Justin Ford

With over 15 years of environmental sustainability and compliance expertise, I've successfully developed programs and secured permits across intricate regulatory landscapes, spanning multiple California CUPAs and various U.S. states. My proficiency extends to the creation and operation of ISO management systems, sustainability initiatives, and regulatory compliance frameworks. I've pioneered initial operational programs, set up reporting mechanisms, and secured inaugural permits for renewable energy, industrial, and retail greenfield sites.

My collaborative endeavors encompass working alongside agencies such as the EPA, DOE, IATA, DOT, and international regulatory bodies. Additionally, I possess a deep understanding of greenhouse gas mitigation strategies.

Senior Environmental Specialist 2015– 2023

At a corn wet milling facility that produced a diverse range of products in the food, commodity, and biofuels sectors, I served as the primary environmental technical resource. My responsibilities included negotiating with regulators, establishing sustainability initiatives, and overseeing a portfolio of multiple sites for feed division plants across the Midwest and the East Coast of the United States.

MANAGER OF ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 2013-2015

While working at a leading American home improvement and gardening retailer, I reported directly to senior leadership, ensuring adherence to environmental programs spanning from hazardous waste management to watershed preservation and sustainability efforts. Additionally, I addressed public concerns and played an instrumental role in the expansion to 70 stores across the U.S. West Coast.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY LEAD 2011-2013

I led the team that spearheaded the Environmental Health, Safety, and Sustainability Programs at a foremost specialty chemical manufacturer in the electrochemical sector. My role encompassed the initiation of water conservation measures and the management of toxic gas systems. Collaborating with both internal and external partners, I ensured that new products adhered to environmental health and safety regulations.

Additionally, my efforts were pivotal in refining and establishing protocols that earned the facilities both RC 14001 Program and Lean Certifications.

Environmental Specialist 2009-2011

I established the Environmental Health, Safety, and Sustainability Programs for a newly set-up wind turbine manufacturing facility, securing its first ISO 14001 Certification, Title V, and implementing an incident reporting system. My strategies cut air and waste by over 10%, and I offered support to our affiliate sites in Asia and the Americas during their construction phase. Furthermore, I significantly decreased the site's recordable incident rate and implemented measures that saved the department over a million dollars in recurring expenses.

I double-majored in Chemistry and Human Physiology at Michigan State University. Subsequently, I pursued a Master of Science in Public Health, specializing in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences. During my master's program, I was honored with an Industrial Hygiene and Hazardous Material Traineeship from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

After obtaining my master's, I enrolled in additional courses in Economics, Urban Planning, and Environmental Policy. As a committed lifelong learner, I've consistently expanded my knowledge in these domains, with a deepened focus on environmental economics and sustainability