Experience

Purdue Global

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Professor, Public Administration

  • Jan 2013 - Present

  Create an engaging online environment that successfully presents challenging content that stimulates and supports graduate students. Employed pracademic teaching focus that included curriculum development and facilitation of courses in Policy Analysis, Program Evaluation, Budgeting & Finance, Leadership, and Human Resource Management. • Developed a persistence and retention outreach strategy that incorporated multimedia technologies resulting in a 93% average course passage rate and a satisfaction score of 94% (4.71 out of 5.0 consistent from 2013-20). • Conduct scholarly research to explore the impacts of climate change; legislative responses to social change; environmental trends and how service-learning contributes to the common good; presented numerous papers at professional organizations and conferences; published by peer review presses; served as an ad-hoc reviewer for International Journal of Green Computing (IJGC) and Editorial Board member for IGI Research Insights. • Served as the national spokesperson for the Shine on Public Service initiative highlighting professionals in the fields of human services, psychology, public service, and public administration (Recognizing Leaders Who Have Made a Difference). • Selected by students as Outstanding Professor Award, 2018, 2019, 2020 and recognized with the 2021 Engagement and Inspiration Award. Additional Academic Appointments Herzing University, Atlanta, GA November 2012 – November 2016 (Adjunct), Associate Professor, Environmental Science Bauder College Atlanta, GA October 2013 – October 2014 (Adjunct), Associate Professor, General Studies Strayer University, Atlanta, GA January 2013 – December 2014 (Adjunct), Professor, MPA program (3 Semesters) DeVry University & Keller School of Management, Atlanta, GA April 2004 - April 2013 Visiting Professor, Graduate MPA program /Undergraduate courses Show less



State of Georgia

• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• State Representative

  • Jan 2001 - Present

  Eleven terms elected official adept at diverse relationship management navigating the workings of the political process. • Held legislative leadership positions focusing on environmental justice and regulation; workplace safety; solid waste management; consumer protection; bio-economic development; regulation of chemical solvents; recycling; utility payment options for customers in need; and, autonomous vehicle technology. • Cultivates, strengthens, and forges relationships with key entities including neighborhood associations, civic groups, employers, and political organizations, such as: partnered with the National Foundation for Women Legislators, Office Depot Foundation, and local non-profits to host annual back-to-school events for providing underserved communities with school supplies; organized volunteers and sponsored U.S. Green Building Council-Green Apple Day of Service projects with area schools; held multiple events with a variety of sponsors including Georgia Cares, AARP, Kool Smiles, SCANA, AGL, Clean Air Campaign, all provided services to support a safe, healthy and sustainable community environment. • Communicate and collaborate through the creation of a dynamic engagement and analytics plan that utilizes interactive social media tools, surveys, community, and face-to-face meetings to enhance information exchange; leading to increase citizen participation in the political process. Energy, Public Utilities and Telecommunications Member, Health and Human Services Committee Member, Business Development Subcommittee: Chair, Environmental Regulation Member, Natural Resource and the Environment Committee Subcommittees: Chair, Waste, and Environment Member, Rules Member, Conference of State Governments, Health States Taskforce, 2019-2021 Chairman, DeKalb County Delegation, 2018 - Present Member, Southern Conference of State Legislators, Environment/Energy Committee Member, National Foundation for Women Legislators, Policy Committee Show less



AdEdge Water Technologies, LLC.

• United States
• Environmental Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• V.P., Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs

  • Jan 2011 - Dec 2012

  Provided vision, strategy and execution in the areas of government relations, by developing an engagement plan that included outreach initiatives for a company that integrated public water treatment technologies with existing hydropower generation facilities to build or upgrade water systems. • Oversaw a staff of four. • Developed decision criteria to access and vet viable acquisition targets this included stakeholder analysis; forecasted water needs; withdrawal permits; utility characteristics and financing methods. • Created relationships with federal, state, local, and non-governmental stakeholders on issues, projects, or efforts that affected water related programs. • Served as a technical liaison for a grant consortium consisting of Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), Radiance Solar, and Suniva for the $2.5M issued by DOE to develop a next generation solar system design. • Established compliance management system for regulatory obligations (included surface water withdrawal and NPDES discharge permits, FERC low impact/hazard dam requirements and Hydropower Institute certification criteria). • Forged relationships with the GA Department of Economic Development to utilize matching assistance with international buyers; efforts increased global business development outreach activities for water treatment systems by 20%. Show less



