2008 Smart & Sustainable Campuses Conference Faculty Biographies

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KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

TERRY TAMMINEN

From his youth in Australia to career experiences in Europe, Africa and all parts of the United States, Terry has developed expertise in business, farming, education, non-profit, the environment, the arts, and government. A United States Coast Guard-licensed ship captain, Terry has long been drawn to the undersea world, starting in the 1960s with a family-run tropical fish breeding business in Australia and continuing with studies on conch depletion in the Bahamas, manatee populations in Florida coastal waters, and mariculture in the Gulf States with Texas A&M University.

On land, Terry managed the largest sheep ranch east of the Mississippi, assisting the University of Minnesota in developing new methods of livestock disease control. Terry also managed a multi-million dollar real estate company, owned/operated a successful recreational services business, and assisted the west African nation of Nigeria with the creation of their first solid waste recycling program.

An accomplished author, Terry’s latest book, "Lives Per Gallon: The True Cost of Our Oil Addiction," (Island Press), is a timely examination of our dependence on oil and a strategy to evolve to more sustainable energy sources. He has also authored a series of best-selling “Ultimate Guides” to pools and spas (McGraw-Hill) and several theatrical works on the life of William Shakespeare. Terry is an avid airplane and helicopter pilot and speaks German, Dutch and Spanish.

In 1993, Terry founded the Santa Monica BayKeeper and served as its Executive Director for six years. He co-founded Waterkeeper programs in San Diego, Orange County, Ventura, and Santa Barbara. He also served for five years as Executive Director of the Environment Now Foundation in Santa Monica, CA and co-founded the Frank G. Wells Environmental Law Clinic at the School of Law, University of California Los Angeles.

In the summer of 2003, Terry helped Arnold Schwarzenegger win the historic recall election and become Governor of California. He was appointed as the Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency in November, 2003 and Cabinet Secretary, the Chief Policy Advisor to the Governor, in December, 2004. He continues to advise the Governor on energy and environmental policy. He currently travels throughout the United States and the world, lecturing and providing private consulting services to a variety of clients, including several Governors and Canadian Premiers on climate and energy policy.  

Terry has received countless awards and honors for his achievements and has served on numerous civic and charitable boards and commissions, including the Southern California Wetlands Recovery Project, the U.S. Navy Pt. Mugu Naval Air Station Restoration Advisory Board, the Los Angeles/Long Beach Harbor Safety Committee and the Wishtoyo Foundation, a group that preserves natural resources through Chumash Indian traditional teachings.


FACULTY:

MODERATOR: SCOTT LUPIN


Scott Lupin is the Director of the University of Maryland's new Office of Sustainability (www.sustainability.umd.edu) and also serves as the Associate Director for the Department of Environmental Safety . He has been with the University for 11 years and has worked in the environmental field for nearly 30 years. Scott serves as the campus lead in developing the University of Maryland's rapidly expanding sustainability program and has been directly involved in planning the Smart & Sustainable Campuses Conferences, guiding the conduct of the the University's first greenhouse gas inventory, and the development of the campus Climate Action Plan.  Scott also has direct responsibility for campus environmental management and compliance programs including air and water quality, soil and groundwater, controlled waste and associated permitting and training. He is a member of the University's Environmental Stewardship Committee and the recently formed Climate Action Plan Workgroup. Prior to joining the University, Scott served as a Senior Project Manager and Associate for Dames & Moore (now URS Corp.), one of the largest environmental and engineering firms in the world, where he supported clients including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC), Nabisco and other national and international clients.  Scott has also served as an Environmental Health and Safety Manager for Honeywell, Inc. and as an early environmental regulator involved in the implementation of Superfund and hazardous waste management programs.  Scott holds a B.S. in Biology from Guilford College and a M.S. in Environmental Health from the University of Minnesota.


DOUG DUNCAN

Mike Tidwell is founder and director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness about the impacts and solutions associated with global warming in Maryland, Virginia, and DC. He is also an author and filmmaker who predicted in vivid detail the Katrina hurricane disaster in his 2003 book Bayou Farewell: The Rich Life and Tragic Death of Louisiana’s Cajun Coast. His newest book, focusing on Katrina and global warming, is titled The Ravaging Tide: Strange Weather, Future Katrinas, and the Coming Death of America’s Coastal Cities. Tidwell’s most recent documentary film – “We Are All Smith Islanders” – vividly depicts the dangers of global warming Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. In 2003, Tidwell received the Audubon Naturalist Society’s prestigious “Conservation Award.” A long-time resident of Maryland, he lives in Takoma Park with his nine-year-old son Sasha.

