Community Environmental Council Welcomes New Council Members and Interns in Support of Work for a Healthy and Green Community

CEC invites in strong environmental advocates to support in local climate resilience work

Addition to CEC President’s Council 

The President’s Council is a group of past executive directors, Board of Director members, and founders – as well as esteemed CEC friends – who have given significantly of their time, effort and resources to the organization. They welcomed John Jostes as a new member.

John Jostes is a nationally recognized mediator and former national Co-Chair of the Environment/Public Policy Section of the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR). In 2013, he received the Sharon M. Pickett Award from ACR, recognizing his career-long work to advance the cause of environmental protection through the effective use of conflict resolution. He has served on numerous Santa Barbara boards, commissions, and non-profits, including 8 years on CEC’s Board, with two terms as President. Currently a Visiting Faculty at the UCSB Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, John has founded three environmental consulting firms, sponsored over 70 internships, and served as Strategic Advisor to RESOLVE, a collaborative think tank in Washington DC. He holds an MPA from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Addition to CEC Partnership Council 

The Partnership Council is made up of a broad spectrum of community leaders who act as ambassadors to advocate, network, and promote on behalf of CEC. They welcomed Elliot MacDougall as a new member.

Elliot MacDougall is the president and CEO of Weymouth Development Group (WDG), an energy real estate development company, which he founded in 2009. Elliott started his career in renewable energy as a founding member of the Recurrent Energy development team, where he led its solar site development efforts. Before joining the energy industry, Elliott supported Fortune 100 companies as a Senior Consultant with the Beacon Group, where his management consulting specialization was in new market entry strategy, M&A and competitive intelligence. Elliott received his MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management and BA from Georgetown University, Edmond A. Walsh School of Foreign Service.

Addition to CEC Intern Program

CEC’s robust and competitive internship program attracts aspiring environmentalists from top universities. Many of CEC’s finest staff members began as interns. We are happy to welcome Alice Chang as our newest member of the team.

Alice Chang is passionate about aligning food, health, environment, and equity. Before coming to Santa Barbara, Alice worked on sustainable agricultural research at the USDA and volunteered on small organic farms locally and abroad. Most recently she was a teaching assistant for a course on Diet and Global Climate Change. Alice is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Environmental Science and Management from the Bren School at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and will specialize in Corporate Environmental Management and Energy & Climate.She joins CEC as a Food and Climate Program Intern this summer.

About the Community Environmental Council (CEC)

Since 1970, CEC has led the Santa Barbara region – and at times California and the nation – in creative solutions to some of the toughest environmental problems. CEC pioneers real life solutions in areas with the most impact on climate change. Our programs – including the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival – provide pathways to clean vehicles, solar energy, resilient food systems, and reduction of single-use plastic. Our commitment to excellence has made CEC one of only five nonprofits in Santa Barbara County to earn the highest possible ratings from both Guidestar and Charity Navigator. Find CEC on the web at www.CECSB.org and on Facebook.com/CECSB, Instagram.com/CEC_SB and Twitter.com/CECSB.