Sam grew up in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia where he developed his fascination for the environment in what felt like a large forest (read: riparian forest before shopping center). He is also a first generation Ethiopian-American. Both of these elements have been instrumental in shaping Sam's outlook on the environment: economics and the environment are and must be tightly linked.

Sam has an undergraduate background in business with subsequent work experience in technology finance and family business operation. He also has a Master in Environmental Management from Duke's Nicholas School of the Environment. Sam works to support and develop metrics, protocols, GIS applications, and non-cash incentives for ecosystem services programs. He works at the intersection between science, policy, and economics. In his spare time, he's learning to become a Portlander: gardening, climbing, biking, fly-fishing, and consuming spicy foods.