Southeast Green - Speaking of Green

In 2000, Curt Rapp founded The Tile Doctor out of consumer demand for comprehensive information related to the tile industry. The Company has actively built on The Tile Doctor brand by looking for true innovation, registering trademarks, seeking patents and expanding its quality product offering. The company is located in Marietta, Georgia. The Tile Doctor is the U.S. Distributor for Litokol, the world's premier tile setting and grouting products. This allows The Tile Doctor to offer a broad color selection of epoxy grouts, along with all necessary setting and waterproofing materials needed by the Trade and Distribution industry. Litokol products are used in the industry for both Residential & Commercial Tile jobs, along with being a leading supplier for the Pool industry. The Tile Doctor also offers a full line of care and maintenance products under the Express Finish® Brand, including its best-selling Grout Admix, plus a full line of sealers and cleaners using today's most environmentally sound ingredients. More information about Zherorisk

John A. Lanier joined the Ray C. Anderson Foundation as Executive Director in May 2013. Serving in this role has been an immense honor, and he feels privileged to work with his family to advance the legacy of Ray, his grandfather. Lanier's passion for environmental stewardship was sparked by Ray's example and story, and he never tires of sharing this story with others. Mid-Course Correction Revisited: The Story and Legacy of a Radical Industrialist and his Quest for Authentic Change The original Mid-Course Correction, published 20 years ago, became a classic in the sustainability field. It put forth a new vision for what its author, Ray C. Anderson, called the “prototypical company of the 21st century”?a restorative company that does no harm to society or the environment. Anderson recounts his eureka moment as founder and leader of Interface, Inc., and one that was doing business in all the usual ways. Bit by bit, he began learning how much environmental destruction companies like his had caused, prompting him to make a radical change. Mid-Course Correction not only outlined what eco-centered leadership looks like, it also mapped out a specific set of goals for Anderson’s company to eliminate its environmental footprint. This second edition delves into how Interface worked toward making them a reality, birthing one of the most innovative and successful corporate sustainability efforts in the world. Mid-Course Correction Revisted contains a new foreword by Paul Hawken, several new chapters by Ray C. Anderson Foundation executive director John A. Lanier, and interviews with Janine Benyus, Joel Makower, Andrew Winston, Ellen MacArthur and other leaders in green enterprise, the circular economy, and biomimicry. Drawdown

ZHERORisk The European Union (EU) paid for universities in Italy to conduct an R&D project aimed at lowering the safety, health and environmental risks associated with high performance flooring installation products to zero. Today, most flooring installation products are very corrosive and have caustic chemistries. While these floor installation products offer high performance, they currently are required to include the “Danger” warning on their containers/packaging. If not disposed of properly, the waste from these products can end up in the soil and water supply, posing an environmental risk. ZHERORisk products offer a major innovation that will change the way tile and stone are installed and significantly reduce the risks that currently exist. These products will offer better working conditions and overall health for installers, as well as improvements in building wellness and very low environmental impact. The products are GEV-EMICODE certified to be very low in emissions. The ZHERORisk product line will launch in the U.S. beginning in March and continuing throughout 2019. Tile Doctor Shield® o   First non-toxic antimicrobial product approved for hard surfaces that has no potential for environmental impact o   Recently received patent for application of antimicrobial for tile and stone o   Finalist in Edison Awards for Innovation Tile Doctor      

Cloyd Thomas Dunn IV - Accomplished Franchising Professional with 15+ years of franchise industry experience. Currently the COO of Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions, an International Franchisor with locations in 23 countries. Since 1996, the Filta Group has been providing unparalleled service around the world to restaurants and other food establishments. “Going Green” was never a commercial or trendy consideration for us. Filta’s services naturally preserve the environment, by extending the life of cooking oil with the FiltaFry service, recycling waste oil into biodiesel with FiltaBio and reducing energy consumption and food waste with the FiltaCool product. In an age of climate change, and economic stresses, Filta’s services are being recognized at the forefront by the food and hospitality industry. Customers are realizing more than ever before the many benefits to be gained from our services. There's Gold in that Grease

Dawn lives in Henry County with her husband, Chris. Dawn is an army brat whose father, Jim, retired from the Army and mother, Maggie, served as a reservist. Dawn and Chris are members of Christ the King Catholic Church and support charitable organizations such as the Atlanta Humane Society, Goodwill North Georgia and the Georgia State University Foundation. Dawn mentors young professional men and women entering the public sector as well as through her sorority, Gamma Phi Beta International Sorority, Inc. Dawn served as a congressional aide to Senator Sam Nunn in the state office handling veterans’ affairs, natural resources, small business concerns and local governmental issues. Dawn received a Master Degree in Public Administration from Georgia State University while working full time for the American Heart Association and then the Georgia Department of Community Affairs as a Local Government Consultant.  Over the past 30 years, Dawn has been assisting statewide non-profits and associations advocate for consumer protection, access to health care and open government. A small business owner, Randolph consults non-profits and associations to maximize resources and advocates for their critical areas. Her success includes working with legislators, passing bills and securing funding for services for people with disabilities, mental health and substance use disorder programs. 

Hear about COP23 from Jenny Phillips Creation Care Manager with the United Methodist Committee on Relief. The Rev. Jenny Phillips has been minister for environmental stewardship and advocacy of the Pacific Northwest Annual (regional) Conference for three and a half years and has been involved in creation care for a decade. The conference program in large part equips local churches to understand and take part in advocacy and action related to climate change, control of carbon emissions, and other dangers of fossil fuels. Phillips is also the founder of Fossil Free UMC.

