Candidate for 17th Congressional District......Dan Moadus

[Dan Moadus]

It seems as though the onslaught of odious legislation just keeps coming. Here's a little Bill that's currently flying under the radar. H.R. 1751, called, if you can believe this, "The American Dream Act". Here is a brief description of what it promises: This bill amends the Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 by giving states the authority to repeal the denial of an unlawful alien's eligibility for higher education benefits, which have been previously tied state-residency. It additionally allows for the adjustment from status of alien to conditional permanent resident and outlines the criteria for such an adjustment by the Secretary of Homeland Security.

It seems senseless. From what I can discern; if an illegal alien is denied higher education benefits because he doesn't satisfy the State's residency requirements, under this law, the State can now repeal the denial. They needed federal permission to do this? And wouldn't the fact that they are here illegally itself be enough to deny them benefits?

Reading the bill, I get the idea that the bill will qualify an illegal for benefits if he or she has been here (illegally) long enough. Oh! And I shouldn't forget; it grants them amnesty also. Are these people crazy or what? Anyhow, you can check it out for yourself here: http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h1751/show

[Dan Moadus]

It is hard to express the relief I feel as I see the resistance build to the left's attempt to remake America. I remember just eight months ago having an almost overwhelming feeling of helplessness as I watched Obama take power. I felt betrayed. "How could Americans have done this?" "How could they have not seen the danger?" I tried to tell myself that the voting public just wasn't paying close enough attention. I couldn't bring myself to believe that they had changed their values, but I was worried.

Then I began to see that many people shared my concerns. I started to read more and more about people who were pushing back. I began to hear talk about "Tea Parties". In February I found out that one was being planned for the end of the month in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. I participated along with my wife Carole, my son Wyatt, and my sister-in-law Trish. Now please understand, this wasn't a political awakening for me; I have been a patriot and a conservative for over forty years, and I have been an activist and local politician for about twenty years. But I have to say, nothing gave me more satisfaction then standing on the Square in downtown Cleveland that day.

What I remember most about that experience is that I didn't know the name of a single person on the Square that day, other than my family, and I don't think I said more than a few words to anyone, and neither did I see anyone else talking much. We read each other's homemade signs, nodded and smiled at one another and drew strength and encouragement from the knowledge that we were amongst fellow patriots.

Our small group (about 100 people) varied considerably. Ages ranged from teenagers to the elderly. There were two people wearing suits and top coats, and there was a man and his wife both wearing brown Carhart overalls and coats and looked as though they skipped the morning milking to attend.

It was the day that I first felt our power, and I could see that others felt it too. This group of people was not your typical group of protesters; we weren't there for the fun or excitement, we were serious. We exercised our first amendment right almost as if it was a sacrament. I knew, as we left for home that day, that everyone there came away with the feeling that we would not be stopped. We were the vanguard. We represented the drawing back of the sea in preparation for the coming tsunami of resistance. It was a good start.

Today, I feel more encouraged than ever. Tea Parties are growing in size and frequency and are attended in numbers that the main stream media are finding harder to ignore. I attended my second Tea Party on April 15th in Warren, Ohio and it had at least three or four times the number of people as did the Cleveland event, and my family and I are going to the 9/12 Tea Party in Washington D.C. which promises to be very biggest yet.

In addition to the Tea Parties, this awakening of mainstream America is manifesting itself in the number of first time candidates for Congress as well, of which I am one. We are revolutionary candidates in the sense that we are not running typical campaigns that promise to bring projects and pork to our local districts. We are running as candidates who are dedicating our selves to restoring the Constitution's rightful role in the decision making in our nation's Capitol.

And here's the good news. If you have been praying for the madness of the last year to end, all it will take is the exchange of 50 people in the House. Just swap 50 radical leftists for 50 Constitution respecting candidates and this march to Socialism will come to a screeching halt.

Don't necessarily focus on just the contest in your district. It doesn't matter at all which districts these 50 patriot candidates come from, as long as they are sworn to restoring Constitutional Government. We need your support. America needs your support.

