Three new board members, each with deep ties to Bucks County and a love for its natural beauty and rich history, will be adding their energy, experience and knowledge to Heritage Conservancy’s Board of Directors.
The Doylestown-based land conservation and historic preservation non-profit announced that Lynn Bush, the former Executive Director of the Bucks County Planning Commission; Richard “Dick” Henriques, a Senior Fellow at the Center for High Impact Philanthropy at the University of Pennsylvania; and Kevin Putman, Jr., President of Penn Color, will join the ranks of the Conservancy’s board. The new members will offer guidance toward Heritage Conservancy’s preservation mission, financial goals and achieving regional prominence through outreach and marketing.
As Executive Director of the Bucks County Planning Commission for two decades and a recognized leader in planning, zoning and comprehensive planning at the municipal level for many years, Lynn Bush has a deep understanding of, and appreciation for, Bucks County. Lynn’s extensive experience in planning includes a wealth of knowledge of historic districts, open space and comprehensive plans.
Her education began at the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned a B.A. in Architecture. She then completed the Master of City and Regional Planning program at the University of North Carolina. Lynn joined the Peace Corps, where she learned Farsi and volunteered in Iran from 1969 to 1971.
Making her home in Doylestown 50 years ago, Lynn said, “I love Bucks County…and I’ve often said, I could wheel a suitcase to the train station in Doylestown and get anywhere in the world without getting in a car.” From walking to the library, museums, parks, restaurants, to finding working farms and dramatic open spaces, “it’s an ideal way to live,” she said.
Lynn landed in Bucks while in graduate school, when the Bucks County Planning Commission was recruiting summer interns. Thirty-one years later, she became the commission’s executive director, where she stayed for 20 years before retiring.
While she serves on many boards, Lynn said, Heritage Conservancy “is one of the institutions that recognizes the importance of protecting the character of the County. I’ve worked with them on many projects over the years because they have been terrific partners with Bucks County’s Open Space Program, which we ran as part of the county planning commission.”
“Now that I’m retired from the County, I am honored to join them as a volunteer. Heritage Conservancy’s focus on both natural and historic resources is important to me. Their preservation efforts – from open fields to historic buildings – have been focused and effective in preserving those features that say – ‘This is Bucks County.’”
Dick Henriques has long loved Bucks County and its rich natural beauty, so joining the Conservancy’s board is a perfect fit. “The Conservancy’s focus on preserving the vistas and culture of Bucks County for all to enjoy is something I’ve been aware of for some time,” said Dick, adding, he was drawn to the area some 40 years ago, as his wife, Sally, grew up in Newtown.
As he joins the board, Dick said, he’s particularly interested in those “initiatives that preserve the intersection of history, people and the natural world.” And, he noted, “those are the most challenging yet are likely to have the most sustainable benefit for residents, visitors and the environment.”
When time allows, Dick and Sally enjoy walking Bucks County’s back roads and visiting its many parks, which has, “especially been a blessing during the current pandemic.”
While the couple has lived many places, including Tokyo and Seattle, “we always moved back to our home base in Bucks County,” said Dick.
Today, Dick is a Senior Fellow at the Center for High Impact Philanthropy at the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to taking that position, he served as the CFO of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, where he was responsible for growing the portfolio of Program Related Investments from $50 million to $700 million. Before joining the Gates Foundation, Dick worked as Senior Vice President of Finance and Corporate Controller at Merck & Co. He received his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and his M.B.A. from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Kevin Putman, Jr. considers himself fortunate to have grown up in Bucks County, where he and his wife Ashley both have their businesses. “For my family, Bucks County has really been a central part of our story for the past four generations, not only through establishing deep social roots, but also the foundation of the family business, founded by my grandparents. I have always felt fortunate to be a part of this very special community, and it is a unique honor for me to be able to support the Conservancy and its drive toward historic preservation,” said Kevin.
For Kevin, the appeal of Bucks County began decades ago when his grandparents moved to the area roughly 60 years ago. “It has been home ever since, and I, like many, strongly believe that Bucks County offers an exceptional and diverse environment that promotes a wonderful quality of life,” he said.
In his role as President of Penn Color, Inc., Kevin was instrumental in leading his company to donate $1 million to the Conservancy, saying, “To me, the DNA of Bucks County is representative of what makes this country special, and Heritage Conservancy is well-positioned to protect this for future generations, which I believe is important to us all. I am pleased to have the opportunity to be a part of that initiative.”
With a young family, Kevin said his free time is largely spent with his wife and one-year-old and three-year-old children. When time allows, they enjoy biking and hiking in and around Bucks County. “Pre-COVID, we were avid global travelers, going on multiple international trips throughout the year. We certainly hope to get back to traveling again when the pandemic is behind us, but for now it’s all about the kids!”
Long-serving Board Members, Dr. Vail P. Garvin, Executive Director of the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce, and Nicholas DeRose, Senior Consultant at Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, will be rotating back to the board this year.
Heritage Conservancy couldn’t be more pleased to have Lynn, Dick and Kevin joining its Board of Directors. Each of their unique talents and experiences will be invaluable in continuing the Conservancy’s mission of land conservation and historic preservation in Bucks County and its surrounding areas.
Heritage Conservancy’s board members are a part of the compassionate group of nearly 500 volunteers who strengthen our mission every day. If you’d like to learn more about volunteer opportunities with Heritage Conservancy, click the button below.