Ron Burke
Ron Burke was named director of the new Midwest Office for the Union of Concerned Scientists in May of this year. Mr. Burke is responsible for implementing UCS’ agenda in the Midwest on climate change, clean vehicles, clean energy and sustainable agriculture.
Prior to joining UCS, Mr. Burke was Associate Director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for five years. He helped organize the state’s global warming initiative, which included managing the Illinois Climate Change Advisory Group, overseeing Illinois’ membership in the Chicago Climate Exchange, coordinating Illinois’ communication with Congress on federal climate legislation, participating in the Governors Association’s Energy Security and Climate Stewardship Platform, and managing the state’s participation in The Climate Registry, a multi-state project to measure and track greenhouse gas emissions.
At Illinois EPA, Mr. Burke also supervised policy, outreach, community relations, pollution prevention, small business assistance, and “Green Government” programs and staff.
Prior to joining IEPA, Mr. Burke served as a consultant to the Environmental Law and Policy Center in Chicago, where he dealt with issues such as Great Lakes restoration, energy policy, and fundraising.
Mr. Burke worked at the American Lung Association of Metropolitan Chicago for nearly twelve years as Director of Environmental Health, Deputy Executive Director of Programs and Policy, and Acting Executive Director. He also worked for USEPA Region 5 in Chicago.
Mr. Burke earned an M.S. from Washington University’s Department of Engineering and Policy and did his undergraduate work in life sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.