Environmental group hires new director

The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy has hired Scott Strand as its new executive director.

The 35-year-old organization works to enact and enforce environmental laws through legal and legislative advocacy. The agency's recent actions include advocating for stricter national standards for ships on the Great Lakes, to stop the spread of harmful invasive species.

Strand, 51, has performed pro-bono work for the agency for the past year. He served 17 years as assistant attorney general and deputy counsel at the Minnesota Attorney General's office before becoming a partner at the law firm Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi.

Strand left the firm three years ago to start his own private practice.

"I'm going to spend less time preaching to the choir, and more time reaching across the table," Strand said in a statement released Monday. "I think it's possible because businesses have had a change in attitude. They realize that what is good for the environment is good for the bottom line."

Strand succeeds Martha Brand, who retired at the end of May after a six-year tenure as the head of the group.