The Center for Ecological Technology’s (CET) Board of Directors announced today that longtime Co-Directors Alan Silverstein and Laura Dubester are retiring this fall after more than 30 years of leading the organization. CET’s Board has unanimously selected John Majercak, an Associate Director at CET, as its new Executive Director effective this fall.

Mr. Silverstein and Ms. Dubester leave a legacy of over three decades of diverse and innovative programs and services that focused on practical and affordable solutions to environmental problems. Their work at CET started in the post oil-crisis times of the late 1970s and has continued steadfastly through decades of changing attitudes towards environmental issues. During their tenure, CET grew from a small office in Pittsfield with a half dozen employees to one of the region’s largest “green jobs” employers with close to 100 staff members working in offices in Pittsfield, Northampton and the ReStore Home Improvement Center in Springfield.

“We’re incredibly grateful for Alan and Laura’s leadership for all these years,” said Paul Gavrity, CET Board President. “They are pioneers who have helped to change the way we think about how our daily activities impact our environment – and finding ways to lessen that impact. The need for CET’s work in our communities has never been greater – and we are grateful to the entire CET staff and excited to pass the torch to John at this important time.”

Mr. Majercak has worked for CET for nearly 20 years in a variety of positions and brings a positive vision, strong background in environmental science, broad experience, and a highly successful track record to the Executive Director position. Mr. Majercak is Director of CET’s ReStore Home Improvement Center in Springfield which came to fruition through his vision and leadership. He is currently overseeing a $3 million expansion which includes a deep energy retrofit of an older commercial building that will house the expanded ReStore.

Mr. Majercak’s work in organic waste composting has garnered national recognition as a model for building a market-based system for diverting commercial food waste from disposal. Project work includes green job training for weatherization workers and public education on energy efficiency, radon and recycling. Mr. Majercak has responsibilities for program development and management, communications, fundraising and development, and strategic planning for CET.

Mr. Majercak currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of the national Building Materials Reuse Association, and has recently served on the Springfield 2030 Vision Advisory Committee, The Pioneer Valley Green Economy Task Force, and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Organic Waste Advisory Committee.

Mr. Majercak’s past experience includes work in quality assurance and technical service in the bio-technology industry in Cambridge, MA; as a National Park Ranger in Wyoming and Hawaii; and canvassing for an environmental organization in New Jersey. He received a B.A. in Biology from Cornell University.

“I am deeply honored and very excited to have been chosen to lead CET,” said Mr. Majercak. “We’re in great shape to handle this transition – we have a solid transition plan, a deep bench of committed and talented people on our Board and staff, and dedicated partners and supporters in the community.”

Mr. Silverstein and Ms. Dubester will remain at CET during the transition, and will continue to serve on CET’s Board of Directors. Nancy Nylen, CET Associate Director with over 30 years of experience with the organization, will continue to serve in that role. In addition, CET has a highly experienced management team, many of whom have been with the organization for 5-10 years.

Here are a few highlights of the many programs that Mr. Silverstein and Ms. Dubester have developed and overseen over the years:

• Designed/constructed first free-standing passive solar greenhouse at the then Berkshire Garden Center, teaching people of all walks of live about efficiency and renewable energy
• Helping tens of thousands of residents save money and energy
• Creating a heat oil coop and now a bio-heat coop
• Having an active role in other organizations – Energy Federation Inc., Earth Share New England
• Working with nurses at Operation BetterStart/WIC to help at-risk pregnant women reduce exposure to toxicants like lead, PCBs, mercury, pesticides and other harmful chemicals

“My first project at CET was an innovative program to provide home energy assessments to help people reduce their fuel bills,” said Ms. Dubester. “It was during the recession of the seventies and funded through a stimulus grant. What is most important to me is CET’s accomplishments in demonstrating the positive – that we can have healthier lives and more vibrant communities by protecting our environment.”

The Center for Ecological Technology (CET) is a non-profit organization that promotes practical solutions to the environmental challenges we face in our daily activities. CET has been serving the western Massachusetts community since 1976, through locations in Springfield, Northampton and Pittsfield. For more information about CET visit www.cetonline.org.