Great Forest Staff

Born in Australia, Richard Fuller graduated with a degree in Engineering from Melbourne University and then worked for IBM. He left Australia in 1988 to work directly on global environmental issues. For two years, Richard worked in the rainforests of Brazil with the United Nations Environmental Programme, creating forest reserves that promote the preservation of both the rainforest and its inhabitants.

He created Great Forest Inc. in 1989, now one of the most successful sustainability consulting companies in the U.S. Great Forest was among the first to bring cost-saving sustainability practices to business and institutional clients, helping to pave the way for the rise of corporate social responsibility. Based in New York, Great Forest's operations have expanded to include Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago.

In 1999 Richard founded Blacksmith Institute, an international not-for-profit organization dedicated to solving pollution-related environmental issues in developing countries. Today, Blacksmith is a global leader in this field, working with governments, the international community, NGOs and local agencies around the world to design and implement innovative, low-cost solutions to save lives. Under Richard's leadership, Blacksmith has completed more than 50 projects and is currently engaged in over 40 projects in 14 countries including Russia, China, India, Zambia, Tanzania, Thailand, Cambodia and the Philippines.

Richard is currently a member of the Environmental Task Force, the Energy Committee, the Codes and Regulations Committees for the Building Owners and Managers Association of New York, and the Special Committee of New York's Business Integrity Commission. He is chair of NYC BOMA's Codes and Regulations Waste and Recycling Subcommittee, a member of the New York Energy Buyers Forum and the National Recycling Coalition amongst others. He is also a LEED Accredited Professional.

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Since 1997 Ken has used his extensive knowledge of the waste industry in New York City and beyond to allow Great Forest to provide our clients with reliable and cost-effective waste and recycling services. With an ever-changing waste market and regulations, Ken ensures that our clients' unique waste and recycling needs are continually compliant, practical, and reliable. Ken holds a degree in B.A. in Geography from Hunter College.

Amy oversees waste and recycling services at Great Forest. Key services include waste audits and waste metrics verification for large commercial office buildings, universities, and retail centers. She also performs waste materials management assessments and handles internal audits for ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 clients. Amy served as Earth Award Judge for the 2011 BOMA Pinnacle Awards and has advised on commercial solid waste issues for the NYC Mayor's Office for Long Term Planning and Sustainability, the NYC Mayor's Office 80x50 Waste Working Group, Global Green USA Coalition for Resource Recovery, and DSNY Commercial Waste Study. Amy is a regular contributor to Environmental Leader's Industry Voices column. She holds a B.A. in Communications from Western Washington University, and a M.A. in International Affairs from The New School. She is LEED accredited through the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

At Great Forest, Anna manages sustainability projects, including LEED certification, carbon footprints, ISO 14001 and sustainability management systems focusing on best environmental practices for businesses. Anna is LEED accredited through the U.S. Green Building Council and in 2009 completed the certificate course in Sustainability Management from The Natural Step (TNS) in Sweden. She is also a Certified Energy Auditor (CEA). Anna teaches a course on sustainability and green buildings at Hunter College and regularly volunteers with a Brooklyn public school group through New York Cares. She holds a B.A. from Smith College and will soon receive an M.S. in Sustainability Management from Columbia University. 

Maya has worked on promoting numerous environmental initiatives in New York since 1992. She joined Great Forest staff in 1995 and is now working on managing all aspects of marketing, recycling, waste management and conservation for hotel clients throughout the city. In addition, Maya assists Blacksmith Institute with coordination and administration of projects in Eastern Europe.

Sheila has 20 years of energy project management experience. In 2009-10 she helped secure over $2 Million in NYSERDA efficiency and renewable energy grants and incentives (partially funded by ARRA) for three large New York healthcare institutions. She worked previously as energy project manager for commercial real estate with Vornado Realty Trust, for the NYC Economic Development Corporation and for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In the late 1990's she helped secure NYPA Power for Jobs awards for six institutions, achieving to date over $55 million in cost savings. Sheila is a specialist in state and federal policy directives toward CHP and peak load curtailment, and in efficiency and sustainability metrics. She holds a Bachelor's degree from Tufts University and is a Certified Energy Auditor (CEA). 

As the V.P. of Business Development, David's main function is to manage client relations outside of the NYC region, focusing on Great Forest's Waste/Recycling Program Management Services in D.C., VA, MD, DE, FL and CA. David's team of consultants provide clients with recycling program design and implementation, competitive bidding for waste removal services, education and outreach assistance, and program monitoring and reporting. In addition to client relations, David oversees the Sales & Marketing department for Great Forest, as well as nationwide expansion efforts. David is a LEED Green Associate, and is certified in ISO-14001 sustainability management systems implementation.

Rick Ament is senior advisor to Great Forest's Healthcare Sustainability practice. He serves as CEO and Principal at SOS Partners and has more than 25 years of executive leadership experience in the healthcare industry. His significant perspective has been molded by exposure to over 35 organizations as a CEO and consultant. He has been responsible for as many as 11 organizations at a time. Leadership roles in turnaround consulting, multi-facility management and business development have helped provide Rick with a solid understanding of what healthcare C-Suites want and need from consultants. He has worked for governmental, investor owned, not-for-profit and consulting organizations. Rick and his organizations have been recognized by Modern Healthcare, Hospital and Health Networks and Press Ganey and Associates. He has been a guest speaker at The American Hospital Association, The Massachusetts Hospital Association and numerous national and regional conferences. 

Gabriel brings extensive accounting experience to our staff. He is responsible for accounts payable and receivable and is the account manager for many of our top clients. Gabriel assists clients with waste removal services in a prompt and cost-effective manner.

