioxide sequestration into brines, and conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into value-added products. She was also an Academic Editor in Engineering where she revised a variety of technical research articles for future journal publications. She is currently focusing on raising her family and is a teacher at Hilliard United Methodist Church Preschool.
Hilliard Community Service
She has served on the ESC since August 2022 and is currently serving as Secretary (since 2023). Bembenic also serves as a Board Member on the Hilliard United Methodist Church Preschool Committee (since 2024), and she is a member of the Hilliard Bradley Athletic Booster organization (since 2026).
Personal
Bembenic enjoys running, teaching her students, playing alto saxophone in the Hilliard Community Band, and experiencing the Hilliard area with her husband, two daughters, and dog.
Commission Member since 2024
Background
Fritchley has a degree in Chemical Engineering from Ohio University. She has worked in environmental fields for 20+ years and is currently doing environmental permitting. She now wants to share her knowledge of recycling and stormwater by contributing to the ESC.
Hilliard Community Service
Tiffany also often volunteered in Hilliard City Schools.
Personal
She has been a Hilliard resident for 20 years with her husband and two children, where they enjoyed attending many school sports events. Tiffany enjoys shopping, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
Commission Member since 2026
ESC member since August 2024
Term ends June 2025
Member since 2026
Background
Priya joins the Environmental Service Commission with over a decade of national security experience, including with climate migration and risks. She supported US government communications during COP 26 and soon after joined the board of Keep Hilliard Beautiful.
Hilliard Community Service
Priya served on the Board of Keep Hilliard Beautiful for two years and continues to support community litter pick up. She also volunteered to support the Smart Energy Home Expo in October 2025.
Personal
Priya moved to Hilliard in late 2021 and currently requires here with her husband and two daughters.
Board member
Re-appointed August 2024
Term ends June 2026
Member since 2026
Background
Annette Singh (Wozny) has been a member of official Environmental Organizations since she was in High School and in 2025 she founded Clean Air Hilliard with neighbors.
Community Service
She is currently the PTO Treasurer of the Hilliard Preschool and a member of the Beacon PTO. Prior to that she was President of the Moms Club of Hilliard.
Personal
Annette moved to Ohio from Massachusetts in 2022 with her family. In her spare time, she attends book clubs, gardens, and sews/knits.
ESC member since 2012
Background
Dr. Smith recently retired from the Great Lakes Environmental Center in Columbus as a senior program manager with more than 40 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 2025
Background
Smith is a water resources engineer and researcher specializing in sustainable urban water management. In his current role as a Research Scientist in the Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering at The Ohio State University (OSU), he designs and monitors natural systems – like wetlands and rain gardens – that absorb and treat stormwater. He holds five degrees from OSU (PhD in Environmental Science; BS/MS in Ecological Engineering; BA/MA in Mandarin Chinese).
Hilliard Community Service
He serves as a board member and science committee co-chair for Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed (FLOW), advises the Green Conservation Venturing Crew, and is a trainee in the Madison County Master Gardener Volunteer program.
Personal
Born and raised on the westside of Columbus and a graduate of Bishop Ready High School, Smith grew up participating in Scouts and 4-H. He was drawn to Hilliard because of the connections he developed with the Darby Watershed, where he completed his Eagle Scout project, and the fairgrounds, where he served as Franklin County Fair King. He enjoys collaborating with neighbors and friends in Hilliard to protect local water resources and promote environmentally sustainable development.
ESC member since 2022
Background
Chris Ward has been an environmental attorney for 23 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. Chris’ 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
Chris 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. Chris frequently represents ECS and Hilliard in the Residential Community group that gathers as partners with MORPC to discuss and share sustainability efforts in Hilliard and throughout Central Ohio.
Personal
He has lived in Hilliard for more than 24 years with his two kids, Leo and Jack. Leo, a Hilliard Davidson grad, is studying computer science at The Ohio State University. Jack attends Bishop Watterson High School as a senior, and both Leo and Jack are proud alumni employees of the Hilliard Rec and Parks and Operations Departments. The Ward 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.
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