The Environmental Management Advisory Board (EMAB) welcomed four new members who will bring additional perspectives and experience to its roster.
Celeste Greene, Michael Shapiro, Julius “Jake” Washington and Brent Gerry join 13 existing members on the board.
“We’re very excited to have Celeste, Michael, Jake and Mayor Gerry on EMAB,” said Joceline Nahigian, director of the EM Office of Intergovernmental and Stakeholder Programs. “We look forward to tapping into the diverse experiences and insights they bring to the board. They will help to guide EM’s efforts as we work to advance cleanup activities. We appreciate their willingness to serve our organization and the nation in this important role.”
EMAB is chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act to provide independent and external advice, information and recommendations to the Assistant Secretary for EM on corporate issues relating to accelerated site cleanup and risk reduction.
The board's membership reflects a diversity of views, demographics, expertise and professional and academic experience. Individuals are appointed by the Secretary of Energy to serve as special government employees or representatives of specific interests and entities. Members serve two-year terms, which may be renewed by EM.
More information about the new members follows:
- Celeste Greene is an associate professor and program director of graduate certificates in public administration and leadership at the University of Virginia. Her research focuses on environmental justice, local government financial management and quality-of-life issues. Her most recent project is a book to be published in 2022 titled, “Environmental Justice and Resiliency in an Age of Uncertainty.” Greene served as the book’s editor and lead author.
- Michael Shapiro is the former deputy assistant administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Water, which is responsible for the agency's Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act programs. Shapiro served at EPA for 37 years in a number of senior leadership positions, championing environmental justice efforts and managing a variety of hazardous waste programs.
- A senior executive at Jacobs, Julius “Jake” Washington leads strategy, client management and operational delivery of all projects supporting the Navy and Marine Corps worldwide. Washington will provide expert advice on environmental stewardship, contracting and management, large project planning and risk assessment.
- Brent Gerry is serving his third term as mayor of West Richland. He is the vice chair of the Energy Communities Alliance (ECA), an organization of local governments adjacent to or impacted by DOE activities. He was appointed to EMAB to represent the views of ECA.
