Office of Sustainability Team
leadership
Jennifer Chirico, PhD, MPH
Associate Vice President of Sustainability
DIRECTORS
Jermaine Clonts
Associate Director, Utilities Management
Jermaine Clonts is the Associate Director of Utilities Management in Georgia Institute of Technology’s Office of Sustainability, where he manages a purchased utility budget of approximately $30 Million, oversees meter maintenance contracts and tracks key performance indicators related to utilities, energy, and finance. With 15 years of engineering experience Jermaine Clonts brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role. Prior to joining Georgia Tech, Jermaine worked in Power transmission and distribution where he supported a fast-paced, high volume manufacturing facility from the quotation, design, manufacturing, and testing phases for medium voltage distribution transformers. He received his BS in Electrical Engineering technology from Southern Polytechnic State university, where he focused on power systems and analysis.
Drew Cutright
Director, Sustainability Engagement
Drew Cutright is the Director of Sustainability Engagement in Georgia Institute of Technology’s Office of Sustainability. She oversees the office’s events strategy, development of new sustainability programs, communications, and partnerships. Prior to this role, she worked with Georgia Tech’s Strategic Consulting unit and on education and outreach with the Kendeda Building, Georgia’s first Living Building. Prior to Georgia Tech, she worked in private sector green building consulting, city government, and K-12 environmental education. Drew holds a Master of Environmental Planning and Design from the University of Georgia, a Bachelors in English from the University of South Carolina, and is currently working on a Masters in Business Administration at Georgia Tech.
TEAM
Jordan Barron
Campus Sustainability Project Manager
About Jordan
Jordan Barron is a Campus Sustainability Project Manager in Georgia Tech’s Office of Sustainability. She has 11 years of professional and volunteer community engagement work centered in sustainable agriculture and engagement, environmental justice, and community gardening through Georgia Tech, Kennesaw State University, and Compost Now. Jordan holds a Bachelor of Science in Integrative Studies (Management, Sustainability, and Communications concentration) from Kennesaw State University.
Jairo Garcia, PhD
Resilience Specialist
About Jairo
In addition to leading the Office of Sustainability’s work on a Climate and Resilience Adaptation Plan, Dr. Jairo Garcia is adjunct faculty in the School of Public Policy and School of City & Regional Planning. Jairo has won several awards, including the 2023 USAID Farmer to Farmer Volunteer of the Year Award; the American Public Health Association Center for Climate, Health, and Equity Award; and multiple teaching recognitions. Jairo holds a Doctorate in Educational Technology and Sustainability from Pepperdine University, Masters in Sustainability Management (Columbia University) and Computer Networks Management (Syracuse University), and a bachelor’s in electrical engineering from Cauca University. He previously led the City of Atlanta’s development of a Climate Action Plan, building energy efficiency programs in New York City, and has held several research appointments.
Emma Blandford
Program and Portfolio Manager
About Emma
Bio coming soon!
Teresa Mcdonald
Utilities Analyst
About Teresa
Teresa McDonald is the Utilities Analyst at Georgia Institute of Technology’s Office of Sustainability, where she conducts analysis on water accounts for potential cost recovery opportunities, resolves complex discrepancies, and develops procedures relevant to utility payments for the Institute. Prior to this role, she worked in Georgia Tech’s Procurement & Business Services unit and in the private sector in electronics and wireless networks. Teresa holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Finance from Southern New Hampshire University.
Abby Bower
Program and Portfolio Manager
About Abby
Abby Bower manages Climate Action Plan Implementation and the Living Campus Fellows Program in Georgia Institute of Technology’s Office of Sustainability. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Electronic Media from the University of Tennessee and a Masters of Sustainable Energy and Environmental Management (MSEEM) from Georgia Tech. Abby has participated in the City of Atlanta Sustainability Ambassadors Program. Prior to Georgia Tech, she worked in science communications at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory and coordinated communications and engagement efforts for University of Tennessee Recycling.
Steve Place
Campus Sustainability Project Manager
About Steve
Steve Place manages Zero Waste programs in Georgia Institute of Technology’s Office of Sustainability. He holds a Human and Natural Ecology, Political Science, Masters of Global Media and Culture from Emory University and is currently pursuing a Master in Global Media and Culture from Georgia Tech. Steve was the recipient of the Georgia Tech Campus Sustainability Award in 2022 and is the staff advisor of Students Organizing for Sustainability. Prior to working in the Office of Sustainability, he served as the horticulturist for the Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design at Georgia Tech and as Caretaker of the Lullwater Estate at Emory University.
Kamilah Roberts
Program and Operations Manager
About Kamilah
Kamilah Roberts is a Program & Operations Manager in Georgia Institute of Technology’s Office of Sustainability. She manages the office’s events program, advises Kendeda Fellows, assists with Kendeda Building tours, and develops sustainability programs. Prior to Georgia Tech Kamilah worked in the non-profit sector conducting community outreach and engagements opportunities to educate communities about Athens Land Trust programs and community resources. Kamilah holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, advertising major, from the University of Georgia.
Vanessa Suarez
Sustainability Coordinator
About Vanessa
Vanessa Suarez is the Sustainability Coordinator in Georgia Institute of Technology’s Office of Sustainability. She manages the office’s social media, prepares utility reports, supports efforts in food procurement and data, waste diversion, and stakeholder engagement. Vanessa holds a Master of Science in Wildlife Conservation & Management from Unity College and a Bachelor of Science in Biological Science from Florida State University.
David Ta
Utilities Project Manager
About David
David Ta is a Utilities Project Manager in Georgia Institute of Technology’s Office of Sustainability. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Science in Facilities Management. Prior to Georgia Tech, he worked for Macy’s Property Management department.
STUDENTS
STUDENT ASSISTANTS
Learn about the student assistants here.
Cindy Huynh
Architecture ’25
Nicole Nunez
Environmental Engineering ’25
Charles McHenry
Computer Science ’25
Sanam Patel
Industrial Engineering ’27
John Schmidt
Computer Science ’25
Paige Suk
Environmental Engineering ’25
Carina Valdivia
Environmental Engineering ’27
KENDEDA FELLOWS
Learn about the Kendeda fellows here.
Renee Alnoubani
Civil Engineering ’25
Kiran Kapileshwari
Mechanical Engineering ’26
Lauren Otobor
Civil Engineering ’26
Annabelle Sarkissian
Environmental Engineering ’25
LIVING CAMPUS FELLOWS
Learn about the living campus fellows here.
Jack Elliott
International Affairs ’26
Mary Meeks
Business Administration ’26
Gabriella Nguyen
Computer Science ’26
Luke Riley
Business Administration ’25
Kolinkar Roy
Business Administration ’27
Isabel Torres
Business Administration ’24
Abraham Werner
International Affairs ’27