Eric Reading Named Abt’s First Chief Climate Officer
Rockville, Md. – Abt Associates’ Eric Reading was recently appointed the company’s first chief climate officer. In this new role, Reading will spearhead the development and implementation of Abt’s global climate, environment, and energy strategy, as well as leading the corporate sustainability program. He joined Abt in 2020 as senior vice president of our largest business unit, focused on U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) programs. In that capacity, he led more than 1,600 staff in 45 countries and expanded our portfolio of programs in energy, climate finance, health, resilience, and agriculture, including overseeing programs which mobilized more than $8 billion of private investment in clean energy.
“From the effects of an erratic power grid on health services, to the impacts of drought and changing rainy seasons on agriculture and disease, I’ve seen how climate and energy challenges affect every sector,” said Reading. “With this new role, I’m positioned to help Abt integrate climate and energy solutions across our domestic and international offerings, and addressing those impacts can provide an opportunity not only to remediate but improve conditions for those most impacted.”
Before Abt, Reading was the executive vice president for Chemonics International. He oversaw all aspects of global development business with USAID and the Department for International Development (now the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) and led digital transformation He previously led field programs in water, energy, natural resources, and governance.
“We all know that climate change and access to energy are urgent, global, multi-sectoral issues,” said Abt President and CEO Kathleen Flanagan. “Eric’s experience and passion for taking on critical world challenges, his vision for doing so, and his track record of successes make him the right person to bring this new role to life.”
About Abt Associates
Abt Associates is a global consulting and research firm that combines data and bold thinking to improve the quality of people's lives. We partner with clients and communities to advance equity and innovation—from creating scalable digital solutions and combatting infectious disease, to mitigating climate change and evaluating programs for measurable social impact. https://www.abtassociates.com
Contact:
Eric Tischler
eric_tischler@abtassoc.com
(301) 347-5492
