Jin Wook Lee – Sustainable Business Coordinator
Where are you from?
I was born in Korea, and lived there until I moved to the U.S. in 1992. I originally moved to Texas with family before coming to Washington.
What were you doing before you came to ECOSS?
I was a real estate agent, and I still have a license for that. I also did some installation of telecommunications equipment when I first moved here.
What do you do day-to-day at work at ECOSS?
For the past few months I had been helping perform waste audits for multi-family housing buildings. We would sort through a building’s trash at the end of the day and catalog their waste to help determine potential cost savings and environmental impacts from increased recycling and composting.
I have also helped with outreach to Korean businesses through the Spill Kit Incentive Program. We go to small businesses to see if they would be good candidates to get a free spill-kit to help prevent pollution from their business. Recently we presented to the Korean Grocers Association in Lakewood, South Tacoma and Bremerton to promote the program, which was very rewarding.
Now, I am working again with the Powerful Neighborhoods program in Seattle, helping to directly install energy efficient lighting and plumbing in multi-family buildings.
What is your favorite/most rewarding aspect of working at ECOSS?
The Powerful Neighborhoods project is my favorite. It is a long-term project that is going to have a really big impact. It makes me happy to think about all of the money and energy we are helping to save. The rest of the staff on the project are also really fun to work with.
If you could change one thing about Seattle, what would it be?
The weather! Actually, where I grew up in Korea the climate was very similar to Seattle, but after living in Texas for a while I could go for a bit more sunshine.
What is your favorite spot in South Park?
Well, I am actually not in South Park very often except for work, so I don’t think I could say that I have a favorite spot down here.
What do you like to do outside of the office?
I love golfing. Sometimes I like to play tennis. This is why I would like a little more sun around here.
Biggest goal for 2013?
I really want to focus on my faith. I am thinking about doing missionary work in the future. This past year I went on a two-week missionary immersion trip and it really changed my perspective.