Jim Grode, Executive Director, is an environmental lawyer by training, a transportation advocate by profession, and an outdoorsman by passion. He is a graduate of Emory University and the University of Colorado Law School and, before coming to WaysSouth, practiced environmental law in private practice, nonprofits, and the academic world. His extensive experience with a variety of environmental law issues ranging from air and water quality to land use to endangered species protection serves him well in the transportation realm, which affects all of these areas and more. When not working to protect the southern Appalachians, Grode enjoys running, hiking, paddling, and woodworking.