President

Betsy Smidinger

Director, Resource Conservation and Sustainability Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Betsy Smidinger began her federal career at the US Patent and Trademark Office in 1986. She joined EPA in 1988 and has since held a series of positions with increasing leadership responsibility that rely on a mix of technical and legal skills. She served nearly 20 years in EPA’s enforcement and compliance assurance arena in various leadership positions overseeing high visibility information and reporting projects. In 2009, Ms. Smidinger completed the EPA’s Office of Personnel Management-approved Senior Executive Service (SES) Federal Candidate Development Program (CDP), and received SES approval by the OPM Qualifications Review Board. Ms. Smidinger is currently the Director of the Resource Conservation and Sustainability Division promoting the reduction, reuse, recovery and recycling of municipal, industrial and extractive wastes and the long term sustainable management of these materials. Ms. Smidinger holds a Bachelors of Science degree in chemical engineering from the University of Maryland.

Ms. Smidinger joined Executive Women in Government in the fall of 2008 and quickly became an active member by serving as the Communications co-chair in 2009 and the secretary in 2010.

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Past President

Elizabeth Cotsworth

Former Federal Executive

Prior to retirement in 2010, Elizabeth's federal career spanned 37 years, all at the Environmental Protection Agency. A member of the SES since 1994, her key executive positions included Director, EPA Office of Radiation and Indoor Air and Director of the Office of Solid Waste. Elizabeth twice received the Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive. As an executive at EPA, Elizabeth was a member of the senior Human Resources Council, a mentor and sponsor for SES candidates in the Agency's Candidate Development Program and mid-level career development programs, as well as an active member of a number of senior cross-cutting advisory boards and committees. Elizabeth joined EPA as a Management Intern. She holds BA and MA degrees in History and International Relations, respectively.  She continues to provide mentoring and career coaching through EWG and privately.

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Vice President

Carolyn C. Cole

Manager, Energy Initiatives, United States Postal Service

Carolyn C. Cole is the Manager of the United States Postal Service’s Energy Initiatives group, reporting to the Vice President of Sustainability. She is responsible for leading cross-functional efforts to reduce energy consumption and costs while maintaining continuity of operations. Ms. Cole created the first national energy management plan in the history of the Postal Service. This new plan identifies goals and standards for energy reduction and consumption for facility energy management, fleet management, fuel use and energy consumption.

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Secretary

Tanya Hodge Mottley

Director, Pollution Prevention Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Tanya Hodge Mottley is the Director of the Pollution Prevention Division at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  She leads a wide range of programs focused on preventing pollution at the source, promoting the use of greener substances, and conserving natural resources.  Tanya became a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES) in 2010, after completing EPA’s 2008 Federal SES Candidate Development Program.  Prior to joining EPA in 2002, Tanya served for several years as a manager at the U.S. Department of Commerce establishing and implementing international trade policies.  Tanya holds a Master of Business Administration degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech.

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Treasurer

Paula Farrell

Director, Policy and Legislative Review, Office of Domestic Finance, Department of the Treasury

Ms. Farrell currently serves as Director of the Office of Policy and Legislative Review at the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury).  This office is responsible for performing policy analysis and developing policy recommendations for senior Treasury officials regarding legislative and other proposals involving Government borrowing, lending, and investing.

She joined the Treasury in 1975 as a mathematician in the Office of the Government Actuary and began working in the Legislative Review Unit of the Office of Government Financing in 1979.  She became manager of that Unit in 1982 and Deputy Director of the Office of Government Financing in 1988.  In 2002, she became Director of the Office of Policy and Legislative Review.  She became a member of the Senior Executive Service in November 2006.

Ms. Farrell holds a B.A. in Mathematics (received cum laude) from Trinity College (D.C.) and a M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Maryland.  She also did graduate work in Mathematics at the University of Delaware.  Prior to joining the Treasury, she taught Mathematics for several years.  She is married and has two children, a daughter, 24, and a son, 29.

Ms. Farrell has been a member of Executive Women in Government (EWG) since 2003 and has served on several EWG committees, including the Status of Women Committee and its Mentoring Subcommittee, and the Program Committee.  In addition, she has served as the EWG’s Vice President and Secretary for two-year terms.

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ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Marylouise Uhlig

Associate Assistant Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Contact: 202-564-0545 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Chris Tirpak

Management Integrity Advisor, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Contact: 202-564-0546 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Kate M. Perry

Senior Policy Advisor, Office of Homeland Security, Environmental Protection Agency

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COMMUNICATIONS

MEMBERSHIP

Audrey L. Farley (Membership Co-Chair)

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PROGRAM

Patricia Licata, USPS

Senior Public Relations Representative, United States Postal Service

Contact: 202-268-2783 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Rochele Kadish

Senior Consultant, Department: Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC  20460  MC 2222A

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STATUS OF WOMEN

Mary Josie Blanchard

Deputy Director, Environmental Policy & Compliance, Office of the Secretary, Department of the Interior

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Margaret (Peg) Weir

Executive Director, Global Business Development, United States Postal Service (retired)

Vicki Allums

Associate General Counsel, Defense Information Systems Agency, Department of Defense

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