Patagonia Hires Ex-Obama Advisor As 'Environmental Advocate'

Company Performance

Patagonia Hires Ex-Obama Advisor As 'Environmental Advocate'

US outdoor brand, Patagonia, has taken an unprecedented step by hiring the first dedicated 'environmental advocate' to work exclusively for a global apparel brand. Avi Garbow, the Environmental Protection Agency's longest-serving general counsel, is a nationally recognised environmental lawyer and advocate who served as the EPA's general counsel under President Obama. He will join Patagonia's senior management team. "The climate crisis is here, and it is dire, and our government is refusing to address it. We are excited to welcome Avi into the Patagonia family and extend the urgent work that is needed to address the climate crisis," said Rose Marcario, president and CEO of Patagonia. "As Patagonia's environmental advocate, Avi will provide leadership and strategy to our commitment to the planet. He will help us advance policies that support land and water, renewable energy and regenerative organic agriculture. These are solutions that can not only curb our carbon problem, but also reverse it." With decades of experience in tackling many of the most critical threats currently facing the planet, Avi will help provide strategic leadership & vision to Patagonia's robust environmental advocacy efforts. This new role, Patagonia said in a statement, "will help focus our resources and sharpen our voice, as we defend our planet and find solutions that can move us toward a more sustainable future." Avi will work in close partnership with teams across Patagonia who are on the front lines of the company's environmental work. "The need for private sector leaders to protect our environment, conserve our lands, and address the climate crisis has never been greater," Garbow said. "Patagonia, whose very mission is to use its business to save our planet, brings a legacy of action and resolve to meet the challenges ahead. I am excited to join Patagonia as its first dedicated environmental advocate, as together we confront our most serious environmental problems and promote sustainable solutions for our people & our home planet."