Brendan Alexander Miller

Sustainability and Community

 

Brendan Alexander Miller

Aspiring to be an entrepreneur of human systems

I strive to be an entrepreneur of human systems, seeking to improve how they perform across organizational boundaries. In today's complex and interconnected world, we must consider the big picture, examining where our organization sits in the context of other private and public players before seeking to take action. Especially in fostering the growth and maturity of emerging industries like renewable energy, or in addressing complex problems like economic development or education, it is important to take this systems view. I am attracted to challenges like these and try to use my positions to advance the health of the broader networks in which I find myself. My current position provides such an opportunity. I aspire to a vision of leadership and strategic action similar to the ones outlined by James Moore in his book, The Death of Competition, and Ronald Heifetz in Leadership Without Easy Answers.

Promoting a renewable energy and clean technology economy in New Mexico

As of July 2011, I have left my position with the State of New Mexico to freelance in the areas of renewable energy and clean technology.

One of my most important contracts is as the Executive Director of the New Mexico Independent Power Producers. In this role I advance opportunities for independent and renewable power production in New Mexico, for both New Mexico's electricity customers and for export.

I also lecture on "Green Economic Innovation and Entrepreneurship" at the University of New Mexico Anderson School of Management and consult with the New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce.

In February 2011 I became the Director of the Office of Science, Technology and Energy for the State of New Mexico under Economic Development Department Cabinet Secretary Jon Barela and Governor Susana Martinez.

Prior to this, I was the state's Green Economy Manager. This was a new position that was created in September 2008 by Economic Development Department Cabinet Secretary Fred Mondragon under Governor Richardson in recognition of the importance this sector plays in generating economic activity and creating jobs in New Mexico.

On January 22, 2009, Governor Richardson signed an executive order creating the Green Jobs Cabinet, composed of a subset of his Cabinet Secretaries, to further promote the importance of this sector. Secretary Mondragon chaired the Green Jobs Cabinet and I provided policy development and staff support for their activities.

In March 2010 I was also asked to serve as the Director of the Office of Science and Technology. In this role I worked with New Mexico's three universities, two national laboratories and private businesses to leverage research and technology development to create and sustain high tech jobs in the state.

Archived New Mexico Green Economy Materials

NOTE: Some of the New Mexico Green Economy resources are no longer available through the official state website. An archive of these New Mexico Green Economy materials is available through this link.

News

November 2010: I was profiled by the MIT Sloan alumni office.

In October 2010, the state released a new report that I wrote entitled Growing New Mexico's Clean Tech Economy: Strategies to Strengthen Technology Commercialization. This report describes New Mexico's technology economy and ways to grow the state's marked-based technology sector. These recommendations were developed with an panel of experts who generously donated their time to the project.

June 2010: Several years ago I worked with Professor Peter Frumkin researching the history, structure and impacts of national service programs like AmeriCorps. The resulting book (involving much additional work by others since then) has recently been published: Serving Country and Community. A related paper I wrote with Peter Frumkin on AmeriCorps in 2005 was published in the Journal Society. Some early drafts are available via this link.

May 2010: The The Permaculture Credit Union celebrated its 10th Anniversary on May 6, 2010 in Santa Fe with a public celebration, featuring special guest Gunter Pauli, author of The Blue Economy and founder of ZERI. The complete video of Gunter's talk is available for viewing: Gunter Pauli: The Blue Economy. A recent article on the Permaculture Credit Union by the Santa Fe Reporter provides some background. Another nice article appeared in the New Mexico Business Weekly.

October 2009: Governor Richardson's Green Jobs Cabinet Report has been released to the public. I provide staffing to the Green Jobs Cabinet and spearheaded the production of this report.

December 2009: I am now a licensed New Mexico real estate Qualifying Broker currently on inactive status. I incorporated my brokerage, Vega Properties LLC, in 2009.

Background

I have a business degree from the MIT Sloan School of Management and a public policy degree from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and have worked in government, industry and the non-profit sector. I have lived in New Mexico for several years and have fallen in love with it. More information on my background can be found here.

Democratic Development: Sustainable Community Development

Prior to working with the State of New Mexico's Economic Development Department I managed a mixed-use green, infill real estate development in Santa Fe. As a result, I have thought a lot about how to create sustainable communities. Some of my thoughts can be found on this website. I have flushed out an idea I call "Democratic Development" that I believe is a path to an environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable world. Please follow the link for more information. I believe renewable energy is another important component of Democratic Development because it provides individuals and communities with the opportunity to be energy self-sufficient. This will be critical in contributing to community self-direction and sustainability. I hope to have time to elaborate on this connection. My previous home page has been archived and is available here for your reference.

My blogs

I have two blogs that I maintain: a professional one focused on clean energy and clean technology economic development, particularly in New Mexico, and a personal one that contains my musings on a wide range of topics.

Contact information

I can be reached at brendan@brendanmiller.com.