Bruce Morrison has been a part of Great Rivers Environmental Law Center since its founding and has become well-known in St. Louis’ sustainability scene. Alongside executive director Natalie Johnson, he works to protect parks, preserve rivers, improve air quality, and more. A graduate of Washington University School of Law, Morrison stays active by swimming and mountain biking.
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
What has been your or your company’s most significant success over the last 12 months? Seeing that Missouri’s schools have been taking the required measures these past few months to safeguard their students from toxic lead exposure under the Missouri Get the Lead out of School Drinking Water Act, a state law that we spearheaded.
What has you most excited about the future of your company or industry? We host seven to 10 student interns over the course of a year. Their enthusiasm and hope for a healthy and sustainable environment keeps me going.
If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why? Creating additional financial incentives to protect the environment. Without additional incentives, available legal resources cannot keep up with the need.
What’s the toughest business challenge you’ve had to overcome (excluding the pandemic) and why? Prioritizing short-term economic growth over long-term prosperity. For several decades the work to protect our region’s environment year after year has been three steps forward and two steps back. We expect there will be extreme regulatory rollbacks in the coming months. We are about to sacrifice long-term sustainability for short-term economic gain.
MENTORS & PEERS
To whom or where do you go for sound business advice? Over the years, owners of small and mid-sized companies have been good, moderating influences on me.
Do you have a business mentor? If so, who and why? No, though my wife used to be a business coach and helps me stretch beyond my comfort zone.
What piece of advice has had the most significant impact on your career? To be authentic and not agonize over trying to fit within an adaptive leadership style.
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BACKGROUND
Where were you born? Denville, New Jersey
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? Between semesters, I worked as a phlebotomist, where I learned to draw blood from the most hard-to-find veins.
What educational degrees do you hold, and where were they earned? A Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University and a J.D. from Washington University in St. Louis.
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
If you were not in your current profession, what would you be doing and why? Making people laugh for a living. There is nothing better than a roomful of happy folks.
What is your favorite St. Louis-area restaurant, and what do you typically order there? I love pubs and St. Louis has plenty. Ten buffalo wings and a salad make me very happy.
What is one item you recently crossed off your bucket list? Treading water amid a pod of spinner dolphins during an open water swim.
What’s your hobby/passion? Swimming in open water and trying not to get bitten, eaten, or stung.
What is your most prized possession? A new ebike. No hill is too steep, and no headwind is too strong.
What would people be surprised to learn about you—a fun fact? I still bike to the office most days.
What is your go-to karaoke song? Warren Zevon’s “Werewolves of London”
