If you are seeking an unprecedented leadership opportunity in a fast-growing, mission-driven nonprofit organization, Veterans Green Jobs (VGJ) may be the place for you. Our organization is dedicated to empowering and supporting military veterans to lead America’s transition to energy independence, ecological restoration, community renewal, and economic prosperity, with the potential to significantly expand programs at a national level.

VGJ is a national, nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization based in Denver, Colorado, that provides green jobs education, transition support, and career and enterprise development opportunities for military veterans. VGJ was founded in 2008 and operates programs in a variety of green jobs fields including home energy efficiency and weatherization, renewable energy, land conservation, and urban forestry. VGJ’s primary areas of Colorado-based operations include: National Programs (Veterans Green Corps, Veterans City Canopy and Veterans Development), and the Weatherization Program (Denver, Jefferson County and the San Luis Valley). Activities outside of Colorado are new and growing, and currently include the launch of energy efficiency training programs for veterans in Virginia and Pennsylvania, and land conservation training programs through Veteran Green Corps crews in Nevada and Utah.

Significant milestones VGJ has achieved since its inception have included:

• Secured contracts totaling over $11.8 million with the Colorado Governor’s Energy Office to provide weatherization services to low-income families
• Secured grants totaling $1.25 million from the Walmart Foundation to pursue the Veterans Green Jobs mission
• Partnered with the City of Denver to launch “Veterans City Canopy,” an initiative to assist transitional homeless vets to find new opportunities in urban forestry and landscaping
• Launched Veterans Green Corps, a partnership with leading conservation organizations like the Southwest Conservation Corps to train vets in public lands protection and preservation work
• Established a joint initiative with the Sierra Club to train and employ veterans in weatherizing homes for military families
• Built partnerships with educational institutions in several states to provide training and education services in energy efficiency and weatherization

For additional information about Veterans Green Jobs please visit www.veteransgreenjobs.org.

JOB SUMMARY
The chief executive officer (CEO) serves as the leader of VGJ and is its primary public representative, reporting to the board of directors. The board chairperson is the primary point of contact for the CEO. The CEO works in partnership with the board to ensure VGJ fulfills its mission and vision and to create strategies that ensure its future success. The CEO has the leadership responsibilities for implementation of the strategic goals and objectives of the organization.

