Episode 16 – Revitalizing Energy Communities w/Brian Anderson

Brian Anderson

In this episode, Brian Anderson joins the podcast to discuss how the Energy Communities Interagency Working Group helps communities impacted by coal mine and coal power plant closures transition to new economic opportunities. Formed in 2021, the IWG coordinates federal investments and resources to support job creation, economic revitalization, and infrastructure improvements in these areas. In his role as[…]

Episode 15 – Buildings that Create Jobs: Exploring Business Incubators w/ Tom Mancuso

Episode 15 – Buildings that Create Jobs: Exploring Business Incubators w/ Tom Mancuso

In this episode, Vita Nuova member Tom Mancuso discusses the key elements of taking a business incubator approach to creating local, long-lasting jobs for a community while recycling industrial and commercial properties. Based on decades of experience running the family business that pioneered this approach, Tom outlines the essential components of successful business incubators. He also emphasizes the versatility[…]

Episode 14 – A Visionary Journey through Brownfields Redevelopment w/ Patricia Overmeyer

⁠⁠Patricia Overmeyer⁠⁠ is the Deputy Director of the EPA’s ⁠⁠Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization⁠⁠. A pioneer in the field, she has been a leader in shaping brownfield redevelopment policies and implementation for nearly 25 years. Prior to becoming OBLR’s Deputy Director, she also served as Team Leader for the Brownfields Policy, Research and Outreach Team and[…]

Episode 12 – The Power of Solar on Brownfield Sites w/ Annika Colston

What do closed landfills, sand and gravel pits, quarries, and formerly-mined coal sites all have in common? They are all candidates for solar development. In this episode of Redevelopment Trailblazers, we speak with Annika Colston, Founder and President of AC Power, the only company of its kind that focuses solely on the development of solar on[…]

Episode 11 – The Economic Transformation of the South Bronx w/ Neil Pariser

The South Bronx has undergone an exciting transformation over the course of many years. In this episode of Redevelopment Trailblazers, we get a first-hand account from Neil Pariser, the former SVP of the South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (SoBRO). Through decades of work in this community, Neil led efforts to create affordable housing and[…]

Episode 10 – What the Brownfields Redevelopment Story Tells Us About the Future of Environmental Policy w/ Mary Ann Grena Manley

EPA’s brownfields program is a policy innovation success story. For decades, the program has empowered communities and other stakeholders to clean up and reuse contaminated sites safely. With increased data transparency, emerging technologies, and unprecedented levels of brownfields funding, the stars are aligned for expanding the redevelopment space. With a background in law, environmental policy[…]

Episode 9 – Recasting Your City w/ Ilana Preuss

What is small-scale manufacturing, and how can it bring Main Streets and downtowns back to life? In this episode of the Redevelopment Institute Podcast, Leslie Parrish interviews Ilana Preuss, Founder and CEO of Recast City, who explains how this dynamic approach to economic development bolsters local businesses and helps communities grow and thrive in an inclusive and[…]

Episode 8 – Expanding the Brownfields Redevelopment Table w/ Jean Hamerman and Joelle Greenland

In this episode of the Redevelopment Institute Podcast, Leslie Parrish interviews Jean Hamerman and Joelle Greenland from the Center for Creative Land Recycling (CCLR). CCLR is a national nonprofit focused on the equitable and sustainable clean-up of brownfields, with an environmental justice lens. Jean and Joelle discuss how approaches to brownfields redevelopment have evolved to become[…]

Episode 7 – From Regulator to Developer: A Unique Perspective w/ Colleen Kokas

Colleen Kokas, EVP at Environmental Liability Transfer (ELT), discusses the multi-disciplinary aspects of site remediation in this episode of the Redevelopment Institute Podcast. As a former regulator and brownfields project manager for NJDEP, Colleen discusses the transition to private developer. She talks about projects past and present, and how this still largely male-dominated field continues to evolve. Colleen[…]

Episode 6 – Engaging the Stakeholders w/ Tim Fields

Tim Fields, Facilitator, MDB

In this episode, we talk with Tim Fields, whose brownfields experience spans decades. Mr. Fields served as the Assistant Administrator for OSWER at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, helping to create the brownfields program, the superfund redevelopment program, and more. He is now the Senior Vice President heading up MDB, Inc.’s Environmental Management practice. Mr. Fields provides insights[…]