Leadership Team

Richard Shank, Ph.D.

Senior Vice President, Regulatory & Government Affairs and Chief Environmental Officer

Rich was named senior vice president in May 2008, responsible for the overall management of the Company’s regulatory and compliance processes. He also leads a team dedicated to strengthening positive relationships with federal, state and other valued government partners.

Rich joined ScottsMiracle-Gro in April 2008 as chief environmental officer. In that role, he leads the Company’s environmental stewardship program.

Prior to ScottsMiracle-Gro, Rich served as executive director of the Ohio Chapter of the Nature Conservancy, vice president for environmental business activities with Science Applications International Corp. and director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

He is also a member of the Board of the Ohio Environmental Council, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and was appointed by former Ohio Governor Bob Taft to the Board of Ohio's Environmental Education Fund.

Rich holds a Ph.D. in environmental toxicology from The Ohio State University, where he also earned a master's degree in zoology/aquatic toxicology and a bachelor's degree in Natural Resources.