Now representing Councilmember Christopher Johnson in the First District, Cliff is originally from a small farming community in eastern Washington State and came to New York City to attend graduate school at NYU. His first experiences with "environmental" issues centered on the family farm as well as agriculture conservation districts. He further developed those skills while participating in the high school Future Farmers of America program and went on to receive an undergraduate degree in Speech Communication from Pacific Lutheran University followed by a Masters degree in Educational Administration from NYU School of Education. He completed all of his course work except for the dissertation for a PhD in Media Ecology; School of Education Communication Department.
Cliff and his wife Phyllis moved from NYC to Yonkers in 1983 and proudly call Yonkers their home. Professionally, he has served as the Assistant Director of the Sharing Community, Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension Education in Rockland, and the Lower Hudson Valley Division Director for Volunteers of America-Greater New York. Most recently, he worked in Paterson, New Jersey as the Executive Director of a local faith-based community development corporation. As a senior administrator in higher education, he managed social service and human services programs dealing with issues relating to those at risk of HIV/AIDS, homelessness, hunger, and adult literacy. He is also involved in developing brownfields and abandoned and polluted properties, and assisted in designating the "Great Falls" in Paterson New Jersey a national park.
Cliff became Executive Director of Beczak Environmental Education Center in March 2008, where he works to expand programs and services to further position Beczak as a leading environmental education center.
As for his recent appointment to the GPTF, Cliff says, "It is not only an honor to be asked to represent the city on this committee, but also a real working solution to putting Yonkers best green foot forward."
