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Speakers & Staff

2012 Speakers

Nancy Sutley, Chair, White House Council on Environmental Quality

Nancy Sutley is the Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). In her role as Chair, she serves as the principal environmental policy adviser to the President.

Prior to her appointment, Sutley was the Deputy Mayor for Energy and Environment for the city of Los Angeles, California. She represented Los Angeles on the Board of Directors for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and served on the California State Water Resources Control Board from 2003- 2005. Sutley also worked for California Governor Gray Davis as Energy Advisor, managing state and federal regulations, legislative affairs, finances and press relations. She served as Deputy Secretary for policy and intergovernmental relations in the California EPA from 1999-2003. She advised on water and air pollution policy, and established budget and legislative priorities. During the administration of President William J. Clinton, Sutley worked for the EPA as a Senior Policy Advisor to the Regional Administrator in San Francisco and special assistant to the Administrator in Washington, D.C.

Sutley received her Bachelors degree from Cornell University and her Masters in Public Policy from Harvard University.

David Lanham, Education Program Coordinator, National Environmental Education Foundation

David Lanham is working to increase environmental literacy among high school students through the National Environmental Education Foundation’s Planet Connect program. Realizing the unprecedented leadership of today’s youth in helping solve environmental problems, and the capacity of young generations to adapt to new challenges, David is using innovative techniques to reach youth and ensure that all of their environmental interests are met. Within the Planet Connect program, David manages the annual student grant program, coordinates the PlanetConnect.org website and facilitates Planet Connect’s Get Green Video Contests. Before beginning his work at NEEF, David received his B.A. in Public Policy from the College of William & Mary.

Paul Longsworth, Vice President, International Environmental/Nuclear Fluor Corporation

Paul has twenty-five years of experience in energy, environmental, and national security matters. He has worked in the private sector as well as the executive and legislative branches of government.

Paul currently serves as a Vice President for International Environmental/Nuclear in Fluor Corporation’s Government Group, where he is responsible for enhancing the performance and profitability of a $1.2 billion global environmental/nuclear operations business line.  From 2008 to 2010, Paul served as Vice President for Fluor New Ventures. The New Ventures team was responsible for establishing a corporate incubation center to help drive innovation across Fluor’s business units and position the company for new and emerging markets.  From 2005 to 2008, Paul served as Vice President for European Sales and Business Development in Fluor’s London office, where he was responsible for establishing an environmental/nuclear business unit in the UK to pursue projects throughout Europe and Russia.

Prior to joining Fluor, Paul was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation within the National Nuclear Security Administration. He was responsible for delivering a $1.7 billion global nonproliferation and threat reduction program.  Previous government experience also includes serving as a Senior Policy Advisor to the Secretary of Energy, a Professional Staff Member on the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, and a Division Director in the DOE Office of Science and Technology. Other experience includes working in the in the Advanced Energy and Environmental Systems Division of BDM International Corporation and the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Paul is a Member of the Board of Directors of the Civilian Research and Development Foundation; a member of the American Nuclear Society; and a Member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies. He holds a B.S. in Finance and Economics and lives in Arlington, Virginia with his wife and two sons.

Miranda A.A. Ballentine, Walmart, Director of Sustainability

As Director of Sustainability for Walmart Stores, Inc., Miranda Ballentine supports colleagues across logistics, operations, energy, merchandising and supply chain innovations to reduce environmental and social impacts across products’ lifecycles and in Walmart’s global operations.

Ms. Ballentine specializes in climate change and renewable energy strategies. In this role, she supports and collaborates with Walmart’s energy teams across all of Walmart’s sixteen markets.

Through Walmart’s Sustainability 360 approach, Miranda helps leverage energy innovations to drive efficiencies, reduce costs and improve quality across Walmart’s global operations, through its supply chain, and with its customers.

Additionally, Ms. Ballentine supports the company’s partnerships with external stakeholders, leveraging the expertise of NGO’s to expand Walmart’s capacity to help our customers Save Money and Live Better by increasing the sustainability of the company’s 100,000 suppliers and 2.2 million associates globally.

Ms. Ballentine serves on the Sustainability Consortium’s External Relations Committee; the NetImpact Corporate Advisory Council; the World Economic Forum Global Agenda Council on New Energy Infrastructure; the Board of the World Economic Forum’s Green Growth Partnerships Project; and the George Washington University’s Institute for Sustainability Research, Education, and Policy Advisory Board.

Prior to joining Walmart, Ms. Ballentine was Vice President at David Gardiner & Associates, an environmental and climate change strategy firm based in Washington, DC, where she advised global corporations and NGOs on environmental and climate change strategies.

Ms. Ballentine holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Colorado State University and a Masters of Business Administration from George Washington University, specializing in Environmental Management and Policy.

Gerry Connolly, US House of Representatives - 11th District of Virginia

Congressman Gerald E. “Gerry” Connolly is serving his second term in the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia’s 11th District, which encompasses Fairfax County, Prince William County, and the City of Fairfax in Northern Virginia.  He was first elected in 2008 and reelected in 2010.
 
Congressman Connolly has led efforts to extend Metrorail, complete the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, and open Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge to the public.  He has worked with colleagues from the region to more than double Chesapeake Bay oyster restoration funding while writing comprehensive legislation to restore the Bay.  These efforts complement his efforts as a local government official, where he led the effort to build the 41-mile-long Cross County Trail and helped protect 10% of Fairfax County as county-owned parkland.  He helped design and implement the county's first comprehensive environmental plan which subsequently won a national award.
 
In the 111thCongress, Congressman Connolly helped pass the largest investment in clean energy in American history and supported legislation to reduce global warming pollution and reform offshore oil drilling.  He led efforts to oppose drilling off the coast of Virginia or in the Chesapeake Bay and introduced amendments to require oil companies to pay the full cost of oil spill cleanups.  During the 112thCongress, Congressman Connolly has continued his efforts to establish powerful voluntary tax incentives to complete America’s 11 National Scenic Trails and is helping craft Chesapeake Bay restoration legislation.  He reintroduced legislation to protect coastal communities and the Chesapeake Bay from oil spills.  Finally, he is fighting against efforts to repeal the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Antiquities Act, and other important environmental legislation.  As a Vice-Chairman of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Caucus, he plays a leadership role in efforts to protect America’s environment and public health.

