The Academy class met in Framingham at the Bethany Hill School  - an unusual and successful model for affordable housing.  The day focused on housing and transportation challenges in the region. In the morning, guest leaders Trish Appert ('13), Executive Director of Bethany Hill School, Dave Harrison ('03), Division Director at SMOC, and Paul Dell'Aquila, Executive Director at MW Regional Collaborative shared their housing expertise and passion for the work they each do.

In the afternoon, Ed Carr, the leader of the MW Regional Transit Authority, explained the history, growth and value to our region of the MWRTA.  Ed gave a live demonstration of the real-time route map on the MWRTA website. Ed is also a dedicated community leader.  A former Natick selectman, he is also involved in veterans affairs, youth sports and advocacy for people with disabilities. 

Three representatives of the Alumni Committee, David Baldwin ('11), Maud Dentico ('11) and Cathy Miles ('12), joined a conversation in the afternoon about helping the class of 2014 turn their service project into a sustainable LMW alumni volunteer opportunity each year. Stay tuned for more details!

Scott Richardson is a great example of how professionals in MetroWest contribute to the community. Scott (Class of 1999) is principal and co-founder of Gorman Richardson Lewis Architects (GRLA) in Hopkinton and serves as President of the Hopkinton Chamber of Commerce.  He represents the Chamber on the town's Financial Plan Work Group, is a Director of the Hopkinton Public Library Foundation, a member of the Library Building Committee and has served on several other town committees.

In December, Scott was part of a team that introduced the 26.2 Foundation's proposal to the Planning Broad to build an international marathon center in Hopkinton, home to the Boston Marathon starting line.

 "I strongly believe in being involved in our communities.   Not only does   it enhance the region, it helps us work better as a firm because we really are part of the community," said Scott.  He specializes in design, approvals and construction of a wide range of projects for corporate, institutional, retail, housing and educational clients.

 "We began sending staff members to the Leadership Academy soon after it started.  They got good exposure to the public and private sectors, so I participated a few years later.  The Academy gave me a 'slice of life' look at issues that I didn't get anywhere else," Scott said. This perspective has provided useful context for local projects.

Over the past 40 years, Scott's firm has done significant pro bono work for MetroWest institutions such as the Danforth Museum, MetroWest YMCA, Boy Scouts of America, Performing Arts Center of MetroWest and the towns of Hopkinton, Natick and Upton.

"Being involved is good for business, and it helps build positive momentum in the region," Scott said.