Professional biographical sketch
From Prof. Elston's Wiki
Bio of Paul J. Elston (2009)
President, Riverside South Planning Corporation pelston@pjelston.com
Paul Elston has worked in government, created an alternative energy company, and spent the balance of his career creating, leading and managing non-profit organizations that focus on environmental, preservation and waterfront issues.
After graduating from Merrimack College with a BSCE and Harvard Business School with an MBA, Paul served for twelve years in government in New York City (Assistant Commissioner for Environmental Health), New York State (First Deputy Commissioner, Department of Environmental Conservation and Deputy Director of the Budget), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Administration.
During the following twelve years he founded and served as CEO of Long Lake Energy Corporation, an independent power producer that built, owned and operated hydroelectric and gas fired electricity plants. The company went public in 1986 and was sold in 1993. During this period he also founded and served as Chair of the National Independent Energy Producers, a national trade organization.
Subsequently, Paul worked in the non-profit field. He founded the New York League of Conservation Voters, an environmental and political organization, and served as its Chair and CEO for fifteen years. He played a leading role in initiating State legislation to establish the Hudson River Park in Manhattan and has worked successfully to gain over $800 million in NY City, NY State and Federal funding for the construction of the Park. He was the Chair of the New York City Water Board from 1992 through 1995 and Chair of the Riverdale Nature Preservancy in the Bronx from 1993-1998.
Paul is a former board member of Community Board No. 8, the Bronx and Co-chair of the $1.75 billion NY State 1996 Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act campaign. The Governor appointed him to the State’s Superfund Working Group, Greenhouse Gas Task Force and Environmental Justice Advisory. Paul served as a consultant to the Center for International Earth Science Information Network at Columbia University and advised on Climate Change and the Smart Grid, a program to design an intelligent utility network.
Currently, Paul is Chair and President of the Riverside South Planning Corporation where he leads the civic efforts to construct the waterfront park on the Hudson River between 59th and 72nd Streets, immediately north of the Hudson River Park. He is Chair of the Flea Theater Board and a Board Member of the Open Space Institute and the Riverdale Sanitation Corporation. Paul teaches in the Macaulay Honors Program at Hunter College.