James J. Fiore, President, Fiore Consulting

During his career of more than 33 years in the US Department of Energy (DOE), Jim held numerous senior management positions, including four Deputy Assistant Secretary positions. He directed highly sensitive envionmental cleanup programs for the DOE with annual budgets exceeding $2 billion. He was responsible for two of the most successful cleanups in DOE -- those associated with the Fernald site in Ohio and the Rocky Flats site in Colorado. He is a two-time recipient of the Presidential Meritorious Rank award. Since his retirement from DOE in 2009, Jim has been involved in every major environmental cleanup procurement. He has also performed strategic reviews for the US DOE, the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and the Army Corps of Engineers. Jim also serves on the Board of Directors of the WM Symposia.

Davey Rogner, Campaign Director for Pick Up America

Davey Rogner is the Campaign Director and co-founder of Pick Up America- the nation’s first coast-to-coast contiguous roadside litter pick up. Since beginning their journey in March of 2010, Pick Up America has cleaned more than 136,000 pounds of litter from 1,500 miles of road spanning from Assateague Island, MD to Topeka, KS.  The youth-led initiative aims to inspire a transition towards zero-waste in America through education, art and community outreach.

Davey grew up in the Washington, DC suburbs of Silver Spring and College Park, MD. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland, where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Policy in 2009. While a student at the University of Maryland Davey was active in student government and helped spearhead the founding of two of the campuses most prominent environmental groups- UMD for Clean Energy and The Student Sustainability Committee. Davey has received awards from the City of College Park, The Maryland State Highway Association and The Maryland General Assembly for his efforts encouraging environmental conservation in the State of Maryland.  In addition to his accolades as an environmentalist, Davey is also a talented songwriter, musician and performer.

R. Keller Staley, Vice President Logenecker & Associates, Inc.

Mr. Staley has over 25 years experience managing complex Department of Energy (DOE) contracts and tasks. He has provided support to the Under Secretary of Energy, Under Secretary for Science, and numerous national laboratories and other DOE facilities. Mr. Staley has served as the project manager for a $110 million, six year small business contract providing business planning, management and evaluation support to the Under Secretary, the Chief Financial Officer, the Loan Guarantee Program and other offices within DOE. Additionally, he has played key delivery and project management roles for contracts supporting the Office of Nuclear Energy, Savannah River Office, Office of River Protection, National Energy Technology Laboratory, Office of Fossil Energy and others.

Mr. Staley has worked in management and leadership positions at Systematics General Corporation, NISC – DC Capital Partners, IBM, and Logenecker & Associates, Inc. He earned a BA in Political Science from DePauw University, a MA in Science, Technology & Public Policy from George Washington University and additional courses in corporate management from the Harvard Business School and Northwestern University.

Advisory Board

Chair
Mark Bauman, Executive VP of National Geographic TV

The 2011 Chair for the WYSE Advisory board, Mark Bauman brings more than 20 years of award-winning experience to his roles as Vice President of Media Strategy for National Geographic Mission Programs, and Executive Vice President of National Geographic Television, overseeing natural history, music and adventure series for PBS, NGC and NGCI -- as well as National Geographic's radio and web video production. He has been recognized with numerous broadcast and print journalism honors, including an Emmy, more than a dozen Cine Golden Eagles, and various film festival awards. Bauman also launched an international film festival for at the Society, showcasing cutting edge works from indigenous and minority culture filmmakers around the world.

Before coming to National Geographic, Bauman, who is fluent in Spanish, Russian, Czech and Italian, was based in Eastern Europe and Latin America for ABC News, where he ran Baghdad and Balkan coverage for extended periods of time. He has also covered war and genocide in Central Africa, Lebanon, Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq for world class media outlets, including ABC, the BBC, CNN, The Christian Science Monitor, The Dallas Morning News, Izvestia (Russian), The Ladies Home Journal, The London Observer Sunday Magazine, The Los Angeles Times Sunday Magazine, National Public Radio, New York Newsday, Nezavisimaya Gazeta (Russian), Reflex (Czech), The San Francisco Chronicle, Spy, Time, The Village Voice and The Washington Post.

Bauman holds a masters degree in journalism from Columbia University, in addition to a masters in international relations from Johns Hopkins University. He resides in Washington, D.C., where he delights in writing very silly songs with his wife and two daughters.

Vice-Chair
Joseph M. Sacco, Associate Director for Education, Friends of the National Zoo

The Smithsonian's National Zoo's Associate Director for Education is Joseph M. Sacco. Sacco serves as the 2011 Vice Chair for the WYSE Advisory Board. Currently Mr. Sacco oversees all public education programs provided by the Friends of the National Zoo, including public demonstrations, curriculum for K-12 students, teacher workshops, and community outreach initiatives held throughout the year at both the Zoo and its Conservation and Research Center in Front Royal, Virginia.

Sacco's 32 years of education experience includes teaching science, writing curricula, counseling students, and leading graduate courses in team building and group dynamics. Most recently, Sacco served as a middle school principal in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Sacco has long excelled at guiding young scientists and conservationists. He started a "Community Ecology and Technology Academy" at John Poole Middle School in 1997, which led to the school's recognition as a Maryland "Green School." Sacco also helped to open Lakelands Park Middle School in Montgomery County in 2005, and served as its principal before joining the Zoo.

Sacco holds a bachelor's degree in animal science from Cornell University and a master's degree in education and human development from George Washington University (and doctoral level work at Virginia Tech). He began his work with the Friends of the National Zoo in January 2009.

Mr. Frank Douglas, Principal, Frank Douglas Consulting

Mr. Douglas is the Principal of Frank Douglas Consulting (FDCON) and has 20 years of experience in business and proposal development, nearly all of it for government contractors in the environmental and nuclear waste sectors. His expertise includes target identification, win strategy development, relationship development and management, identification of teaming partners and key staff, proposal development and management, follow through after proposals are delivered, and assistance with protest strategies. He also assists small businesses with initial efforts to build business development infrastructure including establishing pipelines of new opportunities, establishing corporate brands, training of staff, and importing systems and processes for day-to-day business development efforts.

Frank is joined at FDCON by associates that he has hand selected and trained to assist with graphics and design, resume and past performance preparation, proposal logistics, complex government schedules, and relationship development in Washington, DC.

Dr. Tom Lovejoy, Past President of the Heinz Center for Science, Economics, and the Environment

Thomas E. Lovejoy became the first recipient of the newly created Heinz Center Biodiversity Chair in August 2008. Previously he served as President of the Heinz Center since May 2002. Before coming to The Heinz Center, he was the World Bank's Chief Biodiversity Advisor and Lead Specialist for Environment for Latin America and the Caribbean and Senior Advisor to the President of the United Nations Foundation. Dr. Lovejoy has been Assistant Secretary and Counselor to the Secretary at the Smithsonian Institution, Science Advisor to the Secretary of the Interior, and Executive Vice President of the World Wildlife Fund-U.S. He conceived the idea for the Minimum Critical Size of Ecosystems project (a joint project between the Smithsonian and Brazil's INPA), originated the concept of debt-for-nature swaps, and is the founder of the public television series Nature. In 2001 he was awarded the prestigious Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement. Dr. Lovejoy served on science and environmental councils or committees under the Reagan, Bush, and Clinton administrations. He received his B. S. and Ph.D. (biology) degrees from Yale University.

