CEQ Members and staff

Keith R. Ainsworth, Esq.
Keith Ainsworth has been an environmental and land use litigator of the New Haven Bar for 35 years. Keith has a broad conservation-based practice representing land trusts, non-profits, landowners and businesses in transactions and litigation throughout Connecticut before administrative agencies and state and federal courts. He is a former chair of the Connecticut Bar Association Environmental Law section and former municipal first selectman. A graduate of Tufts with a bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental studies and English literature, Keith brings a scientific and analytical background to his advocacy. Keith is a life member of the Madison Land Conservation Trust and served on the national leadership council of Trout Unlimited. Keith previously served as General Counsel to Vista Life Innovations, Inc., a private educational institute for adults with intellectual disabilities. Keith is also an avid outdoorsman and author of several volumes of poetry.

Timothy Bishop
Resident of Ridgefield.  Timothy is currently managing natural resources by serving the Town of Fairfield as the Director of the Conservation Department and managing inland wetlands, tidal marsh restoration, open space, land acquisition and shellfish programs. With over 22 years of experience as a consultant on environmental investigation and remediation projects throughout New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Mr. Bishop has performed and managed a variety of due-diligence related projects, including; over 2,000 environmental site assessments, soil, groundwater and air quality investigations, remedial system design and monitoring and remediation, including soil excavation and in-situ techniques, water supply, hazardous waste disposal, building material surveys and over 4,000 storage tank removals. Other professional tasks include office duties such as contractor, client and budget management, business development, invoicing, data analysis, technical reporting and Agency/Regulator collaboration. He also has extensive experience and leadership in natural resources in both private, municipal and State government sectors, including certifications as a Professional Wetlands Scientist, Certified Ecologist and Certified Environmental Professional.  In addition to his service on the Council, he continues to serve as Vice-Chairman of the Town of Ridgefield’s Inland Wetlands Board since 2019 and on the Certification Review Board of the Academy of Board Certified Environmental Professionals.

Linda Bowers
Currently a resident of Wethersfield, but lived for many years in Middletown. After graduating from Springfield College with a BS in Environmental Studies and working towards a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning at Virginia Tech, Linda spent over 30 years in the environmental field in CT. Her work included projects in civil engineering (environmental impact analysis statements and groundwater quality), as Town sanitarian in Guilford, followed by open space planning, purchase, and advocacy for the City of Middletown and The Nature Conservancy CT Chapter. After a crisis of despair over society’s inability to care about environmental degradation, she turned to giving joy to people by opening a used book store. It turns out that caring about the environment cannot be easily abandoned and retirement now includes volunteering for environmental causes and hoping to influence grandchildren.

Christopher Donnelly
Resident of Durham. Retired from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) in 2020, where he worked in the Division of Forestry as the Urban Forestry Coordinator for twenty years.  Prior work experience includes working as arborist and as the field representative of a major lumber trade association.  Graduated with a Master’s Degree in Forest Science from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, now known as The School of the Environment, and is licensed as an arborist in Connecticut and certified as a forester.  In retirement, he remains active with the Connecticut Tree Protective Association, where he administers the course for those seeking their arborist license, and with the Connecticut Urban Forest Council.

Cinzia Lettieri
Cinzia Lettieri is a resident of Clinton. She brings to the Council a strong background in education, public policy, and local environmental planning. Cinzia currently serves on both Clinton’s Planning & Zoning Commission and its Water Pollution Control Commission, where she plays a vital role in shaping land use policy, evaluating development proposals, and ensuring the town’s long-term environmental sustainability. Her work involves reviewing zoning regulations, balancing growth with conservation, and safeguarding the town’s water resources through infrastructure planning and wastewater management. As a member of the subcommittee charged with updating Clinton’s 10-year Plan of Conservation and Development, she helps chart a strategic vision that promotes environmental resilience and community well-being. Cinzia is passionate about strengthening shoreline protections and advancing environmental practices that benefit both her town and the state as a whole. Prior to her career as a public school teacher, she gained extensive experience in education policy and advocacy through her work with nonprofit organizations.  She holds a Bachelor’s in English from UCLA and a Master’s in Education Policy and Leadership from the University of Washington. Cinzia currently teaches elementary school in Hamden and volunteers with the Westbrook Girl Scout Troop.

