Our fabulous SkyTruth Board lineup continues for 2008, with the election of Directors and Officers at our first Board meeting of the new year. This gives us the perfect opportunity to introduce a key part of the SkyTruth team to those of you who don’t know us yet.

 

David Festa continues as Chairman, bringing his world-class managerial, public policy and fundraising skills to SkyTruth. David currently is Associate Vice-President, West Coast and Program Director for the Oceans Program at Environmental Defense Fund. Under his leadership, his program has restructured its strategic plan, streamlined management, and increased its funding and impact. Prior to joining EDF, David served as a senior appointee in the Clinton Administration, working closely with the Secretary of Commerce on policy and strategic planning. His past experiences include work on a wide range of issues, including energy, clean air, fisheries, protected areas, and more. In addition to his SkyTruth and EDF hats, David is a visiting scholar at Oregon State University.

 

Dr. Elliott Norse, President of Marine Conservation Biology Institute, combines scientific expertise as a marine and forest ecologist with his extensive experience in policy and organizational development. Elliott’s many accomplishments over his 35 year career include pioneering the concept of biological diversity while at President Carter’s Council on Environmental Quality, and penning several books, including Conserving Biological Diversity in our National Forests for The Wilderness Society. In 1996 he founded MCBI to promote the science of marine conservation biology and encourage scientists to become engaged in the conservation of marine ecosystems. MCBI now has offices in four locations across the country and has played a central role in bringing the impacts of bottom trawling to the fore, as well as in establishing the largest marine protected area in U.S. waters.

 

Dr. David Shearer, is Chief Scientist with California Environmental Associates and specializes in next-generation transportation, energy and information technologies. He is an expert in policy instruments that catalyze market development for emerging technologies, exposure assessment of indoor/outdoor air pollutants, and climate change. David has worked with a broad range of private and public sector clients to manage environmental risk, quantify the life cycle impacts of human activities, develop revenue generation models for short- and long-term environmental strategies, and engage stakeholder groups in constructive dialogue. He also serves on the technical advisory boards of the Lindbergh Foundation and the Bay School of San Francisco.

 

Vikki Spruill currently is President and CEO of Ocean Conservancy, a non-profit conservation organization that promotes healthy ocean ecosystems through research, education and science-based advocacy. Previously, she was founder and President of SeaWeb, a non-profit organization that uses strategic communications techniques to advance ocean conservation. Priort to SeaWeb, she was Senior Vice President responsible for client management and new business development in the Washington DC office of Ruder Finn, one of the largest independently held public relations firms in the world.

 

John Amos, who many of you know through this blog, continues as President. Trained as a geologist, John has almost 20 years experience working with satellite imagery and other forms of remote sensing, and has led most of SkyTruth’s project work since its founding in 2002. Prior to founding SkyTruth he worked as a geologic image analyst and exploration consultant for Earth Satellite Corporation and Advanced Resources International. John has created a substantial network of conservation NGO partners over the years, who now benefit from the technical expertise and stunning images we produce to promote understanding of environmental issues.

 

Finally, last but not least (I hope!) is me, Amy Mathews Amos, elected as SkyTruth’s Secretary – Treasurer. In addition to being able to bend the ear of the President on a daily basis (wife’s prerogative), I bring 20 years experience working in environmental policy and science with the federal government, conservation organizations, and scientific societies. My current work as a consultant to NGOs and foundations includes policy analysis, program evaluation, and project coordination and management on a range of conservation issues. Beyond my consulting work and SkyTruth contributions, I also serve as President of the Board of Directors of the American Conservation Film Festival.

SkyTruth also benefits from several great Associates who help do the high-quality work SkyTruth is known for. We’ll introduce them in the near future. Check out our website (now undergoing a much-needed overhaul) for more info on people and projects.