Tim Trefzer is head of environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility for the Georgia Dome, Georgia World Congress Center, Centennial Olympic Park, and the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center since 2010, Tim has overseen improved facility operations, reduced impacts of hosted events, and worked with stakeholders to improve the well-being of the community. As a LEED Accredited Professional, he administered the GWCC’s LEED Silver certification in 2014 and an anticipated LEED Gold recertification in 2017, making it the largest LEED certified convention center in the world. In 2017 he also guided the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center to LEED Gold certification. Since 2015, he has consulted for the College Football Playoff and Super Bowl, managing various aspects of the sustainability efforts placed around these mega sporting events. For the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship and Super Bowl 53 in Atlanta, Tim is sustainability chair for the Atlanta Football Host Committee and Atlanta Super Bowl LIII Host Committee. Tim is a Faculty Associate at Arizona State University where he teaches the Global Context of Sustainability courses of the online Master’s for Sustainability Leadership program. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and a Master’s degree from Arizona State University.

James B. McClintock came to UAB in 1987 and has served as Dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (1999-2003) and as Interim Dean of the Graduate School (2003-2005). His research has been funded continuously over the past 25 years by the National Science Foundation and focuses on aspects of marine invertebrate nutrition, reproduction, and primarily, Antarctic marine chemical ecology. His research has grown to include studies of the impacts of rapid climate change and ocean acidification on Antarctic marine algae and invertebrates. He has published over 275 scientific publications, edited and written books, and been invited to make numerous scientific and popular science presentations. Explore Lost Antarctica Explore the locations of Lost Antarctica through Google Earth. Download the Lost Antarctica .kmz file (zipped) and open it using the Google Earth app to experience the locations described in McClintock’s popular book. McClintock recently returned from his 15th research expedition to Antarctica where he and his research collaborators have become among the world’s authorities on Antarctic marine chemical ecology and drug discovery and have developed an award-winning interactive educational outreach web site (UAB In Antarctica). His book Lost Antarctica: Adventures in a Disappearing Land (Palgrave/MacMillan) was released in September 2012 and has garnered considerable national and international praise (www.lostantarctica.com).

The Atlanta Mayoral race is heading into the home stretch. With nine candidates, it's a large field of many ideas and voices. The question that needs to be asked by the Atlanta sustainability community is who has the best vision for the leadership Atlanta has had nationally? We all know that without a full commitment to the legacy created by the last two administrations that we could fall behind.  Today we are speaking with former Atlanta City Council President, Cathy Woolard. As President of the Atlanta City Council, the first woman to hold that position, Cathy championed the Atlanta BeltLine, a project transforming abandoned rail-corridors circling the city into mixed-use recreational trails. She founded the “Dirty Dozen,” a pilot program to fix the worst code violations in the city to improve neglected neighborhoods. She also made sustainability a priority, and her Energy Conservation Program cut emissions while saving the city’s facilities more than $800,000 in a single year. As a City Council member for District 6, she increased funding for sidewalks and, as Chair of the Transportation Committee, she oversaw the expansion of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, which had just become the busiest airport in the world. Cathy also personally led the Atlanta City Council to pass what is still the ONLY comprehensive civil rights bill in the state of Georgia, protecting hundreds of thousands of Atlantans from discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations. As a non-profit organization executive, Cathy has continued to serve others with organizations like CARE, League of Conservation Voters, and the Human Rights Campaign.  Cathy is dedicated to Atlanta, committed to honesty and transparency, and diligent in making sure jobs are done right the first time. CathyForAtlanta.com

Oka-B is more than a shoe, it’s a lifestyle.  At Oka-B, we believe fashion and comfort should never be  mutually exclusive.  Look effortlessly chic while running through the airport in our sandals.  Conquer the boardroom or the PTA meeting in our flats and wedges.  Explore new wonders in our flops flips. Learn how a mind for fashion and sustainability, changed how we wear shoes.

Havelock Wool was established to address the increased consumer demand amongst those seeking a healthier lifestyle and environment. Wool insulation manages moisture while improving indoor air quality by absorbing harmful chemicals; wool should be a part of every green building project - commercial or residential. Wool insulation is simply the most sustainable, all natural, non-toxic high-performance insulation available in today’s market.  The follicles in a wool fiber allow it to absorb and desorb moisture against 65% relative humidity, and the amino acids allow for the trapping of harmful chemicalssuch as formaldehyde, NOx and SO2.

Adam Macon is the Program Director at Dogwood Alliance. He joined the organization in 2014 and since that time has successfully elevated the Our Forests Aren't Fuel campaign to international prominence, and has been instrumental in supporting the development of an international and regional network pushing back against a growing biomass industry. As a leading spokesperson for Dogwood he has been featured in media around the world, including on the BBC, French TV, Science Magazine, Politico and various other regional, national and international media outlets. Born and raised in coal country of Eastern Kentucky, Adam has always had a passion for organizing people and fighting the corporations whose practices destroy our earth. Beginning this month, Adam will be directing all of Dogwood’s programs including the Wetland Forests Initiative, Forests & Climate work, the Paper Campaign, and continued involvement in the Our Forests Aren’t Fuel Campaign.

