Nick Lapis Pete was one of the first environmental advocates I met in Sacramento and he was a role model for me from day one. The memory that really sticks out in my mind was when he was at Waste Management and I went to lobby him on a composting issue we had been at loggerheads over. After hearing me out he said "ok, here is how WM can make money doing what you want us to do." This was a major breakthrough that marked a turning point for composting policy in California, without which none of our major composting laws would have been possible. For me, personally, it is hard to overstate how proud he made me feel of solving a seemingly intractable problem with global ramification. In retrospect, Pete was the one who deserved the credit for finding a self-interested way to sell his employer on supporting the right thing. He was one of a kind, and will never really get the credit he deserves for everything he's accomplished. Although he never sought credit for anything he accomplished, I'd argue his daughters speak volumes about his legacy as not only a father, but as a changemaker.

Annie Notthoff Notthoff Rolodex circa 1990's When Pete and I first worked together, our tools included rolodexes (above), fax machines, land lines and in person meetings. That may sound quaint today, but it was a winning partnership. Together CLCV and NRDC who Pete and I represented respectively, championed some of California's transformative environmental laws, from marine protected areas to clean cars to urban park and sustainable water project funding - Pete was instrumental in dozens of efforts to shape our State's environmental and climate legacy. Pete spent a lot of time pulling together votes, coalitions, partnerships and, yes, priority lists, which helped pull statewide environmental advocates together to achieve big goals. He sharpened our advocacy along the way - asking tough questions, improving the final product. Pete may have been very good at his job, but he really perked up when it came to his family. His girls and grand girls lit up his face. Pete radiated happiness in retirement. Last time I saw him at Bill Craven's retirement party, he urged me to contemplate it, and now here I am, hoping to find some of the magic that he did. Pete spread good ideas all around. Missing you, my friend.