I was born in 1947 (Yes, you can do the math. I am 63-years old) and am the quintessential Baby Boomer. I grew up one of four children in a family of modest income; started working at twelve years old enjoyed many work experiences. Like most Boomers I became an avid consumer and provided more for my children than I had as a kid. I worked my way through college and am proud my children all have college degrees.
 

As a boy, I remember seeing a black and white TV commercial featuring an American Indian, looking out over a major highway that was packed with cars, and a roadside littered with trash. He had a single tear streaking down his face. That is about as close as I ever came to an environmental message. So, how did I end up Chief Development Officer and Dean of Green Builder College for Green Builder Media?
 

If you read my “About Me” on this blog site, you know I spent twenty-three years at Whirlpool Corporation. Whirlpool is a fine company with an impressive product line. I enjoyed my time there and loved my job. My departure was strictly a function of retirement timing and financial planning. My position afforded me the opportunity to be involved in numerous trade organizations and associations, in every segment of residential building and remodeling.

Over the last eight to nine years I became active in several environmentally focused groups. Activity in EEBA (Energy & Environmental Building Alliance), NAHB Green Subcommittee, NCHE (National Center for Housing and the Environment), USGBC (United States Green Building Council – LEED for Homes), MHRA (Manufactured Housing Research Alliance), CARB (Consortium for the Advancement of Residential Building) and other groups, educated me about the term “sustainability” and “green building”. I was blessed to meet some great people who became great friends and resources. People like Mark LaLiberte, Ron Jones, Ray Tonjes, John Kurowski, John Wesley Miller, Michael Strong, Chris Miles, Gord Cooke, Carl Seville, Mike Hodgson, David Price, Sam Rashkin, and many others. When development began on the National Green Building Standard, I represented Whirlpool Corporation as a voting member of the Consensus Committee and served under Chairman, Ron Jones; Founder of Green building Media.

I woke up to the concept that you do not have to be a “left-wing wacko tree hugger” (an old term I heard in my youth) to have a heart for the environment, care about and promote buildings that are safe, healthy and sustainable, protect our natural resources, have clean water to drink, and preserve our world for future generations. It is just common sense. So, I am not a tree hugger, I am a “Common Sense Environmentalist” (CSE).

Looking ahead I plan to post a series of “I Am Not A Tree Hugger” articles. I will share my home remodeling experience and how I applied CSE to the project, and talk to topics that are of special interest; water is a big one for me, as is energy and waste management. I am not a housing scientist, but I am a CSE, so check in here again for more to follow.