I have worked at the cutting edge of sustainability for over nearly four decades, leading trailblazing efforts for industry, government, and NGOs. At Brown and Wilmanns Environmental, LLC, I collaborated in the development of sustainability tools that include the Nike Materials Sustainability Index (the basis for the Sustainable Apparel Coalition MSI), the Norm Thompson Toolkit, Aveda’s Materials Guide, and the Made-By Fibre Environmental Benchmark. I have guided startups and mature companies in establishing effective sustainability programs and goals and in implementing management tools for tracking progress.
Prior to founding BWE, I created and directed the internal Environmental Assessment Program at Patagonia and worked in state and local government agencies on the development of innovative technical assistance programs for businesses, ranging from manufacturers of high-tech components and biomedical devices to auto body shops and dry cleaners.
As a part-time Lecturer at UC Santa Barbara, I teach courses in industrial ecology, the circular economy, and sustainability and innovation. I have also served as an Editor with the Journal of Industrial Ecology. My community service includes being appointed by Governor Jerry Brown to the California Ocean Protection Council and leadership roles on nonprofit boards involved in environmental protection, public health, and civic involvement. My current life goal is to get my three adult kids to join my wife and me on a warm water surf trip.
I am happy to share advice regarding environmental careers and strategies for conducting job searches.
Research
Early in my career, I did research on worker activism on occupational health and safety, informed consent, and responses to health risks. My current research interest involves assessing the role of sustainability professionals in organizations.
Education
- Ph.D., Environmental Health, City and Regional Planning, Cornell University
- A.B., Politics, University of California, Santa Cruz
Courses Taught
ENV S 118: Industrial Ecology: Designing for the Environment
ENV S 193CE: Waste Not: New Perspectives on Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling
ENV S 193SI: Sustainability and Innovation