Community Energy Association Engages Norm Connolly as Executive Director

Vancouver, May 27, 2009
NEWS RELEASE - For Immediate Release
Community Energy Association Engages Norm Connolly as Executive Director
The Community Energy Association (CEA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Norm
Connolly as Executive Director, commencing July 2009. The Community Energy Association is
a collaboration of the Union of BC Municipalities, the Province, the Planning Institute of BC,
transit providers, energy utilities and individual local governments. The organization assists BC
local governments to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy through community
energy planning and project implementation.
Norm Connolly is an urban planning professional with ten years experience in corporate,
municipal, federal, academic and non-profit sectors. He has served the past ten years as a
senior researcher and project manager for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation,
managing sustainable planning workshops and integrated design charrettes for prominent
projects throughout western Canada. Most recently Norm has been managing a team
developing a 20-year renewal plan for Granville Island, addressing infrastructure, sustainability,
transportation and land use challenges. Norm holds a Masters in Environmental Design –
Urban Planning from University of Calgary, LEEDTM accreditation and a Bachelor of Commerce.
“Norm’s experience with local governments, private sector land developers and other partners
will help CEA meet growing local government demand for CEA services, as local governments
strive to set and meet greenhouse gas reduction targets, and plan more sustainable
communities,” said Dan Rogers, CEA Co-Chair and Mayor of the City of Prince George. "On
behalf of the Board, I pass on my congratulations, Norm -- welcome to the CEA team!"
"Norm’s strategic vision, proven ability to build cross-sector partnerships, and passion for urban
planning, community engagement and sustainability, give us great confidence that Norm will
effectively lead CEA forward into our next chapter,” said Richard White, CEA Co-Chair, Director
of Community Development for City of North Vancouver.
Norm Connolly will replace Laura Porcher, who has served as CEA Executive Director since
2003 and has chosen to reduce her hours and take a more focused role. “Laura’s commitment
in building the organization has been much appreciated by local governments and all the
interagency partners around the CEA table. We are extremely grateful for her willingness to
stay on through this time of transition,” said Mayor Rogers.
Norm Connolly joins CEA staff Dale Littlejohn, Manager of CEA Local Government Advisory
Services; Patricia Bell, Sr. Community Energy Planner; Community Energy Planners Peter
Robinson (in Kelowna), Patricia Dehnel (in Nelson) and Adam James (in Warfield); and Laura
Porcher, Partnership Development (in Victoria), in helping BC local governments meet
provincial climate objectives.
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Contact: Laura Porcher, Executive Director 250-598-4034 c: 250-208-1248