Aimee Petras
Resident of West Hartford.  Aimee currently serves as the Executive Director of the Farmington River Watershed Association (FRWA), a non-profit focused on preserving, protecting, and restoring the Farmington River through research, education, and advocacy. She has worked at FRWA for over 18 years managing projects related to watershed planning, water quality protection, habitat restoration, and green infrastructure.   She is an alternate for the Water Resources Protection position on the Connecticut State Water Planning Council Advisory Group and is a member of the Sustainable West Hartford Commission’s Nature-Based Solutions Working Group. Prior to joining the FRWA, she was an Agricultural Peace Corps Volunteer serving in Morocco. Aimee also worked as a Hydrogeologist for Leggette, Brashers and Graham, an environmental consulting firm specializing in groundwater.  She holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Stony Brook University, NY. 

Denise Rodosevich
Resident of Hebron. Denise was an attorney with the State of Connecticut for over twenty years providing legal advice, analysis, and representation to several state agencies, including what was formerly known as the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Environmental law, policy, and advocacy were important aspects of her state service. Prior to that, she was a litigator in private practice and worked in various environmental analyst job titles at DEP. Denise was also an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Connecticut School of Law, teaching, among other courses, Toxic Torts.  She has authored one and co-authored another article addressing aspects of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. In addition to her law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Conservation and a Master’s Degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Colorado and the University of Montana, respectively.

William Warzecha
Resident of Norwich. Retired from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) with 36+ years of service. Early in his career, he served as the geologist/hydrogeologist to the Eastern Connecticut and King’s Mark Environmental Review Teams applying his technical background and expertise mainly in the areas of water supply development, waste disposal, and geologic development concerns with respect to major land-use projects, watershed studies and natural resource inventories statewide and assisted staff of the Connecticut Geological & Natural History Survey on geologic studies and investigations. Retired as the supervising environmental analyst for the Department’s Remediation Division primarily responsible for enforcing the state’s ground water pollution and potable water laws, protecting the state’s water resources, and overseeing the clean-up of soil and ground water at polluted industrial and commercial sites. He was a long-time Board member representing the City of Norwich to the Uncas Health District and is presently serving as a Trustee at the Norwich Free Academy and a member of the Board of Commissioners for the City of Norwich’s Public Utilities and Sewer Authority. Holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Management and Policy and a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Earth Science.

Interested in serving on the Council on Environmental Quality?

Email Paul Aresta, Executive Director and/or call 860-424-4000.
 
The Council members serve a maximum eight-year term. Costs associated with travel to its monthly meetings are reimbursable. Though attendance remotely is allowed, you might want to meet the members in person. They are drawn to the Council due to their expertise in environmental science, law and governmental administration. The Council's duties are described above.

Current Membership:

• Keith Ainsworth, (Acting Chair) - appointed by the Speaker of the House in March 2019; term through March 2027
• Timothy Bishop - appointed by the Speaker of the House in January 2025; term through January 2033
• Linda Bowers - appointed by the Governor in September 2024; term through September 2032
• Christopher Donnelly - appointed by the Governor in May 2023; term through May 2031
• Cinzia Lettieri appointed by the Governor in June 2025; term through June 2033
• Aimee Petras appointed by the Governor in August 2024; term through August 2032
• Denise Rodosevich appointed by the Governor in May 2023; term though May 2031
• William Warzecha appointed by the Senate President Pro Tempore in December 2021; term through December 2029
• Vacant - Senate President Pro Tempore

Staff

• Paul Aresta, Executive Director
• Ryan Carboni, Environmental Analyst