START DATE: October 1, 2010

STATUS: Full time, exempt

SALARY RANGE: Dependent on qualifications

LOCATION: Denver, Colorado

WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED: Applications will be accepted from all qualified individuals, including military veterans and non-veterans.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leadership & Advocacy: Inspires trust and confidence and effectively articulates the organization’s mission and vision, and attracts others to help implement it; provides overall leadership for the organization that addresses the diverse and evolving needs of the veteran community; works with the board of directors, staff and stakeholders to define policy priorities; develops key relationships with the public media and understands the strategies and language associated with lobbying on a national scale.
• Fundraising: In coordination with the senior director of resource development and communications and the board of directors, oversees fundraising strategies and supports fundraising activities; oversees staff in the development and implementation of fundraising plans that support strategies adopted by the development committee; serves as a primary liaison along with the resource development staff and board members in donor relationships, and the person to make one-on-one fundraising solicitations; oversees staff in the timely submission of grant applications and progress reports for funders.
• Board Support: Serves as an ex-officio member of the organization’s board of directors and all board committees; supports operations and administration of the board of directors by advising and informing board members and interfacing between board and staff; advises the board in the development of policies and planning recommendations; assists in the selection and evaluation of board members and board leadership; makes recommendations and supports the board during orientation and self-evaluation; supports and participates in the board’s evaluation of the CEO.
• Planning: Collaborates with the board of directors to define and articulate the organization’s mission and vision and to develop strategies and objectives for achieving that mission and vision; creates annual operating plans that support strategic direction set by the board of directors and correlates with annual operating budgets; submits annual plans to the board for approval; develops and monitors strategies for ensuring the long-term financial viability of the organization; develops future leadership within the organization.
• Organizational Management: Oversees the operations of the organization and manages its compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; creates and maintains procedures for implementing plans approved by the board of directors; promotes a culture that reflects the organization’s values, encourages good performance, and rewards productivity; ensures that staff and board of directors have sufficient and up-to-date information; evaluates the organization’s and the staff’s performance on a regular basis; develops contingency and crisis plans; establishes and maintains an effective succession plan for top leadership.
• Financial Stewardship: Oversees staff in developing annual budgets that support operating plans and submits budgets for the board of director’s approval; oversees the organization’s financial structure, revenue generation, tax, risk, and facilities functions; works with the staff to ensure professional financial controls and reporting systems are in place to support ongoing business development and the organization’s annual audit; prudently manages the organization’s resources within budget guidelines according to current state and federal laws and regulations; ensures that staff practices all appropriate accounting procedures in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP); provides oversight for the distribution of charitable funds in accordance with expenditure rules pertaining to 501 (c) (3) organizations; maintains official records and documents, and ensures compliance with federal, state and local regulations; provides prompt, thorough, and accurate information to keep the board of directors appropriately informed of the organization’s financial position.
• Human Resources Management: Assures the organization’s human resources management, policies, practices and procedures are in full compliance with state and federal regulations; hires, manages, and fires the human resources of the organization according to authorized personnel policies and procedures that fully conform to current laws and regulations; ensures that the organization attracts, develops and retains top performing, high quality and dedicated employees; assures that the organization and its mission, programs, and services are consistently presented in a strong, positive image to relevant stakeholders; actively advocates for the organization, its beliefs, and its programmatic efforts; acts as a liaison between the organization and the public, building relationships with peer organizations when appropriate.
• Public Outreach & Communications: Serves as the primary spokesperson and representative for the organization; helps manage public relationships and marketing; supports implementation of strategic marketing and public relations programs to increase understanding and support of the organization’s mission and vision; supports outreach and recruitment activities by generating public awareness in all endeavors; develops opportunities to promote the identity and profile of the organization and build strong relations with the media.
• Programmatic Effectiveness: Oversees design, delivery, and quality of programs and services; stays abreast of current trends related to the organization’s programs and services and anticipates future trends likely to have an impact on its work; collects and analyzes evaluation information that measures the success of the organization’s program efforts; refines or changes programs in response to that information; designs, develops and implements a culture of continuous improvement throughout the entire organization and monitors the organization’s operational efficiency and effectiveness on a regular basis.

QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate is prepared to be the public face and personality of the organization. S/he will possess many of the following professional and personal attributes and experiences:

• Shows a record of accomplishment in an entrepreneurial not-for-profit and/or for-profit environment, with a minimum of 5 years senior leadership, preferably with significant experience in nonprofits.
• Is either a veteran of the armed forces of the United States or possesses a demonstrated understanding of the issues that veterans face when they return from active duty and are faced with reintegration into the civilian society.
• Has a proven record as a self-starter with the ability to not only take initiative but manage projects involving program design, and to manage often complex schedules and activities.
• Is flexible and willing to travel.
• Demonstrates proficiency in designing, developing and implementing organizational strategic and operational plans.
• Has at least 5 years experience in fundraising with demonstrated success in developing partners with government, foundations, and the private sector.
• Has strong knowledge of financial management and analysis, ability to prepare and present budgets and create systems designed to save money and increase efficiencies.
• Has a track record of effectively leading an organization, with the ability to point to examples of successful strategies and processes, and to development of an infrastructure that takes an organization to the next growth stage.
• Is a team builder and facilitator that encourages collaboration and professional/personal growth among staff, board members, and allied groups and is a solid diplomat and negotiator.
• Possesses the drive and passion to create a culture of continuous operational improvement.
• Demonstrates flexibility, adaptability and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work environment.
• Possesses strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to interact credibly and diplomatically with the board and the external community – tailoring communication effectively for different groups and stakeholders.
• Has an open, inclusive, team-oriented work style and ability to collaborate with a senior leadership team at diverse locations.
• Possesses a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree preferred.
• Has a valid Colorado driver’s license or ability to acquire one within 15 days of employment.
• Is proficient in MS Office suite, email tools and web tools, and is familiar with databases.

REQUIRED MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES
To be effective in this organization’s cooperative leadership structure, an individual must possess the following management and leadership competencies: diplomacy, relationship building, listening skills, written and oral presentation skills, delegation, mission focus, strategic thinking, visioning, problem-solving and decision-making, initiative and integrity.

