Here's some information about people involved in the Focus the Nation Potsdam event. Keep checking back; as we update this web site we'll include more information about these people.
Dignitaries
Michael Backus
Field representative for Congressman John M. McHugh, representative of New York's 23rd District.
BICEP
Business for Innovative Climate & Energy Policy, a project of Ceres.
Van Jones
The Special Adviser for Green Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation at the White House Council on Environmental Quality. Van Jones is also an environmental and civil rights advocate who has written The Green Collar Economy, a New York Times bestselling book. He is also the president and founder of Green for All, a national NGO dedicated to "building an inclusive green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty."
John M. McHugh
Congressman for New York's 23rd District.
Nancy Pelosi
Currently the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.
Todd Stern
The special envoy for climate change under Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Panelists
Greg Hart
Regional Director of the North Country chapter of the Workforce Development Institute, part of the Apollo Alliance, an organization devoted to promoting green jobs and clean energy in the United States.
Ann Heidenreich
Executive Director of Community Energy Services. Ann has worked with not-for-profit organizations in Europe, Africa, Latin America and the United States on energy,environment and development issues for over 25 years. During her years in Africa, Ms Heidenreich gained considerable experience in strategic energy program development. She served as a member of the Task Team on Climate Change for the World Council of Churches, helping to produce the WCC Study Paper on climate change. She has served as advisor and resource person to numerous governmental and non-governmental organizations. Ms. Heidenreich returned to the North Country in 1996. She lives in a highly efficient, passive solar home and is a founding member of CES. In addition to her role as Executive Director at CES, she serves as North Country Energy $mart Communities Coordinator.
Abigail Lee
Currently completing her fourth year as Potsdam Village Trustee and employed as the director of the PACES (Potsdam Auxillary College Educational Services) Marketing Department at SUNY Potsdam.
Michael Ryan
Since 2006, Michael Ryan has owned North Bay Associates and North Bay Technology Development, LLC, venture capital firms that assist new businesses developing in Northern New York State and St. Lawrence County.
Bill Vitek
A professor in the Humanities department at Clarkson University. Moderator of the panel discussion at Focus the Nation.
Organizers
Max Edmands
Computer Science and Political Science student at Clarkson University, and president of Clarkson's ECO (Ecological Conservation Organization).
Andrea Ferro
A professor in the Environmental Engineering department at Clarkson University, and the adviser of Clarkson's ECO.
Michael Griffin
Director of News and Digital Content Services at Clarkson University. Faculty media organizer of the Focus the Nation.
Michael Guethle
Environmental Engineering student at Clarkson University, and president of Clarkson's chapter of NYWEA, or New York Water and Environment Association.
Iman Khondker
Student at Clarkson University, ECO member, and local representative of the Focus the Nation.
Tracy Roux
Mechanical Engineering student at Clarkson University, and secretary of Clarkson's ECO.
Eileen Stachowski
Environmental Engineering student at Clarkson University, and treasurer of Clarkson's ECO.
Gerlinde Wolf
Environmental Engineering student at Clarkson University, ECO member, and youth media organizer of the Focus the Nation.