After an extensive nationwide search, the SGA Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Geoffrey Anderson as President and CEO of Smart Growth America.
Anderson, who has headed the smart growth program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency since 2000, will succeed founding executive director and CEO Don Chen, who is leaving at the end of January to join the Ford Foundation. Anderson will begin work at SGA on January 21.
“Geoff Anderson is a natural choice to lead Smart Growth America,” said Michael Woo, chairman of SGA’s board of directors and a former Los Angeles city councilman. “In the course of a very competitive interview process, Geoff earned the confidence of the board. He is the right person to build on the growing national momentum of the smart growth movement.”
In 13 years at EPA, Anderson has been a key innovator in establishing the links among environmental protection, quality of life and the growth and development of our communities. Over the last seven years he has built the smart growth program into a critical resource for local communities grappling with planning and development issues, reinterpreting environmental protection not as regulatory interference, but as a partnership that helps communities achieve a vision for current and future generations.
Anderson helped conceive and implement their highly successful technical assistance program and has authored numerous publications and seminal reports that have proved indispensable in building the knowledge base and expertise for smart growth over the last 10 years.
“As we examined the candidates, it became clear that Geoff Anderson was the perfect choice to take the reins of SGA at this crucial moment in our movement.” said former Maryland Governor Parris Glendening, president of the Smart Growth Leadership Institute and SGA board member. “Geoff brings technical expertise and an intimate knowledge of policy, planning, best practices from around the country, and a fundamental understanding of the solutions to the challenges facing us in the coming years.”
“The issues of growth and development are continuing to move to the forefront of our national consciousness,” Anderson said. ”With states tackling climate change, concern over energy independence and gas prices rising and the national transportation law coming up for debate, this is a time of great opportunity for those of us who care about creating and sustaining great places,” Anderson said.
“Smart Growth America and its coalition have played a crucial role in asking the question; ‘Isn’t there a better way?’ “ Anderson added. “Now, we are working with communities to implement some of the answers. I want to work with SGA’s coalition partners to unite advocates for housing, transportation, economic and community development, health, aging and other arenas to build the political will for change on behalf of stronger communities, a healthier environment, and a more competitive economy. This has been my aim at EPA and I am excited to continue pursuing this goal at Smart Growth America.”