HOW TO APPLY
Interested applicants are asked to send a resume and cover letter with the subject line: CEO Job Opening to: hr@veteransgreenjobs.org no later than August 9, 2010. Veterans Green Jobs is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women; people of color; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) people; veterans; and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

HIRING TIMELINE
The hiring search committee anticipates conducting telephone interviews with the most qualified applicants the week of August 16th and in-person interviews in Denver with finalists the week of September 13th in anticipation of an October start date.

John Arigoni, Veterans City Canopy Program Manager
john [at] veteransgreenjobs [dot] org

Don “Rocky” Basler, Interim CEO
Veteran (Ret.), U.S. Air Force
rocky [at] veteransgreenjobs [dot] org

Zack Bazzi, Mid-Atlantic Programs Director
Veteran, Sergeant, US Army
zack [at] veteransgreenjobs [dot] org

Ryan Borchers, Veterans Green Corps Project Developer
ryan [at] veteransgreenjobs [dot] org

Tamar Ellentuck, Executive Director San Luis Valley Weatherization Program
tamar [at] veteransgreenjobs [dot] org

John Geffre, Enterprise Team
Veteran – Captain, US Army, Aviation Pilot
jgeffre [at] veteransgreenjobs [dot] org

Linda Lidov, Direction of Communications
linda [at] veteransgreenjobs [dot] org

Vickie Miller, Office Manager
Veteran – US Army Military Police
vickie [at] veteransgreenjobs [dot] org

Garett Reppenhagen, Director of Veteran Development
Veteran – Specialist, US Army, Calvary Scout/Sniper
garett [at] veteransgreenjobs [dot] org

Jo Schantz, Senior Director of Communications and Resource Development
jo [at] veteransgreenjobs [dot] org

Chuck Watkins, Executive Director Denver/Jefferson Counties Weatherization Program
Veteran – Captain, US Army
chuck [at] veteransgreenjobs [dot] org

Tara Williams, Senior Director of Finance and Administration
tara [at] veteransgreenjobs [dot] org

Andre Winn, Veteran Development Associate, IT
Veteran – Sergeant, US Air Force, Fire Officer, Teacher
andre [at] vgj-denverjeffco [dot] org

Board of Directors

Graeme Bicknell — (Active Duty Veteran) Assistant Professor, Army Master of Social Work
Program, US Army Medical Department, Center and School, San Antonio, Texas

Harry Bruell — Chief Executive Officer and President, Southwest Conservation Corps

William Doe, PhD — (Veteran) Associate Dean, Warner College of Natural Resources, Colorado State University

Elizabeth Hawkins — Executive Director, ONE Freedom

Gaia Mika, PhD — Retired Staff Psychologist for the University of Colorado at Boulder

Demond Mullins — (Veteran) Former Iraq Infantry. Currently pursing a PhD at the CUNY Graduate Center, New York

Mit Parsons, Ed.D — (Veteran) Retired Wildlife and Fisheries Ecologist, USDA Forest Service

Deb Porter, JD — Fairfield and Woods

Gail Schwartz — Colorado State Senator, District 5

Ken Elliott — Viridian Partners, Director of Remediation and Site Management

Click Here for Boardmember Biographies

Advisory Council

Steve Baden — Executive Director, Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET)

Steve Byers — CEO, Energy Logic

General Wesley Clark (Ret.) — Former NATO Allied Supreme Commander

James Woolsey — Retired Director, Central Intelligence Agency

Bill Holmberg — American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), Chair National Biomass Committee

Jo Kierns — Executive Director, Green Mechanical Council

John Lee — Director of Veterans Affairs, Washington

Steve Siegel — Vice President, Energy and Security Group

Albert Thumann — Executive Director, Association of Energy Engineers

Join the Team

If you want your efforts to truly make a difference for veterans, the environment and the economy, then Veterans Green Jobs is the place for you.

Denver & Jefferson Counties Weatherization

There are currently no bid opportunities for Denver/Jeffco Weatherization. Please check back later.

San Luis Valley Weatherization

Bid Opportunity Veterans Green Jobs (VGJ) is requesting Proposals for trailers in support of the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) Weatherization Assistance Program in the San Luis Valley. VGJ desires to contract with one or more vendors to supply these vehicles. At this time we are considering both NEW and USED vehicles. USED vehicles must be in excellent condition. Click to Download – Utility Vehicles Bid Package with SL Valley

Bid OpportunityVeterans Green Jobs (VGJ) is requesting bids for residential insulation services for VGJ’s Weatherization Program for the period of July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010. The range and scope of work will vary; the number of units is unknown, but is anticipated to be fewer than 200. Contractor is to furnish all labor, materials, insurance, and supervision, and building permit if necessary, to perform the required insulation services. Contractor is to warrant all materials and workmanship for one year. Click to Download bid_insltn_contractors 2010-2011

Veterans Green Jobs works year-round to combat the crisis of veteran unemployment in our country. Currently, one in eight returning veterans is out of work. We train and place veterans in good jobs in the growing green economy through education and training, service transition, and enterprise programs in natural resource conservation, building energy conservation and urban reforestation.

