Help John raise $900 to fight the climate crisis!

I have worked for nearly 30 years in non-profit communications, organizing and strategic campaigning with a steadily increasing focus on climate, energy and the environment, first with the Center for Rural Affairs and later with Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign. My 7 years with Sierra Club brought my work and career fully into alignment with my professional mission and personal calling to confront the climate crisis in the most meaningful manner possible. Currently, working as Communications Manager with the Partnership Project's Auto Accountability Campaign provides an opportunity to deepen the commitment to my mission and vision, challenging automakers to address the climate crisis where the rubber meets the road, as it were.
 

I was a member of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement approximately 25 years ago but that membership lapsed when I left Iowa to work in Nebraska, North Dakota, Nebraska again, and finally Minnesota. 

During the summer of 2023, when life handed me a big bowl of lemons, I decided to turn it into a 5 month sabbatical -- traveling over 14,000 miles and in 27 states from Moorhead, Minnesota to Gulf Shores, Alabama and from Cannon Beach, Oregon to Savannah, Georgia. Then, last fall, my daughter Abby asked me if I would like to join her in participating in CCI's book club, which was reading Chris Jones's Swine Republic. We did that. And then I renewed my membership, moved to Oelwein, Iowa and have endeavored to engage in every way that CCI members and staff have asked me to since that time.

I am a native of Iowa, growing up on a family farm near Sheffield. And I remain proudly and unapologetically rural. I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry with minors in Chemistry and Microbiology from the University of Iowa. I also remain a proud and unapologetic Hawkeye as well. Moreover, I am a devout gardener, a hobby that emanates from growing up on that Cerro Gordo County farm. I am a certified Master Gardener (Univ. Nebraska Extension) and I was working to become a Master Composter (University of Minnesota Extension and yes, that is actually a thing) before I left Minnesota. Speaking of odd certifications and hobbies, I am a National Weather Service certified storm-spotter, avid storm and tornado chaser and an erstwhile player, lifelong fan and supporter of the game of Rugby with a 13-year playing career of some small note in that world.