Erwin has been managing waste removal accounts through GFMS for over seven years. He handles accounts payable and receivable for clients all over the country with professionalism and courtesy. Erwin is also responsible for assisting our office with IT issues.

Shira has over 5 years of sustainability project management experience. At Great Forest, she contributes to current LEED projects for some of the country's largest property management companies. She leads and manages overall sustainability programs and metrics tracking and reporting for retail, restaurant, educational, warehouse, residential and commercial clients across the country. Shira also implements and manages 17 recycling programs for Class A and B buildings for three building management companies in Manhattan, resulting in increased diversion ratios across portfolios. Her publications include a critique and analysis of PlaNYC2030, New York City's sustainable master plan; a spatial investigation of space and place in Crown Heights, Brooklyn; and a working paper on sustainable materials management. Shira holds a BA from Brandeis University and a Master of Urban Planning with a focus on sustainability from Hunter College. She is a LEED AP O+M as accredited by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

Caroline manages recycling maintenance projects, working with clients on existing recycling programs. Her work includes helping to train tenants and cleaners regarding proper recycling protocol. Prior to working at Great Forest, Caroline helped organize outreach events for The Young Professionals Group at The Nature Conservancy in Manhattan. Caroline also worked as an environmental educator for The Audubon Society in New Jersey. Caroline holds a B.A. in both Environmental Studies and Spanish from Sweet Briar College. She is LEED GA accredited and is studying for her LEED-EB O&M accreditation.

Anna manages recycling initiatives, working with commercial clients in the D.C. metropolitan area to implement and maintain recycling programs. With a background as an environmental conservation advocate, Anna brings entrepreneurial experience in green consulting to Great Forest.  Her past work includes initiating environmental education programs and developing sustainability projects for rural and urban organizations in Latin America. Anna holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of Richmond.

Barbara supports recycling initiatives in the D.C metropolitan area, working with Great Forest commercial clients to implement and maintain recycling programs catered to their specific needs. She provides logistical support, expertise, cleaner and staff training visits, and assists in waste auditing and metrics. Barbara has assisted in local recycling efforts for the Green Festival, and currently helps the City of Rockville, Maryland's Environmental Management Division in grant research, stream monitoring, and outreach for its turf management program. She also brings with her five years of customer service and sales experience. Barbara holds a B.S in Social Science and Environmental Management from the University of Maryland University College.

Cameron works with Great Forest in Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia to improve and expand recycling programs through janitorial training, tenant education, and special events. His work includes measuring the effectiveness of recycling initiatives by conducting LEED waste audits. Past work has included environmental advocacy with the Sierra Club, and renewable energy policy research with the Louisiana Solar Energy Society. Cameron graduated from Monterey Institute of International Studies with an M.A. in International Environmental Policy, focusing on market-based solutions to environmental conflicts.

Kris has been a solid waste consultant for over 12 years. He specializes in solid waste management planning and waste reduction programs for clients across the country. He recently joined Great Forest to oversee and develop the Southern Virginia practice to help Great Forest's commercial clients reduce refuse collection costs, increase diversion of recyclable material and improve overall service levels. Kris holds a B.A. in Geography and an M.S. in Natural Resources from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He is also known throughout the country as one of the foremost experts on the rate, extent and composition of litter on our nation's roadways and has volunteered his expertise for the likes of the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Ocean Conservancy.

Ross specializes in assisting businesses and large commercial building operators in the development and implementation of successful sustainability programs. He began working with Great Forest in 2003, developing waste, recycling and other sustainability programs such as ISO 14001 and 9001 management systems. He left in 2007 to join the Peace Corps as an Environmental Education Volunteer in the Republic of Cape Verde in West Africa. He has returned to continue his work on sustainability, ISO programs and LEED. He holds a B.A in Mathematics from Rutgers University.

Sandra brings with her a 20-year track record as an outspoken and fervent supporter of waste prevention, recycling and green space preservation in New York City. Sandra spearheaded and managed innovative hands-on recycling and proactive reuse projects including NYC's first Building Materials Reuse Center. She served as project manager for the Council of Environment's composting and clothing reuse programs in NYCHA housing and the donation of used textbooks from the NYC Department of Education. Most recently she headed a ‘Beds for Kids' program in New Orleans. Her "garbage-free" activities include native plant restoration and land conservancy in northern Maine.

Evelyn coordinates recycling programs in buildings throughout Manhattan and conducts waste audits for Great Forest. She brings experience working with a grassroots political campaign and has a history of working towards positive change, backed with a passion for environmental and sustainability issues. Evelyn holds a B.A. in creative writing from Binghamton University.

Yovelice brings extensive customer service and accounting experience. She is responsible for maintaining clients' day to day waste removal services, as well as all accounting matters.

Mayline brings extensive customer service experience to Great Forest. She handles client inquiries and requests across every service department and maintains an open channel of communication between clients and Great Forest sustainability experts. She also helps to handle waste removal services for clients. Mayline holds an M.B.A. from Monroe College. She enjoys the arts and spending time with family. She also has a strong interest in environmental protection and sustainability.

Magdalene manages communications for Great Forest, handling all press inquires and outreach for the company and its projects. She oversees the production of the Great Forest newsletter, content for the website and marketing materials, and pens articles and other thought leadership pieces on behalf of the company. Magdalene has spearheaded numerous national PR campaigns for some of the country’s leading arts organizations, nonprofits and corporations, including the J. Paul Getty Trust, the Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize, Blacksmith Institute and PBS. She is also an independent film and video producer.  Her credits inclulde the award-winning feature "Falling," a series of news-making shorts as well as a roster of commercials and corporate work. Magdalene holds an M.S. in marketing communications from Boston University.