Labor-Environmental Partnership Adds Kim Glas as Executive Director, Susan Green as Legislative and Policy Director

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 17, 2014) – BlueGreen Alliance Executive Director David Foster announced today he will be joining the Department of Energy as Senior Advisor to U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz focusing on industrial and economic policy­. The BlueGreen Alliance also announced that Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce Kim Glas will join the organization as Executive Director. In addition, the BlueGreen Alliance welcomed Susan Green as Legislative and Policy Director.

“I’m pleased to join the Department of Energy at this pivotal moment,” said David Foster, Executive Director of the BlueGreen Alliance. “Under the leadership of President Obama and Secretary Moniz, we’ve seen tremendous progress responding to the threat of climate change, while at the same time creating more opportunities for working families. That’s been the goal of the BlueGreen Alliance since its inception. I look forward to continuing this work in a new and different role at the Department of Energy.”

Kim Glas served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Textiles, Consumer Goods, and Materials, at the U.S. Department of Commerce. In that role she oversaw programs and strategies to improve the domestic and international competitiveness of U.S. textiles, apparel products, and most recently a broad range of manufactured goods. She was also Chairman of the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA), which supervises the negotiation and implementation of textile and apparel agreements.

“This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic partnership that’s leading efforts to build a cleaner, fairer and a more competitive economy,” said Kim Glas. “I’m delighted to carry forward the torch of this great organization.”

Susan Green replaces Michael Williams as the Legislative and Policy Director. Williams continues his work at the BlueGreen Alliance in a new role as Vice President for Development and Corporate Initiatives. Green is a lawyer with over 20 years’ experience in public policy and advocacy, principally on behalf of working people and their unions. She spent 10 years litigating cases for trade unions, workers suffering from asbestos-related diseases, migrant farmworkers, and employee benefit plans. She worked as Chief Labor Counsel for Senator Edward M. Kennedy and as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, and then Associate Deputy Secretary, at the U.S. Department of Labor.

“There’s never been a more important time to take the challenges the environment and the economy present to us today and turn them into opportunities,” said Susan Green. “Working together to achieve these goals puts us in a stronger position to attain them. I look forward to working with BlueGreen Alliance’s diverse partners and allies on this important work.”

“Both Kim and Susan bring a wealth of experience to our partnership and I am pleased to have their energy, experience and leadership guiding our mission forward,” added David Foster.