College of Behavioral & Social Sciences

Behavioral and Social Sciences Distinguished Alumni

2015 Distinguished Alumni

Matt S. Petersen

BA Political Science, Class of 1990

Honor Year: 2015

Current Position:
Chief Sustainability Officer, City of Los Angeles

The former president and CEO of Global Green USA, Matt Petersen is now the first chief sustainability officer for the City of Los Angeles. He was a leader in the green rebuilding of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina and helping communities devastated by Hurricane Sandy. He has been instrumental in the greening of cities, schools, and affordable housing across the United States and worked with then Los Angeles Councilman Eric Garcetti to create the first large-city municipal green building policy. At Chico State, Petersen ran the New Commute featuring alternative transportation, and organized a race between Bob Linscheid in a SUV and Jane Dolan on a bike. Petersen has been named a "Green Hero" by Outside magazine and is a member of the council on foreign relations and a board member of Habitat for Humanity of greater Los Angeles. He is a proud father to son Aidan (12).