(Washington, DC): The Environmental Law Institute (ELI) is delighted to announce four new members to its Leadership Council: Keith A. Matthews, Peggy Otum, Christopher P. Reynolds, and James Strock. “ELI is so pleased to have these outstanding attorneys join the ranks of our Leadership Council,” said ELI Leadership Council President Kathy Robb. “The addition of these thought leaders will help strengthen ELI’s vision of a healthy environment, prosperous economies, and vibrant communities founded on the rule of law. We look forward to the guidance and expertise they are sure to bring to our organization.”
- Keith A. Matthews is Of Counsel with Wiley Rein, LLP, in Washington, DC. Keith has more than 20 years of private sector and government experience in environmental law related to chemical substances regulation, biopesticides, and genetically engineered organisms. He is a former Director of the Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division in EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs. Keith's practice focuses on the regulation of chemical substances, including agricultural chemical products, microbial products of biotechnology; and genetically engineered agricultural products that are regulated by EPA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
- Peggy Otum is a Partner with Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer in San Francisco, California. Her practice focuses on environmental enforcement, litigation, and transactional matters, primarily involving hazardous waste requirements and natural resources under the major federal environmental statutes and California state law. She was featured on Working Mother magazine's list of "The 2015 Working Mothers of the Year."
- Christopher P. Reynolds is Executive Vice President, Corporate Resources for Toyota Motor North America, headquartered in Plano, Texas. Among his various duties, Chris is responsible for Toyota’s diversity and inclusion, shared impact, and environmental sustainability functions. He is also Managing Officer for Toyota Motor Corporation, with responsibilities in the legal, human resources, and compliance operations at the global level.
- James Strock is founder and CEO of the Serve to Lead Group, advising NGOs, government entities, and various companies across the United States and around the world. James is a recognized authority and renowned speaker on Environmental-Social-Governance responsibilities and opportunities for 21st century leadership. From 2010-2012, he served as co-chair of the Arizona Governor’s Solar Energy Advisory Task Force. James previously served as the founding Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency and as Assistant Administrator for Enforcement of EPA.
The ELI Leadership Council is the Institute’s group for the most prominent environment, energy, and natural resource leaders in the nation. The Council recognizes leaders for their commitment of resources and time to the Institute’s vision of a healthy environment, prosperous economies, and vibrant communities founded on the rule of law. Members participate in events and have a chance to network and engage other leaders in discussions about key environmental law and policy issues.