Former Adviser to Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson Joins e.Republic

Julia Burrows, a former city official who led sustainability initiatives for Sacramento, Calif., Mayor Kevin Johnson, has joined e.Republic, publisher of Governing and Government Technology.

Burrows will lead e.Republic's Washington, D.C.-based Governing Institute. The three-year-old Institute focuses on improving state and local government performance and strengthening public-sector innovation, leadership and citizen engagement.

Julia Burrows

Burrows is the former president and executive director of Greenwise Joint Venture, a nonprofit focused on making the Sacramento region a hub for clean technology. In this role, she also served as senior adviser to Mayor Johnson on sustainability, climate and resiliency initiatives. Earlier in her career, Burrows was deputy city manager and economic development director for the northern California city of Roseville. Burrows brings deep experience in sustainability, energy and hazard mitigation. During her 22-year career at Roseville, Burrows led pioneering efforts to create a city climate action plan and launch green initiatives. She also has expertise in financing city resiliency and climate adaptation activities.

She will report to Governing Publisher Mark Funkhouser, who is a former mayor of Kansas City, Mo. "Julia's breadth of experience, the relationships she has developed with a wide range of public officials, and the passion and enthusiasm she brings to our mission are perfect for her role as director of the Governing Institute," said Funkhouser.

Besides directing the Governing Institute's research and advisory operations, Burrows will continue to build out the Institute's Senior Fellows network of former government officials and help launch and sustain several initiatives, including:

• A Women in Government Fellowship Program aimed at nurturing future women leaders.

• A state procurement study and a state-by-state ranking of purchasing practices.

• A financial literacy series for state and local government officials.

"I am excited to bring my unique experience, perspective and enthusiasm to the Governing Institute," said Burrows. "I have always been a fan of the Governing brand and look forward to helping cities, counties, states and the industry ecosystem supporting government around the nation."

Burrows currently is vice president of corporate relations and advancement for Enable Energy, a renewable-energy technology company. She will leave that position, but will continue to serve as a board member for the company.