My View: Outsdoorwoman, CEO is right choice to head U.S. Interior Department
Written By: Shawndra Miller
Date Published: March 8, 2013
Shawndra Miller
In recent years, those of us involved in land conservation have seen a subtle but steady shift in attitudes about protecting our natural resources. What used to seem like a fringe movement has become mainstream, and ideas that once seemed controversial are embraced by broad segments of the population. People and organizations that once disagreed have found common ground.
It’s a shift that’s good for our future, and a trend that was brought into sharper focus when President Obama nominated Sally Jewell as secretary of the Interior. The naming of a corporate CEO and avid outdoorswoman to the job sends a signal that it is time to eliminate the divisions that once seemed to define attitudes about conservation. “She knows that there’s no contradiction between being good stewards of the land and our economic progress,” the president said when he announced Jewell’s nomination.
She’s not an elected official or a political insider. She’s not made a lot of headlines, despite the fact that she leads a $1.8 billion outdoor recreation and sporting goods retailer, Recreation Equipment Inc. (REI), which has stores across the nation, including in Indianapolis.
If that were the extent of Jewell’s background, her appointment might not seem like a big deal. After all, someone whose company sells tents, kayaks and other outdoorsy stuff isn’t a far-fetched choice for secretary of the Interior. But what about someone who once worked for a large oil company or who spent time as an executive with big banks’ commercial lending divisions, where, among other things, she managed a $20 billion loan portfolio that included energy companies?
It’s true: Jewell’s resume doesn’t seem to lead to her new role. After earning an engineering degree, she started her career as a petroleum engineer at Mobil – a job that, as she told Forbes magazine, helped her “recognize that there is a cost to consumption.” From the oil fields, she moved to the world of finance. She joined the board of REI in 1996, and a few years later she was named its chief operating officer. In 2005, she took over as CEO.
If you look only at those facts, Jewell’s move from the oil industry and banking to REI might seem like a big leap. But if you look at her personal life, you see that she has a long history with the outdoors and, in fact, with REI. After moving to Washington state from England (where Jewell was born) in 1956, her father decided to try camping. So, according to a 2005 story in the Seattle Times, he “became Recreation Equipment Inc. member No. 17249, purchasing his tent at REI’s original store.”
That camping trip launched Jewell’s father on a love of the outdoors that he passed on to her. She remains an avid outdoorswoman who hikes, camps, climbs mountains, skis, bikes and more. She serves as vice chairman of the National Parks Conservation Association, and makes environmental consciousness a priority at REI.
Meanwhile, she runs a successful company. When she took over as chief operating officer, REI was operating in the red. After she took over, in short order the company was posting all-time-high revenues and profits and distributing record dividends to members. It’s often cited as one of the best companies to work for in America, in part because of its environmental stewardship.
I’ve seen REI’s commitment to conservation first hand. After opening its store in Castleton, the company quickly got involved in Central Indiana Land Trust programs, sponsoring a preserve trail building day and providing employees for volunteer efforts.
With her background, Sally Jewell promises to be a refreshing presence in Washington. Like the Central Indiana Land Trust, it appears she believes that the interests of business are not at odds with conservation. Indeed, strategic conservation is critical to sustainable economic development. We look forward to the discussions during Jewell’s confirmation hearings, and are excited about the common ground that has emerged in the effort to preserve our nation’s natural heritage.
Bacher is executive director of the Central Indiana Land Trust.
To visit the full piece featured in the Indy Star on March 7 visit: www.indystar.com/article/20130307/OPINION10/303070090/My-View-Outsdoorwoman-CEO-right-choice-head-U-S-Interior-Department?gcheck=1
Ben Valentine
Guest Blogger
Ben Valentine is a founding member of the Friends of Marott Woods Nature Preserve and is active in several other conservation organizations. He leads a series of NUVO interviews with Indiana's environmental leaders, and he cherishes showing his son all the wonders of nature he grew up loving.
DJ Connors
Guest Blogger
DJ Connors, a Central Indiana native and late-to-life hunter, combines a lifelong appreciation for wildlife and the outdoors with a deep passion for exploring the natural beauty of the area he has called home for most of his life. As a husband and father of three, he is committed to ensuring his children have the same opportunities to connect with nature and appreciate the outdoors in their community. DJ’s unique journey into hunting emphasizes sustainability, responsible stewardship, and the importance of preserving these experiences for future generations.
