Barnstable Land Trust Welcomes New Board President and Board Members

Board President Karen Hanesian

Cotuit, MA - Barnstable Land Trust (BLT) welcomed Karen Weston Hanesian as the new Board President and elected new board members Ben Canavan, John Curtis, and Stacy Reinhart at their Annual Meeting on July 14th at Lowell Park in Cotuit. The Land Trust also debuted a new walking trail at their Lowell Park Woodlands conservation area and celebrated the recently published Barnstable Trail Guide which spotlights 34 hiking trails representing almost 95 miles.

 “We are so excited to have Karen at the helm as Board President, especially as we focus on the implementation of our new strategic plan,” says Janet Milkman, Barnstable Land Trust’s Executive Director.  “We are indebted to outgoing president Joseph Hawley who helped guide the development of the plan, but successfully translating it into action is dependent on talented community leaders and board members like Karen, Ben, John, and Stacy as we work together in protecting and preserving Barnstable’s unique natural assets.”

 A member of the board since 2016 and a resident of Cotuit, Karen has practiced law in Hyannis for over 20 years, most recently with the Law Office of Karen Weston Hanesian, P.C., a firm concentrating in the areas of elder law and estate planning. Her past and present nonprofit affiliations include: Director of the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys; President of Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands, Inc.; Trustee for the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Cape and Islands (now Spaulding Cape Cod); and Director of Calmer Choice.

 New board member John Curtis, a resident of East Sandwich, recently retired from Bank of America/Merrill Lynch after a 40-year career in management and securities. A devoted community member, John has served on the Boards of the Cape Cod Conservatory, Hyannis Area Chamber of Commerce, Independence House, Cape Cod YMCA, and numerous youth sports programs as well as on the Barnstable Town Trust Advisory Committee and Comprehensive Financial Advisory Committee.

 Ben Canavan, another new board member, is an owner at Solar Rising, a photovoltaic solar panel installer. Having installed thousands of residential and commercial solutions across the Cape and South Coast, his work integrates his experience as a Master Electrician and over 15 years working in the renewable energy sector. His passion for sustainability, the natural world, and growing up in Barnstable all come together on Fish Hawk Farm in Cotuit where he lives with his growing family.

 Returning board member and Cotuit resident, Stacy Reinhart, is Managing Director and Wealth Manager for Boston Financial Management having previously worked with Emerson Investment Management, U.S. Trust/Bank of America, and Cape Cod Bank & Trust. With degrees from Yale University and University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, she currently serves on the Investment Committee of the Boston Chamber of Commerce.

 Joseph Hawley, while remaining on the board, leaves the position of Board President after five years during which he guided the organization through some critical growth stages including the hiring of a new Executive Director, the trust’s purchase and renovation of their new conservation center in West Barnstable, and an updated strategic plan that outlines ambitious goals for the organization’s future.