DENISE JOHNSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Denise is a 30-year veteran of non-profit management. She joined the board of Andover Community Trust in 2012. In 2014, she began her tenure as executive director following founder Susan Stott in that role. Prior to ACT, Denise spent 24 years at the Addison Gallery of American Art, Phillips Academy. She currently serves as the vice chair of the Creative Education Foundation sparking creativity in others and as the treasurer of the Andover Cultural Council supporting the arts in our community.

BLAKE MARTIN, PRESIDENT

Blake Martin has been a member of the Andover Community Trust board since 2012 and president since 2021. Blake Martin is a senior associate at Weston & Sampson Engineers.

ACT Board

 

Ellen Arvidson,
Community Volunteer

Cathy Johnson,
Realtor

Rissy Ibraheem
Accountant

Priscilla Loring,
Financial Professional

 
 

Kate Margolese,
Nonprofit Professional

Blake Martin,
Geologist

Emmanuel Maurico
ACT Homeowner

Dara Obbard,
Attorney

 

Norm Rice,
Chemist

Yajhayra Santana,
ACT Homeowner

Sandy Sousa,
ACT Homeowner

Bill Webber,
Financial Services, Retired

Naiying Weigand,
Engineer, retired

Directors Emeritus

Joan Johnson

John Pearson

Don Schroeder

Susan Stott, Founder

The ACT Community

 We are a varied community in the Merrimack Valley of Massachusetts including Greater Lawrence Technical School students, homeowners, board members, educators, advocates for affordable housing and your friends and neighbors. Get to know us!

Featured
Elena, GLTS Junior in Landscaping
Elena, GLTS Junior in Landscaping
Esmeralda, GLTS Junior, Electrician
Esmeralda, GLTS Junior, Electrician

Learn why Esmeralda wants to be an electrician and the difference between working on a work site and in a school

Maria B, ACT Supporter
Maria B, ACT Supporter

Meet one of our long-time ACT supporters. Active in town organizations for decades, Maria believes that we are a better community with diversity.

Michael, Senior in Plumbing at GLTS
Michael, Senior in Plumbing at GLTS

Read about the tools of plumbing from Michael and his excitement for basketball.

Cheryl M, ACT Supporter
Cheryl M, ACT Supporter

Cheryl has been a long-time supporter of ACT who values access to good schools for all children and appreciates the benefits of a multi-culture community for her family. Hear her story.

Ronny, GLTS Senior, Carpentry
Ronny, GLTS Senior, Carpentry

Hear Ronny explain how he sees the difference between working inside and outside in carpentry— it’s not just the temperature difference!

Rainzel, GLTS Senior, Carpentry
Rainzel, GLTS Senior, Carpentry

From frustration to triumph, read about Rainzel’s experience learning how to install molding and his work on the Stott Circle duplexes.

Jerely, GLTS Senior, Carpentry
Jerely, GLTS Senior, Carpentry

Jerely is one of only 4 senior girls in the Greater Lawrence Technical School carpentry program. Hear her story and how she ensures this house becomes a home.

Priscilla, GLTS Junior, Plumber
Priscilla, GLTS Junior, Plumber

Priscilla is one of only a handful of girls in the Greater Lawrence Technical School plumbing program. Hear her story and what it's like working on an ACT home.

Fredi, GLTS Junior, Electrician
Fredi, GLTS Junior, Electrician

Already Fredi has learned a lot about being an electrician and takes pride in his work. When he’s not in school he’s often working with his dad in masonry. Hear what it’s like being on our build site as an electrician.

Oscar, GLTS Junior, Carpentry
Oscar, GLTS Junior, Carpentry

After learning from home from September through May, Oscar is onsite for the first time using his carpentry skills to build someone’s home. Hear about all he’s had to learn in just 3 days onsite.

Kayra, GLTS Junior, Carpentry
Kayra, GLTS Junior, Carpentry

Kayra understands first hand the huge value of being onsite learning rather than learning remotely as Covid kept the students offsite for much of the past year. Hear how Kayra explains the contrast.

Madeline, GLTS Senior, Carpentry
Madeline, GLTS Senior, Carpentry

Madeline is an innovator in all she does as a female in the carpentry program, a female wrestler and in plans to study criminology in college. Find out what she has learned as part of the GLTS carpentry program.

Samantha, GLTS Senior, Carpenter
Samantha, GLTS Senior, Carpenter

Samantha is a senior in carpentry. Hear how she has gained confidence and what it’s like being a female in construction.

Xavier, GLTS Senior, Carpenter
Xavier, GLTS Senior, Carpenter

The Greater Lawrence Technical School students are back working on Lupine Road— time to introduce you to a few more. Xavier has learned a lot from Mr Magee and has his sights set on college when he graduates.

Searlin, GLTS Junior, Carpenter
Searlin, GLTS Junior, Carpenter

Searlin didn’t always want to be a carpenter. Find out why she’s glad she made the change to this career.

Kylee, GLTS Senior, Electrician
Kylee, GLTS Senior, Electrician

Kylee shares her views on being a woman in a man's trade as an electrician-in-training at Greater Lawrence Technical School.

Delwin, GLTS Junior in Carpentry
Delwin, GLTS Junior in Carpentry

Delwin got over his fear of heights working at Lupine Road and it paid off for him when he applied for a job. Check out how he started scaling ladders despite initial trepidation.

Peter Magee, GLTS instructor
Peter Magee, GLTS instructor

Wondering how all of the GLTS carpenters are learning their trade? Look no further— hear about the magic Peter MaGee shares as an educator and mentor.

Vonne Morales, homeowner
Vonne Morales, homeowner

Homeowner Vonne shares why her kids thought God was building their new home.

Michael, GLTS Senior in Carpentry
Michael, GLTS Senior in Carpentry

On a chilly winter day, Michael reflects on what he has learned from his teachers and the strength it takes to stand a wall.

Susan Stott, ACT Founder
Susan Stott, ACT Founder

Susan Stott, ACT Founder and affordable housing advocate, shares her inspiration in getting ACT off the ground and her hope for the future.

Jonathan, GLTS Senior, Carpentry
Jonathan, GLTS Senior, Carpentry

Jonathan is a GLTS senior in carpentry who would rather work in the rain than the snow. He would like to be a finishing carpenter— working inside buildings and installing cabinets

Iverson, GLTS Junior in Plumbing
Iverson, GLTS Junior in Plumbing

Iverson shares how much he has learned in just 2 1/2 years in the plumbing trades program at Greater Lawrence Technical School.

Yeribel, GLTS Junior in Carpentry
Yeribel, GLTS Junior in Carpentry

The temperature is hovering around 25 degrees and though the heater is on full-power on the first floor, the warmth doesn’t reach the the students as they are working on the ACT duplex. Yeribel shares her story of being a female in the GLTS carpentry program and her aspirations for college.