The Cleaning Product Industry is changing the way it does boes business. Melissa Grande is Associate Director, Sustainability Initiatives at the American Cleaning Institute (ACI). Since 2012, Melissa has served as a leader developing and supporting ACI’s Sustainability Programs and Sustainability Committee. She manages ACI’s annual Sustainability Metrics Collection Program, Charter for Sustainable Cleaning, and development of ACI’s biennial Sustainability Report. Melissa earned a BS in Chemistry from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and graduated with a MS in Civil, Environmental, and Sustainable Engineering from Arizona State University. Prior to joining ACI, she worked at The Sustainability Consortium as a research associate in the Home and Personal Care Sector. LinkedIn Twitter

Mark Pendergrast was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, the fourth of seven children in a family that valued civil rights, the environment, sailing, reading, and games of chase and charades. He earned a B.A. in English literature from Harvard, taught high school and elementary school, then went back to Simmons College for a masters in library science and worked as an academic librarian—all the while writing freelance articles for newspapers and magazines. In 1991, he began writing books full time, which allows him to follow his rather eclectic interests. Pendergrast’s books have been published in 15 languages. For God, Country & Coca-Cola was named a notable book of the year by the New York Times, and Discover Magazine chose Mirror Mirror as one of the top science books of the year. Pendergrast has given speeches to professional groups, business associations, and college audiences in the United States, Canada, the U.K., and Germany. He has appeared on dozens of television shows, including the Today Show, CBS This Morning, and CNN, and has been interviewed on over 100 radio programs, including All Things Considered, Marketplace, and many other public radio shows. He lives in Colchester, Vermont. City on the Verge is Pendergrast’s third book related to the city of Atlanta, following For God, Country and Coca-Cola, a history of the soft drink, and Inside the Outbreaks, a history of the Epidemic Intelligence Service of the CDC.

Anne is the program manager for SACE’s clean fuels and bioenergy programs. Her work focuses on diesel emissions reduction, advanced transportation and the utilization of biomass for electricity and fuel production, with an emphasis on state and federal energy, fuel, transportation, and climate policy and education. Anne joined the SACE staff in 2003. Anne serves on the Green-e Governance Board, the Southeast Diesel Collaborative Leadership Council, the Steering Committee for the Pine 2 Energy Coalition, facilitates the Tennessee Diesel Working Group and is a graduate of the Environmental Leadership Institute. Anne is the lead author of “A Safer Ride to School: How to Clean Up School Buses and Protect Our Children’s Health” and “A Case for the Healthy School Bus: Lessons from the Field.” Anne previously worked for River Network in Washington, DC, The Fund for Public Interest Research Group, and was an AmeriCorps volunteer with the National Park Service. She is a graduate of Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg, VA.

Hostess Beth Bond looks back over 300 episodes and is interviewed by Southeast Green Intern, Charlotte Spaeth. Charlotte Spaeth is an Atlanta native and a graduate of Riverwood International Charter School and is currently studying Journalism at the University of Colorado Boulder. She first became interested in the environment and sustainability after a conservation trip to South Africa in 2014. She is excited to combine her two loves, the environment and journalism, this summer as an intern for Southeast Green.

Susan Glickman Florida Director, SACE Action Fund Susan has worked with Southern Alliance for Clean Energy since 2001 as a consultant and lobbyist and was named Florida Director in August 2013. Susan has a background in running political campaigns and also directs SACE’s Action Fund in the Sunshine State. A native of Florida, Susan has consulted with many national organizations such as Natural Resources Defense Council, Ceres, Advanced Energy Economy, Union of Concerned Scientists, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Vote Solar, Clean Energy Group, Environmental Defense Fund and Clean Air Task Force. She developed and directed The Florida Business Network for a Clean Energy Economy, a coalition of business leaders working together to advance the clean energy economy. Prior to energy and climate issues, Susan worked to grant the FDA authority to regulate tobacco with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids; to institute a nation-wide health tracking system with Trust for America’s Health and for the first time to fund prostate cancer research with the National Prostate Cancer Coalition. Susan was recently appointed by Governor Rick Scott to the Florida Commission on Volunteer Service. She was Founding Chair of The Florida Commission on the Status of Women. Susan grew up in Tampa, attending St. John’s Episcopal Day School and Academy of the Holy Names. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Speech from the University of Texas at Austin and an A.A. from Florida State University. Susan resides in Belleair Beach on Florida’s central Gulf coast.

Brandon: Brandon is a 17-year veteran at Ecolink Inc where he has done just about every job except drive the company’s fork lift. A zero waste zealot, Brandon thinks about every touch point associated with company’s products to minimize environmental consequences. An economics major, Brandon is focused on the concept of value (cost vs benefits), which contributes to Ecolink’s customer retention ratio. Brandon has won awards for environmental, business and marketing and education at all level. He is most proud of his 7-year partnership with GA DECA with high school marketing students and the American Marketing Association Atlanta Chapter for their continued commitment and investment in both high school, collegiate students and their teachers. Small in size, big in impact is our motto! Rhace: Rhace is a committed and resourceful University of South Florida alumni with academic background in Business Management and Psychology. He has experience streamlining customer communications and coordinating logistics with strong project management to meet challenges head-on. Part octopus, Rhace is flexible while juggling concurrent demands. A dexterous learner, Rhace is experienced in both technical and creative writing. Head and heart, Rhace brings intrinsically motivation and a desire to add value to organizations. Rhace has garnered 5 AMY Awards from the American Marketing Association Atlanta Chapter for his contributions and results associated with company’s 25-year celebration campaign. Rhace’s efforts have been instrumental in the company’s selection as 1 of 4 GA Small Business Rock Stars and 1 of 24 GLOBE award winners for export excellence. Rhace oversees recruiting, hiring, training and management of company’s year-round high school and collegiate marketing internship program. 

