Joel Minor ‘11
Sonoran Institute
Summer Fellow

Why did you want to become a PIFP Fellow?

I wanted to spend my summer doing something that I believe in and that keeps me thinking and motivated to keep learning.

Please give a brief description of your job/role in your host organization:

My principal responsibility is auditing the municipal codes of each town in Garfield County for their compatibility with Smart Growth principles. I also do outreach, research, and communications for the Garfield New Energy Communities partnership, including helping to organize a planning and transportation policy workshop that was attended by over 100 Western Slope professionals!

What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned about your host organization so far?

The Sonoran is incredible for its ability to function from a decentralized model--more than 50 employees are spread out across offices in Bozeman, Helena, Missoula, Cheyenne, Denver, Glenwood Springs, Salida, Tucson, Phoenix, and Mexicali--yet the organization manages to stay coordinated and work toward common goals. It’s truly an act-local/think-global (or at least West-wide) program in action!

What activities do you enjoy?

Hiking, reading, and playing the tuba.

What is something most people would be surprised to know about you?

I worked as a telemarketer when I was 15.