List any previous leadership positions held with the National Recycling Coalition or state recycling organizations and describe what you accomplished in those positions.
• Sponsor of the national ReMix program – increased consumer awareness that coated papers (magazines and catalogs) can be recycled.
• Established performance-based local grants program for recycling infrastructure.
• Initiated a “Pay-to-Throw” program for waste collection to incentivize increased recycling.
If you currently serve in a volunteer leadership position with another organization, please explain your role and accomplishments.
• National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology (“NACEPT”) – Advisory Board member to NACEPT, which provides independent advice to the EPA Administrator on a broad range of environmental policy, technology and management issues.
• Environmental Council of States (ECOS)
• National Parks Foundation – Advisor
What special abilities would you bring to NRC’s leadership?
Through experience working in both public and private sectors with environmental affairs and policy development, I bring a different perspective into the relationship between governmental and corporate entities. Learning from my successes and failures working through various environmental and economic programs, I believe this experience from governmental and corporate participation will be valuable to the Coalition.
What do you think are the most important recycling issues facing the NRC or recycling on the national level?
• Collection infrastructure
• Single stream collection
• Funding for state and local programs
• Consumer awareness of recycling
• Life-cycle analysis
• Beneficial Re-use (e.g., composting)
What steps should the NRC take to strengthen its role and relationships with our affiliated state organizations?
Look for additional regional opportunity to match up partners to fill the gaps and meet the needs other areas may have - one state may be stronger in an area than another. Continue to look for business partners to move recycling forward.
What individual or group in the field of recycling has had the most influence on you?
While working for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Trudy Coxe's work as the Secretary of Environmental Affairs developed a report card to publicize performance of municipal governments. This system incentivized improvement in performance and drastically improved recycling rates in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
How would you “sell” the importance of an NRC membership to a person who is unfamiliar with the NRC?
NRC's members, partners, and affiliations create solid channels through which recycling progress can be enhanced and real progress is realized in communities where the most help is needed. The coalition allows the new member to be a part of a larger organization that makes a meaningful and significant contribution to recycling. As the “national voice on recycling” the NRC creates opportunities for increased resource reclamation and adds incentives for change.
How is the work you do as a professional compatible with NRC’s mission?
As a paper, packaging and distribution company, International Paper has historically been involved in issues of sustainable forestry and environmental stewardship. One of the most dramatic advantages of our product, wood fiber, is the ease with which it can be recycled or returned to the environment. It can be recycled over four times, and unlike some competing materials, it can often be reused to make the same product. Nearly 50 percent of all paper products consumed in the United States are recycled, with some being recycled at rates of up to 85 percent. I feel that the nature of wood fiber as a raw material puts International Paper in a great position to spearhead and manage increased recycling programs.
The NRC Board of Directors is comprised of individuals with a concern for the common good of the Coalition. Discuss how you would help the Board reach consensus among a group of peers with varied interests and/or positions on a specific issue.
Building relationships between sustainable organizations, including businesses, and the sustainability of our environment and natural resources, I can support Board members and aid in reaching a consensus among a group of peers. Increasing partnership and participation can also allow each member to play an active and important role in the future of the NRC. Increased communication can allow for greater potential for compromise and consensus.
What would be your personal goals as a member of the NRC Board of Directors?
• Build lasting personal and professional relationships with my fellow board members and coalition affiliates.
• Grow existing programs and enhance the resources available to them.
• Create new opportunities for the NRC that support the NRC “brand” and enable a greater exposure to recyclers and non-recyclers.