Alex Anderson – Sustainable Business Coordinator
Where are you from?: Tacoma, WA
What were you doing before you came to ECOSS?: Before joining ECOSS in 2005, I attended the University of Washington and completed a degree in Communications.
What do you do day-to-day at work?: I work with local small and medium-sized businesses to help improve their stormwater management practices and reduce the amount of pollutants reaching our local waterways. For smaller businesses with limited resources, stormwater pollution prevention is a complicated, cumbersome and persistent responsibility. My role at ECOSS is to provide necessary education, materials and resources to help businesses take on this challenge.
What has been your favorite/most rewarding project to work on at ECOSS?: So far my favorite work has been with the Port of Seattle and their tenants. It was fascinating to work with businesses dealing with stormwater issues on a much larger scale than I was accustomed to. I also was fortunate to make some new friends from the Port and also Aspect Consulting who were pivotal in my success with the program.
If you could change one thing about Seattle, what would it be?: The weather. I’ve spent the majority of my life in the Puget Sound and I still can’t adjust to the winters here. Oh, and the potholes too.
Favorite spot in South Park?: Lorreta’s. Tavern Burgers, nuff said.
What do you like to do outside the office?: I like to compose music and spend time with my wife.
Biggest goal for 2010?: I’d like to work with Todd Hunsdorfer to further expand ECOSS’s stormwater-related services and reach out to new communities. Last year we got the opportunity to join forces with the ECOSS Multicultural Outreach Team to introduce our services to local East African and Vietnamese businesses. It was a highly rewarding experience, both working with underserved communities and collaborating with other ECOSS program staffs.