Mr. Valdez has over 25 years of experience in program and project management including as an engineer with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as a water and environmental engineering consultant, and as a diplomat with the U.S. Department of State. He has a proven track record of work planning, program improvement, risk recognition and mitigation, and leading teams to achieve technical and policy objectives within budget and time constraints. Paul’s areas of expertise include:
- Program management
- Water and wastewater modeling
- Climate change and global environmental policy
- Environmental Planning
- Policy analysis
- Diplomacy and negotiations
“I’m fascinated by the intersection of science, technology, and public policy, especially as they relate to environmental protection and sustainability. The solutions that we create as engineers and scientists can be magnified or diluted by public policy. Similarly public policy can foster and catalyze good science and engineering solutions or stifle innovation. The solutions to our climate and environmental challenges lie at a nexus of science, technology, and public policy.”
What does sustainability mean to you?
Striving to leave the planet in a better, more healthy position than when we arrived. Minimizing the impact of our existence on the planet while still enjoying a reasonable quality of life.
When you are not working, what do you enjoy doing?
Being with family and friends, mountain biking, snowboarding, and playing pinball.
Best wildlife encounter?
Snorkeling with whale sharks as they gulped up the bountiful plankton around us.