I believe with all my heart that the Congressional Election of 2010 will add at least 50 conservative voices to Congress. If my name is not among the winners I will be just as happy as long as we achieve that number. I will take solace in knowing that our Country's course will be corrected and that I did my part.

[Dan Moadus]

There is something sick about the government paying over $4,000 for a car then putting sand in the crankcase, and running the engine until it blows up. Especially when people are suffering due to the economy. I'm sure there are people right now who are trying to nurse along cars much older than the ones being destroyed who would really appreciate these cars. Affordable transportation for low income people going up in smoke. "http://www.youtube.com/v/Go29hpq2XuY&hl=en&fs=1&"

[Dan Moadus]

Here is my position on the "retirees" issues

Because of the impact on the lives of the current retirees, and future ones as well, the pension obligation should be a top priority for the Bankruptcy court and the Government overseeing the process.

Granted, all obligations of the company need to be addressed, but none affects people more than the pension issue. What also is being overlooked, is that the pension obligation defaults of these companies, damages the trust necessary between workers and those who employ them nationwide, and will have a negative effect upon the high productivity that keeps America's economy the envy of the world.

When creditors loan money to a Corporation or company, they have the opportunity and the tools to assess the soundness of their investment, and the degree of risk that they are assuming. But, employees typically don't have that ability. For the most part, they accept the promise of a pension in lieu of greater compensation, which they themselves could have invested, without question. They invest their trust in the company they work for, and demonstrate that trust by the plans that they make for how they are going to live when they retire. Unlike lenders, they can not spread the risk around, they, in a very real sense have "put all their eggs in one basket". This is why their claims deserve special consideration.

First, the government should find out just what happened to the money that was supposed to be set aside to honor these pensions. Were more than just promises broken? Were laws dealing with pension funding broken? And if so, are those responsible going to be held accountable?

If these bankrupt companies are going to be dissolved, the pensioners must be put at the top of the list when the assets are sold off; because I believe their "investment" was greater than any one lender. And if the company is restructured, its first obligation should be too adequately and securely fund the promised pensions out of any profits from both the company's domestic and over seas holdings.

[irishbobcat]

If Mr. Moadus is not smart enough to answer the questions or does no  research  on the questions, then he shouldn't be running for Congress.... Isn't that your complaint about our current congressman from the 17th district?

And why don't Mr. Moadus run as a Republican.....his feelings and ideas are just as right wing as Dr. Allen......Vet Doctor..........

[sfc_oliver]

Another non-answer? You are getting so good at attempting to avoid telling us that you haven't a clue until someone gives you your talking points. Maybe you should ask them to explain them to you.

[irishbobcat]

I can't help it if Mr. Moadus can not understand simple sentences regarding electric companies and manufacturing.

If he can not understand the statements, maybe he shouldn't be running for Congress.....but then again, when do conservatives understand anything?

[sfc_oliver]

I believe that Mr Moadus asked you a question about the green party standings on an issue and just what was meant by them. Has nothing to do with the GOP, or your own delusions about the Right. But that's OK, we understand. You think slamming the right is the answer to everything.

[irishbobcat]

How can I answer right wing lies about health care?

[sfc_oliver]

I notice Dennis has his own issues instead of answering any questions. One person was mentioned as a Communist. The founder of a group and Dennis now wants us to pick out any more. Instead of admitting that one. (a rather high profile person as the founder) But regardless No answers to all the other questions.

[irishbobcat]

Dan,

when you find all the commies in Ohio and the Apollo Alliance, this right -wing witch hunt that you are on, I will answer your question......

Or do you need to go to Salem, MA to start digging up witches names?


Quit changing the subject.....or can't you find the commies like Joe McCarthey?

[Dan Moadus]

Dennis, in your post, is this paragraph:

"Policy Matters research shows that Ohio's new renewable energy standard will create a market for sustainable energy in which Ohio has a key manufacturing role. And if Ohio electric utility companies should fail to comply with this standard, they will be required to make alternative compliance payments into Ohio's advanced energy fund to invest in re-energizing Ohio. "

Please answer a question on the sentence that says, "And if Ohio electric utility companies should fail to comply with this standard, (the standard being producing 12.5 of their energy from renewable sources) they will be required to make alternative compliance payments into Ohio's advanced energy fund to invest in re-energizing Ohio."

