DOER Appoints Daniel Knapik Director of Green Communities

BOSTON — Mass. Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Commissioner Judith Judson announced that Daniel Knapik, who chose not to run for a fourth term as Westfield mayor this year, will serve as director of Green Communities, a division of DOER that works with all 351 Massachusetts cities and towns to find clean-energy solutions that reduce long-term energy costs and strengthen local economies.

Specifically, the division provides technical assistance and financial support for municipal initiatives to improve energy efficiency and increase the use of renewable energy in public buildings, facilities, and schools.

“We are excited to have Dan Knapik join the department as the director of our Green Communities division,” Judson said. “His years of municipal leadership will be a great asset as we work with every city and town to address their energy needs.”

Added Knapik, “I look forward to working on behalf of the Commonwealth’s citizens to further the energy and sustainability goals of the Baker-Polito administration.”

During Knapik’s time as mayor, Westfield undertook an aggressive and comprehensive program to modernize its school and city infrastructure. Under his leadership, many of the city’s schools and its City Hall have been renovated to include energy-efficiency components.

Prior to his election as mayor, he served on the Westfield City Council from 2002 to 2009. In the years leading up to his role in public service, he was a principal at Environmental Compliance Services Inc., of Agawam. He has worked in the environmental field since 1989.