Christopher (Chris) Norman

Biography

Chris is the Sr. Director for Energy and Sustainability. He comes to Oberlin College and Conservatory with a long history in environmental non-profit work, focusing on sustainable land use, project management, conservation, and collaborative solutions. With his degree from the Honors Tutorial College at Ohio University, he worked for seven years as Organic Farm Manager for the National Audubon Society at Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm. After finishing his Master of urban planning, design and development at Cleveland State University, Chris organized the second Northeast Ohio Food Congress and co-founded the Summit County Food Policy Coalition, while serving as Executive Director of Crown Point Ecology Center.

Recently, during his more than eight-year tenure at the Akron Zoo, Chris served on the executive committee of the Association of Zoo and Aquarium’s Green Scientific Advisory Group, led the development of the Zoo’s Conservation Strategic Plan, and oversaw construction of Pride of Africa and Wild Asia exhibits. While at the Zoo, he facilitated the establishment of the Summit for Sustainability Alliance (SoSA), a cross-sector professional group in Summit County to promote sustainable actions, using the UN SDGs as the organizing framework.

Born and raised in northeast Ohio, Chris lives in Fairlawn with his spouse Kathleen and their children Joseph and Peter.