FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 29, 2022
MEDIA CONTACT
Andrew Whelan, CleanAIRE NC, (919) 408-7031, [email protected]
CleanAIRE NC Names Jeffrey Robbins as its New Executive Director
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – CleanAIRE NC has named Jeffrey W. Robbins as its new Executive Director, effective September 12. Robbins comes to the organization from the Diverse Paragon consulting agency, where he served as the Managing Director for Sustainable Solutions and ESG (environmental, social, and corporate governance).
“We are thrilled to welcome Jeff as our new Executive Director,” said Kwame Alexander, CleanAIRE NC’s Board of Directors Chair. “His background in corporate marketing, strategic planning, and team management, along with his demonstrated commitment to the environment and community inclusion, makes Jeff the ideal person to lead CleanAIRE NC. We feel fortunate to have found him, and I look forward to working with Jeff to help implement his vision for the organization.”
Robbins brings a wealth of experience in marketing and corporate sustainability through past roles at Scott Safety (3M), FedEx Services, and Motorola SPS. Each of these roles gave Robbins hands-on experience with the environmental permitting process, emissions related to sustainable manufacturing and transportation, and unique insights into the corporate protocols of environmental compliance. He is passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and spent 12 years across three corporations building DEI programs designed to raise awareness about fair, equitable employee relations. His interest in environmental justice and climate change was sparked by his years of market research, supply chain planning, and project management.
For 20 years CleanAIRE NC has focused on three powerful determinants of health in North Carolina: climate change, air pollution, and environmental justice. As Executive Director, Robbins will lead CleanAIRE NC’s multi-pronged work to protect community health and advance climate solutions. He takes over the role from June Blotnick, who will step down next month following 17 years as Executive Director with the organization.
“I’m delighted to have the opportunity to lead such a great organization, and I appreciate the board’s confidence in me,” Robbins said. “My goal is to continue the standard of outstanding community support and advocacy that CleanAIRE NC has performed throughout the years under June’s leadership. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and working with the team to broaden our support base, expand our programming, and build new collaborative relationships to promote sustainable development that protects North Carolina’s air and climate health.”
Robbins holds an MBA from Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management, along with a bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from ASU. Robbins’ growing interest in environmental challenges eventually inspired him to return to ASU and earn a Graduate Certificate in Sustainability Leadership. He previously volunteered with Clovernook, an organization that provides support for the blind and visually impaired, before serving three years on their Board. He also participated in the University of Memphis’ Business Mentor program. Robbins moved to North Carolina in 2009 to take a position with Scott Safety and now considers the state his permanent home.
CleanAIRE NC’s Board of Directors chose Robbins as the organization’s new Executive Director after a nationwide executive search with help from search firm Armstrong McGuire, unanimously selecting him from among the dozens of candidates considered.
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CleanAIRE NC is a statewide nonprofit organization advocating for the health of all North Carolinians by pursuing equitable and collaborative solutions that address climate change and air pollution.
