Joan Kelsch recently retired as Arlington County’s Green Building Program Manager. In her 27 years with the County, Ms. Kelsch worked on a wide range of issues including green buildings, energy, recycling, watershed management, open space, and affordable housing issues. Ms. Kelsch developed Arlington’s Green Building Incentive Program for developers of office and multi-family buildings to build high performing buildings that meet stringent energy and sustainability standards. She initiated and co-led Arlington’s climate initiative, known as the Arlington Initiative to Rethink Energy (AIRE). Joan has broad experience in green building policy, energy efficiency, and public engagement on a range of environmental issues.
Ms. Kelsch is active in local community building and climate efforts, serving on the Boards or leadership teams for several organizations including the National Capital Net Zero Energy Coalition, the Langston Boulevard Alliance in Arlington, the Potomac River Group of the Sierra Club, and Viridiant (a non-profit promoting energy-efficient construction). Before joining Arlington County, Ms. Kelsch worked for the Natural Resources Defense Council (an environmental advocacy organization) and Environ Corporation (an environmental consulting firm).
Joan has lived with her family in Arlington for 30 years. She enjoys hiking, biking, skiing, paddling, gardening and any other outdoor activities of the season. She received her BA from Williams College and a Master’s Degree from the Yale University School of the Environment.