Experience Snapshots
Organizational Evolution

• Negotiated the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Rocky Flats Cleanup Agreement (RFCA) among the State of Colorado, EPA and DOE. Dr. Benson guided the group to develop a shared vision and plan for the cleanup of the Rocky Flats Facility; agree on a regulatory approach to achieve the shared vision; and agree on a dispute resolution process for resolution of future issues.
• Developed a strategy and action plan to actively involve the employees of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, EPA Region 8, DOE Rocky Flats Field Office, and the siteÕs management and integration contractor in partnership, to develop staff-level understanding of the roles and responsibilities necessary for effective and expeditious program implementation.
• Guided DOE emergency management, transportation, and technology development programs in the development of strategic, action, and implementation plans; roles and responsibilities; and coalition/partnership/alliance building activities. Researched and analyzed policy, procedures, and regulations applicable the to emergency management, transportation, and technology development programs.
• Lead the State of Nebraska, the Omaha Nation, and EPA Region 7 to resolve difficult sovereignty and jurisdictional issues that separated the state and the tribe and to develop a Memorandum of Understanding for the issuance of National Pollution Elimination Discharge Permits relative to contamination from underground storage tanks.
• Developed a conceptual overview of the corrective action process for underground storage tanks and lead federal, state, and 27 tribes within EPA Region 8 to develop a communication strategy for addressing cultural impacts at contaminated sites.
• Guided the U.S. Department Interior, Fish and Wildlife Portland Region offices (Ventura and Sacramento, CA, and Spokane and Lacey, WA) management to reframe and clearly articulate a forward-looking vision and strategy; to redesign organizational structure; and to a adopt new communication methodologies specifically designed to improve individual and group interaction and information flow.
• Guided FEMA Region IV to develop a new vision, mission, identify new roles and responsibilities, and revise strategic planning to align with new DHS mission.
• Facilitated a retreat for the National Highway Transportation Safety Agency focused on organizational improvements in the rulemaking process by opening and improving lines of communication, developing an understanding and ownership of problems, developing an action plan to address problems, and developing a communication plan.