Nicolas Baker
Washington
Summary
Proactive and well-versed sustainability advisor with a proven track record of successfully working with both sides of the aisle and groups with differing perspectives and motives. Data-driven management professional with expertise in multiple facets of decarbonization and sustainability initiatives, covering national environmental policies, green building design, GHG, and supply chain mgmt., ZEV deployment and federal compliance. Extensive understanding of climate-related emissions accounting and modeling systems, public disclosure, and target-setting standards/frameworks, including SBTi, GHG Protocol, PCAF, CDP, and ISO. Adept in crafting innovative solutions that optimize change and synthesize complex data into easily comprehensible solutions.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Sustainability Officer
White House Council on Environmental Quality
05.2022 - Current
- Senior policy advisor to the Federal Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) on Federal sustainability, climate adaptation, decarbonization implementation, zero carbon/energy/water buildings, and USG data reporting and performance management
- Advanced the President’s agenda to decarbonize the Federal government by 2050 by managing the development, interagency coordination, and rollout process for the Implementing Instructions for Executive Order 14057, President Biden’s Federal Sustainability Plan
- Accelerated the achievement of over 2,500 all-electric Federal facilities by coordinating the development of the first-ever Federal Building Performance Standard
- Created and managed the public Federal sustainability scorecards, demonstrating the USG’s 38% Scope 1+2 GHG reduction progress
- Implemented the most comprehensive strategic sustainability planning and data management process across 26 Federal agencies
- Website: https://www.sustainability.gov
Federal Sustainability & Decarbonization Program Lead
U.S. Department of Energy
12.2020 - 05.2022
- Senior advisor and program manager at the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) for Federal sustainability and decarbonization
- Served as the technical representative on multiple White House working groups
- Established and led the first complete study of Federal facility decarbonization pathways
- Author of 3 Federal regulations establishing advanced energy efficiency standards for new construction
- Tracked and managed the reporting for over 4,500 sustainable green buildings across 26 Federal agencies
Federal Sustainability Officer
White House Council on Environmental Quality
12.2018 - 12.2020
- Policy advisor, on detail to CEQ, on Federal sustainability implementation, water management, renewable energy, electric vehicle and alternative-fuel infrastructure, and climate adaptation policies
- Protected and strengthened Federal sustainability policy in support of agency mission and resilience
- Led the 2020 revisions to the White House Federal sustainable building design policy and guidance, “Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings,” ensuring the continued use and enhancement of Federal green building design policy
- Designed enhanced methodologies to analyze agency investments in sustainable buildings and fleets
- Drove cross-agency collaboration with 26 agencies to compile agency data, improve data analysis, and advance reporting on sustainability progress to the Executive Office of the President
Federal Energy & Sustainability Program Manager
U.S. Department of Energy
11.2015 - 12.2020
- Advisor to the FEMP Director and principal manager for Federal building energy/water efficiency, Federal regulations, sustainable design implementation, and net zero energy/water programming at FEMP.
- Successfully reorganized and optimized FEMP, expanding services and offerings even under budget cuts
- Crafted the first Net Zero Energy, Water, and Waste technical support guide for Federal agencies
- Event director for the most significant Federal training event, Energy Exchange, delivering training to over 4,000 public and private sector participants annually
- Co-Chair of the Interagency Sustainability Working Group (ISWG), disseminating green building and Federal sustainability best practices and policies to the Federal sustainability community
Federal Energy Technology Project Specialist
U.S. Department of Energy
08.2011 - 11.2015
- Subject matter expert and legislative manager on Federal energy and sustainability mandates and technical advisor on sustainable design strategies and Federal technology deployment at FEMP
- Conceptualized and launched the first interactive legislative database that cataloged and referenced all of the Federal sustainability requirements, statutes, and mandates for Federal agencies
- Tripled the FEMP training program offerings by developing interactive course catalogs, expanded the training management records system, and providing more interconnections with the private sector
- Designated liaison between FEMP and DOE International Affairs, DOE Legislative Affairs, and DOE Congressional Affairs
- Executed 15 Federal technology demonstration projects emphasizing high-efficiency roof top HVAC units, combined heat and power systems (CHP), solid-state LED lighting, and modular solar PV systems
Sustainability Knowledge Manager
PERKINS + WILL
09.2008 - 08.2011
- Sustainability project manager contracted to support the Department of Environmental Protection of the National Institute of Health (NIH-DEP) concerning Federal sustainability requirements
- Subject Matter Expert (SME) on green building design, energy/water reduction solutions, renewable energy implementation, greenhouse gas (GHG) tracking and management, and green procurement
- Directed the certification process of 36 LEED-EB: O+M buildings spanning the NIH portfolio
Environmental Scientist & Green Building Specialist
Loiederman Soltesz Associates
09.2005 - 09.2008
- Served as the company's first LEED-accredited professional and launched a new service that led to the certification of 12 LEED-New Construction and Neighborhood Development projects in 2 years
- Led program development of environmental initiatives, including Natural Resource Inventories, Forest Stand Delineations/Conservation Plans, Wetland Delineation Permits, and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans
Education
M.A. - Global Environmental Policy
American University
Washington, D.C.01.2014
B.S. - Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Pre-Law
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA01.2004
Skills
National & Federal Climate and Sustainability Policy
White House & Congressional Policy Coordination
Federal Regulatory Development
GHG accounting standards (GHG Protocol/ CDP/SBTI)
Data Modeling and Forecasting
Green Building Design & Modeling
Scope 3 GHG / Supply Chain Accounting
Climate Resilience & Adaptation Planning
Cross-Functional Team Leadership
Data Analytics & Performance Tracking
Workforce Development & Conference Management
Citizenship
- U.S
- Swiss
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
French
Native or Bilingual
Websites
Timeline
Senior Sustainability Officer
White House Council on Environmental Quality
05.2022 - Current
Federal Sustainability & Decarbonization Program Lead
U.S. Department of Energy
12.2020 - 05.2022
Federal Sustainability Officer
White House Council on Environmental Quality
12.2018 - 12.2020
Federal Energy & Sustainability Program Manager
U.S. Department of Energy
11.2015 - 12.2020
Federal Energy Technology Project Specialist
U.S. Department of Energy
08.2011 - 11.2015
Sustainability Knowledge Manager
PERKINS + WILL
09.2008 - 08.2011
Environmental Scientist & Green Building Specialist
Loiederman Soltesz Associates
09.2005 - 09.2008
B.S. - Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Pre-Law
Georgia Institute of Technology
M.A. - Global Environmental Policy
American University
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