This year, and in memorial to those who have served our country, we hope you will join with us in making a difference for military veterans who will benefit from our training and future job opportunities—the kinds of opportunities that will help them successfully transition back into mainstream America.

Your gift to our Memorial Day Fund will make a difference to veterans who look to us for the education and experience they need to make a better life.

To make a tax-deductible donation, please click on the red DONATE button. Thank you!

Dr. Bill Doe is the Associate Dean for Research & Engagement, Warner College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University, in Fort Collins, CO. Previously, he worked for over ten years as a Senior Research Scientist/Scholar, Associate Director, and Interim Director with the Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands (CEMML), the College’s largest research unit. CSU is Bill’s third institution of higher learning – he has eight years of undergraduate teaching experience as a senior faculty member in geography and environmental studies – at the U.S. Military Academy (West Point, NY) where he was also as Program Director of the Geography/Environmental Studies curriculum, and at Western Illinois University (WIU), where he was the first Director of the interdisciplinary Institute for Environmental Studies (IES). He is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy and has advanced degrees from the University of New Hampshire and CSU. Bill’s research interests relate to military lands in the U.S. and military operating areas abroad, with specific focus on the environmental and ecological impacts of military activities (warfare ecology) and sustainable land use practices. He has published articles and book chapters on these topics, as well as on watershed modeling, reservoir management and environmental sustainability. Bill is a career Army veteran having served for 22 years on active duty (1974-2006) with assignments in Europe; Philadelphia, PA; West Point, NY; Fort Leavenworth, KS and Port Hueneme, CA (with the Navy). He grew up as a military brat as the son of a career Air Force officer and calls both New England and Colorado home.

Harry Bruell, CEO & President, has been with the Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) since May 2004 and has worked with service and conservation corps since 1991. SCC engages young people as resources to complete conservation projects for the public benefit. During his tenure with SCC the agency increased its annual revenue from $550,000 to over $5 million and expanded from one office in Colorado to four offices in Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico. From 1994 to 2004 Harry worked with the National Association of Service and Conservation Corps (now The Corps Network), most recently as Chief Operating Officer and previously as Vice-President. Harry began his work with corps at the Durham (NC) Service Corps in the early 1990s where he served as Work Project Coordinator and Associate Director. Harry co-founded the national Public Lands Service Coalition and the Mountain Alliance of Conservation Corps. He serves on numerous Boards including The Corps Network and Veteran Green Jobs.

Elizabeth Hawkins Robinson is the founder and executive director of ONE Freedom, Inc. ONE Freedom (OF) is a nonprofit education organization dedicated to transforming stress and trauma by offering interactive workshops on the brain and body and skills for self-regulation. ONE Freedom programs are a distillation of scientific discoveries in neuroscience, somatic recovery and skills-based techniques. The aim is to bring to light and resolve a mounting stress epidemic by serving individuals and organizations inside the military, government, education and private sectors. Since 2003, Elizabeth has assisted in the groundswell of addressing traumatic stress for U.S. service members, veterans, families and care providers with programs such as Strength after Service™, Writing the Warriors Journey™, ONE Freedom/Outward Bound Wilderness Programs, and Retreats for Women in Uniform. She is collaborating with other nonprofit leaders to bring OF programs to college and university campuses across the country, as well as coordinating a national campaign on stress education. Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Arts in public relations and marketing and is an award-winning writer with over 20 years of experience in communications and management in the nonprofit and education sectors. She founded Journey Writing Workshops™ and has taught transformative writing for over 15 years. Elizabeth is also co-founder of Magis Group LLC, a private firm that provides performance enhancement, resilience building and stress mitigation to organizations.