What if the technology doesn't exist that will allow this, or it is too expensive to afford. The Electric producer has to pay penalties? And just where are they going to get the money to pay these penalties

And what about the first sentence where it says, "Ohio's new renewable energy standard will create a market for sustainable energy in which Ohio has a key manufacturing role."

Please explain how an "energy standard" creates a market? Just what does this mean.

[sfc_oliver]

Holteck in Campbell just had to add a third shift to one press. The one that makes parts for Nuclear reactors. None of which are sold here in the USA. Now isn't that Bitter Sweet.

Holteck is formerly CALEX on Wilson Ave.

[irishbobcat]

How many Commies can you pick out in the Ohio group, Dan???


Ohio


Contact | Mission | Agenda | Past Accomplishments | What's in the Works | Steering Committee



In partnership with




CONTACT Top

Ohio Apollo Alliance

Shanelle Smith
216-224-1808
smith (at) apolloalliance.org

MISSION Top

Policy Matters Ohio is the Ohio partner for the Apollo Alliance, a coalition of environmentalists, businesses, unions and community groups pushing a clean energy revolution in America. Apollo reforms will reduce dependence on foreign oil; cut carbon emissions; help America lead in clean energy innovation and development; and create a new generation of well-paid, green-collar jobs for people across America.

Ohio's world-class manufacturing infrastructure and workforce poises Ohio to become a leader in providing parts for renewable energy equipment, training workers for green-collar jobs, promoting conservation and innovation, and using renewable energy.

AGENDA Top

Create jobs that pay a living wage and provide benefits through manufacturing of component parts for renewable energy and energy efficiency equipment;

Train Ohio workers in advanced energy skills, from installation to engineering, and create green career pathways out of poverty for people with barriers to employment;

Require energy efficiency in resource planning and use, particularly in land use and public buildings; and

Capitalize on opportunity by building on Ohio's existing strengths to seize competitive advantage in all areas of advanced energy.

PAST ACCOMPLISHMENTS Top


In October 2008, Governor Strickland threw his support behind The New Apollo Program.
Ohio's new renewable energy standard was signed in April of 2008 and requires 12.5% of Ohio's energy to come from renewable energy resources by 2025. The new energy efficiency standard in Ohio is one of the strongest in the nation, requiring Ohio utility companies to ramp up savings to 2% per year by 2019 and each year thereafter. Policy Matters research shows that Ohio's new renewable energy standard will create a market for sustainable energy in which Ohio has a key manufacturing role. And if Ohio electric utility companies should fail to comply with this standard, they will be required to make alternative compliance payments into Ohio's advanced energy fund to invest in re-energizing Ohio. The Ohio Apollo Alliance testified at the legislature in support of the renewable portfolio standards and energy efficiency standards.  Governor Strickland referenced Apollo and its research when he unveiled his proposal. In
In October 2007, we co-hosted the first-of-its-kind Midwest Conference on Labor in the New Energy Economy, featuring local and national leaders. Read and hear some of the highlights here.
In the same month, we published a report titled Investing to Re-energize Ohio, describing why Ohio's advanced energy fund should be strengthened and made stronger.
We've studied how the use of renewable energy nationwide could stimulate investment and job growth in Ohio. For more, read our Generating Energy, Generating Jobs report.
Our releases have generated media coverage on the green economy, and we testified to the Ohio legislature in support of good green energy policies.
Governor Strickland also worked with the Ohio Legislature to pass a bipartisan jobs bill that will, among other things, invest $150 million into Ohio's advanced energy supply chain and $250 million into workforce development to help create green jobs in Ohio. However, we need to work to ensure these public sector investments are made in a way that is both transparent and accountable, and bring the best value to the community and Ohio's workforce.
WHAT'S IN THE WORKS Top


Ohio Apollo Alliance will continue to encourage policymakers to:

Focus on green-collar jobs as a central strategy for advancing environmental, economic, and climate protection goals. Green-collar jobs consist of work within growing industries that are helping us to declare our energy independence, curb greenhouse-gas emissions, eliminate toxins, and protect natural systems. These jobs pay family-supporting wages and provide opportunities for training and career advancement. Green-collar jobs already exist in many sectors and industries, and build on the capacities of existing businesses and workers in Ohio—from manufacturing to construction and high-skill service jobs. From installing solar panels to planting trees, many green-collar jobs are difficult or impossible to outsource.