Iain Milnes is founder and president of Power Knot, the leading provider of environmentally sound products that reduce costs and carbon footprint. With its headquarters in San Jose, Calif., Power Knot provides innovative solutions for commercial, industrial, and military customers seeking to reduce their carbon footprint. The company designs, manufactures, and sells systems that are self-contained to eliminate waste food. Its LFCs (Liquid Food Composters) are high-quality, technologically-advanced bio-digesters capable of rapid digestion of most organic materials. LFCs create a safe and economical resolution for customers looking to address their carbon footprint by diverting waste food from landfills and by reducing emissions related to the transportation of waste.

Ron was born in Israel and grew up in Africa, Asia, Europe and the USA. Ron started his first business at the age of 13 when living in France. After spending a few years in a Fortune 100 Company, he left to pursue his entrepreneurial path. He is now the Founder and President/CEO of World Housing Solution and a Founder of Founders Harbor and Sqygl. Ron is also an organizer of TEDx Orlando and a founding member of Central Florida’s Startup Weekend and 1 Million Cups. He currently resides in Central Florida where he is an integral part of the growth of the local startup ecosystem. In 2014 he became the first Entrepreneur in Residence and Adjunct Professor in the Rollins College Business and Social Entrepreneurship department. He sits on several Central Florida local non-profit and for profit boards of Directors as well as being appointed to the Board of the Wharton Initiative for Global Entrepreneurship (Wharton IGEL). He has had the privilege to judge Business Plan/Model competitions for Wharton, Rollins, UCF and UF. Most recently, he mentored the winning Central Florida Team from Startup Quest. Ron is fluent in 4 languages, is married and has three children. 

In 2009, Arrowhead Landfill in Uniontown became the new host for millions of cubic yards of coal ash after it spilled out of a landfill in Tennessee following a catastrophic dike failure. The coal ash in Tennessee contaminated land, rivers, reservoirs, and shore areas surrounding the landfill with arsenic and lead, leading the Environmental Protection Agency to conclude that there was a potential “imminent and substantial endangerment to the public health.” Residents of Uniontown organized in opposition to what they saw as a racial and environmental injustice, speaking out against the risk to their environment and health, as well as the location of the landfill, which is across the street from several homes and next to one of the town’s historic Black cemeteries. Some 35 residents filed a complaint with the EPA’s Office of Civil Rights under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The complaint alleges that the Alabama Department of Environmental Management violated their civil rights by allowing the Arrowhead Landfill to locate in their predominately Black neighborhood without adequate protections for the health of residents or the environment. Some citizens also organized a concerned citizens’ group called Black Belt Citizens Fighting for Health and Justice, which created a Facebook page that publishes concerns about risks to their environment and health. Green Group sued over the Facebook posts, which included statements such as “we should all have the right to clean air and clean water” and “It affected our everyday life.”

H2forLife is colloidal platinum dissolved in purified spring water and super saturated with molecular hydrogen under high pressure. Numerous recent scientific studies have demonstrated that molecular hydrogen acts as a safe and highly effective method to deactivate harmful free radicals in the body. H2forLife tastes just like the fresh, filtered spring water it's made from. The added hydrogen and platinum add no taste, color or odor. Read scores of peer reviewed published research at http://www.WhyHydrogen.info/ History: Eprida researcher Danny Day was trying to find an inexpensive method to measure the physical size of polyatomic hydrogen clusters in real time without destroying them with ionization mass spectroscopy. He choose to use the measurement of changes in pure water when saturated with these unusual hydrogen species when he discovered that his father Marshal Day (83) was diagnosed with inoperable live and colon cancer. In the course of a literature review on measurement techniques of hydrogen saturated water, he uncovered studies in Japan detailing the reduction of tumors in lab studies using water saturated with hydrogen and trace amounts of colloidal platinum. Producing the same product for his father and its success demonstrated the potential to augment health for millions of others. H2forLife has been on the market and in use continuously by its customers since June 2013. The amount of published research is continuing to grow which shows the positive effect of this formula in supporting good health. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Andrew Kimbrell is an internationally recognized public interest attorney, public speaker, and author. He is the founder and Executive Director of Center for Food Safety.  He also is Director of the San Francisco based Center for Technology Assessment, co-founder of Foundation Earth, and President of the Board of Humane Farm Animal Care (that administers the Certified Humane label). As an attorney, Kimbrell has successfully challenged federal agencies in several historic court cases. He initiated the court challenge that resulted in a U.S. Supreme Court victory forcing, for the first time, EPA regulation of greenhouse gases and their impact on climate change. He also pioneered the legal strategy that led to the Supreme Court ruling that DNA is not patentable due to being a "product of nature." Through his leadership at CFS, Kimbrell has been at the forefront of legal challenges to genetically engineered crops and lawsuits forcing FDA to adopt new food safety regulations. His legal work has also helped maintain the integrity of organic standards.

The Bark House at Highland Craftsmen Inc. was co-founded in 1990 by Chris McCurry.  The business was intentionally designed to create whole-building products that are pure, with processes that are regenerative to people, planet and prosperity. Bark House exterior poplar wall coverings earned the world’s first and only Cradle to Cradle PLATINUM Certification.  It has received ten B-Corp “Best for the World” Awards and holds a “Record Product of the Year” award from Architectural Record Magazine.     Their work occurs within the Appalachian region but is aligned to a deeper value that the founders, workers and international clients all share – a love of nature. The long-term vision is a multifocal benefit from the increased making of regenerative building products.  People will see their beautiful nature within, because they are making good things and contributing to a better world.  The planet will heal because the built environment is one of our largest shared human impacts.  Prosperity will be reflected in health, community and income - with ultimate benefit to all. When we started this business, we had all of youth’s attributes.  We did not set out to make a huge profit, we intended to make a meaningful impact.  Ours - is a Regenerative Business.