Dr. Lovejoy joins Mason as a faculty member in the Environmental Science and Policy Department and the Department of Public and International Affairs. More information...

Dr. Edward Maibach, Director - Center for Climate Change Communication, Professor of Communications

In 2006, while on a walk in the mountains – with Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Professor Hans Joachim Schellnhuber – Ed had an epiphany that forever changed his life. He realized that climate change is the ultimate threat to the public’s health and wellbeing, worldwide, and Ed responded by refocusing his work entirely on climate change prevention and adaptation. Ed moved to Mason in 2007 to join the communication faculty and create the Center for Climate Change Communication.

Ed is a highly experienced public health and social change professional and a leading academic in the field of communication. His work over the past 25 years has helped define the fields of public health communication and social marketing, and his book, Designing Health Messages: Approaches from Communication Theory and Public Health Practice, is widely used by academics and practitioners alike. Ed has previously had the pleasure of serving as an associate director of the National Cancer Institute, as worldwide director of social marketing for Porter Novelli, as chairman of the board for Kidsave International, and as a member of the faculty at Emory and George Washington universities.

Ed’s research interest is focused on the question: How can we use communication and marketing to influence the behavior of populations for the benefit of society?

Dr. Maibach holds a BA in Social Psychology from University of California, San Diego, MPH in Health Promotion from San Diego State University, and a PhD in Communication Research from Stanford University.

http://www.climatechangecommunication.org/edward_maibach.cfm

Dr. Jagadish Shukla, President - Institute of Global Environment and Society, University Professor -

Jagadish Shukla was born in 1944 in village Mirdha in the Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh, India. This village had no electricity, no roads or transportation, and no primary school. Most of his primary education was received under a large banyan tree until his father established a primary school in the village. His father, the late Shri Chandra Shekhar Shukla who was headmaster of a middle school in a nearby village (Sukhpura), bought science textbooks for classes sixth to tenth and insisted that he study them during the summer holidays before admission to the next grade. After passing the twelfth grade from the S. C. College, Ballia, he went to Banaras Hindu University (B.H.U.) where, in 1962, he passed the B.Sc. (honors) with Physics, Mathematics, and Geology, and in 1964 received the M.Sc. in Geophysics. He received a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Geophysics from BHU (1971) and a Doctor of Science (Sc.D.) in Meteorology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1976.

In 2008, he was appointed by the Governor of Virginia as a member of the Commission on Climate Change. He was one of the Lead Authors of the 2007 report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which shared the Noble Peace Prize with Vice President Gore. In 2007, he received the International Meteorological Organization (IMO) Prize, considered to be the highest prize in meteorology in the world. In 2005, he received the Rossby Medal, considered the highest medal of the American Meteorological Society (AMS) in the USA; in 2001, he received the Walker Gold Medal, considered the highest medal of Indian Meteorological Society (IMS) in India; in 1982 he received the Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal of NASA, the highest medal given by NASA to a civilian.

He is a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union, the American Meteorology Society, India Meteorology Society, and an Associate Fellow of TWAS (the academy of sciences for the developing world). He has been the Ph. D. thesis adviser for about 20 students at MIT, Univ. of Maryland, and George Mason University. Professor Shukla has exerted a tremendous influence on the field through his publication of over 200 scientific papers, reports and book chapters, his direction of 20 Ph.D. students’ dissertation research, his leadership of several national and international advisory and planning panels.

http://www.iges.org/people/shukla.html

Mr. Steven L. Monfort, DVM, Ph.D. , Director, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute

Steven Monfort has conducted his research for more than 20 years while at the Zoological Society of San Diego, the University of California, Davis and the Smithsonian National Zoological Park and its Conservation & Research Center (CRC). He initiates and conducts research projects in the broad discipline of reproductive physiology and endocrinology, and he provides clinical veterinary care for animals housed at CRC. Dr. Monfort co-coordinates one of the world’s largest and most productive wildlife endocrinology laboratories, with basic and applied research aimed at helping to conserve rare species. He also has experience in using semen collection, cryopreservation, artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization to augment ex situ breeding. He is particularly interested in cervids and bovids, and major reproductive research efforts have focused on the Eld’s deer and scimitar-horned oryx. Dr. Monfort is co-founder of an in situ conservation program aimed at conserving Eld’s deer in Burma, and he heads the Sahelo-Saharan Interest Group with a mission of conserving aridlands antelope and their North African habitats.

Faculty/Staff

Amanda Adams-Barney

Amanda is the Conference Director of Logistics for the Washington Youth Summit on the Environment. When Amanda is not busy assuring that all the details are the conference are arranged for, she also manages conferences and special events for many other corporate and nonprofit clients including The Arthritis Foundation, Chorus America, and PBS. Amanda is also the proud mother of two young children, and she is actively involved in their educational and sporting activities – including assisting the baseball team, serving as the cultural arts chair at the local elementary school, and serving as a cub master. Amanda holds a BS in Business Administration from The American University.

Richard Friesner

Richard is the Program Director for the Washington Youth Summit on the Environment. In this role, Richard develops the summit's curriculum, identifies and recruits exceptional faculty and nationally recognized speakers in a variety of environmental disciplines and specialties, and coordinates with a fabulous group of staff in the Office of Admissions to make the summit an unparalleled experience for the student delegates attending. Richard earned a BS in Environmental Studies/Chemistry and a MS in Environmental Engineering & Science at the University of Kansas. Prior to working with WYSE Richard worked at the US Geological Survey (USGS) and as an environmental consultant for a nationwide engineering consulting firm.  Richard also has extensive experience with student leadership experiences both at the University of Kansas and with the Boy Scouts of America. Email rfriesne@gmu.edu

Amy Takayama-Perez

Amy currently serves as the Director of the Washington Scholars Program, home to the Washington Youth Summit on the Environment and the Washington Journalism and Media Conference. She has an affinity for working with students and families in higher education. Before joining the Washington Scholars Program, she was the Guidance Specialist for Loudoun County Public Schools and served as the Director for a county wide college access program. Previously, she has worked in the Office of Admissions as the Director of Undergraduate Recruitment. She has worked with countless students and families on the application and college search process and is very active in regional and national college counseling associations. Ms. Takayama-Perez holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and a Masters of Education from George Mason University.

