List any previous leadership positions held with the National Recycling Coalition or state recycling organizations and describe what you accomplished in those positions.
I have held a committee chair position (Environmental Committee) in the Minnesota Chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC). Primary accomplishments included raising awareness of environmental issues within the engineering industry, and providing a forum for environmental professional to discuss a variety of environmental topic areas, including waste management/ waste minimization activities.
I have recently been named to the Illinois Task Force on plastic shopping bag recycling, and will be working with another retailer, the Illinois Retail Merchants’ Association, and the Illinois EPA to identify and evaluate bag recycling options.
If you currently serve in a volunteer leadership position with another organization, please explain your role and accomplishments.
Other than the aforementioned Illinois Task Force, I do not currently serve in a volunteer leadership position, and will be able to focus on the business of the NRC as a member of the board of directors.
What special abilities would you bring to NRC’s leadership?
While I believe that I could contribute to the leadership of the NRC on many levels, the key contributions I would bring include:
- Broad understanding of environmental issues and environmental policy, and how these issues relate to waste minimization and recycling
- Strategic planning skills – looking to collaboratively identify future issues and drivers, and how they affect the development of an achievable vision and mission
- Interpersonal skills – the ability to engage in lively, meaningful discussion with people that have diverse backgrounds and interests
What do you think are the most important recycling issues facing the NRC or recycling on the national level?
Global warming – demonstrating the value recycling adds in terms of reduction in GHG emissions, and continuing to work with the EPA and other stakeholders on the development and enhancement of effective models to quantify recycling programs contributions to GHG emission reductions.
The growth of biodegradable polymers as plastic replacements, and the associated impact on plastic recycling programs.
Fuel prices and the effect on the collection, consolidation and transportation of recyclables.
The management of organic wastes (food wastes especially); and the role of European technology, specifically industrial composting technology.
The impact of overseas demand for raw materials and recycling streams on recycling commodity pricing.
What steps should the NRC take to strengthen its role and relationships with our affiliated state organizations?
The NRC should have a stronger presence within state organizations and provide additional technical support along with resources for state organizations, all while being respectful of the culture, goals, and objectives of each state organization.
What individual or group in the field of recycling has had the most influence on you?
There have been many groups that have had a strong influence on me regarding recycling, from waste management/recycling vendors to the excellent team we have within Target Environmental Services that delivers on robust recycling programs on a daily basis. However, I find that I am most heavily influenced by my co-workers outside of the Environmental Services department and our guests (customers) that are routinely asking about how we can do better as a company and as a society at recycling. One excellent example is a co-worker in our marketing division that reached out to me and asked if we could recycle old CDs and CD jewel cases. It is the passion of people who step outside their areas of expertise to identify and help drive new recycling initiatives that make my job exciting.
How would you “sell” the importance of an NRC membership to a person who is unfamiliar with the NRC?
I would share the vision and mission of the NRC, and demonstrate to the individual in question that there is no other non-profit group like the NRC who is addressing the issues surrounding waste minimization and recycling at the national level. Then I would strive to understand the position and concerns of the individual, so I could relate the NRC’s mission to their situation; and look to share a specific example of how the NRC’s influence has positively affected their lives or organizational goals.
How is the work you do as a professional compatible with NRC’s mission?
As the manager of the Waste Minimization team at Target, my work is closely aligned with the NRC’s mission. As we look to move toward a zero waste organization, we are continually evaluating the makeup of our waste stream and opportunities to recycle and reuse items that are currently thrown away. Our focus is on cost effective, innovative, easy-to-implement solutions that make a real difference to the environment, society, and the financial bottom line.
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.
The key to achieving consensus on a specific issue when there are diverse interests lies in finding the common ground between the various groups. This can be best accomplished in steps. The first step is to agree on the issue – that the issue is real and needs to be resolved. The second step is to understand and acknowledge the concerns of each peer – that these concerns are real, despite the differences of opinion. Then the group can work together to develop a solution that can be ideally agreed upon by all, or at least be accepted as a viable solution by all.
What would be your personal goals as a member of the NRC Board of Directors?
To achieve personal growth through a greater understanding of waste minimization and recycling issues from a variety of stakeholder points of view; and to make a meaningful contribution toward the development and advancement of waste minimization, recycling, and reuse policies at the national level.