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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With an extensive background in business management and commercial real estate, Drew joins Great Forest in the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer. He oversees day-to-day operations and presides over the expansion of the sustainability and energy services offered by Great Forest.  His nearly 30 years of experience have been focused in commercial real estate with such firms as Macklowe Management, Deutsche Bank, Equitable Real Estate and Hines, among others.  He has held senior level positions as portfolio manager, property manager and asset manager with portfolios of buildings in numerous cities across the country.  Drew is a LEED accredited professional. He holds an M.S. in Real Estate from New York University and a B.A. in Biology from the University of Kansas.

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 handles a variety of projects at Great Forest including the
implementation of LEED-EB for commercial buildings, recycling and waste assessments, and sustainability management systems.  Prior to joining Great Forest, Amy worked as a journalist and filmmaker. She is from Seattle and holds a BA in Communications from Western Washington University, and a MA 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.

Vijay works with clients to develop and implement sustainability initiatives. He is an ISO 14001 certified auditor and advises clients on their environmental management systems, including setting and achieving environmental performance goals. Prior to joining Great Forest, Vijay worked in communications at Edelman, where he counseled multinational corporations on stakeholder engagement, NGO partnerships and sustainability reporting. He holds a Bachelors of Science in Political Science from Carnegie Mellon University.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 to get the word out about our clients and projects.  She has spearheaded numerous national PR campaigns for some of the country’s leading nonprofit and arts organizations and corporations, and she is also a seasoned film/video producer.  Magdalene holds an M.S. in marketing communications from Boston University.