Matthew Boyce, Associate Director, K-12 Partnerships Program

Matthew serves as the Associate Director of K-12 Partnerships for George Mason University’s Admissions Office. Here he works with local schools and non-profits to build stronger relationships between Mason and students. Prior to joining the George Mason team, Matt worked in the college-access and non-profit sectors, helping thousands of high school students realize their college dreams as Director of New England Programming at Let’s Get Ready. His passion for working with underserved students began while serving as a teacher and mentor at a school for at-risk youth in Boston as an AmeriCorps volunteer. Matthew holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Philosophy from Villanova University, and a Masters of Education in School Counseling from Boston University.

Faculty Advisors

Kevin Magerr, Lead Faculty Advisor

Mr. Magerr has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Widener University and a M.S. in Water Resources and Environmental Engineering from Villanova University, and has worked in the environmental field for over 30 years. During that time, Mr. Magerr has worked in number of air and water management control programs including, Air Toxics, Wastewater Permitting, Stormwater Management and Water Enforcement. Currently, Mr. Magerr provides environmental assessments of major Federal projects under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) specializing in energy projects. Mr. Magerr is also Adjunct Professor at Temple University and is conducting research at the University of Maryland on denitrification processing in stormwater management controls. When not working, Mr. Magerr enjoys running and coaching.

Erin Binns, Faculty Advisor

As a high school teacher in Montgomery County, Maryland, Erin has taught a variety of courses including AP Environmental Science, Earth Science, and Biology. She has had the fortune of sharing her passion for the environment with many students through Poolesville High School's field-based magnet program where she has lead numerous field studies and overnight field trips.

Erin is also is currently the Key Club sponsor, Co-sponsor of the Envirothon team, and assistant track coach at Poolesville High School. Before she began her teaching career Erin worked as a consultant for both NASA and the EPA. Erin holds a BS in Environmental Science from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania, and received her Master's in Teaching from Johns Hopkins University. In her spare time Erin enjoys running and cooking.

Kevin DuBois, Faculty Advisor

Kevin is an Environmental Engineer with the City of Norfolk, Virginia. In his role as staff to the Norfolk Wetlands Board, he manages the City's wetland and coastal primary sand dune regulatory process including wetland and dune jurisdictional delineation, assessment, restoration, and law enforcement. Aside from his regulatory duties, Kevin has been successful in securing large grants for wetland restoration, he designs wetland restoration projects, and mentors local NGOs, civic groups, and college students engaged in marine habitat restoration. Kevin graduated Cum Laude from Southampton College in 1983 with a Bachelor's degree in Marine Science and completed his Masters degree in Marine Environmental Research in 1986 from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences.

Prior to his work with the City of Norfolk, Kevin has worked as a state Fisheries Biologist, USFWS Endangered Species Biologist, and environmental educator. Kevin is certified as a Wetland Scientist and Professional Wetland Delineator and he currently serves as President of the Virginia Association of Wetland Professionals. Kevin is married with two teenage daughters. He is a published writer and photographer and enjoys surfing, backpacking, and fly fishing.

Emily Ford, Faculty Advisor

Emily has a B.S. in Biology from George Mason University and an M.S. in Science Education from Montana State University and teaches environmental education to the K-12 community in Virginia. She currently works at the State Arboretum of Virginia and Blandy Experimental Farm as the lead Environmental Educator where she works with area schools to engage students in exploring and understanding the natural world through investigations and observations. In addition, she also coordinates and leads teacher and scientist workshops. When not working, she enjoys hiking with her dogs, birding, and running.

Katheryn Patterson, Faculty Advisor

Katheryn is a Ph.D. candidate in the Environmental Science and Public Policy department at George Mason University and her current research focuses on examining coral tissue loss diseases in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Katheryn previously spent two years in Belize as the bottlenose dolphin researcher for Oceanic Society's bottlenose dolphin project at Blackbird Caye, Turneffe Atoll. While in Belize, Katheryn also had the opportunity to assist with the coral reef monitoring, sea turtle nesting, and saltwater crocodile habitat assessment projects. Katheryn's field experiences increased her passion and interest in the complexity of marine conservation issues and she is eager to be involved in the process of bridging the gap between researchers and policy makers to invoke change. She currently leads a study abroad course to Belize through GMU's Center for Global Education, is a graduate lecturer for the introductory biology and oceanography courses, and is one of the Biology and Environmental Science departments' undergraduate advisors. Katheryn also serves on the Marine Section board for the Society for Conservation Biology. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology from Spring Hill College and completed her Masters degree in Environmental Science and Policy at George Mason University.

Robin Pearce, Faculty Advisor

Robin Pearce enthusiastically instructs AP and IB Biology along with Honors Biology at Carter High School in Rialto, California. She has also coordinated the IB program and is currently an IB examiner. Robin holds a BA in Biology and a minor in Chemistry and a Master Degree in teaching. She performed research and graduate work at Loma Linda University involving cancer and macrophage cells. She also did some environmental studies on Sea Gulls, Terns and the abalone in San Diego. During her 24 years of teaching Robin has received the Seimen's Founders Award for excellence in Math, Science and Technology, participated in summer research at Oak Ridge Laboratory in Organic Chemistry and the environment, and received outstanding teacher in her district in 2011.

Her enthusiasm for environmental science has led her around the world. She has explored the Amazon Rainforest living as a local. She worked in a Central Asian (Kazakhstan) daucha, the forests of Russia and explored the coasts of Australia. She has had students compete at state and national levels of science fairs for the past 15 years in original research.

Keni Rienks, Faculty Advisor

A very active member of her community and her school, Keni has taught an assortment of high school science classes including environmental science, earth science, biology, astronomy, and physical science, and AP Environmental Science. Last year she was chosen as a distinguished fellow of the National Science Teachers Association’s New Science Teachers Academy. Before going into teaching she worked with the Student Conservation Association as an Interpretive Ranger at Canyonlands National Park, as well as a law office manager, a flight attendant out of San Francisco and Chicago, and she owned her own retail business in Lake Geneva, WI.

Currently Keni is the co-advisor of her school’s student environmental organization, the Woodstock North High School Green Club. She is also a select ambassador to Mahila Partnership – an organization of dedicated women advisors to aid communities and organizations in health, gender and sustainable post-disaster reconstruction. Keni holds a BA in Environmental Science from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, a Secondary Science Teaching Certificate from Western Governors University, and she studied abroad at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. In addition to her interest in freshwater and ocean conservation, sustainability and permaculture, she is an active water skier and is working on her certification to be a stand-up paddleboard yoga instructor.

