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 foster relationships with the top waste haulers and local officials, which allows Great Forest to offer our clients the most reliable waste removal services. Ken ensures each client's unique waste and recycling needs are addressed efficiently and cost-effectively. Ken holds a degree in geography.

Amy oversees Great Forest's recycling services with the goal of applying industry best practices to assist our clients in meeting their sustainability goals. Recycling services include waste and recycling assessments, recycling program installation and maintenance, recycling education and outreach, compost programs, waste audits and recycling metrics tracking. Through these programs, Great Forest has successfully realized increased recycling rates for our clients within commercial buildings (single building and multiple building portfolios), mixed-use buildings, retail and food service locations and universities. Amy is from Seattle and 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 teaches a course on sustainability and green buildings at Hunter College and regularly volunteers with a Brooklyn public school group through New York Cares. Anna holds a B.A. from Smith College.

Barbara has been with Great Forest since 1992. She runs the suburban office out of Armonk, NY, "the Northern Woods of Great Forest", as she likes to say. Barbara estimates she has set up several hundred recycling programs, bid out almost as many contracts for trash and recycling. She has a Masters Degree in psychology from The New School for Social Research plus post-graduate work at Columbia University. In addition, Barbara is a Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardener, a certified Horticultural Therapist and Chairperson of the Steering Committee of The Native Plant Center in Valhalla, NY.

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 studying for her auditor certification through the Association of Energy Engineers.

As the Director of Sustainability for Great Forest in the DC Region, David leads a team of consultants that provide support and expertise with regards to recycling and waste management initiatives for commercial properties in VA, MD and DC. David provides assistance with recycling systems design and implementation, competitive bidding for waste removal services, and program monitoring and reporting. David is certified in ISO-14001 sustainability management systems implementation, and is currently studying for his LEED-EB accreditation.

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.

As a sustainability consultant, Nate works to design and execute sustainability projects for Great Forest's many clients. Prior to working at Great Forest, Nate was involved in recycling and energy efficiency initiatives in Poughkeepsie, New York. Nate also worked for a renewable energy company, permitting and assessing tidal energy projects across the east coast of the United States and Alaska. Nate holds a B.A. in Earth Science from Vassar College.

Marisa specializes in assisting businesses and large commercial building operators in the development and implementation of successful sustainability programs primarily focusing on increasing waste diversion through reduction, recycling, composting and donation programs. Her experience includes coordinating sustainability practices for hotels, shopping centers, office buildings, museums and at citywide events in San Francisco, CA.

Shira manages the recycling programs at 17 buildings, conducts waste audits, and researches and analyzes data for Great Forest clients. She volunteers with a Brooklyn-based tree mapping project called TreeKIT and has published articles on environmental and economic sustainability. Shira holds a BA from Brandeis University and a Master of Urban Planning with a focus on sustainability from Hunter College.

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.

Casey leads sustainability management accounts for commercial property and university clients out of Great Forest's New York office. She previouosly worked as an international trade and environmental management consultant for the World Bank and the U.S. Agency for International Development. Casey is certified in Green Globe sustainable building standards and is currently preparing for the LEED AP exam. She is a returned Peace Corps Volunteer and holds a B.A. in international relations and French from Pomona College and an M.A. in corporate environmental management from the Fletcher School at Tufts University.

Christine manages Great Forest's clients in South Florida, which include a large entertainment/retail complex. She assists tenants with training and education, handles customer service and looks for program efficiencies. Christine has over 12 years of experience with various municipal and county governments, working with commercial, multi-family and residential solid waste and recycling programs. Her background includes extensive work in program development and management, community education and customer service. Christine has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Florida Atlantic 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.

Astra Moore represents Great Forest as a recycling consultant in the mid and downtown Manhattan areas, where she helps clients manage programs and track recycling with metrics reporting. Originally from Michigan, Astra has worked on environmental campaigns to protect the Great Lakes and rivers from industrial waste pollution and increase sustainable resource spending in the state. When not standing up for the environment, Astra enjoys performing stand-up comedy at distant and local comedy venues.

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.

Magdalene manages communications and publicity 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. 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.