Comments on: Who Gets The Last Laugh On The Sally Jewell Nomination?

By: Bob_Wallace

Bob_Wallace — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 17:29:00 +0000

Here Wiki’s info about Jewell’s career. Sounds like she has a strong business background. And has a decent record in environmental issues as well.

“Jewell worked for Mobil oil company on oil fields in Oklahoma from 1978 through 1981, when she joined Rainier Bank, which was hiring engineers to help them understand how to go about making loans to oil companies. She worked in banking for twenty years, staying with Security Pacific, which acquired Rainier Bank, until 1992, and working for WestOne Bank from 1992 through 1995, and for Washington Mutual from 1995 through 2000.[3][4]In 1996, she joined the board of REI and in 2000 was named chief operating officer. In 2005, she succeeded Dennis Madsen as chief executive officer (CEO).[3]

Jewell has sat on the boards of Premera, the National Parks Conservation Association, and the University of Washington Board of Regents.[5] She helped found the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust.

Jewell was named the Puget Sound Business Journal CEO of the Year in 2006.[6] In 2009, Jewell received the National Audobon Society’s Rachel Carson Award for her leadership in and dedication to conservation.[7]”

By: Bob_Wallace

Bob_Wallace — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 17:25:00 +0000

I didn’t think you were disparaging REI or Jewell. I thought you were raising legitimate questions. I didn’t understand the 7.3% part so did a little searching to see what it meant.

REI grew its business in 2010 and 2011 while growing its carbon footprint less. And I think that needs to be put in perspective. REI has been working on its environmental impact for decades, they aren’t new to this dance. For them to grow their business while shrinking the footprint is probably a lot more difficult that your average retailer cutting their footprint. I’m sure the low hanging efficiency fruit was picked many years ago.

Now, Jewell. I have no idea who she is. She trained and worked in the oil business, left, and became the head of a very environmentally aware organization. That makes me guess that she “saw the evil of her ways” and converted. That REI picked her to head the co-op (it’s not a corporation owned by stockholders, but a business owned by members/customers) says that she must be doing things right, environmentally.

An Interior Secretary who knows the oil business, has headed a major, heritage environmentally oriented business. If she’s got good management and public presentation skills she could work out just fine. We’ll have to wait and see.

By: Edward Kerr

Edward Kerr — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 13:55:00 +0000

Bob,
Sorry if it sounded like I was disparaging REI or Ms. Jewell. That was not my thought there. It’s a big leap from being the CEO of a relatively small corporation to being the Sec of the Interior. I’m hoping that she performs well. I just hope that her training doesn’t get in the way of the changes that must happen if we are to move forward quickly enough to make a difference.
Apologies for any confusion.
Ed

By: Bob_Wallace

Bob_Wallace — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 01:04:00 +0000

“In 2010, we increased our absolute climate impact by 7.3 percent (75,072 tons of GHG emissions, or C02e) from 2009 levels. While an overall increase for the year, this is less than our company growth of 14 percent (by sales)”

http://www.rei.com/stewardship/report/sustainable-operations/greenhouse-gas-emissions.html

2011

“National outdoor gear and apparel retailer REI saw a 3 percent increase in overall absolute climate impact, but less than its overall sales growth of 8.4 percent compared to 2010, according to its sixth annual stewardship report.”

http://www.greenretaildecisions.com/news/2012/05/24/rei-climate-impact-increases-3-percent

(Gotta get REI’s back. I’ve been a member since the early 1970s. Back when there were only two stores. ;o)

By: Edward Kerr

Edward Kerr — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 15:06:00 +0000

It might be a bit early for any “last laugh”. The fact that REI had a “climate impact” of only 7.3% is not reassuring. Though I understand that increased business usually means using more energy. I wonder if, as a petroleum engineer, she will be able to realize that we have to abandon all fossil fuels ASAP, though few believe that. I’d wait a few years before dancing in the end zone.