Monday marked Europa McGovern’s first day as the City of Poughkeepsie’s first Commissioner of Development. Europa, a City of Poughkeepsie resident, began establishing this week an important new leadership position that will oversee several distinct but related departments at City Hall, including building, planning, zoning, youth services, communications, social services (CDBG), and Section 8. “We are proud to announce that Europa McGovern has begun her critically important new role as Commissioner of Development,” City of Poughkeepsie Mayor Yvonne Flowers said. “Europa comes to the position with an impressive background in civic management and community service, most recently holding leadership positions with Ulster County.
However, Europa is no stranger to the City of Poughkeepsie. She has lived here for nearly 20 years and has volunteered her services for several city commissions, such as the Waterfront Advisory Committee (WAC).” Mrs. McGovern, who most recently served as Ulster County’s Director of the Department of the Environment (DOE), said she welcomes the challenge of consolidating several City functions into one cohesive department. The Commissioner of Development also advises and assists the Mayor, City Administrator and Common Council on all matters concerning the development of the City of Poughkeepsie and provides assistance to the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, City Industrial Development Agency, and other city boards and commissions. “I first moved to Poughkeepsie about 20 years ago in part due to its affordability and because its vibrancy and diversity made it an appealing option for me and my family,” said Mrs. McGovern. “I’ve supported our city and community in various ways over the years and this new role represents an opportunity to continue this work. I look forward to collaborating closely with City officials and staff, developing collaborative relationships across our community, and supporting key implementation projects that will serve to benefit the city and its residents during this pivotal point in our city’s history.”
Prior to her work with Ulster County, Mrs. McGovern was a planner at the Hudson Valley Regional Council (HVRC), one of 650 such regional councils in the United States. In addition to providing a regional perspective, HVRC offers planning, education and outreach, and advocacy for local municipalities in the seven County Mid-Hudson Region. HVRC additionally administers various federal, and state programs and develops the federal EDA-funded Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the region, which provides a snapshot of the region’s economic status and identifies key economic development initiatives. As a planner at HVRC, Europa provided technical assistance to and collaborated with local governments and stakeholders across the Mid-Hudson Region on various state funded programs, including the NYS Climate Smart Communities and NYSERDA Clean Energy Communities Programs, among others. Mrs. McGovern holds a Master of Arts in Conservation and Policy from Stony Brook University’s School of Marine & Atmospheric Sciences and earned her Bachelor of Science from SUNY New Paltz.
As an engaged member of the Poughkeepsie community, Mrs. McGovern served in a volunteer capacity on the City of Poughkeepsie’s Waterfront Advisory Committee (WAC) since 2017 and was its chairperson for several years. During her time on the WAC, she supported the development and ultimate adoption of the Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan (LWRP) and additionally participated in relevant initiatives and projects over the years including a Hudson River Estuary Program funded waterfront visioning project and PACE Land Use Law Center’s “Streamlining the Local Land Use Review and Approvals” project in 2019. Mrs. McGovern previously served on the Board of Directors for the Poughkeepsie Farm Project from 2019 through 2021; has been a Dutchess County Executive appointed member of the Climate Smart Communities Task Force for several years; and was honored with the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce’s “40 under 40 Movers and Shakers” award in 2020, in addition to coordinating River Sweep cleanups at Waryas Park in past years and working for the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater. Outside of her professional and volunteer roles, Europa can be found hiking and biking in many locations across the Hudson Valley.