Thomas Coates has been named the new California Carpet Stewardship program director as of July 5, 2022. Coates brings over 20 years of varied experience in the environmental field, and specializes in leading strategic environmental compliance analysis, development and standardization. 

Coates takes over the position from Interim program director Abbie Beane, who returns to her role of grants manager on the CARE team. In collaboration with Peoples and the CARE team, Thomas Coates will be responsible for the management and administration of all aspects of the Program, including delivering services to its target audiences to increase reuse, recycling and landfill diversion of post­consumer carpet discards in California.

From 2016-2022, Coates served as lead program manager, environmental and compliance for the City of Ontario, California. He previously worked as program specialist for San Bernardino County and as sustainability analyst/coordinator for CR&R Environmental Services in Stanton, California. He holds a master’s in business management from University of Redlands and a bachelor’s in communications from Cal State - San Bernardino.