Troy Hartley
Troy Hartley joins the Renewable Energy Wildlife Institute (REWI) as its new Executive Director, bringing over 25 years of experience in collaborative research, stakeholder and community engagement, science-to-management processes, and innovation on a wide range of natural resources and environmental issues. Before joining REWI, Troy was the Director of Virginia Sea Grant, a national federal-state, university-based partnership program funding and conducting collaborative research, outreach and engagement, and workforce development activities.
Troy has a Ph.D. in environmental and natural resource policy from the University of Michigan, a Master’s in environmental policy from George Mason University, and a BS in zoology from the University of Vermont. Read on to hear from Troy as he talks about his move to REWI and goals for the future.
What drew you to REWI, and this role?
There are several factors that drew me to this opportunity.
I am humbled and thrilled to be picking up the reigns of an amazing organization and network of relationships built by the REWI team, Partners and Friends, other collaborators, and my predecessor, Abby Arnold. The legacy of REWI and the solid team and Board of Directors here to get the work done, was a big factor. And in particular, getting the job done using tools and strategies that I have a lot of experience with – trusted science; essential collaboration around science, research and outreach; and producing positive real world impacts from that science by getting knowledge to decisionmakers. Everywhere I have been, I have enjoyed building and expanding programming. REWI is ready to take the next step. We have the team to do it.
Overall, I have a passion for the environment, a creative and entrepreneurial streak, and a need to build things that make a difference in the world – all these things come together at REWI and its Executive Director role.
Are there aspects of your previous experience you are excited to apply to REWI?
While the focus of Virginia Sea Grant was on coastal and marine sustainability and resilience, it too worked on trusted science and multi-disciplinary research, essential collaboration and partnerships, and generating real world impacts. All conducted as an independent, credible, trusted organization. Virginia Sea Grant did not advocate for policy or management decisions; rather, it is an “honest broker” of the latest science and evidence-based knowledge. Just like REWI.
Similarly, Virginia Sea Grant and REWI are both bridging organizations. We are pragmatic and seek to help people tackle and resolve challenges, make smarter decisions, and find innovative solutions, outcomes, and opportunities.
These organizational principles and values are similar between Virginia Sea Grant and REWI and I look to bring that attitude and approach to REWI.
What drives you to work at the intersection of wildlife and renewables?
I grew up in the northern forest of Maine. My Dad was an avid outdoorsman, my Mom too. In fact, my Mom is an elder in the Kineo Band of the Maliseet Indians. While I am a member, I have spent a career away from Maine working on the natural resource and environmental issues that I grew to care deeply about from my upbringing in Maine and with my Maliseet community. It has shaped how interconnected I see the world. It has built my resilience and self-reliance, as well as my creativity and entrepreneurial nature.
Further, the people are important in the places I work. I build genuine professional relationships, and I care about my teams. It is motivational to work with a dedicated, engaged team – And that is REWI.
What do you see as the major challenges and the pathways forward for REWI?
That’s the million-dollar question for every organization today.
The current dynamic environment at the federal level has introduced uncertainty and ambiguity into the work of REWI, its Partners, Friends, and broader collaborators. This makes for a difficult context for a full-fledged visioning and strategic planning process for REWI, but at the same time, a perfect time for a softer launch into visioning. A focus on listening, building my professional relationships and thinking about expanded partnerships for REWI, and learning the strengths and growth areas for our network. How do the strengths and assets of REWI serve our current audiences to help them manage through this uncertainty, and what additional audiences would benefit from the REWI model, products, and services?
In spite of bumps in the road, the next decade will see significant expansion of renewable energy, and greater need for effective conservation of wildlife and ecosystems. To succeed in such a fluid, dynamic environment, organizations, staff, and partnerships will need to be nimble, creative, produce novel solutions, and collaborate to leverage capacity and knowledge. REWI’s niche is narrow, but our collaborative research model has broad applications and is perfect to be responsive to this environment.
I look forward to working closely with the Board of Directors, Partners & Friends, staff, and other collaborators to be creative and dynamic in response to changing times. Continuing to meet our Partner’s, Friend’s, and collaborators’ needs; enabling informed decisions; and providing innovative solutions, will expand REWI and support our long-term financial stability. I’m optimistic for our next chapter.
I’ve always liked a challenge, I’m comfortable with ambiguity, and building things that are innovative, impactful, and collaborative. Feels like the perfect time to be taking on the reigns of REWI.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I enjoy paddle boarding, cycling, cross-country skiing, and trying to keep pace with my 3yr old Australian Shepherd, Keys. Keys open doors in life and it is a better name than doorknob. I also aspire to be a Zamboni driver.
Troy and other members of the REWI team will be in Seattle, WA, April 14-16 for the REWI the Partner American Clean Power Association’s (ACP) Siting & Permitting Conference – stop by the REWI booth or reach out directly to connect!