Ben Spinelli's career spans both the private and public sectors including 20 years as a trial attorney, three terms as the elected Mayor of Chester Township, Morris County, and several senior-level roles in government at the local, state and federal levels.

Prior to joining the Highlands Council as Executive Director, Ben was leading a consulting venture he helped create, Greener By Design, which provides regulatory and policy guidance to businesses, landowners, and government entities in New Jersey, as well as multi-national corporations and energy partnerships.

Ben is a sought-after speaker on the topics of smart growth, sustainability, conservation, environmental law, and planning. He has served on numerous committees and boards including the Garden State Preservation Trust, State Agricultural Development Committee, the NJ Environmental Infrastructure Trust Board, the Morris County Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust, and the Morris County League of Municipalities. He was an original member of the New Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council, serving from 2004 to 2006.

Ben’s experience also includes serving as Senior Policy Adviser for the President’s Task Force on Superstorm Sandy Disaster Recovery, and as Executive Director of the New Jersey Office of Smart Growth. He holds a B.A. in Political Science/History from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA, and earned his J.D. at Seton Hall University-School of Law in Newark, NJ.