Increase demand for green-collar jobs with policies, investment, and incentives that expand the market for green products and services. Use green redevelopment strategies to create jobs that strengthen both our economy and environment.

Emphasize community-based investments that cannot be outsourced and contribute directly to preserving or enhancing environmental standards.

Create a Green-collar Jobs Taskforce. A successful green-collar jobs initiative requires the expertise, political capital, and resources of a wide variety of partners. Identify key leaders and consult, develop, reinvigorate or realign partnerships with potential leaders and organizations such as: community organizations, unions, businesses, workforce development programs, schools, and advocates.

Use Green-collar Job Creation as an opportunity to provide pathways out of poverty and strengthen the middle class. While some green jobs require advanced technical skills, most are middle-skill jobs requiring more education than high school, but less than a four-year degree. New opportunities and access to good jobs enable low-income people to take the first step toward economic self-sufficiency. These jobs are well within reach of many workers as long as they are accompanied by effective training and support programs.

Support policies that drive public and private investment in an inclusive green economy. Invest government resources in programs and initiatives that build an inclusive green economy, while leveraging and aligning existing public resources, and private sources of capital and finance, toward these same goals.

Prepare a green-collar workforce by building on existing training and apprenticeship programs that provide job seekers with "pathways out of poverty" and family-supporting, career-track jobs. Equip workers for high-demand jobs in the green economy by fostering partnerships with community groups, nonprofit organizations, climate change experts, businesses, unions and schools.

Issues we're working on include: pushing a stronger energy loan fund, residential grants for efficiency, transit, identifying component manufacturing opportunities for the renewable supply chain that including Green Training.

To promote these ideas, we've partnered with the Ohio Blue-Green Alliance and the Ohio Wind Working Group. Find some of our other partners here.

STEERING COMMITTEE Top

Ned Ford, Sierra Club of Ohio
Lloyd MahHaffey, UAW Region 2B
Susan Helper, PhD, Case Western Reserve University
David Rinebolt, Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy
Kelly Kupcak, Hard Hatted Women

The George Gund Foundation provides generous support to this project.


Ted Strickland???

[irishbobcat]

God help the 17th District if Dan Moadus gets elected.....you are out far far far right field......

Apollo Board of Directors

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Chairman

Phil Angelides, Chairman, Canyon Johnson Urban Communities Fund

Members

Frances Beinecke, President, Natural Resources Defense Council

Robert Borosage, President, Institute for America's Future

Leo Gerard, International President, United Steelworkers Union

Gerald Hudson, International Executive Vice President, Service Employees International Union

Mindy Lubber, President, CERES

Nancy McFadden, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for PG&E Corporation

Kathleen McGinty, former Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Terence M. O'Sullivan, General President, Laborers' International Union of North America

