List any previous leadership positions held with the National Recycling Coalition or state recycling organizations and describe what you accomplished in those positions.
I served as a Board member of the Associated Recyclers of Wisconsin for six years. One year was spent as board Secretary and four years were as President of the Board. During my time as President of the board we as an organization reviewed our strategic plan and started three working groups to address issues facing AROW members. This time period was also saw financial stability return to the organizations due to successful programs and sponsorship initiatives.
If you currently serve in a volunteer leadership position with another organization, please explain your role and accomplishments.
I am currently the Secretary of the Mid-America Council of Recycling Officials, a multi-state member organization that encourages and coordinates the review and development of regionally effective programs and policy issues directed at recycling, market development, source reduction, and recycled-content purchasing. MACRO members include government source reduction, recycling and market development professionals from 14 mid-America states. During my time as Secretary the organization has incorporated as a non-profit organization and is in the process of securing funding for various projects as well as funds to support an executive director.
What special abilities would you bring to NRC’s leadership?
I think it is important to listen. We live in the information age and are inundated with all sorts of messages, email and data. The challenge is to sort through all this information to see what is important and what is just clutter creating confusion. I believe the experiences of my career and in my day to day life have helped me to be able to focus on what is important and to take action when needed.
I also have values that are shared with what NRC has identified within the Guiding Principles. Our consumer driven society creates mountains of waste. I believe in doing all that we can to make the best possible use of the Earth’s limited supply of resources.
What do you think are the most important recycling issues facing the NRC or recycling on the national level?
Global Climate Change has had a great impact on the public’s perception of environmental issues. I think it is imperative that we are able to describe the role materials management can play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In such a complex system it is often difficult to see all the results of a waste management decision. For example some e-waste recycling programs are seen as successes locally, but cause environmental damage when the collected materials are shipped to developing countries for “processing.”
A number of states have already been dealing with waste being labeled as a renewable energy source. There some cases were attempts have been made to categorize waste to energy (WTE) as a recycling process. The challenge will be to continue to push for material management strategies that can provide the best environmental results within the emerging framework of climate change and sustainability.
What steps should the NRC take to strengthen its role and relationships with our affiliated state organizations?
I believe communication is key to a strong relationship between NRC and the state organizations. Current recycling programs emerged from grass roots efforts and have evolved into the institutions they are today. In my view the ROs are an untapped resource that can be used to take the National message NRC has been crafting back to a grassroots level.
What individual or group in the field of recycling has had the most influence on you?
I have often had a difficult time describing specific mentors or influences. In my work I have had the opportunity to work with wide variety of people each of whom has had some sort of impact upon me. I believe that taking advantage of these learning opportunities has enabled me to be the resource that I am.
The one group I enjoyed working most with was the AROW Board of Directors during my final year as President. The Board at that time was comprised of people I not only considered colleagues, but also as friends. This group of individuals cared not only about recycling, but also the success of the organization. The group really showed me how not to let the little details get in the way of achieving the broader mission of an organization.
How would you “sell” the importance of an NRC membership to a person who is unfamiliar with the NRC?
I think the best way to sell an NRC membership is to ensure the organization remains strong and relevant. NRC must continue to be responsive to its membership as it strives to be the national voice of the ever growing recycling industry. Often organizations tout member benefits as the reason for joining their organization; I believe our organization should be able to sell itself based upon results.
How is the work you do as a professional compatible with NRC’s mission?
Though I am employed by a university my teaching does not take place in the traditional campus classroom; my classroom exists all across the state of Wisconsin. My role is to bring the latest research and best practices to local recycling programs and businesses. This has allowed me to put my efforts toward emerging issues as well as the challenges typically encountered by recyclers.
I am currently in a stage of my career that has me working on a daily basis with businesses and communities looking to start or improve their waste management and recycling programs. While I may be viewed as a technical expert I really perceive myself more as an informational conduit. I know that I do not have all the answers, but I almost always know where to look for the answer.
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.
I think one of the keys to reaching consensus is to create an environment where all Board members feel safe in expressing their thoughts and opinions.
As a director for the NRC it is of up most importance to focus on the good of the Coalition. Though the opinions around the table may be quite different it is important to remember the shared values that bring the group together. We must also keep in mind that there may be more than one path that leads us to our common goal or goals.
What would be your personal goals as a member of the NRC Board of Directors?
My personal goals as a member of the Board of Directors are quite simple
- Help to further the mission of the NRC
- Be mindful of others words and points of view
- Continue to meet and work with my recycling colleagues
- Transfer lessons learned from working with a national organization to recyclers in Wisconsin