Past Speakers

2011 Speakers

Zack Fields, Legislative Assistant for Congressman Gerald E. Connolly

Zack Fields is a Legislative Assistant for Congressman Gerald E. Connolly (VA-11).  Zack grew up in Richmond, Virginia and graduated with a degree in economics from the University of Virginia.  He has worked at the local and federal level for Mr. Connolly since 2006.

Dr. Peter Balint, Associate Professor, Dept. of Public and International Affairs, George Mason Uni

Dr. Balint is an associate professor in the Department of Public and International Affairs at George Mason University (with a joint appointment in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy). He teaches courses onenvironmental policy and on research methods and data analysis. For the past decade, Dr. Balint's primary research focus has been on community-based natural resource management. This is a policy approach designed to integrate conservation and community development in rural areas of poor countries. In a second research focus, Dr. Balint has explored so-called wicked problems. These are large-scale, long-term policy dilemmas in which multiple and compounding risks and uncertainties combine with sharply divergent public values to generate contentious political stalemates. In particular, several colleagues and I studied the US Forest Service’s ongoing struggle to develop a broadly acceptable management plan for Sierra Nevada region of California. Dr. Balint is now pursuing a new line of research on the bureaucratic lifecycles of US environmental agencies.

Dr. Balint has earned a PhD in environmental policy (University of Maryland, 2000); an MS in conservation biology (University of Maryland, 1998); an MA in education (State University of New York at Albany, 1972); and a BA in English (Haverford College, 1971). Before entering the University of Maryland in 1996 to study environmental issues, Peter taught English for more than 20 years in theinner-city alternative public high schools of Albany, NY.

Colin Bennett

Colin previously served in the professional staff position as the Sustainability Outreach Coordinator at Mason; he left his position to pursue a master's degree in environmental education. During his time at Mason Colin was involved with numerous sustainability initiatives including co-founding the school's organic garden, spearheading Mason's participation in the America's Greenest Campus contest, and organizing countless sustainability events, including Mason's Earth Week celebrations.

Colin's experiences includes serving as an elected member of the Westbrook Forest Commission, serving as a Marine Science Technician in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, as an elementary school teacher in Diocese of Norwich Catholic Schools, and as advisor for the Saint Bernard High School Environmental Club in Uncasville, Connecticut. He has received training from and has volunteered for many environmental organizations including the Climate Project, the Student Environmental Action Coalition, the Sierra Student Coalition, the Climate Campaign, the Energy Action Coalition, the Sierra Club, and Mountain Justice.

Currently Colin is the executive director of the Great Land Conservation Trust, and organization he founded in 2001.

Megan Brown, University of Maryland Graduate Student

Megan Brown is a 2nd year Master's Student at Maryland working with Avian Reproductive Biology focusing primarily on the Whooping Crane. Brown graduated from Delaware Valley College in 2010 with a degree in Zoo Science and has done several zoo internships. Currently she is working at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Maryland as a volunteer helping to raise Whooping Crane Chicks for release. Brown loves animals and has 2 dogs, a horse, and 2 pet rats at home.

Mark Bryer, Director, Nature Conservancy's Chesapeake Bay Program

Mark Bryer is Director of the Nature Conservancy’s Chesapeake Bay Program. He coordinates TNC’s efforts across six states to conserve the biodiversity in the Chesapeake Bay – the United States’ largest estuary. These efforts include policy initiatives and on-the-ground projects that control nutrient and sediment inputs, conserve critical habitats in the watershed and in the estuary, and manage for sustainable river flows. Mark has worked for the Conservancy for more than 15 years, and during previously held positions led the development of conservation plans for freshwater biodiversity in North and South America. Mark’s education includes a BS degree from Lehigh University in water resource engineering and a Masters’ degree in ecology from Yale University.

John Caplis, Chief, Office of Incident Management and Preparedness, U. S. Coast Guard

Captain John Caplis is Chief of the Office of Incident Management and Preparedness (CG-533) at Coast Guard Headquarters (CGHQ). In this capacity, Captain Caplis serves as the program manager for all-hazards preparedness and environmental response policy for the Coast Guard. In his current role, he also serves as the Vice Chair for the National Response Team, Chair of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Oil Pollution Research, and an Executive Steering Committee Member for the International Oil Spill Conference.

Captain Caplis' past Coast Guard assignments include time afloat at sea, operational field tours in five major U.S. seaports, and two prior staff tours at CGHQ. He has broad operational field experience in oil spill and hazardous materials response, salvage operations, waterways management and environmental protection, search and rescue, vessel inspections, law enforcement, counter-narcotics, intelligence analysis, and homeland security. Past assignments include Operations Officer on the USCGC Red Cedar, Intelligence Analyst and Tactical Watch Officer for the National Narcotics Border Interdiction Service (NNBIS) Southeast in Miami, FL, Chief of Waterways Management and Chief of Environmental Response at Marine Safety Office New Orleans, LA, national program manager for numerous environmental protection and response programs in the Office of Response, CGHQ, Chief of Port Operations at Marine Safety Office San Francisco, and Deputy, Office of Strategic Analysis to the Commandant, CGHQ.

Most recently, Captain Caplis served as the Deputy Commander for Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach. He oversaw all Coast Guard operations across 320 miles of the Southern California coastline, including the protection of the nationally vital economic gateway of the ports of Los Angeles-Long Beach. The Sector is also responsible for all port safety and security, maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, environmental response, vessel inspections, and waterways management activities. In this capacity, Captain Caplis carried out the duties of the Alternate Captain of the Port, Federal Maritime Security Coordinator, Federal On-Scene Coordinator and Officer in Charge, Marine Inspections.

Captain Caplis received his commission and a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Science from the Coast Guard Academy in 1986. He also holds a Masters of Public Administration in Environmental Management and Public Policy from George Mason University, and was recognized as the 1997 GMU MPA Graduate of the Year. In 2004, he was a Seminar XXI Fellow at the MIT Center for International Studies, and in 2007, he was the Coast Guard National Security Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a world-renown civilian policy institute in Washington, D.C. His personal awards include three Meritorious Service Medals, three Coast Guard Commendation Medals, two Coast Guard Achievement Medals, and the Department of Transportation 9-11 medal.

David Ferris, Matter Network, Managing Editor

David Ferris is a journalist who covers technology and business as they address the triple challenge of adapting to climate change, transforming the electrical grid and supplying the power needs of the 21st Century. He is managing editor of the Matter Network, a one-stop hub for cleantech and sustainability news.

David also writes Innovate, an award-winning column in Sierra Magazine that explores cutting-edge ideas in renewable power.

In 2008 David served as lifestyle editor of Sierra, the nation’s largest environmental news magazine. He has also written for Men’s Journal, Macworld, Streaming Media and Wired News, among many other publications.

