About the Author

• Author: William R. Blackburn
• Pages: 11-12

About the Author

For over 30 years, William R. (Bill)

Blackburn has been involved with the man-

agement of global programs on environ-

ment, health, and safety (EHS) as well as on

programs on sustainability as that concept

has emerged. He is a frequent lecturer

around the world on these topics.

Until 2003, Blackburn was vice presi-

dent and chief counsel of Corporate Envi-

ronment, Health, and Safety at Baxter In-

ternational Inc., a global manufacturer and

distributor of medical products based in

Deerfield, Illinois. As a sustainability

leader at Baxter, Blackburn led efforts pio-

neering effective sustainability performance metrics; transparent

sustainability reports; innovative management standards; unique envi-

ronmental cost and income statements; and sound emergency response

programs. Baxter’s operations received over 300 external awards for

EHS excellence while Blackburn guided the company’s program. Prior

to joining Baxter in 1978, Blackburn was employed as the general coun-

sel at Clinton Bogert Associates, an environmental engineering firm

based in New Jersey.

Today, Blackburn continues his work on EHS and sustainability issues

as the president of a consulting firm, William Blackburn Consulting, Ltd.

His firm advises organizations on the performance, structure, strategy,

planning, and development of programs related to sustainability,EHS, and

crisis management/emergency response. His clients include: large, small,

and struggling companies; nonprofit organizations; local governments;

trade and professional associations; and multi-stakeholder coalitions.

In 1973, Blackburn received his J.D. in law from the University of

Iowa and three years prior, in 1970, he received a B.S. in aerospace engi-

neering from Iowa State University. He received law licenses in the Dis-

trict of Columbia, Illinois, and New Jersey and a professional engineers’

license in New Jersey.

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