Full Name: Aaron Hinze
Title and Organization: Research Assistant, Technical Assistance to Brownfields
SPP Degree and Graduation Year: MPA, ‘25
Aaron is a senior history major and Fast-Track Masters of Public Administration (MPA) student. During junior year he began working with the EPA Region 1 Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) program, which is run out of the civil/environmental engineering department at UConn. Today Aaron serves with TAB in a research assistant capacity.
With TAB he provides assistance to local governments, regional planning organizations and nonprofits across New England as they work to redevelop vacant and contaminated properties known as Brownfields. Currently he is conducting research to add to the growing literature on the connection between Brownfields and Environmental Justice efforts across the nation.
After graduation Aaron plans to continue his work with TAB. He is most interested in town planning and local government functions that pertain to “challenge sites” like Brownfields.
Albert G. Ilg Fellowship in Local Government Award
The Albert G. Ilg Fellowship in Local Government award is given to an MPA student who demonstrates interest in local government and public sector service. Awards (“Fellowships”) will defray living or academic related expenses. The award was established in 1998 to honor the distinguished service of Al Ilg as the Town Manager of Windsor for 32 years.
Albert G. Ilg: Prior to his service as Town Manager of Windsor, Connecticut, Al Ilg served as the Assistant City Manager of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, after serving as an officer in the U.S. Navy. In 2002, Al’s expertise was called upon to serve as an Interim City Manager of Hartford, and in September 2005, Al was appointed by the Governor to the “State Contracting Reform Standards Board.” Al received a B.A. in Political Science from Bucknell University and a master’s degree in Government Administration from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. For many years, Al has been a friend of the School of Public Policy, speaking in our speaker series and connecting students and alumni with job opportunities. He also supports the Albert Ilg Award, presented annually to a student with outstanding interest in local government.