EBC Stephen G. Lewis Merit Award for Service to the Environmental Industry

Award Recipient:

  • Charles “Chip” Crocetti, Vice Chair, EBC New Hampshire Chapter; Senior Vice President / Principal Hydrogeologist, Sanborn, Head & Associates, Inc.

In Recognition of Meritorious Service, Leadership and Dedication to Improving the Quality of the Environment and to the Development of the Environmental – Energy Industry in New England

New England is a healthier place, with an improved environment, because of Charles “Chip” Crocetti’s contributions. Chip has epitomized being a trusted adviser in his more than 35 years as a practicing hydrogeologist in the field of environmental consulting. He is well steeped in the Superfund Program and has helped navigate over a dozen Superfund sites in the Northeast through the regulatory system during his career. His wide-reaching contributions have improved not only human health and the environment but also the generations of professionals who have benefitted from his steady guidance and leadership.

Chip has been a member of the EBC since 2005 and has served as vice chair of the New Hampshire Chapter since 2017. In this role, Chip has contributed to planning EBC’s programs and served as program chair or co-chair for numerous NH Chapter programs.  He has mentored several ascending professionals to become more involved with EBC by encouraging them to join events, participate in committees, and join event planning or give presentations.  Chip has also been active in the Geological Society of New Hampshire including as a past Board Member, the National Groundwater Association, and the Geological Society of America.

As part of his role as a founding Principal at Sanborn, Head & Associates, Inc. (Sanborn Head), which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Chip has served as shareholder Secretary for the firm since its founding. Chip has also served as a supervisor, career coach, and mentor consistently during his career with Sanborn Head demonstrating his ability to share and pass on his technical knowledge and communication approach.  Chip has incredible patience, enthusiasm, and talent for mentoring staff of all levels. With colleagues, clients, and stakeholders alike, Chip builds respect and consensus with a focus on technically rigorous and ethically sound approaches, and the ability to describe complex issues in simple terms.

Chip studied Earth Sciences at Dartmouth College followed by graduate school at Harvard University, where he completed his Doctorate in Geological Sciences. After several years in the minerals industry and the oil patch, Chip decided to move back to New Hampshire and try his hand at environmental consulting.  For over three decades, his work in environmental consulting has focused on hydrogeology, geochemistry, evaluation of contaminant fate and transport, remediation of hazardous waste sites, and environmental forensics. Chip has been on the forefront of emerging environmental issues throughout his career, including the assessment and remediation of MTBE and other fuel oxygenates, 1,4-dioxane, bedrock blasting impacts on groundwater quality, vapor intrusion, management of urban fill, and PFAS.  He is a licensed professional geologist in eight states, including Maine and New Hampshire.

As an outdoor enthusiast, Chip enjoys alpine skiing and hiking in the mountains of New Hampshire.  In the summer, he enjoys boating and being out on the water. Chip lives in Durham, New Hampshire along with his wife, Amy.

Presenting the Award:

Robert Varney
Chair, EBC New Hampshire Chapter
President, Normandeau Associates, Inc.


Award Photos

The 2023 Stephen G. Lewis Merit Award for Service to the Environmental Industry

EBC Stephen G. Lewis Merit Award for Service to the Environmental Industry

Award Recipient:

  • Catherine A. Finneran, Outgoing Chair, EBC Board of Directors; Vice President, Sustainability and Environmental Affairs, Eversource Energy

In Recognition of Meritorious Service, Leadership and Dedication to Improving the Quality of the Environment and to the Development of the Environmental – Energy Industry in New England

Catherine Finneran is Vice President of Sustainability and Environmental Affairs. She oversees environmental and climate initiatives, including work to achieve the company’s industry-leading goal to become carbon neutral by 2030. She leads the team responsible for corporate sustainability, an area where Eversource has repeatedly been recognized for leadership by outside evaluators. Her scope also includes transmission, distribution, gas and clean energy environmental permitting, environmental emergency response, and management of environmental reserve sites.

Catherine has more than 20 years of experience focused on clean energy, environmental protection, and economic development. Before joining Eversource, she served as Senior Director of Renewable Energy Generation at the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, where she oversaw the design and implementation of programs to grow the Massachusetts clean energy market. That included oversight of state grant and rebate programs for solar, land-based wind, renewable gas, and clean heat.

She previously served as the Director of Clean Energy for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) working with agency staff to promote clean energy initiatives across air, water, waste and other MassDEP programs. She also served as the central point of contact for the state for brownfields redevelopment, working with developers and municipalities to support the cleanup and reuse of underutilized sites. Early in her career Catherine served as Development Manager for the City of Chicopee, where she helped the City form a 501(c)3 non-profit community development corporation.

Catherine is Chair of the Board of Directors for the Environmental Business Council of New England (EBCNE), as well as Director and Membership Chair for New England Women in Energy and the Environment (NEWIEE). She is a Governor appointee on the Connecticut Blue Plan Advisory Committee and the Massachusetts Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Commission. She represents Eversource on the Massachusetts Implementation Advisory Committee (IAC) which advises the Administration on the implementation of the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA).

Presenting the Award:


Robert D. Cox, Jr.

EBC Vice Chair, Strategic Planning
Partner, Bowditch & Dewey, LLP

Award Photos

The 2022 Stephen G. Lewis Merit Award for Service to the Environmental Industry