Thomas MacMillan Photo
Justin Elicker will help make decisions about the future of land in New Haven — not as the city’s full-time mayor, but as the new part-time executive director of the not-for-profit New Haven Land Trust.
The not-for-profit group announced Elicker’s hiring on Thursday. Elicker (pictured), who ran against Democrat Toni Harp in the 2013 mayor’s race, replaces the Land Trust’s interim director, Catherine Bradshaw. (Harp won.)
The Land Trust’s board voted unanimously to hire Elicker, according to a public letter written by its chair, J.R. Logan.
The 32-year-old trust manages 80 acres of public space, supports close to 50 community gardens in neighborhoods across town, and conducts environmental education programs.
Elicker starts the new job next week.
The job “combines a lot of interests of mine,” he told the Independent Thursday. “I like the fact that it’s a mission-based organization that is assisting communities throughout the city and empowering people to sustain themselves more from a food perspective, but also encourages people to engage well with their neighbors and build community.”
Elicker is also teaching a course at Southern Connecticut State University this semester on education and school reform. Most of the 28 students are freshman, he said. “Most of them want to be teachers.”
The letter from the Land Trust board chair listed Elicker’s professional qualifications for his new executive director job as well as his job responsibilities:
“Professionally, Justin has worked with the Yale Office of Sustainability and served as a sustainability consultant to numerous companies. He has a dual master’s degree from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and the Yale School of Management. Elicker’s community and environmental leadership includes the Friends of East Rock Park, which he reinvigorated with Cedar Hill resident Betty Thompson, and New Haven Green Drinks, which he co-founded. He served for four years on the New Haven Board of Aldermen, spearheading environmental initiatives and serving as an informal advisor to the Food Policy Council. Most recently, he completed a city-wide campaign for mayor. As a candidate, he demonstrated his ability to effectively lead a large-scale outreach effort, raise funds and motivate staff and volunteers to engage thousands of people across the city.
“As part-time executive director, Justin will manage all aspects of the organization’s administration and programs. He will also be charged with organizing and strengthening the Land Trust’s already robust network of volunteers in running programs, raising funds and increasing the visibility of the organization. This is an excellent time to get more involved in the Land Trust and I hope you’ll consider responding to our upcoming calls for volunteers.”
Elicker was asked if he plans to run again for mayor next year.
“I’m focused on the Land Trust and teaching,” Elicker responded.