About the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive
The Office of the Federal Environmental Executive is responsible for promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship throughout Federal government operations. Created by Executive Order in 1993, the Office is housed at the President's Council on Environmental Quality, is administered by EPA, and stewards the interagency Steering Committee on Federal Sustainability.
Working in collaboration with the Office of Management and Budget, the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive supports agency sustainability efforts with expertise, detailed guidance, case studies, and tools. Its specific focus is the successful implementation of Executive Orders on Federal environmental performance, including achieving Federal goals for greenhouse gas emissions reduction, energy efficiency, and water conservation; and documenting the economic benefits of environmental performance.
About the Federal Environmental Executive
On April 9, 2012, Jonathan Powers was appointed by President Obama to serve as the Administration's Federal Environmental Executive. In this capacity, Jon is responsible for promoting environmental and energy sustainability across federal government operations. Housed within the White House Council on Environmental Quality, the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive was created by Executive Order in 1993. The Office oversees implementation of President Obama's Executive Order on Federal Sustainability (EO 13514) and the GreenGov initiative, working collaboratively with the Office of Management and Budget and each of the Federal agencies.
Prior to joining CEQ, Jon served as the Special Advisor on Energy in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army, Installations, Energy & Environment. He also served as the Chief Operating Officer at the Truman National Security Project, where he focused on energy security issues. In 2009, Jon testified to the US Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on the national security implications of climate change with retired Senator John Warner and Vice Admiral Dennis McGinn. Following this testimony, Jon founded the nationally recognized campaign Operation Free for veterans to advocate for a national energy policy.
Prior to joining the Truman Project, Jon served for four years as an Officer in the U.S. Army, including a 15 month tour in Iraq as part of Operation Iraq Freedom I. In 2005, Jon founded War Kids Relief after returning to Iraq as a civilian to develop programs to engage Iraq's youth and minimize recruitment by radicalized elements. The youth and counterterrorism research and program development efforts led to War Kids Relief becoming a leading advocacy organization working to create a bridge between American and Iraqi youth to build a foundation for peace. In 2008, Jon was a Democratic candidate for New York's 26th Congressional District.
Jon received a Bachelor of Arts in Education at John Carroll University in Cleveland, OH and a Masters in Global Security Studies at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD.
