James Laurence Connaughton is an American energy industry lawyer and the former George W. Bush administration environmental adviser.
Education
Connaughton earned his Bachelor"s Degree from Yale University, where he was a member of The Society of Orpheus and Bacchus, one of Yale"s undergraduate a cappella groups, and a regular performer and producer in musical theater. In his senior year, Connaughton was selected for the senior society Scroll and Key and became a member of the Whiffenpoofs, the world-renowned, senior men"s singing group. In 1989, he graduated second in his class, magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, from the Northwestern University School of Law.
At Northwestern, he was an Austin Scholar and served as Coordinating Articles Editor of the Northwestern University Law Review.
Following Law School, he clerked for United States. District Court Judge Marvin Aspen in the Northern District of Illinois.
Career
Connaughton served as chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality and Director of the White House Office of Environmental Policy from 2001 to 2009. From 1993 until 2001, Connaughton served as one of the lead United States. negotiators of the International Organization for Standardization 14000 series of international environmental management and performance consensus standards, including standards on environmental labeling. Connaughton also worked with officials from United States. Environmental Protection Agency, California Environmental Protection Agency, and the Environmental Law Institute to help form the Multi-State Work Group on Environmental Management Systems ("MSWG").
At Sidley Austin, Connaughton represented Superfund corporations including General Electric.
Connaughton lobbied government on Superfund for organizations including Atlantic Richfield, the Chemical Manufacturers Association, the Aluminum Company of America. Connaughton was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate on June 14, 2001, and was appointed by President Bush on June 18, 2001 to serve as the Chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ).
Connaughton coordinated the Cabinet-level committee addressing climate change and energy security policy. Connaughton helped establish the Major Economies Leaders Meetings on Energy and Climate, acting as Bush"s personal representative.
In the fall of 2004, Bush designated Connaughton chairman of a new Cabinet Committee on Ocean Policy, tasked with ensuring action on the United States. Commission on Ocean Policy"s recommendations.
Connaughton oversaw the development of the United States. Ocean Action Plan and the creation of four Pacific marine national monuments - one of the largest marine conservation efforts in history. In 2009, Connaughton joined the Constellation Energy Group to manage environmental and energy policy and government relations. In March 2016, Connaughton was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Nautilus Data Technologies, the first company to deploy a waterborne data center.
Membership
Connaughton earned his Bachelor"s Degree from Yale University, where he was a member of The Society of Orpheus and Bacchus, one of Yale"s undergraduate a cappella groups, and a regular performer and producer in musical theater. In his senior year, Connaughton was selected for the senior society Scroll and Key and became a member of the Whiffenpoofs, the world-renowned, senior men"s singing group.