RICH INNES

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ASSOCIATION OF NATIONAL ESTUARY PROGRAMS, SENIOR FELLOW AT MERIDIAN INSTITUTE

Rich Innes is a Senior Fellow at Meridian Institute where he helps lead the work of the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative to catalyze ocean policy reform at the national, regional, state and local levels. With Rich’s guidance, JOCI is particularly focused on the ocean/climate nexus. Rich also helps direct the work of the Association of National Estuary Programs, and advises the State of Washington on climate, salmon and wolf recovery and natural resource issues.

Rich also assists the National Environmental Education Foundation and the Garden Club of America in developing and implementing environmental policies. Rich previously worked at Browning Ferris Industries as Director of Government Affairs for then CEO Bill Ruckelshaus; for eight years as a senior staff member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works; and at EPA under then Administrator Ruckelshaus.  Rich earned a Masters of Public Administration from Harvard University, served for three years as Peace Corps Volunteer in East Africa, and has led Habitat for Humanity builds in Guatemala.