MATTHIAS RUTH

Dr. Matthias Ruth is Roy F. Weston Chair in Natural Economics, Director of the Center for Integrative Environmental Research at the Division of Research, Director of the Environmental Policy Program at the School of Public Policy, and Co-Director of the Engineering and Public Policy Program at the University of Maryland.  His research focuses on dynamic modeling of natural resource use, industrial and infrastructure systems analysis, and environmental economics and policy. His theoretical work heavily draws on concepts from engineering, economics and ecology, while his applied research utilizes methods of non-linear dynamic modeling as well as adaptive and anticipatory management.  Professor Ruth has published 9 books and over 100 papers and book chapters in the scientific literature. He collaborates extensively with scientists and policy makers in the USA, Canada, Europe, Oceania, Asia and Africa.

Professor Ruth teaches nationally and internationally courses and seminars on economic geography, microeconomics and policy analysis, ecological economics, industrial ecology and dynamic modeling at the undergraduate, graduate and Ph.D. levels, and on occasion conducts short courses for decision makers in industry and policy.

DALE L. McGIRR 

Dale McGirr has been a leader in higher education planning and management for 35 years.  Dale spent 29 years at the University of Cincinnati (UC), with 22 of those years as a Cabinet Officer, until joining GBBN in October 2006.  In addition to leading all the traditional financial functions, Dale was also responsible for completing the Campus Master Plan in 1989, which led to the establishment of the Office of the University Architect that reported to Dale.  Twenty major building projects using a variety of world-class architects paired with local design firms have been completed in the last 17 years, plus several major open space projects, with an aggregate investment of over $1 billion.   Dale was an integral team member on all projects from architect selection through design development.  These projects included virtually all building types including office, classroom, research laboratory (bio-medical and engineering), student housing, student dining, student union (with retail,) student recreation, conference center/hotel, historic rehabilitation, parking facility, athletic center, performing arts, design and visual arts, and sophisticated open space.

Dale was responsible for establishing at UC a highly innovative Community Development program in the several neighborhoods surrounding both campuses of the University.  Through a series of non-profit corporations formed in collaboration with the neighborhood and business associations, this program has stimulated hundreds of millions of new investment in student housing, market housing (rental and for sale), retail, office development.  After several years of UC leadership, the program was so successful that it attracted four other major employers in the area to join UC in this effort and form the Uptown Consortium.  That organization continues to support new projects through its neighborhood investment fund, and has leveraged that effort by winning a $52 million round of New Market Tax Credits in 2005.  This was achieved in a national competition where only $1.5 billion was available and applications exceeded $30 billion.

PRESIDENT'S CLIMATE COMMITMENT PANEL:

LEE BODNER, moderator

Lee Bodner is the Executive Director of ecoAmerica, an environmental non-profit that uses innovative consumer research and marketing to encourage personal and civic choices that are better for American families, communities and the world around us.  Before joining ecoAmerica as its first Executive Director, Lee led a project team at D&R International which helped establish ENERGY STAR as an internationally recognized brand name for energy efficient consumer products.  Lee and his team worked with the U.S. EPA and DOE to convince major appliance and lighting manufacturers, such as Sears, The Home Depot, Whirlpool and GE to use the ENERGY STAR label to promote efficient products. A graduate of Georgetown University’s International Executive MBA program, Lee has also worked with several environmental and political advocacy organizations throughout his career.

JOHNATHAN C. GIBRALTER

Dr. Jonathan C. Gibralter was named the 14th president of Frostburg State University in March of 2006. Prior to joining FSU, Dr. Gibralter served as president of Farmingdale State University of New York on Long Island from 2001 to 2006. Under his leadership, Farmingdale State experienced a significant transformation, including a 25 percent increase in enrollment and the launching of a number of new bachelor degree programs.

