Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | August 17, 2020 | Worcester Business Journal 29 Gammons is dedicated to making the world – and his community – a safer and healthier place to live. In and around Worcester he is and has worked on projects centered around ensuring environmental sustainability and well-being. As the City of Worcester and its partners push for the development on Route 9, centered around The Reactory biomanufacturing campus, Gammons is a senior scientist and project manager overseeing a comprehensive pre-characterization program to help manage soil and groundwater during construction activities. Gammons notably had his hand in remediating an historic commercial lot in Dover, N.H., where 2,900 tons of petroleum impacted soil was discovered, with Gammons going so far as to help procure funding from the state so his client would not be impacted. Outside of work, Gammons volunteers at the Worcester museum EcoTarium, where he focuses on cultivating enthusiasm for STEM programs among children, who he views as tomorrow's scientists. In that capacity, he focuses on challenging the museum's young visitors to observe, play and ask questions. That only makes sense for a person who has enthusiastically pursued environmental science since he was a child. - M.B. If you could only spend 24 hours only in one place in the world, where would you go? The Galapagos Islands off Ecuador to see the unique wildlife diversity, rich history and beautiful scenery. What aspect of pre-pandemic life did you take for granted? The company and personal connection of my entire family. What are you proudest of? My two beautiful children and the love they bring Whose career do you want to emulate? I model my career on the hard work and perseverance of my father and the love and compassion of my mother. Bryan Gammons, 37 Senior environmental scientist Tighe & Bond, in Worcester Residence: Sudbury Birthplace: Natick Colleges: Ithaca College, Tufts University Farming and forestry isn't a common place to find young workers, but Marquis has been there and is thriving. She first worked in various public roles geared toward sustainability and responsible forestry. Early this year, she opened Lilac & Oak, a flower farm in New Braintree and forestry business in North Brookfield, selling dry organic flowers for crafts and helping landowners make sustainably minded decisions regarding their forested land. It is, not surprisingly, a passion of Marquis', and she's taken the opportunity to mentor others who share her interests. She's been the chair of the Massachusetts Tree Farm Program, a state outshoot of a national agency seeking to help people best manage their forests for wood, water, wildlife and recreation. Marquis spreads her knowledge around: She's provided a tour of Worcester County forests to a visiting scholar from Japan, has taught forestry to local Boy Scouts and at area senior centers, and held seminars for faculty and students at Babson College, Wellesley College and Brandeis University. Even Lilac & Oak itself has a philanthropic bend, growing native trees for a nonprofit organization in Greater Boston planting community trees, and flowers for nonprofits to use for fundraising. - G.W. Favorite Central Mass. restaurant? The Tavern in West Brookfield, which offers a great menu for people with food allergies What is your favorite activity since the pandemic began? Weeding the flower farm has become increasingly exciting. It's nice to get outside. Who is most directly responsible for your success? Professor & Extension Forester David Kittredge from UMass Amherst, who was a wonderful professor and mentor. He taught me the importance of sharing what I know about forestry with the community. What is your dream job? I am lucky I have my dream job. Kate Marquis, 39 Forester & flower farmer Lilac & Oak, LLC, in North Brookfield Residence: North Brookfield Birthplace: Beverly College: UMass Amherst When the coronavirus hit Worcester, Lamoureux and her family joined Worcester Stitchers for Health and have sewn 1,000 cloth face masks to give to health and community organizations. This huge community impact is a consistent factor in her career. She served 27 months in the Peace Corps, as a youth development volunteer in Morocco, and has worked as the director of the Worcester Jobs Fund, and on MassHire Central Region Workforce Board. She has leveraged $900,000 in funding for the Worcester Jobs Fund to bring in $700,000 from outside sources. Lamoureux has implemented over a dozen job training programs, across multiple occupations and industries to respond to labor market needs. She has helped 300 job seekers analyze their in demand skills and help find and secure them good and local jobs. Lamoreux is part of job outreach and training programs, within construction and truck driving, serving traditionally underrepresented populations including women and people of color. Lamoureux also provides Kelsey Lamoureux, 30 Director of the Worcester Jobs Fund City of Worcester, MassHire Central Region Workforce Board Residence: Worcester Birthplace: Worcester College: Fairfield University English tutoring for adults through the Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester. - R.G. What four people would you like to travel with for a year? Four of my fellow returned Peace Corps volunteers. Nobody lives out of a backpack like an RPCV! After months of pandemic life, have you realized you want to work from home more? Yes to working from home more, but no to working only from home. There's just no replacing collaborating with others in person. Gammons' turtle Franklin, toad Hopper, crested gecko Cresty and tree frog Biggie (all named by his son Oliver) Lamoureux's dog Daisy Marquis' dog Biltmore 4 0 U N D E R F O R T Y

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