Honoring Greenway champion Larry Silver

In his hometown of Philadelphia, former East Coast Greenway Alliance Board of Trustees Chair Larry Silver was honored for 12 years of dedicated service to the nonprofit at the Alliance’s final board meeting of 2023. 

Executive Director Dennis Markatos-Soriano presented Silver, a longtime basketball fan, with the first-ever Greenway basketball championship ring to signify his status as one of the best trustees in the Alliance’s history. 

“In 12 years of service to the Alliance, Larry brought his outstanding values, expertise and tenacity to the Greenway cause,” Markatos-Soriano said. “His dedication, generosity, humor and humility have made Larry an all-star among Greenway leaders. Larry’s leadership certainly will be missed, but he has handed the baton smoothly to our awesome current board chair, Brandon Douglass.”

During Silver’s tenure, the Alliance tripled its staff capacity to a strong operation of 16 full-time experts accelerating Greenway progress. Today, the in-development route features 1,100 miles of completed Greenway hosting 50 million bike rides, runs and walks annually – making hundreds of communities from Maine to Florida healthier and more sustainable for all to enjoy. 

Silver contributed to this record-setting growth in many ways. As one of the most generous supporters on the board, he brought the entire Langsam Stevens Silver & Hollaender law firm on as important supporters of the Alliance each December, funding many successful match campaigns during the year end giving season. 

He also gives his time to other great causes such as his board service at one of the Alliance’s key partners, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council. In each volunteer role, Silver encourages others to lead as well. “Larry is a patient leader who shares his ideas and thoughts at strategic moments and lets others on the team lead with him,” Markatos-Soriano added.

During most commutes, Silver takes the train, walks and bikes. When that’s not possible, he uses his early adopter electric vehicle to get from place to place. 

“Larry is living the lifestyle that we aim to make accessible to all the tens of millions of amazing people that live in the 450 communities along the Greenway route,” Markatos-Soriano said. “He can serve as an inspiration to us all as we look to complete the East Coast Greenway during this unprecedented infrastructure opportunity.”

In other trustee news, Andy Clarke completed his board service after two terms, including recently applying his extensive experience to leading the Alliance’s Greenway Council. Thank you, Andy, for your dedication and service. 

Spencer Finch of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, assumed the role of treasurer. Meanwhile, Claire Grega, a Philadelphia-based environmental attorney at Langsam Stevens Silver & Hollaender with demonstrated involvement in civic affairs, joined as a new member of the board, effective January 1, 2024. 

“The Alliance is excited to work with the rising stars throughout the board to build on the Greenway momentum that Larry supported for 12 impactful years,” Markatos-Soriano said.

Donations to the East Coast Greenway Alliance in honor of Larry Silver's 12 years of service to advance the nonprofit can be made here.