Areas of Expertise

 

  1. Sustainability Planning and Greenhouse Gas Inventory Management:  emissions data collection and management systems, GHG calculators (ICLEI, Cool Air-Cool Planet), GHG footprint analysis, development of short and long term planning to reduce carbon footprint
  2. Environmental Policy and Regulations:  state, county and local levels for solid, organic and construction & demolition waste, stormwater runoff, beneficial reuse, air quality, hazardous waste and feedlots, regulation amendment process.
  3. Systems Management:  assess and troubleshoot, streamline process and procedure.
  4. Solid Waste Management:  municipal solid waste, transfer, composting, refuse-derived fuel production, source-separated organics, yard and wood waste, manure management, construction & demolition debris,  hauling, facility design and construction, operations, end product QA/QC.
  5. Horticulture:  compost use, nursery and greenhouse production, plant propagation, landscape installation, production of fruits and vegetables.
  6. Biodegradable Products:  market development, use in organic processing systems.
  7. Public Relations:  liaison to regulators, county boards, citizen groups, schools, Powerpoint presentations, promotional material development

 

Skill Set

  1. Trained scientist and researcher
  2. Published writer
  3. Grant writer
  4. Technical writer (operations manuals and plans, permit applications)
  5. Manage teams
  6. Develop and manage projects
  7. Develop budgets
  8. Teach and train
  9. Develop, implement and streamline procedures

 

Attributes

  1. Work independently and cooperatively
  2. See the bigger picture
  3. Problem solver
  4. Detail oriented, thorough, organized
  5. Complete projects on time and within budget

 

Employment History

2008-present     Sustainability Specialist, Sebesta Blomberg, LLC.  Roseville, MN.

2007-present     Principal, The Purman Group, LLC.  St. Paul, MN

2001-2007        Specialized Environmental Technologies.  Bloomington, MN

1999-2001        Consultant.  St. Paul, MN

1997-1999        Product Manager. The Linden Group. Minneapolis, MN

1995-97            Compost Marketing Manager. Browning-Ferris Industries. Twin Cities, MN

1992-95            Senior Horticulturist. F&E Resource Systems Technology. Baltimore, MD

1989-92            Graduate Teaching Assistant. UMCP. College Park, MD

1988                 Legal Administrator. Davis, Weikel & Allen. Baltimore, MD

 

Volunteer Work

  1. Appointed Member, Environmental Innovations Advisory Council, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

  1. Board of Directors, United States Composting Council, serving on the Membership and Disaster Management Committees

  1. Volunteer, Minnesota Literacy Council, tutor adult ESL students in reading and writing

Education 

Master of Science in Horticulture, University of Maryland-College Park.

 

Fulbright Scholar, University of Jordan, Amman.

 

Bachelor of Arts in History, Beloit College, Beloit, WI.  

          Phi Beta Kappa. Cum Laude.