David first corresponded for Reuters News Service in East Africa. He subsequently worked as a staff writer at several San Francisco Bay Area news outlets, including the Alameda Newspaper Group and the Contra Costa Times, covering crime, courts and city hall.

David’s love of outdoor adventure flavors his reporting and has diversified his portfolio. In 2000, David quit his newspaper job to participate in the Eco-Challenge, a 12-day, 300-mile race through the jungles of Borneo that was the forerunner to the reality show Survivor. In 2007, David made a perilous ascent of Mt. Aconcagua, at 22,841 feet the highest mountain in the Americas, and told of the experience via a daily satellite blog. Often he brings a sense of humor to bear, such as in his recently-completed blog, A Year In New York.

David holds a B.A. in communication from the University of California, San Diego, and a master’s in journalism from Northwestern University in Chicago. He lives with his partner, Anjali, in Washington, D.C.

Mark Gorman, Senior Policy Analyst, Northeast-Midwest Institute

Mark Gorman serves as Senior Policy Analyst for the Northeast-Midwest Institute, focusing on Water and Watershed issues in the Mississippi River Basin. For four years prior to joining the Institute in 2009, he directed the Northwest Office of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC), based in Meadville, working with numerous partners from the private sector, government, communities and individuals in the upper Ohio River and Great Lakes basins to promote the sustainable use of built and natural landscapes, particularly by focusing on links between the environment, the economy and quality of life.

Before working for PEC, Mark served for over 22 years with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP). There, he helped to launch PADEP’s new Hazardous Sites Cleanup Program statewide and directed that Program in PADEP’s Northwest Region. He was co-leader of the a pilot PADEP regional watershed team effort (focused on the internationally-renowned French Creek watershed), and later co-chaired PADEP’s Lake Erie, French Creek and Oil Creek watershed team.

He holds a B.S. in Biology from King's College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, an M.S. in Biological Oceanography from the University of South Florida, and an M.S. in Freshwater System's Ecology from Kent State University in Ohio. Except for those brief periods out of state for graduate education, Mark was a life-long Pennsylvania resident before moving to Alexandria, Virginia in 2008.

Dr. Mark Houck, Professor of Civil, Environmental and Infrastructure Engineering, George Mason U

Dr. Houck was appointed Professor of Civil, Environmental and Infrastructure Engineering at George Mason University in 1992. He is also an Affiliate Faculty in the Department of Systems Engineering and Operations Research, and the Department of Environmental Science and Policy. Previously, he held faculty appointments in Civil Engineering at the University of Washington at Seattle (1976-78), and Purdue University (1978-91); and visiting faculty appointments at The Johns Hopkins University (1989-90), and Heriot-Watt University in Scotland (2003). In the private sector, he has served as an officer of two firms specializing in water resources engineering. Dr. Houck is a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), a Diplomat of the American Academy of Water Resources Engineers, and was awarded the Huber Research Prize by ASCE. He is a Board Certified Environmental Engineer, a registered Professional Engineer, and a Professional Hydrologist. He holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering science (BES) and a doctor’s degree in environmental engineering (PhD) from The Johns Hopkins University.

Dr. Houck’s research and teaching interests include water and environmental systems engineering. He has taught courses on statistics and probability; environmental economics; systems analysis and engineering; mathematical modeling (optimization and simulation) of complex engineering systems; operations research; urban systems engineering; and all aspects of water management and engineering, including hydrology, hydraulics, and water resources. His most recent research work has been in the area of water and wastewater infrastructure security.

Lindsay Jacks, National Zoo, Bird House Animal Keeper

Lindsay Jacks interned at the Bird House for two years, before becoming an animal keeper in the exhibit, where she’s been employed for a year and a half. She is a primary keeper in the Bird House with over 30 difference species in her care, including the keel-billed toucan, red-fanned parrots, blue-billed Curassows, swamp sparrows, and more.

Dr. Barry Klinger, Associate Professor and Graduate Coordinator-Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic,

Dr. Barry Klinger, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 1992. Adjunct Research Scientist. Dr. Klinger is also an Associate Professor at George Mason University. Dr. Klinger's recent research interests center on numerical and analytic models of the dynamics of climate-related features of the ocean's general circulation. Before joining COLA and GMU, Dr. Klinger was a postdoctoral associate at MIT (1992-1994) and an assistant professor at Nova Southeastern University (1994-2000).

Barry Liner, PE, LEED GA Director of International Engineering Programs

Barry Liner serves as the Director of International Engineering Programs for CEIE. He has taught in the Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering Department since 2000, bringing his 20 years experience into the classroom at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. His primary focus at Mason is on developing sustainable solutions for water resources in developing countries. A former consultant to the World Bank, Dr. Liner is a member of Engineers Without Borders and is currently working on a water supply project for the village of Compone, Peru. Dr. Liner also serves as the Director of the Water Science & Engineering Center at the Water Environment Federation (WEF).

Danielle Marino

Danielle has been with the National Aquarium for five years, beginning her career as an intern in the Education Department. She has worked in various positions in the Education Department, including Outreach Education and On-Site Visitor Programming. Currently, Danielle is the Education Programs Coordinator for the Conservation Department at the Aquarium. Danielle manages school program participation in restoration events; as well as oversees classroom presentations and outreach activities. As part of the National Aquarium Conservation Team, Danielle also executes technical aspects of conservation projects including environmental habitat restoration and monitoring, throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Danielle earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Affairs and Policy from the University of Miami.

Dwayne Meadows, National Coordinator, Species of Concern Conservation Program, NOAA

Dwayne is the National Coordinator for the proactive Species of Concern Conservation Program and works part-time on ESA listing and critical habitat actions. He is a Federal Program Officer for two grant programs, a NOAA Diver and Advanced coxswain, and represents the office as a liaison to the Marine Debris and Coral Reef Conservation Programs and serves as the office representative to the NOAA Fisheries GIS committee. Dwayne is also part of the inaugural group of 11 Civilian Response Corps members for NOAA who are on 30-day call-up to serve U.S. government interests in reconstruction and stabilization operations overseas.

Dwayne is the recipient of a dozen grants, and is the author of 30 scientific and 22 popular articles and lectures widely on marine ecology, tsunamis, and SCUBA diving. He has been interviewed in Science, the Christian Science Monitor, Focus, and People and has appeared on BBC, Spike TV, the Travel Channel, Channel 1 (Germany), ITV, National Geographic and numerous local stations.