Since arriving at Frostburg State University in August, Dr. Gibralter has established priorities that include enrollment management with a goal of increasing and stabilizing enrollment and developing an institutional brand and a marketing plan for the University. He has also established the Office of Communications and Marketing. Dr. Gibralter has also focused upon the development of a $15 million capital campaign, as well as enhancing and strengthening government relations and economic development. His collaborative approach to higher education has engaged faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends of the university in planning and development for the future of Frostburg State University. 

Active within his profession, Dr. Gibralter serves on the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and on the Facilities Strategies Committee of SUNY’s University-wide Strategic Planning Committee. Before his tenure at Farmingdale State, Dr. Gibralter held other positions at higher education institutions in the state of New York, including serving as interim president and previously the dean of academic affairs of Corning Community College, dean of the Rome Campus of Mohawk Valley Community College and an associate dean at the State University of New York at Morrisville. Dr. Gibralter holds a Ph.D. in human development from Syracuse University, an M.A. in counseling psychology from New York University and a B.A. in psychology from the State University of New York at Binghamton.  

C.D. MOTE

In September 1998, C. D. (Dan) Mote, Jr. began his tenure as President of the University of Maryland and Glenn L. Martin Institute Professor of Engineering. He was recruited to lead the University of Maryland to national eminence under a mandate by the state. Since assuming the presidency, he has encouraged an environment of excellence across the University and given new impetus to the momentum generated by a talented faculty and student body. Under his leadership, academic programs have flourished. In 2005, the University was ranked 18th among public research universities, up from 30th in 1998. President Mote has emphasized broad access to the university's model, enriched undergraduate curriculum programs and launched the Baltimore Incentive Awards Program to recruit and provide full support to high school students of outstanding potential who have overcome extraordinary adversity during their lives.

He has spurred the university to lead the state in the development of its high-tech economy, especially in the information and communication, bioscience and biotechnology, and nano-technology sectors. President Mote has greatly expanded the university's partnerships with corporate and federal laboratories and successfully negotiated to bring to the College Park area the first Science Research Park sponsored by the People's Republic of China. Under his leadership, the University has established a research park, The University of Maryland Enterprise Campus, M-Square, located on a 115-acre site adjacent to the University of Maryland/College Park Metro with 3 million square feet of development potential. Among its first tenants are the Center for Advanced Study of Language, a joint venture of the University and Department of Defense, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's new World Weather and Climate Prediction Center.  Read More

MARSHALL DRUMMOND


Dr. Marshall (Mark) Drummond began working as Chancellor of the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) July 23, 2007.  The largest community college district in the nation, the LACCD includes nine colleges with an annual budget of nearly one billion dollars serving approximately 180,000 full time students. In his previous position as Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, Dr. Drummond tirelessly advocated for, and passionately articulated the important societal mission of the state's 72 college districts to local, state, and national elected leaders and officials. Strengthening the System Office's federal and state governmental relations operation, Chancellor Drummond established a lobbyist presence in Washington, DC.

Chancellor Drummond’s other accomplishments as state Chancellor include addressing the critical nursing shortage; spearheading the first-ever Strategic Plan for the California community college system, adopted by the Board of Governors in January, 2006; and restoring financial stability to Compton Community College. In addition to his busy traveling and speaking schedule, Chancellor Drummond maintained contact with, and fostered relationships, with local community college administrators, faculty, staff and students, visiting nearly all of California’s 109 campuses. Prior to his appointment as State Chancellor, Dr. Drummond served as Chancellor of the Los Angeles Community College District from 1999 to 2004. His major accomplishments included: increasing District enrollments over 30% in three years, increasing the State-supported budget nearly 40% in three years, negotiating performance measures into all six collective bargaining agreements, passing two facilities bonds to provide $2.1 billion dollars for modernization, repair and new facilities, revamping the management structure of the District to take advantage of size and decentralization, moving rapidly on a project to replace all enterprise systems and retrain staff in the use of those systems, increasing grants and contract revenue from $20 million to nearly $70 million annually, building foundations at every college and the District, increasing assets and annual giving.

Prior to his tenure at Los Angeles CCD, Drummond served as President of Eastern Washington University for nearly 10 years. There he successfully led the institution's fundraising efforts, which included increasing the university's endowment, increasing the level of grants and contracts, raising private and public funds to restore a historical performing arts center and securing funds to build a new 160,000 square foot library. He also restructured the college to better utilize extensive and other college/university partnerships.  Before assuming the Presidency at Eastern Washington University, Dr. Drummond served as Executive Vice President; Vice President of Administrative Services and Finances; and Vice President and Chief Information Officer.

