Micah has been in his current role at Advance Auto Parts since 2005. Prior to that he spent seven years in the printing industry with RR Donnelley. He graduated from the University of Virginia.
How does your department spread awareness of environmental sustainability issues within your company and to your customers?We are currently in the beginning stages of developing a sustainability platform within Advance Auto Parts. An internal group of employees from various departments has been meeting on a regular basis to bring to the forefront sustainable initiatives and opportunities that would align with our company’s values to grow with integrity and help our customers succeed. After the group started to meet, it was refreshing to learn of all the sustainable programs that we as a company or individuals are currently providing. A big opportunity presented itself to combine these programs and communicate them internally. We are currently in the process of doing just that.
What do you think is the biggest opportunity today for retailers who want to become better stewards of the environment?Look for the opportunities that provide solutions to the customer. When analyzing the lifecycle of retail products, in most cases the majority of environmental “consequences” occur after the product is purchased (i.e. usage and disposal). A good example at Advance Auto Parts is our used oil collection program. When a customer purchases five quarts of oil, it is likely that they will soon have five quarts of used oil. As more customers are looking to be better stewards of the environment, it allows us to provide them a solution to reclaim what would otherwise be waste product. This, of course, is also “win” for Advance Auto Parts as it creates additional footsteps into our stores.
How do you think corporate attitudes and actions towards environmental sustainability will change in the next five years? The next 10 years?I believe it will depend on the cost of energy. As we’ve seen in the past year or so, the elevated cost of oil has fueled (pun intended) environmental sustainability opportunities throughout the industry. The current economic crisis and drop in oil prices appear to have slowed this progression — if only temporarily. In the next five years, it will be interesting to see which companies will be able to take hold of a competitive advantage in regard to environmental sustainability. In the following five years, it should be easy to see which companies are at a clear competitive disadvantage for not embracing the opportunities five years prior. We see this trend forming right now when looking at the auto industry over the past 10 years.
What is the biggest challenge your department faces right now?Available floor space has always been an issue. As a small box retailer, most of our stores are 7,000 square feet or less with little or no free space. Although we have recycling programs involving used oil, automotive batteries, cardboard, shrinkwrap, fluorescent lamps, etc., many stores struggle with finding the space to store and collect these items.
If your department’s budget for next year was doubled, how would you spend it?There are many sustainability opportunities that don’t have a clear measurable return. Some possibilities would include purchasing real estate software that incorporates sustainability, purchasing renewable energy, partnering with local universities, increasing employee recognition (EHS related), and/or assisting a charity program that is involved with sustainability.
What led you to pursue a career in environmental sustainability?My first year at the University of Virginia was spent in the Architecture School. After it was obvious that I was a terrible artist and I wasn’t destined to be an architect, I took a semester off and did an internship at Walt Disney World. It was there that I was introduced to some fascinating environmental sustainability practices such as gray water recycling, waste disposal, waste reduction, wetland preservation and many others. This experience directed me to environmental studies upon my return to college the following semester.
Who do you feel is today’s most influential public figure regarding environmental issues?Barack Obama. Although patience will be needed, it will be exciting to see how/if new policies will transform the energy industry as well as promote the growth of environmental sustainability programs within the economy as a whole.
What is your favorite non-work pastime?I like to run. Since family and church take up practically all of my time aside from work, the only time I have to run is before my family wakes up in the morning — and it can get rather cold at 5:30am.
What book are you reading now?“Come Be My Light” — Mother Teresa
It has taken me quite some time to read this book. It’s been like a good dessert — the pages are so rich that you can only absorb a little at a time.
What is one thing your co-workers don’t know about you?After I graduated from college, I had an itch to become a pilot and aircraft mechanic. I immediately enrolled myself at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to take flight lessons and classes. After just one semester, I was in a lot of debt, almost died twice (trying to land), and realized that I had come back to school for a third-shift job (planes fly during the day and get worked on at night). Although I never got my pilot’s license, I quickly came to my senses and decided it was time to get a job.
If you could invite any four people (dead or alive) to a dinner party, who would you invite and why?First would be my grandfather, William Thompson, an Air Force B17 Bomber pilot (WWII) and B-24 trainer pilot. He passed away from an illness when my dad was 17 — so I never got to meet him.
Second would be Tony Dorsett, my childhood sports hero. The Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins were playing an exhibition basketball game when I was about 10 years old. I was determined to meet him and get his autograph, but he was the only one who missed the flight and didn’t show up to play — I was crushed.
Third would be Bill Nye. I just love to watch Bill Nye.
Fourth would be Mother Teresa. As I’m reading her letters that detail her personal faith, it would be fascinating to hear additional insight. I would expect that she would provide a wonderful blessing of the food as well.