Mary Tracy: New President of Scenic America

Press release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

Contact: Lynn McConville   267-456-3753
 
The Board of Directors of SCRUB, the Public Voice for Public Space, is pleased to announce that Mary Cawley Tracy, a founding member and Executive Director of SCRUB, has been elected as President of Scenic America, the national nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the visual character of America’s communities and countryside.

Ms. Tracy will remain at the helm of SCRUB as she takes over leadership responsibilities at Scenic America. Rebecca Johnson Esq., Deputy Director & Chief Counsel of SCRUB, is a full time presence in the Philadelphia office at 1315 Walnut Street. Tracy will be splitting her time between Philadelphia and Washington. Johnson is currently expanding SCRUB’s legal programming and developing a comprehensive legal strategy to help SCRUB carry out its mission.

SCRUB began as a grassroots coalition in 1990 to stop the proliferation of billboards in Philadelphia. In 1991, SCRUB effectively spearheaded the passage of a comprehensive sign control law. Since that time, Tracy has led volunteer attorneys and community partners in successfully challenging illegal billboards and in establishing legal precedents in land use law in Pennsylvania. SCRUB is now at the forefront of advocating for public parkland, having recently coordinated the legal efforts to protect Burholme Park from institutional development.
 
Eric Elliff, chairman of Scenic America’s Board of Directors, announced Tracy’s election at the Summer Board Meeting of Scenic America held in Newport, Rhode Island. “We are thrilled to welcome Mary Tracy…given her extensive background in grassroots organizing and non-profit management, we are confident she’s going to do a fantastic job”. Lynn McConville, Chair of the Board of Directors of SCRUB seconded Elliff and added, “Mary’s dual leadership positions provide SCRUB with a wonderful opportunity to bring its expertise to the federal level and for SCRUB to gain additional resources for its work in Philadelphia. Mary is known for her motivation, vision and tenacity and her ability to work with citizens, political leaders and administrative agencies to produce positive change. Scenic America and SCRUB will both benefit greatly from her efforts”.