Brendan Miller

Sustainability and Community

 

Brendan 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 green economy in New Mexico

I am the Green Economy Manager for the State of New Mexico, promoting clean energy and clean technology economic development. This is a new position that was created in September 2008 by Economic Development Department Cabinet Secretary Fred Mondragon in recognition of the importance this sector can play 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. The Secretary Mondragon chairs the Green Jobs Cabinet and I provide 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 work 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. Clean energy and clean technology remain a key focus, but I support all science initiatives that have impacts on job creation and preservation. Please see the Economic Development Department's website for more information.

News

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.

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.

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

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.

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. I consider it my adopted home. My wife and I plan to stay indefinitely! 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.