City hires first Director of Sustainability

Image by Flickr user mike@bensalemImage by 20091006-sprout.jpg

Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. announced yesterday that Brian P. Sheehan has been hired as the Director of Sustainability, a new position and a new division in the Department of Planning, Preservation, and Sustainability.

Sheehan will assist with the creation of short and long-range planning goals and objectives, as well as projects and programs related to sustainability within City operations and advocacy of sustainability to the Charleston community.

Take a look at the press release:

Mayor Riley said, “Brian Sheehan brings to the City of Charleston his in-depth knowledge of sustaining energy, redevelopment, and transportation challenges of today’s urban communities. He has tremendous experience working and leading urban sustainable communities that have become models to the rest of the country including Portland, Oregon and San Diego, California. We are eager for the citizens of the City of Charleston, our Charleston Green Committee and city staff to work with him and begin tackling these important and time-sensitive issues.”

Brian P. Sheehan has earned his Master of City and Regional Planning (MCRP) from the University of Oregon and is accredited by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). He was employed most recently by the City of Portland, Oregon in the Department of Planning and Sustainability. In key government and non-profit roles, Brian has won recognition for leadership and creativity in achieving energy efficiency, waste reduction, environmental preservation, housing development, community redevelopment, and alternative transportation opportunities. Leading the planning and public processes for urban communities from San Diego, California to Portland, Oregon, Brian has spearheaded efforts supporting the creation of award winning urban revitalization strategies, a $250 million Smart Growth Incentive Program, the National Energy Center for Sustainable Communities and numerous other innovative public private partnerships.

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