Deric Gruen, Sustainability Director
Deric graduated from the UW Daniel J. Evan’s School of Public Affairs with a MPA. He had previously received his Bachelor of Arts from CU Boulder. Deric brings extensive leadership, communications, strategy, and analysis skills. He has been honored with several awards for successful transportation initiatives, and has helped create a very successful sustainability program at Bellevue College. Deric enjoys biking, basketball, swimming, Brazilian music.
Patrick Green, Program Coordinator
Patrick Green works as Program Coordinator for the Office of Sustainability. He provides project support for the Office as well as to students and staff engaged in sustainability efforts. He graduated from the University of Washington in 2012 with concurrent master’s degrees in Public Administration and Urban Design and Planning. He brings experience in infrastructure project management, strategic planning, community development, and performance measurement. Beyond the office, Patrick is an avid fly fisherman, cyclist, kayaker, and painter.
Zack Boucher, Transportation Coordinator
Zack Boucher is the new Transportation Programs Coordinator here at Bellevue College. Zack will actively be working around campus to promote alternate modes of transportation such as, biking, walking and bussing. Zack’s ultimate goal is to drastically reduce Bellevue College’s carbon emissions from students and staff driving themselves to and from campus. After taking a handful of years off from school to gather life experience Zack has returned with a revitalized energy and determination to do great things in class and on campus. Zack is very friendly and loves interacting with others so do not hesitate to reach out to him with questions or comments. In his spare time you can find Zack outside running, hiking, camping, skateboarding and generally playing any type of sport.
Elham Zaeri, Resource Accounting Coordinator
Elham Zaeri joined the sustainability team as a volunteer working on transportation issues at Bellevue College on October 2011. She continued her work as Transportation Coordinator during last academic year. Elham now serves as the Resource Accounting Coordinator. Originally from Iran, where she received her B.S in Civil Engineering and got experience in Cost Estimating, Elham now studies Paraprofessional Accounting in Bellevue College to help her husband on financial aspect of his construction and renovation company. Her professional career outside of Bellevue College includes volunteering as Operation Manager in Sunday school in Eastside Baha’i Center. During the tax season you can also find her in Bellevue Hopelink preparing tax documents for low income families. An important aspect of her life is family. She enjoys living in Bellevue with her husband, 3 year old daughter, and a baby-to-be.
Alex Clark, Communications Coordinator
Alex Clark is the Communications Coordinator for the Office of Sustainability. He works to promote and foster involvement in sustainable efforts on campus by networking with students, clubs, faculty, and staff. He is currently enrolled at Bellevue College seeking an associate’s degree in Botany. He is dedicated to making the campus more sustainable by getting people motivated and inspired to make change. Alex was born and raised in Washington and enjoys hiking, camping, gardening, and playing guitar outside of the office.