Marubeni Corporation

• Japan
• International Trade and Development
• 700 & Above Employee

• Director, Health, Safety, Security, Environment and Corporate Social Responsibility

  • Aug 2007 - Aug 2010

  Led Corporate Health, Safety, Security, Environment (HSSE) and Social Responsibility (CSR) programs at 4 Caribbean energy companies (included 15 generation facilities; 2500 employees; 600,000 customers; 12,000 miles transmission and distribution). • Directed a combined staff of 83 and budgets of $5.24M operations and $4.4M of CAPEX (HSSE: $4.2M; Staff: 47; Contractor's: 36; CSR: $1.5M; Staff 3). • Oversaw the execution of CSR projects ($1.5M); conducted an evaluation to determine the importance/relevance of sustainability (general business, sector-specific, and stakeholder) factors for each operating company. This analysis provided a framework that supported local CSR organizational initiatives, established a CSR Board to oversee policies and programs; and created a cross-functional charitable investment strategy incorporating UN and World Business Council sustainable development goals. • Performed system analysis of HSSE programs, refocused performance indicators (from lagging to leading) to link program goals more accurately with activities. With the integration of ISO 18001 and 14001 management systems; and the implementation of near-miss behavior-based initiatives – resulting in a 30% reduction in recordable incidents and days away from work cases. • Analyzed skyrocketing motor vehicle accidents; drove development and delivery of an aggressive reduction plan included: policy revision; social interventions; report modifications/tracking system; revamped training; enhanced communication; and instituted an award program. Efforts reduced accidents by 84% with a direct cost savings of more than $1.5M/year. (Marubeni merged with TAQA March 2009; restructured August 2010) Show less



Timber & Stone Corporation

• Business Consulting and Services

• Principal Consultant

  • Jan 2001 - Aug 2007

  Launched a boutique firm specializing in social, environmental and governance issues. Projects varied by scope; clientele consisted of international and domestic clients from startups, non-profits, municipalities, real estate organizations and Fortune 500 companies. Projects of note: Community Outreach and Engagement: Agro-Biomass: This one-year project was funded by a USDA 2501 grant to provide education, outreach and technical assistance for Socially Disadvantaged and Veterans Farmers and Ranchers (SDVFR) in growing biomass crops. Using a targeted multimedia approach for outreach and recruitment efforts program participation exceeded targeted goals by 56%. Food Stamp Access: This was a two-year grant obtained by the Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB) from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service to increase food stamp access and participation rates in DeKalb County. I identified and enlisted 50-member agencies to conduct pre-screening services; developed a countywide campaign that included strategy and distribution of outreach materials; trained staff at these sites to use a computer-based pre-screening calculator to predict eligibility and counseled clients about the application process. Over half of the screened households applied for benefits, and 60 percent of those who applied were approved. Environmental Compliance: Multi-phased and multi-year projects that encompassed 107 facilities in 42 states (included EPA, DOT, NRC, and OSHA) assessment methodology, data collection, regulatory analysis and impacts, and preparation for upcoming regulatory changes. Updated training; compiled and submitted reports. Included Hazardous Materials Transportation and Security Plans; Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know; Persistent bio-accumulative toxin reporting; Radiation Safety Program Review, TSD and OSHA audits. Show less



FedEx Ground

• United States
• Freight and Package Transportation
• 700 & Above Employee

• Southern Region Safety and Maintenance Manager

  • Oct 1999 - Jan 2001

  Administered safety compliance and maintenance activities for a delivery company (15 multistate warehouses/terminals). • Incorporated critical safe behaviors (CSB) model to reduce accident frequencies by 8%. • Conducted Smith System defensive driver training (> 200 contractor drivers). • Managed pre-employment medical examinations, drug and alcohol testing, criminal background/reference checks, DMV testing, and medical certificate program. (Elected to the Georgia House of Representatives) Show less



