Resume for Georjean L. Adams
SUMMARY
A recognized environmental and health chemical legislative and regulatory expert focused on managing chemical risks with innovative approaches to integrating the needs of the public, government and industry. Significant diverse experience within a multinational manufacturing company, preceded by work at USEPA. Broad experience in development and management of practical EHS systems proven effective across companies, customers and government.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Strategic Planning and Influence - Designed and executed strategies for fair and practical implementation and enforcement of EPA rules, with experience as TSCA rule writer at USEPA, and as a representative for trade associations and 3M. Developed 3M’s TSCA management program and product VOC strategies for California, and improved 3M lab OSHA compliance programs, saving millions in fines and implementation costs and protected markets.
Created and managed 3M’s product stewardship infrastructure and policies to best meet corporate values, minimize risk and maximize resource utilization with an appropriate balance of corporate and business responsibilities.
Authored papers and/or influenced 3M policies on: Life Cycle Management, Persistent Chemicals. TSCA 8e, Asbestos, Ozone Depleting Chemicals, Environmental Marketing Claims.
Enhanced reputation, prevented costly mistakes in design of products, opened market opportunities, enabled good compliance record and ability to negotiate reasonable fines.
Served as key leader in trade association development of product risk management strategy and positioning for negotiations with USEPA on their role vis a vis companies.
Contributing member of the American Chemical Society Board Committee for Environmental Improvement, coordinating a recent workshop on barriers to sustainability.
EHS Process Development
Developed persistent chemicals review process for existing and proposed new uses of persistent chemicals, adjusting current management practices in a time-efficient and predictable manner, and eliminating potential future issues.
Co-Authored product risk management tools for industry at CMA, influencing how other companies review their products to reduce risk and formed the basis for prioritization and review of 3M fluorochemcials. Reduced time to conduct reviews, improving successful chemical management.
Developed Life Cycle Management screening and review process, selectively identifying where an in depth risk assessment was necessary in the early stages of product development, focusing resources where they were most needed and influencing the design of processes and products to eliminate and reduce generation of pollution and exposure risks, while offering marketing advantages.
Developed SOP for identifying, reviewing and documenting exposures of 1000 cases of highly toxic chemicals use in 3M R&D, reducing resource demand 10-fold from the historical approach.
Assisted clients in reviewing and upgrading their TSCA compliance programs.
Information Management
Directed the conversion to a new relational database managing data on tens of thousands of raw materials, intermediates and products and their composition, properties and regulatory status; functionality to create MSDS, with enhanced reliability for compliance. Successfully lobbied for multi-million dollar funding, maintaining budget within original forecast through championing the vision, rigorous prioritization and hiring the right staff.
Championed limiting information gathering to necessary elements for goal achievement in work at EPA, 3M and trade associations.
Protected confidential business information, both in setting up security measures and training within 3M, including proposing alternate schemes for EPA reporting requirements.
Played an active role at 3M and in the Coalition for Effective Environmental Information around the issues of data quality and responsible data interpretation.
Leadership/High Level Discussion
Chaired multiple groups including TSCA 8e, Persistent Chemicals, and Environmental Marketing Claims Review Committees.
Championed Life Cycle Management, co-authoring two papers and significantly influencing tiered approach used by 3M.
Represented product management issues in developing the initial program used by 3M for EHS Management System.
Successfully eliminated draconian restrictions of new chemicals by EPA by providing a limited testing program as the chair of the Chemstar Panel for Specialty Acrylates and Methacrylates.
Improved regulatory issues and product risk management strategy and guidelines, as an active member on CMA (now ACC), including several Product Stewardship task groups. Developed Product Stewardship Summaries for companies as part of Responsible Care® processes.
Teamed to develop position papers and strategy on the Coalition for Effective Environmental Information.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
EHS Strategies, Inc.
President 2005 - present
TSCA - Working with clients to improve their compliance programs, submitted IUR reports, and advised on an enforcement case. Contributed to the American Chemistry Council's TSCA Awareness Manual. Taught a TSCA Basics Course and gave lectures on TSCA for classes at the University of Minnesota and the Academy of Certified Hazardous Materials Managers.
Product Stewardship - Prepare Product Stewardship Summaries for members of the American Chemistry Council under Responsible Care®. Steering Committee member of the Consumer Product Specialties Association Product Care™; presentations on environmental marketing claims, life cycle considerations for packaging, active contributor to "green chemistry" policy development. Speech to the Society of Government Meeting Professionals on green meetings. Moderated panel for Manufacturers Alliance on "Lean and Green."
Sr. Lecturer, University of Minnesota - presentations to classes on life cycle management, company EHS and sustainability issues and TSCA. Teaching a semester course: "Regulatory and Ethical Frameworks for Corporate Environmental Management," Spring 2008.
3M - St. Paul, MN
Manager, R&D EHS Operations 2002 – 2005
Managed EHS Operations for 3M’s headquarter/research campus of 10,000+ staff in administrative, laboratory and pilot plant facilities.
Led annual EHS management system planning and implementation, including maintaining written standards and processes for safe practices in laboratory operations.
Managed environmental and indoor air quality issues for this site.
Manager, Corporate Product Responsibility 1989 – 2001
Managed up to 40 technical experts with an annual budget of $3 million.
Regulatory Affairs – supervised senior staff and contributed personal expertise on chemical regulations such as TSCA, FIFRA, CAA, Prop 65, MSDS and international counterparts that impact product commercialization.
Information Services – project sponsor for re-engineering multi-million relational data base on materials information, including MSDS creation and management.
Life Cycle Management – developed and implemented a practical process for evaluating products for environmental, health and safety impacts from research manufacture use to disposal.
Corporate EHS Policy Development and Implementation – Chaired corporate committees on Persistent Chemicals, TSCA 8(e), Environmental Marketing Claims Review
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Rulemaking in USEPA TSCA office in Washington, DC
Supervisor MN Pollution Control Agency (waste rules)
Specialist and supervisory roles in 3M corporate environmental organizations – regulations and environmental risk assessment
Lecturer, University of Minnesota
EDUCATION
Six Sigma Green Belt and Champion, 3M training and experience
M.S. - Environmental Policy, Washington University, St. Louis
Coursework toward MBA, University of St. Thomas Business School, St. Paul, MN
B.A. - Biology, Minor: Science and Public Policy, University of California - San Diego
