Leadership

Leading Georgia’s Environmental Leaders

IGEL’s Board of Directors actively steers the IGEL vision, setting goals, and developing policies that move the organization forward. Our board members have all completed the core leadership program, so they bring first-hand knowledge and personal experience to every decision to foster and challenge Georgia’s environmental leaders.
Hidden Toggle
Kim Ajy

IGEL Board Role: Finance Committee Chair, Treasurer

IGEL Board Term: 2024-2027

IGEL Class Year: 2015

Job Title: President

Organization: R2T, Inc.

Steven Aufdenkampe
 

IGEL Board Role: Member

IGEL Board Term: 2023-2026

IGEL Class Year: 2017

Job Title: Regional Manager, Environmental Remediation

Organization: Norfolk Southern Corporation

Kellie Ballew

IGEL Board Role: Member

IGEL Board Term: 2022-2025

IGEL Class Year: 2020-2021

Job Title: Vice President of Global Sustainability & Innovation

Organization: Shaw Industries Group, Inc.

In your own words, what does it mean to be an environmental leader? It is my personal obligation, my honor, and my career choice to do all that I can to preserve the environment for future generations. To be an environmental leader means to speak up on behalf of the environment in all decisions in our state.

Patricia Barmeyer

IGEL Board Role: Resource Development Committee Chair

IGEL Board Term: 2024-2027

IGEL Class Year: 2017

Job Title: Senior Counsel (Retired)

Organization: King and Spalding

In your own words, what does it mean to be an environmental leader? To play a significant role in addressing environmental issues facing our State, on behalf of any public or private institution.

Mona Behl
 

IGEL Board Role: DEI Committee Chair

IGEL Board Term: 2023-2026

IGEL Class Year: 2017

Job Title: Assistant Director, Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant

Organization: University of Georgia

Rodney Brooks

IGEL Board Role: Member

IGEL Board Term: 2022-2025

IGEL Class Year: 2018

Organization: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Nick DiLuzio

IGEL Board Role: Member

IGEL Board Term: 2023-2026

IGEL Class Year: 2019

Job Title: Partner

Organization: Forisk Consulting

In your own words, what does it mean to be an environmental leader? To be someone who is both knowledgeable about the space as well as someone who can facilitate connections within the environmental space.

Tom Driver

IGEL Board Role: Member

IGEL Board Term: 2023-2026

Job Title: Regional Manager/Senior Principal

Organization: Terracon Consultants, Inc.

In your own words, what does it mean to be an environmental leader? To be someone that has knowledge of and respect for the environment and can convey the environmental concerns of the state in a neutral manner.

Dan Grogan

IGEL Board Role: Board Chair

IGEL Board Term: 2023-2026

IGEL Class Year: 2011

Job Title: Senior Vice President

Organization: WSP

Lewis Jones
 

IGEL Board Role: Governance Committee Chair

IGEL Board Term: 2023-2026

IGEL Class Year: 2009

Job Title: Partner

Organization: Jones Fortuna LP

Huiet Joseph

IGEL Board Role: Member

IGEL Board Term: 2024-2027

IGEL Class Year: 2019

Job Title: Senior Director, Sustainability and Engineering

Organization: Cox Enterprises

In your own words, what does it mean to be an environmental leader? An environmental leader leads by the example and inspires others to create a positive change in the environment.

Dr. Kier Klepzig

IGEL Board Role: Program Committee Chair

IGEL Board Term: 2023-2026

IGEL Class Year: 2018

Job Title: Director

Organization: The Jones Center at Ichauway

Howard Lalli

IGEL Board Role: Past Board Chair

IGEL Board Term: 2020-2024

IGEL Class Year: 2005

Job Title: President

Organization: HL Strategy

Brett Mitchell
 

IGEL Board Role: Member

IGEL Board Term: 2023-2026

IGEL Class Year: 2011

Job Title: General Manager

Organization: Georgia Power

Gwen Ruff

IGEL Board Role: Selections Committee Chair, Secretary

IGEL Board Term: 2023-2026

IGEL Class Year: 2015

Job Title: SVP, Administration and Community Outreach

Organization: Columbus Water Works

Sarah Skinner
 

IGEL Board Role: Engagement Committee Chair

IGEL Board Term: 2023-2026

IGEL Class Year: 2022

Job Title: Education and Public Awareness Specialist

Organization: Atlanta Regional Commission

Ben Taube

IGEL Board Role: Member

IGEL Board Term: 2024-2027

IGEL Class Year: 2004

Job Title: Senior Vice President, Energy Services

Organization: Bank of America

In your own words, what does it mean to be an environmental leader? It means you are willing to take a risk to shepherd stewardship, policy, protection, and unwilling pursuits to address environmental change and protection for the betterment of our society. Leadership is taking steps to make a difference and seek to find solutions.

Monica Thornton
 

IGEL Board Role: Member

IGEL Board Term: 2023-2026

IGEL Class Year: 2017

Job Title: Executive Director

Organization: The Nature Conservancy in Georgia

Thatcher Young

IGEL Board Role: Member

IGEL Board Term: 2024-2027

IGEL Class Year: 2023

Job Title: Vice President

Organization: Velo Solar

In your own words, what does it mean to be an environmental leader? It means keeping a long view while working diligently and tactically to achieve conservation, protection and management outcomes that are grounded in collaboration and consensus.

Hidden Toggle
Kim Ajy

IGEL Board Role: Finance Committee Chair, Treasurer

IGEL Board Term: 2024-2027

IGEL Class Year: 2015

Job Title: President

Organization: R2T, Inc.

