Richard Heinemann, Board Chair
Boardman & Clark LLP

Daniel Guerra Jr., Treasurer CEO, Altus

Thomas Boldt, Secretary
Boldt Company

Garan Chivinski, Human Resources Manager, Ingeteam

Zach Blumenfeld, Cofounder, CultureCon

John Imes, President

John Imes, Co-founder & Director

John Imes is a purpose-driven leader, visionary advocate, and collaborative problem-solver dedicated to advancing sustainable solutions that benefit people, the planet, and future generations. As co-founder and former Chairman of the Board of the Wisconsin Environmental Initiative (WEI), John has served as Executive Director since 1998, spearheading programs and policies that achieve measurable economic and environmental results.

With a career rooted in environmental stewardship, John previously served as Environmental Manager for Quad/Graphics, a company widely recognized for its environmental leadership and social responsibility, earning numerous state and national honors under his guidance. Today, John continues to champion systemic change as Village President of Shorewood Hills, where his leadership exemplifies a balance of big-picture vision and actionable steps to improve community resilience.

Collaborative Leadership and Advocacy

John’s ability to engage diverse stakeholders—policymakers, businesses, and community leaders—has been instrumental in addressing Wisconsin’s most pressing challenges. His extensive experience includes advisory roles and leadership in various initiatives, including:

• American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN): Climate & Energy Working Group and Business for Democracy Collaborative.
• Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters: Adviser, Climate and Energy Leadership Network.
• Clean Economy Coalition of Wisconsin: Founding member advocating for a resilient, inclusive clean economy.
• Monroe Street Merchants Association Board
• Garver Feed Mill Redevelopment: Key contributor to the successful rehabilitation of this historic Madison landmark.
• Germany-Wisconsin Exchange: Delegate for Green Jobs in the New Europe program, focusing on energy, transportation, and economic growth.

John has also served in appointed roles, such as Commissioner for the Capital Area Regional Planning Commission and as a member of the Governor's Consortium on Biobased Industries and Global Warming Task Force.

Vision with Practicality

John's leadership is marked by his ability to translate visionary goals into practical, actionable solutions. As co-founder of Arbor House, an award-winning sustainable inn in Madison that operated from 1994 to 2021, he demonstrated how innovative, eco-conscious practices could drive economic success while minimizing environmental impact. This experience has shaped his commitment to advancing sustainable tourism, green infrastructure, and community-focused initiatives.

Adaptability and Legacy Thinking

A graduate of MATC and Carroll College, John’s career reflects resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges. His leadership emphasizes thoughtful, long-term decision-making, ensuring that today's actions create a better future for Wisconsin’s economy, environment, and communities.

For more about John and his contributions to Wisconsin’s sustainability efforts, visit his profile on InBusiness.

Ryan Way Messer, Program Coordinator

Sarah Zarling, Program Assistant