Mr. Bonner entered the “green” professional world through the avenue of social science. Most of his career has been devoted to academic research, with a B.A. in political economics from University of Massachusetts, an M.A. in statistics from Boston University, and current Ph.D. work in sociology at Stony Brook University. His areas of interest are in public sociology, environmental sociology, urban sociology and methodology.

Mr. Bonner’s company, Rubicon Seven, LLC melds his family’s company, J. Elliott Smith Realty, with his training as a sociologist and permaculturist. His company works to regenerate both sociological and ecological systems such that community and land-use reform is a value adding process. Mr. Bonner excels at catalyzing consciousness shifts and relationship building so that the potential for generating healthier place is maximized. His work seeks to marry emerging green technologies to the narrative of place, where communities find meaning and purpose in their efforts to develop sustainable solutions. Through ethnography, surveying, permaculture, and charretting, Rubicon Seven, LLC brings numerous tools to a project such that communities can realize the unique potential of their area.

In addition, Rubicon Seven, LLC helps to build sustainable development teams with a diverse, broad spectrum of expertise in order to create very holistic processes. Mr. Bonner is working both domestically and internationally on issues of sustainable food and water security, economic development, educational reform, land-use, and cultural empowerment. Mr. Bonner also is engaged with his own projects in Ridgefield and New Canaan. CT, and Bonaire.

Mr. Bonner speaks globally on issues primarily focused involving sociology, permaculture, and sustainable development. He is certified in permaculture design, and was the 2009 International Permaculture Conference keynote speaker. He also is certified through the National Charrette Institute and has completed United States Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED AP courses. Mr. Bonner is a member of the American Sociological Association, the United States Green Building Council, the Connecticut Green Building Council, Congress for New Urbanism, NESEA, and the American Solar Energy Society. He currently sits on the Connecticut board for Regional Plan Association.