John W. Sutherlin

John W. Sutherlin, PhD is the Chief Innovation & Research Officer (CIRO) at the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM). He is also Professor of Political Science & Public Administration. He manages an annual budget of more than $25 million in grants and funded research. Dr. Sutherlin obtained his international relations and environmental policy PhD from the University of New Orleans and a Masters of Environmental Law and Policy from Vermont Environmental Law School. Dr. Sutherlin is a patented inventor, author, and producer of 28 environmental films that have been distributed in more than 180 countries.

Dr. Sutherlin taught at Tulane University and was part of an EPA funded research organization at the University of New Orleans. He frequently does environmental consulting work in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and South America. Dr. Sutherlin was named Professor of the Year twice at ULM and was nominated to be Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality for the State of Louisiana. He completed a leadership training certification from the Kennedy School at Harvard. Under a grant from the Delta Regional Authority (DRA), Dr. Sutherlin trained leaders across eight states.

In 1997, Dr. Sutherlin started an environmental consulting company called The CAID Group. This company has managed projects in Argentina, Europe, and the Middle East. He works in the field with environmental scientists and in offices with environmental regulators and attorneys. He continues to write ordinances and laws for state and local governments. His expertise in water has been recognized by the World Bank and the United Nations.