Jeff Corbin

In late 2022 when Restoration Systems was acquired by the Davey Tree Expert Company, Jeff became part of the Native Shorelines Team as a Regional Manager. His focus is Business Development and Policy opportunities for shoreline restoration efforts in the Chesapeake Bay region and beyond. Jeff joined Restoration Systems in 2016 and serves as the company’s Director of Environmental Policy and Water Markets. Growing up in Illinois, Jeff somehow became an avid SCUBA diver and decided to pursue an education on, and under, the water. Jeff earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Science from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Science degree in Oceanography from the University of Rhode Island, Graduate School of Oceanography.

At RS, Jeff is responsible for expanding the company’s visibility in water quality markets across a multi-state region. Prior to joining RS, for six years he served two EPA Administrators (Lisa Jackson and Gina McCarthy) as Senior Advisor for the Chesapeake Bay and Anacostia River. In that role he coordinated all aspects of the agency’s Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts and served as the chief liaison among the Office of the Administrator and numerous federal, state and local agencies and organizations. While at EPA, Jeff was an avid and outspoken advocate for the use of market-based conservation approaches. As he says, “After more than 20 years of restoration efforts in the Chesapeake Bay and other regions, one thing has become crystal clear to me – that we will not meet our ultimate restoration goals without an enhanced role for private sector restoration and conservation. Public funds simply won’t get us there and private entrepreneurs stand ready to play a bigger role. I believe that Restoration Systems, with its current talent and history of successes, can be a leader in expanding the role of the private sector.”

From 2006-2009, Jeff served Virginia Governor Tim Kaine as his Assistant Secretary of Natural Resources and worked with the Commonwealth’s six natural resource agencies. Jeff’s responsibilities involved many different aspects of protecting and restoring Virginia’s natural resources, including water, air, fisheries and land issues.

Before working for Governor Kaine, Jeff served for nine years as the Virginia Deputy Director and Senior Scientist for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. During that time he was an outspoken advocate for environmental protection throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. His duties involved various aspects of science, policy, education, legislation, advocacy, and media relations.

Jeff and his wife moved to Richmond, VA in 1996 and live there today with their two sons. An avid angler, Jeff likes to spend his spare time exploring the local rivers.