White House Author
![](https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/files/styles/person_large_photo/public/person-photo/patrick_barnes.jpg?itok=mCWz2HnW)
Patrick Barnes
Patrick is President/CEO of BFA Environmental; based in Orlando, Florida. BFA Environmental is the largest African-American owned multidiscipline environmental engineering and scientific consulting firm in the Southeast. He is also the founder of Limitless Vistas, Inc, an environmental jobs training program for at-risk young adults based in New Orleans. As a professional geologist, entrepreneur, and community activist, he has worked hard for 27 years to ensure that those most at risk of environmental disasters have a voice in restoring their community and ecosystem. Patrick strongly believes that the environmental problems faced by urban communities can be effectively addressed through outreach, education, and job training. Since Hurricane Katrina, his New Orleans-based job training program has provided entry-level job skills and certifications to over 300 at-risk young adults who are now qualified to work as environmental technicians – many of whom work to build community resilience in the places most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.