John Garn

John Garn
Secretary and Director, Telos Project

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Planning 1981, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, California.

Associate of Arts in Administration of Justice 1978, Ohlone Junior College, Fremont, California.

Information Cartography Expertise

John has worked for many years as an analyst of complex systems. In 1998, his “whole systems” perspective was leveraged by DATAFUSION, a Bay Area software company developing visual context software. These advanced tools, combined with his experience working with complex systems and issues led him to originate the Information CartographySM process. This unique process organizes disparate information into a visual context that reflects the perspectives of individuals, teams or large groups. Through the information cartography process the ability of people to understand complex issues and perspectives is accelerated. Info-cartographySM is especially valuable in planning and design processes where participants struggle to wade through disparate information, understand complex issues and “get on the same page.”

In 1999, John began working with Nick Papadopoulos to co-found ViewCraft. Since then they have successfully applied the info-cartography process in numerous settings, ranging from conflict resolution and natural resource policy issues to strategic planning workshops for high-level management teams.

Professional Experience

Code of Sustainable Winegrowing Workbook
One of three team members authoring a detailed workbook on sustainable practices for the Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers. Responsible for chapters on Energy Efficiency, Water Conservation & Quality, Material Handling, Solid Waste Reduction & Management, Environmentally Preferred Purchasing, Neighbors & Community, and Resources. Ongoing work includes content development; research; meeting facilitation; policy development; strategic planning and program implementation. For more information on the project go to: http://www.wineinstitute.org/communications/SustainablePractices/links.htm

Sonoma Green Business Program
Ongoing work with Sonoma County to implement the national award winning “Sonoma Green Business Program” with the wine industry. It was recently identified by San Francisco State University researchers as the only program in the world focusing on sustainability issues for wineries. The program has targeted the wine industry for the past three years and now has over 50 wineries participating in the program. Ongoing work includes: strategic planning; verification audits of facilities; facilitation of meetings; development of consolidated compliance checklist; development and delivery of yearly workshops, development of the “Green Tour” wine map; development of a collection of environmental innovations known as “Greenovations”; and research for certified wineries. For more information on the program
go to: http://www.sonoma-county.org/eservice/green.htm

Joint Center for Sustainable Communities
Recently completed work with the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) to assist in the development of customized learning systems for elected officials on Smart Growth issues, Brownfield redevelopment, sustainable agriculture and incentive-based compliance. Completed work includes: development of educational materials for elected officials; policy development; working sessions with elected officials; conference presentations; committee meeting facilitation; and development of “Fact Packs” for web site distribution.
For more information go to: http://www.naco.org/programs/comm_dev/center/index.cfm

North Bay Water Policy Summit
Completed work for the City of Petaluma to develop a comprehensive Regional Water Summit in response to Amendment 10 issues raised by the Petaluma City Council. Completed work includes: policy development; project management; conference design and organization; educational presentation for elected officials on the Urban Water Management Plan, the Water Conservation Plan and the original Memorandum of Understanding between the cities; and development of a comprehensive water information “Fact Pack” for the City of Petaluma’s web site. For a PDF. summary of the summit go to: http://www.ci.petaluma.ca.us/wrcd/links.html

San Francisco Bay Area Green Business Recognition Program
Completed work for the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and the US EPA Region 9 to implement a fully expand the Sonoma Green Business Program into the Bay Area and integrate the incentive-based compliance checklist with pollution prevention and resource conservation standards. The project developed industry-specific checklists for auto repair, printing, hotel, restaurants and wineries in six of the nine counties of the San Francisco Bay Area. Completed work includes: facilitating strategic planning meetings; conducting a pre-program assessment of the nine counties; conducting a pre-program assessment of the regulatory agencies; delivery of an assessment findings report; presentation of assessment recommendations; facilitation of business advisory committee meetings; development of consolidated compliance checklist; facilitation of monthly Green Business Program meetings; team development and cross-training for regulatory team members; and development of public awareness plan and materials. For more information go to:
http://www.greenbiz.abag.ca.gov/

Publications

1. Dlott, Jeff; Ohmart, Cliff; and Garn, John, “The Code of Sustainable Winegrowing” workbook, A project of the Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers, October 2002.

2. Pojasek, Robert; Garn, John and Papadopoulos, Nick, “Knowledge Management and Visual Context™”, Environmental Quality Management Fall 2001, September 2001.

3. Dimock, Michael; Papadopoulos, Nick; Garn, John “Final Report: The Feasibility of Maintaining and Enhancing Agriculture in Santa Clara County” , October 2001

4. Paige, Dean and Garn, John, “Compliance Assistance and Environmental Enforcement in Sonoma County and the San Francisco Bay Area”, Proceedings for the Fifth International Conference on Environmental Compliance and Enforcement, November 1998.

5. Lewin, Jeff and Garn, John, “Developing Integrated Environmental Inspections Under the Sonoma Green Business Program”, Conference Proceedings for the HazMaCon Conference, November 1994.

6. Garn, John and Grimsrud, Martin, “The Compliance Incentive Experience in Santa Rosa, California”, Conference Proceedings for the Third International Conference on Environmental Enforcement, April 1994.

Affiliations

One of 100 select Fellows at the Center for Small Business and the Environment.

Member of the Environment, Community, Opportunity Network (ECON)- ECON is a network comprised of independent experts, niche service firms and information technology providers serving communities and local governments throughout Northern California.For more information go to: http://www.econ-inc.net