Steven Aufdenkampe

IGEL Board Role: Member

IGEL Board Term: 2023-2026

IGEL Class Year: 2017

Job Title: Regional Manager, Environmental Remediation

Organization: Norfolk Southern Corporation

Patricia Barmeyer

IGEL Board Role: Resource Development Committee Chair

IGEL Board Term: 2024-2027

IGEL Class Year: 2017

Job Title: Senior Counsel

Organization: King and Spalding

In your own words, what does it mean to be an environmental leader? To play a significant role in addressing environmental issues facing our State, on behalf of any public or private institution.

Kellie Ballew

IGEL Board Role: Member

IGEL Board Term: 2022-2025

IGEL Class Year: 2020-2021

Job Title: Vice President of Global Sustainability & Innovation

Organization: Shaw Industries Group, Inc.

In your own words, what does it mean to be an environmental leader? It is my personal obligation, my honor, and my career choice to do all that I can to preserve the environment for future generations. To be an environmental leader means to speak up on behalf of the environment in all decisions in our state.

Mona Behl

IGEL Board Role: DEI Committee Chair

IGEL Board Term: 2023-2026

IGEL Class Year: 2017

Job Title: Associate Director, Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant

Organization: University of Georgia

Rodney Brooks

IGEL Board Role: Member

IGEL Board Term: 2022-2025

IGEL Class Year: 2018

Organization: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Nick DiLuzio

IGEL Board Role: Member

IGEL Board Term: 2023-2026

IGEL Class Year: 2019

Job Title: Partner

Organization: Forisk Consulting

In your own words, what does it mean to be an environmental leader? To be someone who is both knowledgeable about the space as well as someone who can facilitate connections within the environmental space.

Tom Driver

IGEL Board Role: Member

IGEL Board Term: 2023-2026

Job Title: Regional Manager/Senior Principal

Organization: Terracon Consultants, Inc.

In your own words, what does it mean to be an environmental leader? To be someone that has knowledge of and respect for the environment and can convey the environmental concerns of the state in a neutral manner.

Dan Grogan

IGEL Board Role: Board Chair

IGEL Board Term: 2023-2026

IGEL Class Year: 2011

Job Title: Senior Vice President

Organization: WSP

Lewis Jones

 

IGEL Board Role: Governance Committee Chair

IGEL Board Term: 2023-2026

IGEL Class Year: 2009

Job Title: Partner

Organization: Jones Fortuna LP

Huiet Joseph

IGEL Board Role: Member

IGEL Board Term: 2024-2027

IGEL Class Year: 2019

Job Title: Senior Director, Sustainability and Engineering

Organization: Cox Enterprises

In your own words, what does it mean to be an environmental leader? An environmental leader leads by the example and inspires others to create a positive change in the environment.

Dr. Kier Klepzig

IGEL Board Role: Program Committee Chair

IGEL Board Term: 2023-2026

IGEL Class Year: 2018

Job Title: Director

Organization: The Jones Center at Ichauway

Howard Lalli

IGEL Board Role: Past Board Chair

IGEL Board Term: 2020-2024

IGEL Class Year: 2005

Job Title: President

Organization: HL Strategy

Brett Mitchell

IGEL Board Role: Member

IGEL Board Term: 2023-2026

IGEL Class Year: 2011

Job Title: General Manager

Organization: Georgia Power

Gwen Ruff

IGEL Board Role: Selections Committee Chair, Secretary

IGEL Board Term: 2023-2026

IGEL Class Year: 2015

Job Title: SVP, Administration and Community Outreach

Organization: Columbus Water Works

Sarah Skinner

 

IGEL Board Role: Engagement Committee Chair

IGEL Board Term: 2023-2026

IGEL Class Year: 2022

Job Title: Education and Public Awareness Specialist

Organization: Atlanta Regional Commission

Ben Taube

IGEL Board Role: Member

IGEL Board Term: 2024-2027

IGEL Class Year: 2004

Job Title: Senior Vice President, Energy Services

Organization: Bank of America

In your own words, what does it mean to be an environmental leader? It means you are willing to take a risk to shepherd stewardship, policy, protection, and unwilling pursuits to address environmental change and protection for the betterment of our society. Leadership is taking steps to make a difference and seek to find solutions.

Monica Thornton

 

IGEL Board Role: Member

IGEL Board Term: 2023-2026

IGEL Class Year: 2017

Job Title: Executive Director

Organization: The Nature Conservancy in Georgia

Thatcher Young

IGEL Board Role: Member

IGEL Board Term: 2024-2027

IGEL Class Year: 2023

Job Title: Vice President

Organization: Velo Solar

In your own words, what does it mean to be an environmental leader? It means keeping a long view while working diligently and tactically to achieve conservation, protection and management outcomes that are grounded in collaboration and consensus.

Committees

Leaders within the IGEL network are called to lead in different ways based on their background, experiences, and knowledge. Our board is organized in seven committees that help define programs, ensure diversity and inclusion, and foster support.

DEI:

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are important values that inform IGEL’s programs – and the composition of its core classes.

Engagement:

The core leadership program is just the beginning of career-long – hopefully lifelong – engagement as a member of the IGEL network.

Finance:

Sound financial management is the foundation of any organization.

Governance:

Drawing from an increasingly diverse network of IGELians, board service is a key component of good governance.

Program:

At the heart of IGEL is its core leadership program – an ever-evolving, world-class experience.

Resource Development:

For every dollar invested in IGEL by individuals, corporations, and foundations, the organization creates exponential value.

Selections:

Dozens of applicants compete each year for 30+ places in the core leadership program.