Eric Kretsch

Association and Facilitation Professional

Amesbury, Massachusetts, United States

About

I am an association and facilitation professional with 9 years of experience in energy, marinas, and ocean and coastal policy. I'm most proud of my work developing from initiation to the current day's operation of AMI's Clean and Resilient Marina Program, which trains marina professionals and accredits marinas in clean and resilient marina practices. I am an experienced program manager and facilitator. I have been a client manager for Lighthouse for six years and a facilitator for eight years. I hold a Master of Arts in Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island, where my graduate research included co-facilitating a stakeholder workshop on assessing the vulnerability and resilience of the Port of Providence, RI. Over the years I facilitated multiple virtual and in-person processes, including reoccurring meetings to strategize the marina industry response to COVID-19, developing a nationwide Clean and Resilient Marina Program, and strategically planning advocacy and industry economic research with the Association of Marina Industries. Other clients include public meetings for National Grid of Rhode Island (now Rhode Island Energy) and the East Coast Shellfish Growers Association, workshops with the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC), and strategic planning with the Association of Marina Industries.

Experience

  • Clean Marina Program Manager at Association of Marina Industries
    Jan 2020 - Present · 6 yrs 7 mos

    In this position, I direct a major training and accreditation program under the Association of Marina Industries Training Program. I've been with this program since its inception, authoring the concept paper that outlined the program's objectives, tentative design, and aspired outcomes, and lead to pilot funding seeded by the marina industry's largest corporate chains. Since program start, I have managed and led contracted coordinators through program development, training marina professionals, and accrediting marina facilities as clean marinas. To this date, AMI has trained over 190 marina professionals and accredited 75 marina facilities.

  • Lighthouse Consulting Group Inc. (Warren, RI)
    • AMI Legislative and Outreach Coordinator
      Sep 2016 - Present · 9 yrs 11 mos

      Association of Marina Industries (AMI) Legislative and Outreach Coordinator at Lighthouse Consulting Group Inc., Warren, RI - Manages legislative affairs for association clients - Manages lobbyist on contract - Manages industry data and economic report development - Manages all outreach and association strategic partnerships - Creates monthly and weekly AMI newsletters, the Advocate and News Watch - Co-developer of AMI's Clean and Resilient Marina Program and Training Course - Manages strategic planning within the Legislative, Industry Data, and Clean Marina departments

    • Strategic Planning and Facilitation Consultant
      Sep 2016 - Present · 9 yrs 11 mos

      Design and deliver strategic planning and facilitation events for Lighthouse clients. Past clients include National Grid of Rhode Island (now Rhode Island Energy), NEIWPCC, East Coast Shellfish Growers Association, and the Association of Marina Industries.

  • Part-time Water Taxi Operator at Bristol Marine
    Apr 2015 - Mar 2020 · 5 yrs

  • University of Rhode Island (4 yrs 1 mo)
    • Graduate Research - Dr. Simona Trandifir - Graduate Energy Fellow
      May 2016 - Sep 2016 · 5 mos

      Managed a team of undergraduate researchers to analyze energy consumption data for municipal buildings in all 39 Rhode Island municipalities. This included analysis and data reporting.

    • Graduate Research - Dr. Austin Becker - Port of Providence Resilience Assessment
      Aug 2014 - Sep 2016 · 2 yrs 2 mos

      Worked with port stakeholders to assess the vulnerability of the Port of Providence and preliminarily evaluate strategies to mitigate potential large-storm damages. Managed three undergraduate researchers in the Department of Landscape Architecture. Co-facilitated a workshop for port stakeholders. Held public meeting and presentation in City of Providence. Co-published peer-reviewed research. Presented research findings at the National Academy of Sciences.

    • Graduate Teaching Assistant - Prof. Dennis Nixon - Introductory Coastal Law
      Sep 2014 - Jan 2016 · 1 yr 5 mos

      Assisted Prof. Dennis Nixon in the facilitation of the course. Lectured some class days and supported students with study group and office hours.

  • Research Intern at US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
    May 2013 - Aug 2013 · 4 mos

    Worked with US EPA staff at the New England Regional Laboratory on multiple ecological survey projects to monitor and analyze environmental conditions to determine human health risk and ecological health.