With 15 years of legal experience in real estate, Don began working in the solar industry in 2011 developing distributed generation and utility scale solar PV projects. Don has developed several MWs of solar for TVA and Georgia Power solar programs as well as commercial and residential applications providing turn-key development services including site selection; financial modeling; program and incentive compliance; permitting; and contract drafting and negotiation. Don is founder of Solar CrowdSource, a platform to facilitate Solarize, Community Solar, and peer-to-peer crowdfunding programs and rapidly accelerate the growth and reduce soft costs of solar in Georgia.  Don is a proud to serve as Chair of the Georgia Solar Energy Association, member of the Georgia Solar Energy Industries Association, and a member of the State Bar of Georgia.

Sam Hilley of Roof Tech

Golden Isles Conservation Center removes tires from waste stream, breaks them down to original components for second life Cox Enterprises announced that its Golden Isles Conservation Center, located in Nahunta, Ga., is bringing a new technology to the U.S. and making a positive impact on the environment. The Center utilizes an Italian pyrolysis technology that is being used for the first time in the U.S. The eco-friendly process utilizes organic materials such as wood chips to generate heat, which breaks down tires into their original components and produces synthesis oil, carbon black, synthesis gas and steel. Read more here

With the success of Solarize programs in Georgia and building one in South Carolina, Russell Seifert, President of Creative Solar USA and Creative Solar Southeast, discusses why Solarize programs work so well for residential installations and the benefits to the community.

Mike McHargue (better known as Science Mike) is an author, podcaster, and speaker who travels the world helping people understand the science of life's most profound experiences. His bestselling debut book, Finding God in the Waves, has helped thousands understand faith in the 21st century. Mike hosts Ask Science Mike, a weekly question and answer podcast helping hundreds of thousands explore the questions they've always been afraid to ask. He cohosts The Liturgists Podcast with his friend Michael Gungor. With over a million downloads per month, The Liturgists Podcast is reshaping how the spiritually homeless and frustrated relate to God. Mike frequently appears before sold-out audiences in New York, Chicago, and London. He's a favorite for churches, colleges, and conferences exploring the intersection of science and faith, with recent stops at The University of Georgia, Mars Hill Church (Grand Rapids), The Wild Goose Conference, and Google. Mike is a frequent contributor to RELEVANT magazine, Storyline, BioLogos, and The Washington Post. He's also a frequent guest on radio program and podcasts worldwide, including recent interviews on SiriusXM and NPR. Mike McHargue is one of those rare voices that can speak knowledgeably and authentically about both science and faith. He's a for anyone looking to dig deeper into doubt, atheism, and how God rewires our brains. Mike's mix of honesty, humor, and affability allow him to connect with remarkably diverse audiences. Mike lives in Tallahassee, FL with his wife Jenny and two daughters.

Sara Barczak, High Risk Energy Director, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy As program director for high risk energy choices, Sara provides extensive outreach and support to concerned citizens, organizing partners, the media, and decision-makers and participates in legislative, state and federal regulatory forums on issues concerning nuclear energy, public safety, utilities and the impacts of power plants and our energy infrastructure on the region’s water resources. Sara managed our coastal office in Savannah, Georgia, which opened in 2000 after the former Georgians for Clean Energy hired her in 1999. She participated in a U.S./Russian exchange with non-governmental organizations in Russia impacted by plutonium bomb fuel (MOX) programs, including travel to Russia. Sara has worked for nearly twenty years in diverse environmental fields in the private and non-profit sectors: as an environmental contractor for Department of Defense facilities relating to hazardous waste and air quality issues and as a citizen’s advocate, educator and consultant for three non-profit organizations. Sara received a B.A. in Biology from Lawrence University.

K.C. Boyce is senior product director for the Utility Trusted Brand & Customer Engagement studies at Market Strategies International. He manages the development and delivery of syndicated studies and best practices with a focus on helping utilities create valuable relationships with their business and residential customers. Throughout his career, K.C. has worked across industries and sectors to develop innovative solutions to complex problems and translate subject matter expertise into actionable insight. Before joining Market Strategies, K.C. was senior vice president at Chartwell, where he led industry and consumer research, conference production and marketing. He also served as the Smart Grid Consumer Collaborative’s assistant director, leading its consumer research program. Deeply engaged in his community, K.C. has been a long time member and past Chair of the City of Decatur's Environmental Sustainability Board. He also serves as Treasurer for the environmental non-profit the Wylde Center. He's been a key member of the Solarize Decatur-DeKalb steering committee. K.C. holds an MBA from Georgia State’s Robinson College of Business and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Colorado College.

John Mulcahy – Vice President – Sustainability, North American Consumer Products John Mulcahy is Vice President of Sustainability for Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP, where he is responsible for the sustainability and corporate social responsibility programs for the company’s Consumer, GP PRO, and Nonwovens businesses.  John works to develop collaborative relationships with Georgia-Pacific customers, helping them to achieve their sustainability objectives by developing insights, building cost and value advantages into Georgia-Pacific products, and providing assurance that GP is a responsible and ethical supplier. John serves in a leadership capacity for several industry associations, including the Foodservice Packaging Institute, INDA, and The Sustainability Consortium.  In his free time, John volunteers with The Boy Scouts of America and is on the Board of Directors of Junior Achievement of Georgia.  He lives in Atlanta with his wife and two sons.

Allie Kelly is Executive Director of The Ray. A Georgia native, Allie earned a B.A. degree in political science from the University of Georgia. She has worked in public policy for over 15 years, first as a lobbyist for UPS in Washington, D.C., then returning to Atlanta and founding Georgia Watch in 2002, which is the state’s only consumer watchdog organization. In 2009, she left Georgia Watch to join former Lt. Gov. Pierre Howard at the Georgia Conservancy as its senior vice president, and it was there that she met the Trustees of the Ray C. Anderson Foundation, who partnered with the Georgia Conservancy to do a feasibility study for the project that would become The Ray. She was recruited by the Trustees to help found The Ray in 2015, and now serves as its executive director.

Pamela Tanner Boll, an artist, filmmaker, writer, and activist, is the Director of Who Does She Think She Is? a film about five artists who are mothers. She is the Co-Executive Producer of Academy Award-winning Born into Brothels, and the Executive Producer of eight documentaries. Most recently, she completed A Small Good Thing, a feature-length documentary that follows six people who focus on alternative concepts of happiness and success. From a social work student Tim Durrin to yoga teacher Mark Gerow to the Salinetti family and their farm, these “everyday people” find personal satisfaction via their link to nature, chosen professions, and interconnectedness with others, foregoing conventional definitions. A Small Good Thing also explores how it’s important to live in a more meaningful way not just here in one community in the US — traveling to Rwanda, audiences see how an organization working to provide lasting agricultural solutions to chronic childhood malnutrition in the developing world has created a community at Gardens for Health International where living a life centered around compassion, community and connection has improved the health and well-being of their families.

Sally Bethea is the retired founding director of Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (CRK), a nonprofit environmental advocacy organization established in 1994 whose mission is to protect and restore the Chattahoochee River, its tributaries and watershed. She has an undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a master’s degree in City Planning from Georgia Tech and an honorary doctorate from LaGrange College – as well as more than 35 years of experience in environmental issues and nonprofit management. Sally is currently an adjunct professor at Georgia Tech where she teaches a water resources planning class to graduate students in urban planning and engineering. She is also the president of the board of directors of Chattahoochee Parks Conservancy and a member of the board of trustees of LaGrange College. Sally has served on the national boards of Waterkeeper Alliance and River Network, the Georgia Board of Natural Resources, and EarthShare of Georgia. In 2015, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from GreenLaw. In 2012, she received the James R. Compton River Achievement Award from River Network for leading, educating and advocating for clean water in the Chattahoochee River Basin and throughout the country.

Suhas Apte is a senior executive with rich, diverse experience covering many facets of business management. Suhas has developed a valuable global perspective, extensive CPG industry experience and sustainability credentials based on a broad career path working in Asia-Pacific, developing markets, Europe and the United States.   Suhas held several executive positions at the Kimberly-Clark Corporation including Global Sustainability Officer, President of Family Care Europe and Vice President of Baby & Child Care Business for Emerging Markets. He is President of Apte Consultants LLC; a partner in the Blue Earth Network - a team helping businesses discover breakthrough opportunities, and invent transformational solutions; a member of the Forum For the Future North America advisory team – a nonprofit solving complex global sustainability challenges working with stakeholders; and a board advisor to Vertaeon - an operations and sustainability analytics firm and Intelligent Energy Optimizer - a LED lighting company. He is also on the boards of Global Giving - a social NGO providing funding, tools and training to all charities around the globe and EPI Breads - an artisan bakery company.  He is a Mechanical Engineer from India, with MBA from University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business.

Jonathan S. Radtke, Water Sustainability Program Director, Coca-Cola North America Jon Radtke is the Water Sustainability Program Director for Coca-Cola North America based in Atlanta, GA. In this role, he manages the company’s water stewardship program, which assesses and mitigates water risks facing Coca-Cola operations. Primary areas of focus include water efficiency initiatives, source water protection strategies, community water partnerships and sustainable agriculture initiatives within the supply chain. One goal of the Company was to return to nature and communities an amount of water equivalent to the water used in Coca-Cola’s beverages and their production. Mr. Radtke’s leadership has helped the Company to reach this goal five years early and to position The Coca-Cola Company as an industry leader in water stewardship. Jon has a Bachelor degree in Geology and a Masters in Hydrogeology with over 25 years of professional experience managing a wide range of water supply and environmental projects.

Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., President and CEO of the Hip Hop Caucus, is a minister, community activist and one of the most influential people in Hip Hop political life. He works tirelessly to encourage the Hip Hop generation to utilize its political and social voice.?? A national leader and pacemaker within the green movement, Rev Yearwood has been successfully bridging the gap between communities of color and environmental issue advocacy for the past decade. With a diverse set of celebrity allies, Rev Yearwood raises awareness and action in communities that are often overlooked by traditional environmental campaigns. Rolling Stone named Rev Yearwood one of our country’s “New Green Heroes” and Huffington Post named him one of the top ten change makers in the green movement and top ten leaders who are reshaping the green movement. He was also named one of the 100 most powerful African Americans by Ebony Magazine and was also named to the Source Magazine’s Power 30. He was born in Shreveport, Louisiana.  The first in his family to be born in the United States, his parents, aunts, and uncles, are from Trinidad and Tobago.  Rev Yearwood currently lives in Washington, DC with his two sons, who are his biggest inspiration to making this world a better place.

Frank Wickstead is a licensed general contractor in Georgia, a LEEDapBD+C, and a Building Performance Institute Building Analyst proctor/trainer and Subject Matter Expert. Frank has degrees in Architectural Design and Building Construction from Georgia Tech the University of Georgia. He and was given the Georgia Institute of Technology's 2010 Environmental Leadership Award. As a design/build remodeler he was named one of the top 50 remodelers in the country by Remodeler Magazine, was name the EarthCraft Renovator of the Year in 2009 and 2010. He is currently a Professor at Georgia Tech and a Senior Manager with ICF where he leads a statewide demand side management program in Georgia with the goal of increasing the energy efficiency of Georgia’s new and existing residential and commercial building stock.

Ido is the co-founder of Sistine Solar, a company dedicated to designing beautiful solar systems. He has a diverse background in strategy, sales and product innovation. Past work experience includes: helping launch the modu phone - a modular phone concept in Europe, advising Yahoo! executives on acquiring internet startups and analyzing technology companies at Citibank. Ido started Sistine Solar while obtaining his MBA from MIT Sloan, where he was inspired to fundamentally disrupt the solar market. He also holds a degree in Finance from Rutgers University. Ido loves playing basketball, is a voracious reader, and geeks out about mobile technology.

Join us as we speak to Ken LaRoe of First Green Bank. In 2009, Mr. LaRoe opened First Green Bank, the first bank with an environmental mission in the eastern United States. Mr. LaRoe is the Founder, Board Chairman and CEO of the holding company, First GREEN Bancorp. In 1999, Mr. LaRoe founded Florida Choice Bank and was its largest shareholder, Chairman, CEO, and President. He grew the bank to over $400 million in assets by 2006 when the bank was sold to Alabama National Bancorp. A committed environmentalist, he served as chairman of Preserve Lake, a political action committee instrumental in passing a bond referendum for $36 million to purchase public land. He also served as chairman of the PLAAC (Public Lands Acquisition advisory Committee). In June 2013 and 2014, Mr. LaRoe was named as the Central Florida finalist for the prestigious Ernst & Young “Entrepreneur of the Year Award” and in 2015 he won. In 2014, Mr. LaRoe was also appointed to the board of directors of the Brain Injury Association of Florida. Most recently, Mr. LaRoe accepted the position as board member for the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV). As 1 of only 2 North Americans on the GABV board, Mr. LaRoe is responsible for working with leaders around the world to find a positive, viable alternative to the current financial system. In 2015, he was named one of “Orlando’s 50 Most Powerful People” by Orlando Magazine. Born, raised, and schooled in Eustis, Florida, where First Green Bank is located, Mr. LaRoe earned a B. S. in management at Florida State University and a J.D. at The University of Florida College of Law. Mr. LaRoe is also a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP).

Dr. Stephen Smith is back to discuss the second amendment that Floridians will vote on this year, but unlike Amendment 4 Amendment 1 is bad news for consumers. Find out why as we discuss #NoOn1 Dr. Stephen A. Smith has 30 years of experience effecting change for the environment. Since 1993, Dr. Smith has led the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) as its executive director. He currently serves on the board of the Floridians for Solar Choice. As a board member, Dr. Smith helped lead Floridians 4 Lower Energy Costs to successfully pass a statewide solar initiative, Amendment 4, in August 2016. Dr. Smith currently serves on the U. S. Climate Action Network board of directors and previously served as board chair. Dr. Smith holds a doctorate in veterinary medicine from the University of Tennessee and a Bachelor of Science in biology from Kentucky Wesleyan College. Dr. Smith is a father and a grandfather. In 2009, he and his family commissioned a 7.1 kilowatt rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system on their Knoxville home; the previous October they installed a solar thermal system. By coupling these solar technologies with additional energy efficiency investments, the Smiths strive to live in a "net-zero energy home."

John A. Lanier joined the Ray C. Anderson Foundation as Executive Director in May 2013. Serving in this role has been an immense honor for him, and he feels privileged to work with his family to advance the legacy of Ray, his grandfather. Prior to joining the Foundation, Lanier was an associate attorney with Sutherland, Asbill and Brennan, LLP, specializing in U.S. Federal taxation. He represented the interests of various Atlanta-based nonprofits, gaining experience in nonprofit formations, compliance and applications for recognition of tax-exempt status. Lanier currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for Southface, the southeast's nonprofit leader in the promotion of sustainable homes, workplaces and communities. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Project Drawdown and Chattahoochee NOW. Lanier earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Virginia School of Law, and he holds Bachelor of Arts Degrees in History and Economics from the University of Virginia. John resides in Atlanta with his wife Chantel and two-month-old son, J.R.

Too often, solar power gets caught up in detailed policy debates and it can be easy to lose sight of the real people who could benefit from more solar in our region: families, farmers, businesses, schools, faith congregations, non-profit organizations, and communities. SELC released a new video campaign to bring those voices to the forefront of the debate: Stories of Solar features Southerners who have gone solar and aren’t looking back. With stories ranging from a former coal miner turned solar installer in Alabama to a family farmer in North Carolina, from a pastor in Georgia to students in Virginia, the stories show that everyone has their own reasons for going solar. Stories of Solar provides a chance to hear directly from Southerners who are benefiting from solar power, often in the face of significant policy barriers. Stories of Solar tells the personal stories of how solar stimulates job growth, decreases energy costs, and increases energy independence, all while benefiting our environment, communities, and families. In the Southeast, we still have yet to reach our full solar potential, as regulatory barriers in some of our states like limited financing opportunities and punitive fees from electric utilities can cut expected savings and stifle solar growth. Featured Guests: Maria Kingery and Lauren Joy

Debbie Mielewski Research Scientist and Farm to Car Maven Shaping the Future of Ford with Persistence and a Love of Trash Someone else’s trash is Debbie Mielewski’s treasure. It’s a viewpoint the Ford research scientist has built a career on, helping to meet the company’s aggressive sustainability research goals. In the late 1990s when SUVs ruled the road, Mielewski – then technical leader of plastics research at Ford – predicted a time when oil prices would soar, customers would feel the pinch, and Ford would need a solution. In her lab, Mielewski led the charge to reduce the amount of petroleum the company used to produce plastic parts – a financial move with an eye toward environmental consciousness. She turned to soybean oil, a favorite of company founder Henry Ford, and discovered the answer.

Today we will talk to reknowned Southern energy expert Stephen A. Smith, DVM who is the Executive Director of Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE). Dr. Stephen A. Smith has 30 years of experience effecting change for the environment and has been leading SACE since 1993. SACE is a not-for-profit working to promote responsible energy choices that create global warming solutions and ensure clean, safe and healthy communities throughout the Southeast. SACE has grown to be a premier voice for energy efficiency and renewable energy issues in the region. Dr. Smith currently serves on the U. S. Climate Action Network board of directors and previously served as board chair. He also serves on the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Regional Energy Resource Council, which advises the TVA Board of Directors on energy resource activities in the Tennessee Valley region. In the last several years he has served on the North Carolina Legislative Commission on Global Climate Change and the North Carolina Climate Action Planning Advisory Group; the South Carolina Climate, Energy and Commerce Advisory Committee; State of Florida Energy Supply and Demand Committee of the state Climate Action Team; the national governing board for the Center for Resource Solutions’ National Green Power Accreditation; and the US Department of Energy, Tennessee Valley Electric System Advisory Committee. Additionally, he served two terms on Tennessee Valley Authority’s Regional Resource Stewardship Council, TVA’s Green Power Marketing Committee, and TVA’s Integrated Resource Planning Advisory Group. He has also had the privilege to testify before the US Senate Environment and Public Works Committee; the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight of the Committee on Public Works and Transportation, US House of Representatives; the Great Smoky Mountain Congressional Caucus.

Sam Wolf, Founder and Chief Wellness Spreader Sam Wolf is the Founder and Chief Wellness Spreader at LuckyVitamin, a family operated branded global e-commerce destination for affordable natural health and wellness products. Sam takes pride in spreading wellness by leading the LuckyVitamin team as they work to provide customers with the best natural products, health information, outstanding service and shopping experience supporting their wellness journeys. Sam graduated from American University Kogod School of Business with a B.S. in Business Administration, Management Information Systems, and e-Commerce. Sam comes from three generations of family dedicated to helping people lead healthy lives. It started in a pharmacy, transformed into a dynamic health foods store, and then exploded into an online movement. Sam is an avid runner and technology enthusiast who enjoys traveling, cooking healthy food, and exploring the outdoors.  

Kim Eierman is the founder of EcoBeneficial!  She is an Environmental Horticulturist specializing in ecological landscapes and native plants. Kim teaches at the New York Botanical Garden, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, The Native Plant Center in NY, Rutgers Home Gardeners School and several other institutions.  She is an active speaker on many ecological gardening topics, presenting at industry conferences, garden clubs, nature centers, Audubon Society chapters, beekeeping groups, and other organizations interested in environmental improvements.  Kim also provides horticultural consulting to homeowners and commercial clients. In addition to being a Certified Horticulturist through the American Society for Horticultural Science, Kim is a Master Gardener, a Master Naturalist, an Accredited Organic Landcare Professional, a Steering Committee member of The Native Plant Center and a member of the Garden Writers Association. Kim was awarded the Silver Award of Achievement by the Garden Writers Association for their 2014 and 2015 Media Awards Program.  

Mr. Bart Bibler is an environmental engineer, a Professional Engineer in Florida. He has worked in renewable energy policy, sales of solar power, and water management policy. He has worked in the private sector, within public agencies, and for non-profit organizations. He is currently employed by Simpler Solar Systems of Tallahassee.  He previously worked for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, but got in trouble for talking about Climate Change on an interagency conference call. He recently established Tallahassee350.org, affiliated with 350.org, the world’s largest Climate Change Movement. And, he has initiated the Climate Change Litmus Test.

Mattias Wallander has been the CEO of USAgain since 2000. From the company’s inception in 1999, USAgain has expanded into a nationwide network of over 12,000 clothing recycling sites in 16 states. Mr. Wallander recognizes the environmental significance of reducing textile waste not least for the global warming impact of textiles. His goal is to elevate textile recycling to the level of glass, paper and plastic, and to eventually achieve zero textile waste. With his team at USAgain, Mr. Wallander is currently developing solutions for increasing textile diversion from 15% to 75% through increased consumer convenience and accessibility.   

Vikram Aggarwal is the founder and CEO of EnergySage, the online solar marketplace. EnergySage simplifies the process of researching and shopping for solar, making the experience as easy as booking a flight online By introducing price transparency across suppliers and enabling apples-to-apples comparisons of solar systems, pre-screened installers and financing options, EnergySage is demystifying prices and shortening the buyer’s information-gathering phase. As a result, consumers are empowered to make quicker, more informed purchasing decisions about solar panels that specifically meet their individual needs, while also saving as much as 20% on the cost of their systems. Vikram founded EnergySage after more than fifteen years with a major global financial services leader, specializing in private equity investing and strategy consulting – because he recognized that solar panels were not only great for the environment, but also a low volatility, low risk financial product that could enable businesses and homeowners to save on their monthly energy bills as well as generate income over time. Vikram holds master’s degree in business administration and is a CFA charter holder.