LaRoche Industries

• Greater Atlanta Area

• Corporate Director, Environmental, Health & Safety

  • Sep 1997 - Aug 1999

  Directed the oversight of ES&H programs for a commodity chemical manufacturer and distribution company (nitrogen-based and Chlor-alkali) included: 8 domestic and 2 international plants; 3 terminals and 21 distribution centers in 18 states (1740 employees). • Managed a $5M/year operating budget and staff of 15. • Led cross-functional team (loss, underwriting, claims, and ES&H) to address soaring insurance costs due to injury rates and fragmented compliance management. • Re-established site safety committees; created a Corporate-wide ES&H Council that elevated concerns and fostered consistent application of policies; increased attention on return to work programs, produced a $2M savings over a two-year period (primarily through workers compensation); including a 13% decline in recordable injuries and 1 year without lost time accident; and, pollutant discharges decreased by 73% in stormwater excursions and 38% in release notifications. • Performed due diligence activities for acquisitions and divestitures included: site visits; data evaluation; regulatory review; managed project budgets of $100k to $14M/year for 15 legacy Superfund/Brownfield remediation sites. • Achieved 100% “Practice in Place” for Responsible Care codes at all location’s efforts led to 73% reductions in stormwater excursions and 38% in release notifications. • Performed OSHA process hazard analysis (HAZHOP) compliance audits on 33 facilities process safety management (PSM) programs; this data was used to create and comply with EPA Risk Management Plans. • Oversaw administration of a multistate Workers Compensation program reduced losses through compassionate claims management and created cost control measures producing a contribution of $2 million in savings. Show less



DCS Inc.

• Business Consulting and Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• CEO and General Manager

  • Mar 1995 - Oct 1997

  Formed a holding company that included an Environmental, Safety & Health (ES&H) consulting firm and several independent bookstores; managed profit and loss success for sales of <$1 million; directed six technical and four administrative employees; established marketing strategies to achieve financial/operational goals. • Created presentations and proposals complete with project budgets for clients. Assembled project management teams, formulated schedules, and monitored performance to ensure on-time deliverables; traveled extensively performing these services for government and private clients (Sold bookstores separately for ROI of 15%). Show less



Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals

• Ireland
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Director, Operations

  • Jan 1988 - Mar 1995

  Director, Operations (3/93 to 3/95) Promoted through series of leadership positions with a Fortune 500 specialty chemical/pharmaceutical manufacturing company; restructured and managed R&D support functions that included: ES&H, Quality, Materials Management, Purchasing, Graphic/Video Services, Engineering, Information Services and Finance. •Directed all aspects of $24M annual budget and expense management, CAPEX budgets of $15-$25M/year and managed a staff of 37. •Served on Executive Political Action Committee that monitored/evaluated legislative, regulatory and political business risks related to company interests. Manager, Operations (1/92 to 3/93) •Structured and negotiated $5M partnership that consolidated equipment/supply vendors; utilized Just-In-Time delivery process generated annual operational savings of $1.2M/year. •Designed and executed a comprehensive digital purchasing strategy for compliance management, that enhanced emergency response planning, improved monitoring/reporting with a net savings of $500,000/year or 20% of annual supply expenses. Manager, Environmental, Safety and Health (1/90 to 12/91) •Championed and led ES&H compliance programs, permits, audits, and incident response (EPA, OSHA and NRC) by collaborating and initiating activities designed to build and empower employees to lead safety efforts resulting 6 million-person hours without a LTI; achieved industry recognition's for safety initiatives. Responsibilities: Workman Compensation and disability management, accident/incident investigation, OSHA 200 logs, engineering review, auditing, PPE Evaluation, Bloodborne pathogens, HazCom, training and emergency response. Environmental, Safety and Health (ES&H) Compliance Officer (1/88 to 12/89) •Administered NRC broad scope radioactive materials license, (Served as Radiation Safety Officer) Show less