Howard EcoWorks Names Alec Lynde Executive Director; Founder Lori Lilly to Serve as Senior Advisor

We are proud to announce a leadership transition as the Board of Directors appoints Alec Lynde as its next Executive Director. Founder Lori Lilly will remain a vital part of the team, transitioning into a Senior Advisor role. In this new capacity, she will lead strategic initiatives such as fundraising, project development, and the continued transformation of Holly Hills into a premier center for conservation and green jobs training.

Lori Lilly and UpLift crew in 2019

Since founding Howard EcoWorks, Lori has guided the organization’s growth from a single summer workforce development program, READY, into a dynamic, multi-faceted nonprofit serving communities across the Baltimore region. Under her leadership, EcoWorks engaged with more than 400 program participants, planted over 3,000 trees, installed 153,000 sq ft of best management practices, and developed and established a debris management program for Ellicott City as well as a native plant nursery at the Howard County Department of Corrections. The organization has grown significantly in the past decade, from adding new staff, increasing the number and depth of programs, including UpLift and EcoAmbassadors, advancing environmental innovations such as biochar, and acquiring Holly Hills in Glenwood, MD, a 16-acre property that will support our conservation leadership in the region.

Soak It Up! 2025 with Lori Lilly, Board Members, Howard County Executive and officials.

“I am proud of the successful institution that Howard EcoWorks has become and the impact that we have had in communities across the region. I am thankful to our past and present Board Members and staff, grantors, especially Howard County Government and the Chesapeake Bay Trust, and our donors, supporters, and partners that have engaged with us over the years. I am grateful that, under the leadership of Alec Lynde, the organization will continue to support the next generation of environmental leaders in gaining the knowledge and skills that will be needed to manage the impacts of climate change. These next steps in EcoWorks’ organizational journey are very promising, exciting and full of potential - I’m looking forward to participating in that journey in my new role as Senior Advisor, Conservation and Strategic Initiatives.” - Lori Lilly

Howard EcoWorks is pleased to announce the appointment of Alec Lynde as its new Executive Director. Alec brings extensive experience in leadership, operations, and strategic planning, most recently serving in senior project management roles with U.S. Cyber Command and Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command, leading multi-million dollar projects focused on cybersecurity and cyberspace operations. He also served for eight years as an officer in the Army National Guard, where he led multiple teams and units.

In addition to his professional experience, Alec has demonstrated a strong commitment to community and environmental stewardship. He is currently a Master Gardener with the University of Maryland Extension and serves as the Chair of the Parks and Open Spaces Committee for his neighborhood association in College Park, where he has led the community in implementing and caring for conservation landscapes.

“Howard EcoWorks provides an essential service to the region, empowering the next generation with the green-sector skills necessary to lead our future workforce. I am deeply honored to steward this organization into its next chapter and build upon the strong foundation Lori Lilly and her team have established over the last decade. Beyond workforce development, EcoWorks is a technical leader in stormwater, forest, and land management. We are committed to on-the-ground implementation within urban and under-served communities, ensuring that the benefits of restored soil health, expanded tree canopies, and increased pollinator habitat reach those who need them most. I look forward to scaling our impact throughout Central Maryland, ensuring our philosophy of stewardship remains a driving force for regional equity and community resilience.” - Alec Lynde

With this leadership transition, Howard EcoWorks is poised to continue expanding its environmental programs, conservation efforts, and community partnerships throughout the region.