Graeme C. Bicknell is an active duty Army Social Work Officer with 22 years of service. Currently he is a professor in the Army Fayetteville State University Master of Social Work Program at Fort Sam Houston Texas. His primary areas of instruction are data analysis and research methodology. Prior to his current assignment he was assigned to United States Special Operations Command where he conducted international research on foreign audiences. He served a combat tour in Afghanistan 2001-2002 as the Commander of a Medical Detachment Combat Stress, primarily providing individual and group counseling to soldiers. Additionally he has been operationally deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Haiti. His military qualifications include Ranger School, SERE High Risk and Jumpmaster. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services from Metropolitan State College of Denver, a Master of Social Work from University of Denver and a Doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin.

Debra A. Porter is an attorney with Fairfield and Woods, P.C. and she focuses her practice on estate and business succession planning; business formation and taxation, and tax-exempt organizations. Prior to joining FW’s team, Deb practiced law in Steamboat Springs, Colorado and continues to serve clients in this area. During law school she was a law clerk for Oregon’s Land Use State Board of Appeals and was a county court mediator. Deb also designed and conducted a pilot project for Oregon’s Department of Land Conservation and Development which studied the impact of mediation in land use disputes in Oregon and she studied international law for a summer in Florence, Italy. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Biology from Colorado State University. Deb was born in Minnesota and moved to Colorado in 1991. She enjoys riding her motorcycle, traveling, skiing, hiking, and trying to surf (but mostly failing).

Demond Mullins is currently a Sociology PhD Candidate at the City University of New York Graduate Center. His areas of interest include the military and masculinity. Mullins is an Iraq veteran; he served as an infantryman in Iraq from September 2004 to October 2005. In 2007 he served as a Special Projects Consultant on Veterans Issues in the Senatorial Office of Barack Obama. Mullins is featured in the compelling documentary about the experiences of Iraq veterans “The Ground Truth.”

Gaia Mika, Ph.D. – Almost two years ago I retired from the University of Colorado, Boulder where I had worked for 27 years, and moved to rural New Mexico. At the university my primary position was as a staff psychologist at the university counseling center where we served students, faculty and staff. In addition to providing psychotherapy services I was a diversity trainer, organizational consultant, and became very involved in community dialogue work. I taught in Psychology, Women Studies, and INVST Community Studies, a service learning leadership program that educates students to become engaged citizens. I also taught at Naropa University in their graduate program in Contemplative Psychotherapy. I had a private psychotherapy practice as well. I am a licensed clinical psychologist. Over the years I have been actively engaged in peace and justice issues in a variety of ways. I served on the board of the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center for many years. In May 2008 I was a member of a peace delegation to Iran, and in 2004 I was a member of a delegation to Colombia to support peace communities there. My husband and I were involved in Latin American solidarity work and led a caravan to El Salvador in the early 90s. We also helped start-up and lived in the first co-housing project in Colorado. I have an on-going interest in community building, community health, reconciliation work, and in facilitating community dialogue around difficult issues. I have a regular meditation practice which has infused my work as a psychologist and an activist. I have a 37 year old daughter.

Where were you stationed? Conducted One Site Unit Training in Ft. Knox KY with the 5/15 CAV. Was stationed in Vilseck Germany with 1st Infantry Division 2-63 Armor Battalion  Shadow Recon Platoon. Deployed to Kosovo for a nine month peacekeeping mission and completed a combat tour in Iraq in the Brigade Sniper Team.

A photo of Garett while stationed in Iraq.

How does VGJ inspire you? The goals of VGJ are parallel to mine own in many ways. We take action to make the world a better place to live and support the military members that served and sacrificed for us. Instead of continued patriotic rhetoric and political positioning, VGJ works hard everyday to provide opportunities for veterans to serve their country by greening America.

Where were you stationed?
Ft. Huachuca, AZ

How did that experience effect your perspective on life?
The time I spent at Ft. Huachuca researching the history of U.S.-Middle Eastern relations and U.S. oil dependency as a conflict driver has made me an ardent proponent of domestically produced renewable energy.

What are your hopes for the “green economy”?
I believe that as we transition to a more localized renewable energy-based economy and Middle Eastern nations in turn begin to diversify their economies, one of the root causes of conflict between the West and the Middle East will dissipate.

What are your hopes for veterans of America?
It is my hope that veterans explore their experiences within a broader historical and economic context in order to learn the lessons of history so that we do not repeat the mistakes of the past.

I would also like to return to Iraq with other veterans to help rebuild the country and introduce new energy technologies which will benefit the Iraqi people.

