An original Highlands Task Force member and Council member, Eileen has served as its Executive Director since April 5, 2007. Eileen previously served as the State’s director of the Office of Smart Growth, which is responsible for the State Development and Redevelopment Plan under the authority of the State Planning Commission. In this role she worked with municipalities and counties throughout the state on comprehensive planning for development and redevelopment as well as preservation.

Among her many roles in government, Eileen was an elected official in Lebanon Township from 1999 to 2004, and was the Township's Mayor in 2000 and 2004. She was also a member of the Lebanon Township Planning Board and the League of Municipalities Environmental and Land Use Legislative Committee. In addition, she served on the Board of Directors for the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust Fund (EIT) for six years, including service as its treasurer. EIT work focused on infrastructure funding for municipal projects.

A recognized leader in land preservation, Eileen was tapped by Governor Corzine’s transition team to co-chair his environmental policy team. She had served as the liaison to the Hunterdon County Agricultural Development Board, where she was responsible for all aspects of farmland acquisition in Lebanon Township. She was also responsible for all acquisition of Open Space in the Township including the planning, funding and closing of the deals with willing landowners. She also worked for the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, managing programs to help coordinate the open space and farmland preservation efforts of private groups and government agencies. In this role she assisted municipalities throughout the state in open space and farm preservation planning and funding. Eileen also provided services to municipalities in planning and acquiring parcels for preservation.

As Executive Director of the Highlands Council she has overseen the successful adoption of the Highlands Regional Master Plan and the early implementation of that plan.

Eileen is the recipient of numerous accolades including 2007 Woman of Achievement Award from the Women’s Political Caucus of New Jersey, 2006 New Jersey Women of Achievement Award from the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs and Douglas College, 2005 New Jersey DEP Award for Government Leadership in Land Preservation, and the 2003 New Jersey Planning Officials Award for Leadership in Land Conservation.