FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Greg Lewis has been appointed as the first assistant director of corporate and foundation relations for sustainability at the University of Arkansas. In this position, Lewis’ primary responsibilities are to secure private sector funding for the Sustainability Consortium and to maintain and create new partnerships for it.

The consortium is an independent organization of diverse global participants who work collaboratively to build a scientific foundation that drives innovation to improve consumer product sustainability through all stages of a product's life cycle. The consortium is co-directed by the University of Arkansas and Arizona State University.

“It has been a longtime goal of mine to work at a major research institution, and the University of Arkansas was a top choice,” said Lewis. “I have personal ties to this area, and I am thrilled to join a fundraising team that is skilled and accomplished. My passion for sustainability is strong, and I’m excited to help advance this area of research and its certain global impact by forging new relationships for the consortium.”

Lewis reports jointly to the director of corporate and foundation relations in the office of university development, a position currently vacant, and to Jon Johnson, co-director of the Sustainability Consortium and director of the university’s Applied Sustainability Center.

“The timing of this opportunity synced up perfectly with Greg’s interests and work experience,” said Bruce Pontious, associate vice chancellor for university development. “He understands the importance of the consortium and what that work means for the university and the community at-large. Greg has already hit the ground running, and will be an excellent advocate for the consortium and the institution as we break new ground in the field of sustainability. I am pleased to welcome him to the Arkansas family.”

Lewis relocated to Fayetteville from Baltimore, Md., where he worked as the program director and policy analyst for Northeast-Midwest Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit research organization dedicated to economic vitality, environmental quality and regional equity for 18 states. In this role, Lewis was responsible for securing multi-year funding to create and maintain research initiatives, and he also raised money for Washington-based conferences and events held in collaboration with members of the United States Congress. Throughout his career, Lewis has presented and been published on topics related to sustainability, community investments and environmental revitalization projects.

“The Sustainability Consortium is growing at an astonishing rate,” said Johnson. “It is an exciting time to be a part of this enterprising group, and it is appropriate and necessary to have a staff member dedicated to the financial support and relationship-building that is at the core of our work. The impact of our research will only be enhanced by the perspective Greg brings to the table. We are fortunate to have found someone who feels strongly about our purpose and who understands what is required to keep us all moving forward.”