Bridget Walls
Guest Blogger
Bridget is our first ever Communications and Outreach Intern. She is a graduate of Marian University, where she combined English, studio art, and environmental sciences in her degree studies. As treasurer for Just Earth, the university's environmental club, she helped plan events encouraging a responsible relationship between people, nature, and animals.
Jordan England
Guest Blogger
Jordan England is a lifelong Shelby County resident who graduated from Waldron Jr. Sr. High School (just a few miles from Meltzer Woods!). After earning her B.S. degree in Retail Management from Purdue University, she returned to Waldron to start a family with her husband, Brian. Together they have 3 young children and enjoy sharing with them their love of the community. Jordan is the Grants and Nonprofit Relations Director at Blue River Community Foundation, managing BRCF’s grant program, providing support to local nonprofits, and promoting catalytic philanthropy in Shelby County.
Cliff Chapman
President and CEO
As CILTI’s President and CEO, Cliff keeps CILTI’s focus on good science and stewardship. He’s mindful that the natural places you love took thousands of years to evolve and could be destroyed in a single day, and that knowledge drives his dedication to their protection.
Stacy Cachules
Chief Operating Officer
Among her many key duties as Assistant Director, Stacy has the critical task of tracking our budget, making sure we channel donations for maximum efficiency. When her workday’s done, Stacy loves to spend time with her two young boys—and when not traveling, she’s likely planning the next travel adventure.
Ryan Fuhrmann
Vice Chair
Ryan C. Fuhrmann, CFA, is President and founder of Fuhrmann Capital LLC, an Indiana-based investment management firm focused on portfolio management. Ryan’s interest in land conservation centers around a desire to help preserve natural habitats for wildlife and the subsequent benefits it brings to people and the environment.
Joanna Nixon
Board Member
Joanna Nixon is the owner of Nixon Consulting, an Indianapolis-based strategy and project management firm focused on the nonprofit sector. She currently serves as the Philanthropic Advisor for the Efroymson Family Fund. Prior to opening her consulting practice in 2000, Joanna was vice-president for grantmaking at Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF). Joanna has more than 25 years of experience in the nonprofit and arts and culture sector. She is passionate about the environment and loves bringing big ideas to life and creating high-quality arts and culture programs and experiences. Joanna enjoys outdoor adventures, including competing in fitness obstacle course races and hiking with her high energy Australian Cattle Dog, Jackson.
Karen Wade
Board Member
Before retiring, CILTI board member Karen Wade worked for Eli Lilly & Co. In retirement she volunteers for a number of organizations, including the Indiana Master Naturalist program, Johnson County Native Plant Partnership CISMA, Meadowstone Therapeutic Riding Center, and Leadership Johnson County.
David Barickman
Development Systems Manager
Born and raised in Central Illinois, David spent many days as a child wandering around the river, forest and lakes there. He works behind the scenes as a key member of our fundraising team. When not working, David loves to be outdoors hiking, fly fishing, kayaking or woodworking.
Jamison Hutchins
Stewardship Director
Jamison leads our stewardship team in caring for the land that is so important to you. He comes to our team after eight years as Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator for the city of Indianapolis, where his work had a positive impact from both health and environmental perspectives.
Jen Schmits Thomas
Media Relations
An award-winning communicator and recognized leader in Central Indiana’s public relations community, Jen helps us tell our story in the media. She is the founder of JTPR, which she and her husband John Thomas own together. She is accredited in public relations (APR) from the Public Relations Society of America, and loves to camp and hike in perfect weather conditions.
Shawndra Miller
Communications Director
Shawndra’s earliest writing projects centered around the natural world, starting when a bird inspired her to write her first “book” in elementary school. Now she is in charge of sharing our story and connecting you to our work. Through our print and online materials, she hopes to inspire your participation in protecting special places for future generations.
Phillip Weldy
Stewardship Specialist
Phillip enjoys nature’s wonders from an up-close-and-personal perspective as he works to restore the natural places you love. As an AmeriCorps member in Asheville, NC, he had his first full immersion in relatively undisturbed land while reconstructing wilderness trails in National Parks and National Forests.
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