In the private sector, Chancellor Drummond utilized his technological expertise as a founding member and General Manager of Technology Specialists, Inc. and General Manager for west coast operations at Systems and Computer Technology Corporation, both based in Pennsylvania. He also served as President of Management Services Associates in Hayward, California. From 1967 to 1981, Dr. Drummond taught business and data processing courses at Chabot College in Hayward. Community service has always been an important and integral part of Dr. Drummond's life and professional career. He served as a member of the National Academy of Sciences' Subcommittee on Emerging Technologies, which advises the United States Department of Energy. He also chaired the Hanford Future Uses Commission and Hanford Tank Waste Commission. Chancellor Drummond holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and Economics from San Jose State University, a Master of Business Administration from San Jose State University, and a Doctorate of Education from the University of San Francisco.

STUDENT PANEL:

JOANNA CALABRESE

Joanna Calabrese is currently a sophomore at the University of Maryland College, MD majoring in Environment Science and Policy.  She has lived in New York, England, and Maryland for most of her life, where she became interested in conservation and environmental issues through nearly 12 years as a Girl Scout. At the University of Maryland, she is a leader and co-founder of a Clean Energy student group; she serves on the Student Government Association as a representative for the Agriculture school; and she acts as a student representative on the University of Maryland Climate Action Workgroup.  This past summer she campaigned for a lobbyist group on behalf of environmental and energy issues, and this semester is she interning on Capitol Hill for the House of Representatives Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. When Joanna is not buried in homework and other responsibilities, she enjoys cooking, eating, sleeping, playing violin, and painting.  She is honored and excited to be a part of this student panel and looking forward to hearing and learning from others as well as sharing her own thoughts. 

MATT HARMIN

Matthew Harmin is a University of Kentucky student who works in the community, on campus, and across the country to further campus and community sustainability efforts. Matt has harmonized his dissonant interests in Japanese Studies and sustainability into a topical major where he pursues an interdisciplinary understanding of globalization and natural resource management. His interests and involvements have grown to include a broad range of community outreach activities in his home of Lexington, Kentucky.

Matt has decided to use his life’s work and energy to espouse and help create a social transformation in which sustainability becomes the standard societal operating procedure. He is an organizer and activist with UK Greenthumb, Kentucky’s largest student run environmental club, and coordinated the UK chapter of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth in its founding semester, an organization which unites people from all parts of the state to promote social and environmental justice. At UK Matt contributed to the University of Kentucky Statement on Sustainability, and, using Robinson Forest as a catalyst, engaged UK in a constructive dialog about how to manage environmentally sensitive University owned lands. Additionally, Matt is known for on campus for organizing concerts, teach-ins, and fundraising parties. During the day Matt can be found working at the campus bike co-op, the University’s organic farm, and the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).

Matt is currently interning with AASHE where he is working to promote sustainability on a national level.  He is working on the Sustainability Tracking, Rating, and Assessment System for Colleges and Universities (STARS), this program will be piloted across the country in the coming months.  You can also see Matt’s handy work by visiting the website for the President’s Climate Commitment where he keeps up to date information about the universities that have committed to becoming climate neutral.

CARLOS RYMER

Carlos Rymer is a student at Cornell University studying sustainable development. On campus, he leads the Sustainability Hub and co-leads KyotoNOW!. In the Spring of 2007, he co-led an effort to convince Cornell's administration to commit to the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment with a campus-wide petition drive and a strong media campaign. Off-campus, Carlos co-led the New Jersey Climate March in the Spring of 2007, which helped win a statewide campaign to pass the Global Warming Response Act, ground-breaking legislation that sets the first mandatory caps on greenhouse gas emissions to be 80% below 2006 levels by 2050. Carlos is also a Campus Organizer and New York State Coordinator for the Sierra Student Coalition. He is also Press Relations Chair of the New York Student Sustainability Coalition. Outside of the U.S., Carlos works with Romana Sostenible in the Dominican Republic, which promotes sustainable development. Carlos is the Renewable Energy Director and is leading a Renewable Energy Campaign to convince the private sector to invest heavily in renewable energy projects to reach a national goal of climate neutrality by 2030, with the goal of showing real, urgent leadership on climate change.