He has B.A. and Ph.D. degrees in marine zoology from the University of California at Berkeley and Oregon State University, respectively. His thesis was on the effects of habitat fragmentation and group position on territoriality and fitness in a coral reef damselfish where he worked in the remote territory of the Kuna Indians in San Blas, Panama.

In his free time Dwayne enjoys biking, softball, photography, and unicycling.

Jeff Opperman, Senior Freshwater Scientist

Jeff Opperman,senior freshwater scientist, has been working to protect rivers and lakes for nearly 15 years.  He has provided strategic and scientific guidance to freshwater conservation projects across the United States as well as in China,Africa and Latin America

In his role at The Nature Conservancy much of Jeff’s focus is on improving the environmental sustainability of hydropower both by advancing sound policies and by supporting on-the-ground projects.

He is a member of the governing board of the Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI), which certifies “environmentally preferable” hydropower and recently served on an Independent Review Panel that provided recommendations for floodplain management to California’s Department of Water Resources.   

Jeff earned his B.S. in Biology from Duke University and a Ph.D. in Ecosystem Science from the University of California, Berkeley. He then studied floodplain ecology during a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of California, Davis. His scientific and policy research has been published in journals such as Science, BioScience and Ecological Applications. Jeff strives to communicate the challenges and opportunities of protecting fresh water through his “Cool Green Science” blog on nature.org.

Joe Paladino, Senior Advisor, Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, U.S. Depa

Joe Paladino serves as a Senior Advisor within the US Department of Energy's Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability where he oversees the data gathering and analysis efforts associated with assessing the impact of smart grid technologies deployed through projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Mr. Paladino has worked within DOE for over 18 years in programs involving the development and commercialization of energy efficient and waste management technologies. His prior experience includes marketing, sales and business development efforts at Westinghouse Electric Corporation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Mr. Paladino has a Bachelor's degree in biology from Middlebury College and a Master's degree in civil engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.

Budhan Pukazhenthi, Research Physiologist

Budhan Pukazhenthi received a Bachelor in Veterinary Sciences from the Madras Veterinary College, India (1987), a Masters (1992) and Doctoral degree (1996) from the University of Maryland. He then completed a post-doctoral fellowship also at the National Zoo and a recipient of the prestigious National Institutes of Health Special Emphasis Research Career Award (1998-2003). Pukazhenthi has a diverse clinical and research background. After training and practicing as a clinical veterinarian in India, Pukazhenthi obtained research training in biochemistry, cell biology and molecular biology at the University of Maryland. He joined the Smithsonian National Zoological Park and its Conservation & Research Center in 1992 to pursue a Ph.D. Capitalizing on his unique background, Pukazhenthi introduced a new dimension (utilizing molecular approaches to answer whole animal problems) to the research conducted within the Department of Reproductive Sciences. His most significant achievements include (1) demonstrating the link between cellular mechanisms and sperm function, including the phenomenon of teratospermia in felids (the production of malformed sperm common in some species) and (2) understanding the mechanisms that dictate the successful cryopreservation of cells, especially spermatozoa in felids, ungulates and elephants.

The primary goal of Pukazhenthi’s research is the conservation of critically endangered species including ungulates and elephants in captivity and in the wild. Currently his research is focused on the Przewalski’s horse, Grevy’s zebra, Persian onager, Brow antlered deer (Eld’s deer), tufted deer, Dama gazelle, Scimitar horned oryx, Baird’s tapir and elephants. Pukazhenthi has been a strong advocate for the development of collaborative research and actively participates in the activities of various species management organizations, including the Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (of the IUCN-World Conservation Union), the Ungulate Taxon Advisory Group and various Species Survival Plans under the umbrella of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association. He also serves as Chair (IUCN Eld’s Deer Interest Group), Co-Chair (AZA Biomaterial Banking Advisory Group), Reproductive Advisor (AZA Lion Species Survival Plan) and member (AZA Ungulate Taxon Advisory Group).

Lauren Reiter, Graduate Student

Lauren Reiter is a full-time graduate student in the Zoo and Aquarium Leadership program with a specialization in conservation education at George Mason University. She is completing her thesis on maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) reproduction at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute with the Department of Reproductive Sciences under the mentorship of gamete physiologist Dr. Nucharin Songsasen, DVM, Ph.D. Her thesis, entitled “Understanding Poor Reproduction in the Maned Wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) held Ex Situ,” has several objectives that include noninvasively monitoring reproductive status for captive female maned wolves and developing a leptin urinary assay.

Carmen Revenga, Senior Scientist, Global Marine Team, The Nature Conservancy

Ms Revenga is a Senior Scientist with the Global Marine Team at The Nature Conservancy (TNC), where she leads the Conservancy’s Sustainable Fisheries strategy. Prior to joining the Global Marine Team in 2009, she led TNC’s global assessment on the status and threats to freshwater ecosystems and marine fisheries.

Prior to joining TNC, Ms Revenga worked for the World Resources Institute where she focused on linking science and policy to improve the management of freshwater resources and marine fisheries. She has published a number of influential books, reports and papers relating to the condition of marine and inland fisheries and freshwater ecosystems, including the 2004 report titled: Fishing for Answers: Making sense of the global fish crisis (WRI 2004) and several peer reviewed articles on the distribution and impact of trawling and dredging in the world’s oceans in collaboration with the University of British Columbia.

Carmen holds degrees in Zoology and Conservation Biology from the Universidad Complutense in Madrid, Spain and the University of Maryland in the U.S.  She has been involved in multiple global assessments including the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, the World Water Development Report and the 2010 Biodiversity Indicators Partnership.

Paul Schopf, Professor of Oceanography Associate Dean for Research and Computing

Professor Paul Schopf is the Associate Dean for Research and Computing of the College of Science. He holds Sc.B and Sc.M. degrees in engineering from Brown University and Ph.D. in Geophysical Fluid Dynamics from Princeton. Professor Schopf is well known for his work on computer modeling of the ocean and climate, particularly his pioneering work on the theoretical basis for the climate variability known as El Nino. He was appointed Associate Dean upon the creation of the College of Science in 2006, following 4 years as Assistant Dean for Research in the School for Computational Sciences. He spent nearly 20 years at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center before joining George Mason in 1997. He serves as a Professor of Oceanography in the Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Earth Sciences. Professor Schopf has served on several national and international scientific committees, advisory boards and panels related to Climate Variability and Change, High Performance Computing and Communication, and Oceanography. He has over 60 publications and conference proceedings, and his work has been cited over 1500 times in the scientific literature.

