The City of Westminster is pleased to announce the appointment of Paul Schmiechen as the new chief sustainability officer. As the city’s first-ever chief sustainability officer, Paul will be working collaboratively with the community, City Council and employees to develop a community-driven sustainability plan to work towards the city’s vision of becoming one of the most sustainable cities in America.
Paul joins Westminster from the City and County and Denver, where he currently serves as Denver’s business and community sustainability manager in the Department of Environmental Health, assisting businesses improve their sustainability practices in the areas of energy, water and waste water, and implementing sustainable economic development strategies and policies. In his current role, Paul assists residents improve the energy efficiency of their homes and works closely with neighborhoods implementing community sustainability strategies, including EcoDistricts and the Sustainable Neighborhoods Program.
Paul also served as Denver’s environmental management system director, working with businesses, schools, hospitals and others to advance sustainability. Prior to his 10 years with the City and County of Denver, Paul served in management and advisory positions at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the United States EPA on environmental and water quality programs and planning, measuring, and reporting efforts.
Paul holds a Master of Science degree from the University of Michigan in Resource and Policy Management, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Environmental Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Paul will begin in his new role with the City of Westminster on Monday, Oct. 2.
