New Baykeeper Executive Director Introduced

KEYPORT, NJ (March 10, 2008) -- The Board of Trustees of NY/NJ Baykeeper announced that Deborah A. Mans has been appointed Baykeeper and Executive Director, succeeding the organization’s founder, Andrew J. Willner. Mr. Willner is retiring after more than 18 years as protector of the bays and rivers of the New York/New Jersey Harbor.

Ms. Mans will be joining NY/NJ Baykeeper from the Office of Governor Jon S. Corzine where she is the Governor’s Environmental and Energy Policy Advisor. Prior to becoming one of Governor Corzine’s key advisors on the environment, Ms. Mans was Policy Director at NY/NJ Baykeeper, a position she held from 2002 through 2006.

As Baykeeper, Ms. Mans becomes protector and advocate of the Hudson-Raritan Estuary, which one of the most famous bodies of water in the world. The Hudson-Raritan Estuary is home to 15 million people, 150 species of fish and shellfish, and 330 bird species, with an ecosystem of bays, straits, islands, rivers, salt and freshwater wetlands, mudflats, and beaches.

Ms. Mans will begin as Baykeeper in mid-April.
The announcement was made at a gala benefit on Friday, March 7, 2008, at the Liberty House Restaurant in Liberty State Park, Jersey City, New Jersey. The event honored Mr. Willner and his landmark efforts to protect the Hudson-Raritan Estuary over the course of almost two decades. Dignitaries at the event included United States Senator Robert Menendez, famed environmentalist Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and fellow Waterkeepers from around the country.

Ms. Mans said: “I am deeply honored to have been selected to succeed Andy Willner as Baykeeper, and thrilled to be returning to the organization. I look forward to continuing Andy’s groundbreaking work and building on NY/NJ Baykeeper’s successes to protect and restore our urban watershed.”

Benjamin Longstreth, Chair of the Board of Trustees of NY/NJ Baykeeper said: “This is a key moment in the growth and development of Baykeeper. We are very proud of all that Andy Willner has accomplished. Deb Mans is an extraordinary successor. She brings to Baykeeper phenomenal policy skills and a deep commitment to restoring the health of our waterways. We believe that Ms. Mans will be able to expand Baykeeper’s capacity to tackle the critical issues facing the health of our waterways.”

Retiring Baykeeper Andy Willner said: “While it is bittersweet to say goodbye, I could not be more pleased that Debbie will be taking my place at the helm. I could not be leaving NY/NJ Baykeeper in better hands. It has been my honor to serve since 1989 and will continue to advocate for the natural habitats, wildlife, and communities of the bi-state Hudson-Raritan Estuary, our wilderness in the city,” he continued.

As an advisor to the Governor since 2006, Ms. Mans’ role was to create and implement various environmental and energy policies, including climate change, renewable energy and waterway protection initiatives.

Ms. Mans is a graduate of The University of Michigan and holds a J.D. from Vermont Law School. She is admitted to practice in New York and Connecticut. Since 2004, Ms. Mans has been a member of the Board of Trustees for the Garden State EnviroNet and been a member of Friends of Bloomfield Animal Shelter. She resides in Glen Ridge with her husband and son.

For further information visit the New York/New Jersey Baykeeper website at http://www.nynjbaykeeper.org/, by email at mail@nynjbaykeeper.org or call 732- 888 -9870, ext. 7.