Dr. Jess Siegal-Willott, National Zoo, Supervisory Veterinary Medical Officer

Dr. Jess Siegal-Willott, Supervisory Veterinarian at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Zoological Park, is a 2002 Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine graduate. She completed a residency in Zoological Medicine through the University of Florida, and became one of roughly 100 board certified vets in the American College of Zoological Medicine in 2007. Along with fellow NZP veterinarians, Dr. Siegal-Willott is responsible for the medical care and treatment of all animals housed at the National Zoo.

Dr. Siegal-Willott has published book chapters and medical articles in scientific journals on elephants, manatees, birds, primates, and deer, and has presented her research work at international conferences and universities. Dr. Siegal-Willott’s recent conservation projects have focused on advancement in anesthesia, clinical care, nutrition, reproduction, and population management of endangered animals in captive and free-ranging settings. Dr. Siegal-Willott has been a member of the anesthesia team working on elephants in South Africa undergoing surgical vasectomies as a method of population control. She has also developed standardized elephant foot radiograph techniques for long-term care of captive Asian elephants.

Dr. Dann Sklarew

Dr. Sklarew serves as an Associate Professor of applied ecology and sustainability and the Provost's Fellow of Sustainability at George Mason University. His research examines how to simultaneously advance human stewardship, sustainability and mutually-beneficial symbioses with other life forms. Foci include watershed management, triple-bottom line businesses and social entrepreneurship, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and environmental education. He also represents the University and the Commonwealth of Virginia on several regional environmental boards and initiatives. Prior to joining Mason's faculty, Dr. Sklarew served as a fellow at the USEPA and Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, a US-based environmental consultant for 9 years and for 8 years as a United Nations project manager for the Global Environment Facility's international waters focal area. He received his Bachelors in behavioral ecology from University of Pennsylvania, his Masters degree in neural networks from Boston University, and his Ph.D. in Environmental Biology and Public Policy from Mason.

Ed Smith, National Zoo, Museum Specialist for Amazonia

Ed Smith is a life-long nature-lover.

Chris Sonne

Chris graduated as a Civil Engineer from Virginia Tech, and has over 25 years of engineering experience as a civil engineering consultant and environmental engineer. In 2007 he started Civil & Environmental Services to provide design and consulting services with an emphasis on sustainable and low-impact site design.

He is a licensed Professional Engineer and a LEED Accredited Professional. He is also the current board chairman for the James River Green Building Council.

Chris lives in the suburbs of Nellysford in beautiful Nelson County, Virginia where he also teaches adaptive snowboarding, raises chickens and enjoys gardening and blacksmithing.

Lisa Stevens, National Zoo, Curator of Primates

Lisa Stevens is the curator of primates at the Zoo. She managed all aspects of the Zoo's giant panda program from 1987 to 2010, and has managed the primate program since 1981. Her areas of supervision include daily operations, personnel, budget, long-range planning, record keeping, research, education, exhibit design, and construction. She also has worked with a diverse collection of mammals including, ungulates, pachyderms, bears, cats, marine mammals, and a variety of small mammals. Before working at the Zoo, Stevens worked as a field research assistant, in pet and aquarium retail, veterinary clinic operations, insect zoo husbandry and interpretation, and riding stable management. She has been a horse owner for more than 24 years.

Stevens participates in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan for several species. Her committee memberships and coordination include animal welfare, education council, exhibit program evaluation, minority outreach, and bias awareness/employee relations. Stevens holds a Bachelor of Science degree, zoology/pre-veterinary medicine, from Michigan State University, East Lansing.

Rebecca Stites, National Zoo, Great Cats Animal Keeper

Rebecca Stites is an animal keeper for the Great Cats & Bears Unit, where she is primarily responsible for the husbandry, training, and enrichment programs for the Zoo’s African lions, caracals and white nosed coatis.  Prior to working with Great Cats & Bears, she earned her Bachelor’s of Science degree from Virginia Tech in 2004 and received her first position at the National Zoo in 2005, as an animal keeper for the Zoo’s Department of Animal Health (veterinary hospital and quarantine facility).  Given her background in science, Rebecca has a profound interest in behavior research.  She is currently studying the activity patterns of the Zoo’s African lions in an effort to compile results that may be used to enhance management techniques and enrichment programs for the captive population.  While working full-time at the Zoo, Rebecca has also returned to school and is earning her Master’s Degree, studying Zoo Collections Management at George Mason University.

Kristen Taddonio, Manager, Commercial Building Energy Alliances, Dept. of Energy

Kristen Taddonio is manager of the Department of Energy's Commercial Building Energy Alliances, where she works with the nations' leading retailers and commercial real estate owners to remove market barriers to energy efficiency and deploy advanced technologies that save money and reduce emissions. Prior to joining the DOE, Taddonio was head of sales and marketing for ENERGY STAR qualified appliances and emerging technologies, where she worked with internationally-recognized manufacturers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by promoting innovation, improving performance, and increasing sales of highly efficient appliances.

Taddonio is co-author of the book “Technology Transfer for the Ozone Layer: Lessons for Climate Change” (Published by Earthscan, London, 2007) with S.O. Andersen and K.M. Sarma, and her papers have been featured in plenary sessions of conferences and workshops in Austria, Canada, China, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, the Philippines, and the U.S.

Outside of the office, Taddonio participates in numerous organizations dedicated to improving energy and environmental management: She is an Advisor to the Association of Climate Change Officers, a member of the Women’s Council on Energy and the Environment, and a Greenhouse Gas Inventory Quantifier.

Ms. Taddonio has a Masters degree in International Science and Technology Policy from the George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs, where she graduated summa cum laude. She has also earned degrees in Scientific and Technical Communication and International Relations.

Denise Villarta

Denise Villarta passionately instructs students in Chemistry and AP Chemistry at Maple Mountain High School in Spanish Fork, Utah. She is also experienced in teaching Physics and AP Physics, possessing a BS degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Washington, and an MBA from National University. During her fifteen years as an educator, she has been honored as the Utah Science Teacher of the Year and more recently as the American Chemical Society’s Outstanding Utah Chemistry Educator for 2010. Her passion for environmental science includes those challenges currently faced by the Intermountain West, such as the disposal of nuclear waste in Utah and Nevada, and environmental damage caused by the mining industry over the past century and a half.

Adams Wood, Director, On Coal River

Adams Wood is a documentary filmmaker from Asheville, NC who co-directed and produced Boom – The Sound Of Eviction (2002), a feature-length documentary about the social repercussions of San Francisco’s dot-com boom and bust. Variety called Boom “A powerful cautionary statement.” His second feature, On Coal River (2010), premiered at AFI/Silverdocs, screened at numerous other festivals and on Capitol Hill, won "Best Documentary" at the Appalachian Film Festival, and was nominated for an IFP/Gotham Award. Adams began making documentaries in the Idaho wilderness in 1996.