Ellen Pao, Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Byers

Michael Peck, Principal, MAPA Incorporated

John Podesta, President and CEO of the Center for American Progress

Carl Pope, Executive Director, Sierra Club

Dan W. Reicher, Director of Climate Change and Energy Initiatives, Google

Joel Rogers, Director, Center on Wisconsin Strategy


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Phil Angelides has made his mark in California and the nation as an effective public leader, as a successful businessman, and as a trailblazing environmental innovator. Mr. Angelides is Chairman of the Canyon Johnson Urban Communities Fund, a partnership of Canyon Capital Realty Advisors and Earvin "Magic" Johnson, focused on investing in, improving, and greening residential rental and mixed use properties in urban communities across America. He was the California State Treasurer from 1999-2007 and the Democratic nominee for Governor of California in 2006. For over two decades, Mr. Angelides has been a leader in the movement for sustainable economic progress. In the 1980's, he pioneered the planning and building of smart growth communities long before the concepts of sustainability were embraced by the marketplace. Among his ventures was the town of Laguna West which was featured in Time, Newsweek, the New York Times, U.S. News and World Report, and ABC-TV's "Good Morning America," and sparked a national dialogue around building more livable, environmentally responsible communities. During his eight years in elected office, Mr. Angelides transformed the State Treasurer's Office into a force for progress, launching ground breaking policy initiatives. He directed $26 billion in state investments to promote smart growth and create jobs, housing, and opportunities in inner cities, catalyzing a wave of reinvestment in America's urban centers. He put the weight of California's $400 billion pension funds behind investment in clean energy and the fight against global warming – seeding the "green tech" investment revolution. And, he mobilized investors across the nation to usher in a new era of corporate social and environmental responsibility. He has received numerous awards for his work, including the National Inner City Leadership Award from the Initiative for Competitive Inner City; the California League of Conservation Voters' Environmental Leadership Award; and the Congress for the New Urbanism's Lifetime Achievement Award.



Frances Beinecke is President of Natural Resources Defense Council. Frances has worked with NRDC for more than 30 years. Prior to becoming the president in 2006, she served as the organization's executive director for eight years. Under Frances's leadership, the organization has launched a new strategic campaign that sharply focuses NRDC's efforts on curbing global warming, moving America beyond oil, reviving the world's oceans, saving endangered wild places, stemming the tide of toxic chemicals and accelerating the greening of China. In addition to her work at NRDC, Frances has played a leadership role in several other environmental organizations. She currently serves on the boards of the World Resources Institute, the Energy Future Coalition and Conservation International's Center for Environmental Leadership in Business. She has been a member of the boards of the Wilderness Society, the China-U.S. Center for Sustainable Development and the New York League of Conservation Voters. Frances has received the Rachel Carson Award from the National Audubon Society, the Distinguished Alumni Award from Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, the Annual Conservation Award from the Adirondack Council and the Robert Marshall Award from the Wilderness Society.



Robert L. Borosage is the President of the Institute for America's Future. He writes widely on political, economic, and national security issues for publications including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and The Nation. He was the founder and Director of the Campaign for New Priorities, involving over 100 organizations in the call to reinvest in America in the post-Cold War era. He has served as an issues advisor to progressive political campaigns, including those of Senators Carol Moseley-Braun, Barbara Boxer, and Paul Wellstone. In 1988, he was Senior Issues Advisor to the presidential campaign of Reverend Jesse L. Jackson.



Leo W. Gerard is President of the United Steelworkers of America (USWA). The son of a union miner who started working at INCO's nickel smelter in Sudbury, Ontario at age 18, and inspired by a lifelong commitment to economic and social justice, Leo W. Gerard rose through the ranks of the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) to be appointed the Union's seventh international president on February 28, 2001. Under Gerard, the USWA has heightened its focus on reversing the alarming decline of U.S. manufacturing and the negative impact of it on America's growing health care crisis. He has worked with equal fervor in developing strategies to inject the rights of workers into trade agreements, investment priorities and corporate governance. Gerard is the driving force behind the Heartland Labor Capital Funds; a network that is creating conceptual, financial and educational tools for capital strategies that will inject the welfare of workers into investment priorities.



Gerald Hudson has served as Executive Vice President of SEIU since June 2004. He leads the work of the union's Long Term Care Division, which represents nearly 500,000 nursing home and home care workers nationwide. Hudson's outstanding commitment to labor spans decades. Hudson came to SEIU in 1978 from the Hebrew Home for the Aged in Riverdale, N.Y., where he was a member of SEIU Local 144. Elected as executive vice president for the former-District 1199 in 1989, Hudson spent more than a dozen years supervising 1199 New York's political action, education, publications, and cultural affairs departments. During his tenure with 1199NY, Hudson coordinated the merger of the 30,000-member Local 144 into SEIU/1199. He also founded the 1199 School for Social Change - a former alternative school in the Bronx - and served as a trustee of the Local 1199 Training and Upgrading Fund, Home Care Workers Benefit Fund, and Michelson Education Fund. As a long-time champion of environmental justice, Mr. Hudson has served on the board for Redefining Progress, the nation's leading public policy think tank dedicated to developing innovative public policies that balance economic well-being, environmental preservation and social justice. He participated in the first-ever U.S. labor delegation to the United Nations' climate change meeting in Bali in 2007.


