CDCP Staff

President & CEO -  Stephen A. Glassman  
 sglassman@cdcp.org

Stephen A. Glassman joined the Community Design Center of Pittsburgh as its President & CEO in June 2011. Mr. Glassman practiced architecture as the principal of his own Maryland and Pennsylvania-based architectural firm—Art and Architectural Design—for 25 years. His residential and commercial work appeared more than 100 times in national publications and won numerous awards and citations, including Metropolitan Home magazine’s award for Outstanding Renovation of the Year. Mr. Glassman has advanced degrees in architecture and art history from Brown and Yale Universities, and has taught at the college and graduate school levels at institutions as diverse as Morgan State University (an HBCU), the Maryland Institute College of Art, Kutztown University, and Yale University. In addition to his architectural practice, Mr. Glassman served a five-year term as Baltimore City’s Civic Design Commissioner, responsible for the administration of its “1% for Art” program and the identification and placement of public artwork throughout Baltimore City under Mayor Kurt Schmoke. Mr. Glassman co-chaired the first national conference on “Diversity in the Design Professions,” sponsored by the American Institute of Architects and served for five years as the Vice Chair of the Diversity Committee of the AIA national board of directors. His curatorial experience includes design of the “Richard Brown Baker” exhibition at Yale University Art Gallery Museum, and assistant curator of prints and drawings for the Fountainebleau exhibition at the Louvre Museum in Paris, France. Mr. Glassman completed a one year Museum Training program sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts while he was completing his Masters of Architecture degree at Yale University. For eight years before joining the CDCP, Mr. Glassman served as the Chairman of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, an appointment made by the governor in which he was twice confirmed unanimously by the State Senate. He is a 2005 graduate of Harvard University’s JFK School of Government program for senior executives in state and local government. His many awards and recognitions include the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Architecture. Mr. Glassman has spoken around the country on Human Rights issues, Architecture and Furniture Design, LGBT equality, and has been featured in major media publications ranging from The New York Times and The Washington Post to NPR’s Morning Edition, CNN, MSNBC, FOX news, and All Things Considered. He has also appeared with Martha Stewart on CBS This Morning, as well as an episode of the sitcom Frasier. Mr. Glassman has addressed the House of Lords in London, England on Muslim-Jewish relations and the Han Ban Institute of Education in Beijing, China as part of state diplomatic missions during his tenure at the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.

Chief Operating Officer -  Jen Fox  
 jfox@cdcp.org

Jen Fox has been with the CDCP since 2000 and currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer. She oversees all events at the CDCP as well as all things administrative.  Through her attention to detail and organization, Jen plans to assist in developing new sponsorship packages and new strategic partnerships. Jen is a member of Sustainable Pittsburgh’s Outdoor Amenities Team, the Urban Cycling Committee, and Highmark’s Wellness Initiative Community Committee. Prior to joining the CDCP, Jen worked as the Administrative Manager for Princeton Executive Suites and as in the finance department of GNC throughout college. Jennifer graduated with a B.A. in Sociology with minors in Biology and Environmental Science from John Carroll University, in Cleveland.

 Senior Design and Planning Advisor -  Jason Vrabel 
 jvrabel@cdcp.org

Jason advises CDCP staff on all design and planning projects and works to develop strategic initiatives for the organization.  For eight years Jason served as the CDCP’s Design Fund Program Director.  In this role he managed over fifty Design Fund projects throughout the City, and oversaw additional projects throughout the county and state.  During this time, Jason was a studio instructor at Chatham University’s Graduate School of Landscape Architecture, and presented the CDCP’s work at conferences, both locally and nationally.  As an independent consultant, he has assisted various organizations ranging from neighborhood groups to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Jason’s love for taking things apart, fixing what doesn’t work, and putting them back together again explains his endless fascination with his old house, his old truck, and Pittsburgh’s old neighborhoods.  He enjoys getting people around a table to examine their communities and envision ways to make them better for those who follow.

Prior to joining the CDCP in 2001, Jason worked as an Intern Architect and on construction crews for various residential and commercial projects. Jason studied architecture, political science and art at Miami University.    

 Development Manager - Connie Cavrich
 ccavrich@cdcp.org

Connie Cavrich joined CDCP as Development Manager in October 2011.  In her position, Ms. Cavrich will be responsible for all development and fundraising activities.  She has over 26 years of experience in government, governmental affairs, advocacy, and development.  She began her career working with Senator Arlen Specter and then moved to a lobbying position with ARC-Allegheny (now ACHIEVA). Her work in development began with the March of Dimes in Central Pennsylvania, and she also served as Director of Development for Family Services of Blair County and Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries.  Connie returned to Pittsburgh in 2005, and served as Director of Development for Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation and Catholic Charities.  Connie chose to work for CDCP because she and her family love living in Pittsburgh, and she has a shared interest in preserving CDCP’s mission of promoting livable and sustainable communities in the region—and continuing the trend of Pittsburgh being the one of the “most livable cities” in the country.  Ms. Cavrich graduated with a B.A. in Public Services from PennsylvaniaStateUniversity.

  Community Programs Manager -  Thor Erickson 
  terickson@cdcp.org

Thor joined the CDCP in September 2011 as the Community Programs Manager.  A native of Denver, Thor received a B.A. in Environmental Design from the University of Colorado and earned a MAsters of Community Planning from the University of Cincinatti.  His experience is extensive and varied, including time as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Phillipines and a neighborhood advocate in Covington, Kentucky.  Thor will be living in Shadyside, and will use his passion for cycling to explore the hills, bridges, trails, and neighborhoods of Pittsburgh.

 SCA Green Cities Sustainability Fellow – Cate Rassman  
 crassman@cdcp.org

Cate joined the CDCP in March 2012 as a Green Cities Sustainability Fellow with the Student Conservation Association. She graduated with honors from the University of Pittsburgh in 2010, receiving a B.A. in Urban Studies and a minor in Sociology. During the summer of 2011 she completed a landscape architecture course at Cal Berkeley that reinforced her passion for sustainable design. Cate’s previous experience includes internships with Pittsburgh's Department of City Planning, a community development organization, and a real estate investment trust. She looks forward to helping the CDCP connect residents with resources that improve the livability, sustainability, and value of Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods. 

Community Programs Intern – Kyle Brown  
intern@cdcp.org

Kyle joined CDCP in January 2012, taking on the development of an interactive map of past Design Fund projects with the goal of helping people better understand and more intimately connect with CDCP’s work. In addition, he plays a supporting role in projects as needed. Kyle is a double-major in Urban Studies and Chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh.  Within Urban Studies, his focus lies in comparative international urbanism and urban planning.  With coursework in such areas as city planning, urban research methods, and geographic information systems, he hopes to make a meaningful contribution to CDCP’s important work in Pittsburgh’s communities, while gaining invaluable experience for a future career in urban planning and design.

  
Community Programs Intern – James Snow
intern@cdcp.org

James joined the CDCP as an intern in May of 2012 to help develop the interactive Design Fund map as well as assist with researching and developing content for CDCP’s new on-line resource library. He is a recent graduate from the University of Pittsburgh with B.A. degrees in Urban Studies and History. His concentrations within Urban Studies include Community Organization and Urban Planning.  James’s previous experience in the Department of City Planning and Pittsburgh City Council has given him a strong background and passion for community development. In addition, his work during his undergraduate career was heavily focused on sustainable development and design in neighborhoods throughout Pittsburgh. This has encouraged James to pursue a graduate degree at Chatham University’s School for Sustainability and Environmental Design this fall.