Carl Nettleton is a speaker, moderator, analyst and the president of Nettleton Strategies, a firm specializing in forming complex community coalitions and handling high-profile issues involving government, media, businesses and neighborhoods. Carl is known for his ability to provide critical insight and strategic problem solving to both old and new issues. He regularly brings clients innovative ideas and fresh ways to look at their issues. As a senior counselor with strong networks in governmental, environmental, regulatory, media and business communities, Carl mixes who he knows with interpersonal skills that foster an atmosphere of cooperation to achieve client goals.
A key strategy implemented in this work is facilitated mapping, the use of advanced geographic information systems (GIS) technology to create location-based consensus and create opportunities for collaboration and conflict resolution. He says this about his firm’s work:
“At Nettleton Strategies, we try to create a sense of trust and a safe place for discussing and resolving issues. Participatory mapping is often the starting point for a process that leads to positive dialogue and relationship building.”
His subject matter expertise includes oceans, all things water, energy, climate, and the U.S. Mexico border. He regularly presents or moderates panel discussions at local, national and international meetings involving these subjects.
Carl is also the founder of OpenOceans Global, an international non-profit linking people to the world’s oceans.
Since joining E2 in December 2010 and becoming co-chair of the San Diego Chapter, he has helped to build the chapter by listening, fact-finding, and facilitating discussions with chapter members and local experts. Carl hopes the San Diego Chapter will be seen as a group supportive of E2’s state and national objectives and contributing to the resolution of environmental issues using sound business thinking.
As a delegate on the 2011 Washington, D.C. advocacy trip, Carl used his expertise to learn how individual elected offices viewed E2 issues while helping to highlight the need for using intelligent maps to create sustainably managed oceans that will benefit the economy for years to come.
His contribution to E2 includes using his ability to bring together businesses, the environment, and the NRDC to foster better communication and understanding that will help solve the traditional economy-environment gap that exists in policy. Carl says “We have to get to a sustainable place where we realize the benefit of the environment within the economy. We need to enable interest groups to work together with trust and respect.”
Carl’s favorite aspect of E2 is the opportunity to interact with like-minded people in such a collegial environment. “I’ve really enjoyed all the people I’ve met through E2. There is a great energy around this group, he says. “They are forward thinking and open to change and new ideas.”