Staff Biographies
Sonya Carrizales, Environmental Planner
860-724-4278 E-Mail Sonya Carrizales earned a B.A. in Environmental Studies with a minor in Law, Public Policy, and Human Rights from Mount Holyoke College. She is eager to examine…
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860-724-4221 Lillian Schneider Lily grew up and embarked on her career in Connecticut and recently relocated back after her journey out of state. She is delighted to…
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Heidi Samokar, AICP
Principal Planner
860-724-4282 E-Mail Working in both the public and private sectors, Heidi has helped communities in Connecticut and Massachusetts address a range of planning issues. She served as the Planning Director for…
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Chris Seeger
Transportation Planner
860-724-4262 E-Mail Chris Seeger is a Transportation Planner who joined CRCOG in 2023. He has a Bachelor’s in History from Western Connecticut State University and a Master’s in Urban and…
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Anaka Maher, EIT
Senior Transportation Planner
860-724-4219 E-Mail Anaka Maher is a Senior Transportation Planner who started working at CRCOG in 2023. After graduating from UConn’s Civil Engineering program in 2020, Anaka got her master’s…
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Laura Frankowski
Executive Assistant
860-724-4283E-Mail Laura Frankowski is the Executive Assistant to Matt Hart, Executive Director of CRCOG. Laura is active in many aspects of CRCOG; she participates in the timeline progress of projects,…
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Kyle Shiel, AICP
Principal Planner
860-724-4706 E-Mail Before joining CRCOG, Kyle was the Senior Planner for Comprehensive Planning & Special Projects for the Town of Manchester. He worked on redevelopment projects, housing, economic development, parks…
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Elizabeth Sanderson, AICP, RLA BIL Coordinator/Principal Program Manager
Phone-860-724-4701 E-Mail As CRCOG’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Coordinator and Principal Program Manager, Elizabeth is pleased to use her experience as an American Institute Certified Planner, Connecticut Professional Landscape Architect,…
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Jacob Knowlton
Community Development Planner
860-724-4241 E-Mail Jacob studied Political Science and Urban/Community Studies at the University of Connecticut. Go huskies! He was raised by a father who loved the outdoors and a mother…
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Matt Hart
Executive Director
860-724-4232 E-Mail Matt Hart recently began his tenure as the Executive Director of the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG), the largest of Connecticut’s regional planning organizations serving 38 municipalities…
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