How does VGJ inspire you?
VGJ inspires me by offering veterans the opportunity to do something truly meaningful and vital to the future of our world. The transformation of the energy market will have a profound influence on the peaceful evolution of our global community.

Where were you stationed overseas?
Basic: Ft.Knox, KY (July 01 – Oct 01)

AIT: Ft. Lee, VA (Oct 01 – Dec 01)

Duty Station: Rose Barracks, Vilseck, Germany (Dec 01 – July 05)

Deployment(s):

Camp Magrath, Vitina, Kosovo / Camp Bondsteel, Ferizaj & Urosevac, Kosovo (KFOR: Nov 02 – July 03)

FOB Scunion, Ba’Quabah, Iraq (OIF2: Feb 04 – Mar 05)

How did that experience effect your perspective on life?
Throughout my experiences I grew tremendously as a person. I became more interested in the cause of a problem rather than associating blame. I also became very cynical about people’s motives. I learned a great deal about my tolerance levels. Most importantly, I realized that no one should allow anyone else to obstruct their path to happiness.

What are your hopes for the “green economy”?
That we can remove the quotation marks from the statement all together. What I mean is that as long as we continue to make it sound like a theory, it will never truly make the difference that is needed. Currently the idea of sustainability and green economics are just buzz words for politicians and greedy business people, no matter how green an organization claims to be, profit is still king. A true move toward sustainability and green economics would be to take ethical stands, regardless of how much it affects the bottom line, because improving life for the customers and employees should be the focus, profits second. Although that is seen by some as an outrageous claim, the writing is on the wall that a new process of thinking is needed, soon.

What are your hopes for veterans of America?
That they get the social support they deserve from the American government.

How does VGJ inspire you?
The idea of helping veterans find a new calling in life, one based around constructive things like empowerment, environmental responsibility, and compassion for others is such a radical change from the behaviors common to military life that I believe it can help many veterans find their path to happiness. Many veterans feel forced back into the military due to social, professional, and economic hurdles but the idea of VGJ aims to change that.

I am also normally the individual people call on if they need to reach something really high but don’t have a ladder.

Where were you stationed overseas?
I received my commission from Ole Miss in 2000; completed the Military Intelligence Officer Basic Course at Ft. Huachuca, AZ in November 2000; first duty assignment was with the 66th MI Group in Darmstadt, Germany; deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina as the SFOR Counter Terrorism Team Chief from 2003-2004; had a break in service until receiving a recall from the Individual Ready Reserve in 2005; Ft. Bragg for the first three months of 2006, and then to Baghdad at FOB Justice and FOB Liberty for 2006-2007.

I am still a member of the IRR.

How did that experience affect your perspective on life?
I am incredibly proud of my military service and very thankful for the opportunity to have served my country. The Army paid for my undergraduate education, taught me leadership and critical thinking skills and introduced me to some of the greatest people I have had the fortune to ever meet.

There are a lot of positives and negatives to military service. I certainly saw my share of horrible events, death and destruction through my time in the military, but I also saw an incredible amount of compassion, courage, and real leadership. I miss the Army but am thankful for my service, what I have learned from my time in uniform, and for the choices it helped me to make to put me where I am now.

What are your hopes for the “green economy”?
That we get to a point in the future where there isn’t a ‘green economy’ and actions and activities that are outside the triple bottom line of sustainability in economy, society, and environmental responsibility are the exception and not the rule.

I look forward to America’s increased and ultimate energy independence, an era of renewed innovation in America around sustainable products and practices as well as stronger communities. Ultimately, if we intend to maintain a similar level of quality of life or increase it from what we, or at least I, as a member of the middle class currently enjoys, and for a safe and secure nation, we have to embrace these ideals.

What are your hopes for veterans of America?
That we are not seen as separate from, dangerous to, or as strangers in our current society. That our actions are not judged quickly or harshly and that people begin to explore the nuanced and complex nature of why someone would serve in the military, what that service means to everyone in the nation, and ultimately that the veteran is honored and taken care of upon return from service.

At the same time, I hope that veterans are able to create identities for themselves that allow them to be proud of their service, but also to move on from their service and not get stuck in a history.

How does VGJ inspire you?
As a non-partisan, veteran focused group, I’m excited that it is taking a comprehensive approach to veterans issues and not just working on advocacy, but putting quite literally boots on the ground to solve problems.