NNRG's Advisory Board is comprised of individuals that represent a source of expertise that we regularly draw on to help support our program activities and fulfill our mission.  For many years these people have either been program partners or policy advisers and we would like to formally recognize their involvement in our work.  This list also demonstrates the quality of expertise we draw upon to achieve our goals. With gratitude and respect we present our Advisory Board:

 As founder of Environmental Home Center, Matt Freeman-Gleason provides the vision and expansive background that continues to shape ecohaus. Currently, as Chief Knowledge Officer of ecohaus, he works to develop the company’s knowledge base and information systems. With his extensive knowledge of the industry, he keeps the company focused on its core mission of providing top-quality, truly green products along with candid, credible information.

Freeman-Gleason founded the company in 1991 and served as CEO and President until June, 2000. He opened his first store (originally called EnviResource) in Bainbridge Island, Washington, in 1992. When it outgrew its tiny quarters, he moved to a larger space in Seattle and opened Environmental Home Center. While building the business, Freeman-Gleason had responsibility for every aspect of the operation, including planning, retail-store management, purchasing, warehouse, merchandising, staff hiring, customer service, financial control and floor-sweeping.  Prior to founding EHC, Freeman-Gleason worked professionally as a house and boat carpenter, a contractor and a winemaker.

Freeman-Gleason is a frequent speaker at architecture and design conferences, government forums and educational seminars, where he shares his expertise on topics such as green building, indoor air quality, resource efficiency and implementation of sustainable methods in the built environment. Freeman-Gleason has also been active on various non-profit boards. He is past president of Northwest Natural Resource Group, and a co-founder and past board member of Northwest Eco Building Guild. He currently serves on the board of Urban Green.

Becky Kelley, Washington Environmental Council, Seattle, WA

Becky brings a strong background in policy to NNRG's advisory board through her work with the Washington Environmental Council.  Becky joined WEC in 1994 and has led successful campaigns on sustainable forestry and helping to defeat the irresponsible development initiative—Initiative 933. Working closely with architects, developers, and educators, she led WEC's 2005 campaign to pass Washington's first-in-the-nation law requiring public buildings to meet green building standards. Currently, Becky leads the 1Sky Washington campaign, WEC’s joint campaign with Climate Solutions to pass strong policies to reduce global warming pollution, as well as staffing our ongoing sustainable forestry work. She feels lucky to have a job where she can bring people together to create solutions to complex problems, even though it involves an unnatural number of meetings.  She has a bachelor's degree in International Studies from the University of Oregon, and prior to joining WEC, taught English in rural Japan. Becky lives in Seattle with her husband and 2 year old daughter, and enjoys gardening, eating her husband’s excellent cooking, singing, and visits to the “doggie park” with her family.

Maureen is an Environmental and Litigation Attorney and partner of Summit Law Group, PLLC, an innovative Seattle law firm that is at the forefront of revolutionizing the practice of law.  Maureen brings her significant background in environmental law to NNRG’s Advisory Board after having assited with development of the legal aspects of our NW Neutral program.  Maureen’s practice includes environmental regulatory work and litigation, as well as commercial litigation and resolving business disputes.  Maureen’s environmental practice involves representing public and private entities, include non-profits, in regulatory and litigation matters.  Maureen has experience in the following areas of law: CERCLA (including Natural Resource Damage claims); RCRA; Clean Air Act; Clean Water Act; Model Toxics Control Act; SEPA/NEPA; climate change/carbon markets; and water rights.   Her litigation practice has particular emphasis on commercial disputes, insurance, real estate, environmental, land use and Indian law.  She has represented clients in state and federal courts, at the trial level, and on appeal.  She has also represented clients in domestic and international arbitrations.  Although she litigated matters through trial, she also believes in accomplishing negotiated resolution of disputes when possible. 

Michael is the National Estuary Program Coordinator for the Puget Sound / Georgia Basin for EPA’s Office of Ecosystems, Tribal and Public Affairs. He is also the Regional Geographic Initiative Coordinator for the two most populated basins in the region — Puget Sound and the Willamette. His current work focuses on assisting with the design and development of localized watershed protection and restoration approaches in the Puget Sound & Georgia Basin. Michael negotiates, designs, and implements watershed restoration and protection projects and programs in the great Pacific Northwest across most scales of management and across most major land-use sectors. Before coming to Seattle, he was the Forest Team Province Lead for two northwest forest planning provinces - including the Rogue, Umpqua, and Willamette basins in Oregon. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a Master’s Degree from the University of Washington, School of Marine Affairs in Coastal Resource Policy.

Steve Stinson, Family Forest Foundation, Winlock, WA

Steve is a partner in the Cowlitz Ridge Tree Farm, a sustainably managed family forest enterprise in Lewis County Washington. He has a BS from the Evergreen State College and a MS in Silviculture from the University of Washington. As the Executive Director of the Family Forest Foundation his responsibilities include leading the development of the Family Forest Habitat Conservation Plan, the development of the Washington State Forest Landowner Database, researching forest product marketing opportunities and outreach efforts focused on broadening the public’s perception of family forest issues. He previously served 3 years as the head of the Small Forest Landowner Office in the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.  Steve resides in Winlock Washington with his wife Lou Jean.