Mayor Becker Appoints Vicki Bennett to Direct the Office of Sustainability and the Environment

SALT LAKE CITY – After a nationwide search, Mayor Ralph Becker announced today that Vicki Bennett has been appointed the new Director of the Office of Sustainability and the Environment. Bennett was the unanimous choice of a selection committee comprised of community members and city employees

Bennett has been serving as Salt Lake City’s Environmental Programs Manager since 2001. The selection committee was impressed by Bennett’s strong policy skills relating to a wide range of sustainability issues and her impeccable reputation in the community. Her supervisory experience and strong history of working in a municipal setting also made her the top choice.

In making the announcement, Mayor Becker remarked “Salt Lake City is fortunate to have such an incredible resource in Vicki Bennett. She will bring the vision and experience we need to accomplish all of the plans for sustainability I addressed during my campaign for Mayor.”

Bennett brings more than 25 years of experience working on environmental issues to the new position. Prior to her work for Salt Lake City, Bennett’s background included implementing Environmental Management Systems for PacificCorp and international environmental consulting for a diverse group of industries. She holds a Bachelors degree in Chemistry from the University of California at San Diego and an Executive M.B.A. from the University of Utah.

In accepting the new position, Bennett commented, “I am looking forward to getting to work immediately on Mayor Becker’s 180-day plan for the environment. Our first task will be to complete the measurement of the City’s carbon footprint according to the new Carbon Registry standards, and use the data to determine how each City department can best reduce its energy consumption.”

Bennett will be responsible for working on behalf of Salt Lake City to evaluate and integrate long-term economic, environmental and social considerations in City plans, actions, and expenditures. She will also work with organizations throughout the community to identify and pursue opportunities to accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices.