Southeast Green - Speaking Of Green

Donna Bell is currently the EV Infrastructure and Smart Grid Technology manager in the Sustainability and Vehicle Environmental Matters Organization at Ford Motor Company.  In this position, Donna is responsible for managing the launch readiness of electric utilities in the US and Europe inclusive of Value Charging, developing the Smart Grid technology roadmap, and developing and coordinating EV Policy positions for US, Europe & China.  Donna works closely with utilities in the U.S. to develop EV Infrastructure solutions that benefit both the EV customer and the utility companies.  She also supports plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) readiness boards around the country; ensuring that all opportunities that support EV adoption are considered. Prior to joining the Sustainability team, Donna held various technical and leadership positions in the Electrical and Electronics Systems Engineering organization at Ford including body module electronics design, electrical systems design and analysis, purchasing for dri

Andy Fleming, Executive Director, Friends of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites, Inc. Andy Fleming serves as executive director of Friends of Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites, a position he has held since June 2007. Prior to joining Friends in this capacity, Andy had served more than 25 years in leadership positions creating, leading and managing local and national nonprofit organizations in Paralympic sports. From its inception in 1990 to its successful conclusion, Andy served as president and chief executive officer of the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games – the world’s second largest sporting event in 1996. Following the 1996 Paralympics, Andy led the creation and development of BlazeSports America, a national nonprofit organization serving children and young adults with physical disability. Andy has served in a variety of volunteer capacities, including ten years on the U. S. Olympic Committee’s Committee on Sports for the Disabled, as a member of the board of trustees of Leadership Atlanta, the

Mission and What We Do PuraTerra is the first Market Development Firm in the sustainable building products industry. This is the key to understanding what we actually do. In our view, a Market Development Firm serves multiple audiences and provides what we call “holistic value”. We have a number of different customer types, because we are trying to advance the state of the industry as a whole. PuraTerra's primary customer types include: Manufacturers Architects and Engineers Developers and Owners Distributors RepFirms Our holistic approach to serving these various customer types has four aspects: 1. We understand all of the dynamics associated with the construction of sustainable buildings. 2. We are skilled in a wide spectrum of functions including technical expertise across product categories 3. We provide technical support, training, and other technical services. 4. We generate revenue through product sales and assist in the development of strategic alliances. Other firms in the industry can offer a subset

The program is brought to you by Cox Enterprises. Cox Conserves is the company’s national sustainability program that focuses on reducing waste and energy consumption, as well as conserving water. Tonya Bonitatibus Riverkeeper Tonya grew up near the banks in Hephzibah, Georgia, where her love and passion for the Savannah River began at a young age.  Her career as a  water conservation activist began in 2007,  when she became the Development Director for the Savannah Riverkeeper.  She also served as the Georgia Field Representative for Oceana's campaign to convince Olin Corporation to convert to a more efficient and - most importantly - mercury-free process.  Tonya received a Bachelor's degree in Marketing from Augusta State University and her extensive knowledge of the River makes her an invaluable part of the Riverkeeper team. 

Corey Arnold, SPCC Certified Pest Management Specialist Mr. Arnold is President & Chief Executive Officer of Atlanta based firm, Peachtree Pest Control Co, Inc. Corey is the second generation owner in this family operated organization. This has allowed him the opportunity to service in the pest management field from an early age. Prior to joining the company full time in 2001, he obtained a Business Administration degree from the University of Georgia. In 1997 he began working in the University’s Structural and Medical Entomology laboratories focusing on non-toxic pest management solutions facilitating the removal of invasive insect species in fragile eco systems. This experience led Corey to the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador as a volunteer with the Charles Darwin Research Foundation. This opportunity transformed a laboratory background into a field sciences application. Corey is a member of the Georgia, and National Pest Management Associations, is a certified Pest Management Specialist with the Ga. Dept

A family farm at the brink of failure – Alejandro Garcia’s Costa Rican coffee farm was at substantial risk of failure. So, he left the five-generation family farm to go work in the US where he saved $40,000 working in a family-style buffet restaurant. A meeting with destiny – Alejandro (Alé) came back home, invested his hard-earned money in coffee processing equipment, and changed the trajectory of the coffee farming business. The key was a chance meeting with Ken Lander, an American who had retired to Costa Rica and bought a coffee farm. Ken’s retirement was shaken by the financial crisis of 2008. His gentleman’s coffee farm was now needed to feed his family. He learned that making a living as a coffee farmer doesn’t add up. The test model – Over the next 2 years, they forged ahead with Alé’s equipment and coffee knowledge, and Ken’s business acumen. They vertically integrated the supply chain by processing, roasting, packaging and then selling their own coffee. The trouble with “fair” – Ken and Alé shared t

With their last child graduating from college, Audrey and Frank Peterman embarked on a road trip around the country to “discover America.” Traveling 12,000 miles across 40 states from Florida to Washington State, they were transformed by the stunning natural beauty, history and culture protected in our National Parks and forests. Shockingly, they saw less than a handful of Americans of Hispanic, Asian, African or Native American heritage enjoying the Great American outdoors, or working in them. Recognizing that this problem stemmed from a lack of information, misconceptions and latent fears about being in the woods, the Petermans resolved to become a catalyst for change. Since then, they’ve crisscrossed the country multiple times, visiting 156 national parks, numerous forests and wildlife preserves; served on a plethora of environmental boards; inspired hundreds of thousands to discover and support our national treasures, and personally taken thousands of Americans on tours of the national parks. Audrey and

Gene Cox is a Metro Atlanta native.  He is a graduate of Woodward Academy High School in College Park, Georgia and Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana.  He has 17 years of experience as a Television News anchor and reporter working in numerous cities including Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Knoxville, Tennessee.  In 2010 Gene chose to create a new career path after being inspired by William McDonough's book Cradle To Cradle.  He now is a co-owner of Eco Denizen, an eco-minded gift shop and renovation design studio at 10th and Peachtree in Midtown.  Gene's wife earned a masters degree in architecture and she manages the design and LED lighting retrofit side of Eco Denizen's operation.  Gene is professionally accredited by the United States Green Building Council as a LEED Green Associate.  

Mark Callaway is a Senior Vice President with the Indigo Group at Morgan Stanley in Atlanta. For over a decade, Mark has been helping clients to reflect their values into their financial portfolios.  Mark is focused on educating and informing clients, colleagues and listeners on the benefits of socially responsible investments.

Dawn is the president of the award-winning Atlanta-based design firm Keene Design that specializes in graphic design, branding strategies, and business marketing since 1999. She has launched various branding campaigns for clients such as the The Home Depot, Citi Cards, Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College and the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta. She currently serves as a part-time adjunct instructor in design and media at Atlanta Technical College (Tech) and has taught at Georgia State as well. She has also held various positions at AT&T, including assistant to the Director of Recycling and Property Management. Dawn’s professional affiliations have included serving on the board and sustainability committee of the American Institute of Graphic Arts, Atlanta Tech’s advisory board, host at Hub Atlanta and as a member of the Green Chamber of the South. Dawn has a Masters degree in Sustainable Design from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from

Produced by the Creation Care Team at Northland, A Church Distributed, “Our Father’s World” is a 27-minute documentary outlining the role that Christians should play in environmentalism. The film features interviews with noted evangelical leaders and scholars, including Bill and Lynne Hybels, Tony Campolo, James Merritt and Mark Liederbach. The insightful commentary helps viewers connect the ecological dots—from spiritual calling to modern living and how it all ultimately impacts “the least of these.” The film is narrated by Northland’s senior pastor, Dr. Joel C. Hunter.  “This was our first calling, recorded early on in Genesis 1 and 2, and we remain God's caretakers over all creation today,” Dr. Hunter explains. To read more http://ow.ly/lu7Wo.

Col. Nolan tracks the energy challenges facing the US Department of Defense in the early 21st century. Drawing from the best thinking inside and outside the Pentagon, he examines problems and identifies possible short, medium and long term solutions in technology and policy. You can visit his blog at http://http://dodenergy.blogspot.com. Operation Free is a nationwide coalition of veterans who recognize that climate change is a major threat, and support fast, bold action. It is time for Americans to rise to the challenge, and we’re taking on the fight. Operation Free is a campaign of the The Truman National Security Project, the nation’s only organization that recruits, trains, and positions a new generation of progressives across America to lead on national security. Our mission is to provide the skills, knowledge, and network to create an influential force of leaders across the country who advance strong progressive national security policy.  

April Ingle from the Georgia River Network gets us prepared for the summer paddling season and the economic and tourism dollars it brings to the state. Cutting a unique path across North Georgia, the 163-mile long Etowah River Water Trail provides a path into one of the state's most historically significant and one of the nation's most biologically diverse rivers. It is also the first river to it's own book, in a series of waterproof Georgia River Trail Guides being produced by Georgia Univeristy Press. To purchase click here. http://ow.ly/lKR6W Currently, seven developed public boat landings, numerous undeveloped public access points and several boat ramps on Lake Allatoona (the river's only impoundment) provide journeys of varying lengths along the river's course. A coalition of non-profit organizations, private landowners and local governments are working to establish additional developed boat landings to improve public access to what many call North Georgia's "best family paddling destination." A proje

A LIFECYCLE BUILDING CENTER is a ommunity-based warehouse facility that directly assists the general public by identifying and implementing best practice green building-related concepts. As part of its non-profit mission, it may address all critical phases within the life use of the built environment – planning, design, construction, use, adaptation, renovation and demolition – and offer information, resources, materials and services to maximize opportunities within each phase. The heart of the LIFECYCLE BUILDING CENTER (LBC) concept is the establishment of a large-scale used building material facility that sells or otherwise directs collected material to the general public- in lieu of disposal. The sales revenue, foot traffic, and operational behavior of the facility are leveraged to enact the LBC mission and creatively serve the community at large. Through an integrated and holistic mission-based approach, communities become more regenerative, healthier and generate economic and social wealth through the

Jon Gensler is a proud native of southern West Virginia, a passionate warrior for the development of a clean energy economy, and co-leader of Truman's Energy Experts group.  His career has spanned time as an officer in the United States Army as a tank and infantry mortar platoon leader, managing high-profile sales accounts for a global lighting controls and energy efficiency firm, and working for the Dept of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy (ARPA-E).  He now works as a Project Developer for Borrego Solar Systems, helping develop solar energy projects for the Department of Defense and other federal agencies.  Aside from his work on climate and national security issues, he is a tireless advocate for the ending of mountaintop removal coal mining in Appalachia, and the introduction of a broader, more sustainable economy in the region. He is a graduate of United States Military Academy at West Point, MIT's Sloan School of Management, and Harvard's JFK School of Government. Montani Semper Liberi

Solar Energy USA is built around people with proven backgrounds in national home improvement companies, manufacturing, large scale operation implementation and personalized customer service support. Our network is built on satisfied customers spreading the word, and benefits of alternative energy solutions. Even though our efforts are wide spread and our reach is large, our company and message of our collective communities cannot be heard without the support of every customer. Solar Energy USA is an accumulation of engineers, project development leaders, operation officers and solution managers that have all been drawn together to form an entity that has the technical, practical and customer centric expertise to meet the vast needs of both our commercial and residential clients. We let our manufacturing partners create the best new products based on the latest technology. From the most effective and durable solar panels to the best inverters on the market today, we get to choose the best product for you

Peggy Denby has been Executive Director of Keep Atlanta Beautiful for 8 years. She is also an artist and involved with neighborhood safety.  Before she became ED, KAtlB was inactive for a number of years.  She and others successfully reactivated it and started over.  The mission is to empower neighborhoods to be cleaner and greener. KAtlB works primarily in the areas of litter and graffiti abatement, recycling, and beautification.  KAtlB raises funds to purchase trashcans that are placed in needed areas around the city and we raise funds to purchase graffiti abatement supplies to hand out to neighborhoods.  We hold two recycling events each month - in Buckhead and Old Fourth Ward.  We are providing stump grinding and tree trimming services for residents who are willing to pay to remove stumps or trim trees on public property.    

Roger Sorkin is the owner and executive producer of Sorkin Productions, a video production company specializing in public policy for a variety of clients including USAID, U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, Center for U.S. Global Engagement, International Foundation for Electoral Systems, Northeast Sustainable Energy Association and others. He is the producer, director, and writer of "The Burden: Fossil Fuel, the Military, and National Security", a feature-length documentary in production. Roger began his career in 1993 as the producer of a daily public affairs radio program, lived in Spain teaching English, and received a master of arts in communication from Stanford University's Documentary Film and Video Program in 2000. He worked for several DC-area production companies, helping produce a range of work from PBS documentaries to short videos for the U.S. Army, and then founded Sorkin Productions in 2002. His films have won numerous awards including best documentary at the DC Independent Film Festival, as wel

This episode of Speaking of Green will focus on Julie Root, Architect and Green Building expert in Pasadena, California. Julie is originally from Mobile, Alabama and studied architecture at Mississippi State. She moved to the Greater Los Angeles area to practice and has become a leading voice in green building and construction manager. Join as we discuss green building in California and how that will effect green building standards here in the Southeast.

Going Green is becoming the leader in horticultural consulting in the Southeast by providing landscape companies, homeowners and community groups with the education and skills to implement organic and sustainable landscaping. Going Green Horticultural has over 20 years of experience with the most prestigious landscape design/build firms in the Georgia landscape industry. Betsey Norton will be joining us just in time for the Spring planting season to help make our yards and lanscaping greener and more sustainable.