WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 13, 2019) – The BlueGreen Alliance today announced the appointment of Kelly (Schwinghammer) Connolly and Michael Williams as interim Co-Executive Directors of the national labor-environmental partnership. They succeed current Executive Director Kimberly Glas, who will depart the organization April 1 to become President & CEO to the National Council of Textile Organizations.

“Kim Glas was an incredible and transformative leader for the past five years, positioning the organization as a strong and effective voice for working people in the debate over how to address climate change while creating good jobs across the country,” said United Steelworkers International President Leo W. Gerard, a founding Co-Chair of the BlueGreen Alliance. “Kim has been a strategic, fierce, and effective advocate; we wish her nothing but the very best.”

“It has truly been an honor to lead the BlueGreen Alliance over these last five years,” said Glas. “I am proud of what we have collectively achieved to grow quality jobs in the clean energy economy and am excited to see the BlueGreen Alliance’s impactful work grow in the years ahead. I am deeply appreciative to our labor unions and environmental partners—along with the exemplary staff—for all their support and am inspired by their incredible leadership. I am grateful to Kelly and Mike for leading this organization at this important time—both have been invaluable assets to the progress we have made as an organization and the successes we have achieved.”

Connolly and Williams take the reins of the organization after each has served approximately a decade in various roles in the organization. Joining the BlueGreen Alliance in 2008 as Communications Director, Connolly currently serves as Executive Vice President of the organization, overseeing communications, organizing, and advocacy efforts. Williams joined the BlueGreen Alliance in 2009 as a Legislative Representative and, after having served as Director of Policy and Legislation and Vice President of Strategic Development, now serves as Deputy Director. The team takes on the challenge as the organization conducts a national search for Glas’ replacement.

“We couldn’t be more excited to lead the BlueGreen Alliance at this critical moment,” said Williams. “This unique partnership sits at the epicenter of solutions to climate change that create good-paying jobs, protect the health and safety of working people and their communities, and ensure a more fair and equitable economy.”

“We know that we have to address the crises of climate change and economic inequality in ways that put working people front and center,” added Connolly. “We are at a critical moment, and we are dedicated to helping to ensure that our nation adopts a new plan to create good-paying jobs and protect the environment for future generations.”

“We are thrilled to have Kelly and Mike take the reins of the BlueGreen Alliance,” said Michael Brune, Executive Director of the Sierra Club and Co-Chair of the national labor-environmental partnership. “For the first time in U.S. history, addressing the climate crisis is at the top of the national agenda; Mike and Kelly bring a wealth of experience and steady hands to lead the BlueGreen Alliance in this critical moment. Under their experienced leadership, we will continue to address the climate crisis in ways that create family-sustaining jobs and equitable access to economic opportunity for everyone in our communities.”