Mindy Lubber is President of Ceres, the leading U.S. coalition of investors and environmental leaders working to improve corporate environmental, social and governance practices. She also directs the Investor Network on Climate Risk (INCR), an alliance that coordinates U.S. investor responses to the financial risks and opportunities posed by climate change. Ms. Lubber has held leadership positions in government as the Regional Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; in the financial services sector as Founder, President and CEO of Green Century Capital Management, an investment firm managing environmentally screened mutual funds; in the private sector as the President of an environmental law and policy consulting group; and in the not-for-profit sector for more than a decade leading environmental and public interest law organizations, including the National Environmental Law Center, which she founded. She was the Senior Advisor and Communications Director to former Governor Michael Dukakis, and for a decade, held leadership positions with the Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group (MASSPIRG), including Chairwoman of the Board of Directors.



Nancy McFadden is Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for PG&E Corporation. She is responsible for managing the company's federal, state and local government relations and philanthropic and community initiatives, while helping guide its efforts to be a national environmental leader. Before joining PG&E, Ms. McFadden spent nearly two decades as a key legal, policy and political strategist in Washington, DC and Sacramento, most recently as senior advisor and deputy chief of staff to Governor Gray Davis. Prior to working in Sacramento, Ms. McFadden served for eight years in the Clinton Administration as deputy chief of staff to Vice President Al Gore and general counsel for the U.S. Department of Transportation. The Washington Post named her one of the "go-to people" in the Clinton Administration for her significant record of accomplishment. Ms. McFadden started her career practicing law with the firm of O'Melveny and Myers, during which time, she was named "One of the 40 Best Lawyers Under 40" by Washingtonian magazine. In addition to serving as an executive with PG&E, Ms. McFadden has been appointed by the California State Senate and two governors to serve on the California Medical Assistance Commission, the agency that negotiates MediCal contracts with hospitals and health plans. Ms. McFadden is a Bay Area native, and has a J.D. from the University of Virginia and a bachelor's degree from San Jose State University. She is a member of the Board of Trustees for the California Museum for History, Women and the Arts and the Women's Foundation of California.



Kathleen A. McGinty became the first woman to head the state Department of Environmental Protection, a 3,000-employee agency, in 2003. Her emphasis was in creating approaches to environmental problems that generate economic growth and encourage advanced technology development in Pennsylvania. McGinty has also worked extensively on national public policy, acting as Deputy Assistant to President Bill Clinton and chairing the White House Council on Environmental Quality. She also created and headed the first-ever White House Office on Environmental Policy.



Terence M. O'Sullivan has been General President of LIUNA – the Laborers' International Union of North America – since January 1, 2000. He is known as an innovator among the newest generation of labor leaders dedicated to aggressive and sometimes radical approaches designed to increase the power of working people in the 21st Century. O'Sullivan has guided the more than 500,000 collective bargaining members of LIUNA to the forefront of the labor movement, reshaping the Union into one of the fastest-growing, most aggressive and progressive unions in North America. Despite the decline in overall union membership in the U.S., LIUNA has shown steady and consistent growth. He is also a member of the Governing Board of Presidents of the Building and Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO and a member of the Leadership Council of the Change to Win labor union federation. O'Sullivan is a current member of the Board of Directors of Ullico Inc., and past Chairman and CEO of the insurance and financial services provider. He also serves on the Board of Directors of America's Agenda: Health Care for All, and is a member of the Management Committee of Americans for Transportation Mobility. Before becoming LIUNA General President, O'Sullivan served the union as a Vice President, Mid-Atlantic Regional Manager, and Assistant to the General President. He has also served as Administrator of the West Virginia Laborers' Training Center. A proud native of San Francisco, he joined LIUNA in 1974 and is a long-time member of Local Union 1353, Charleston, West Virginia.



Ellen Pao joined Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Byers in 2005. Prior to KPCB, Ellen held various operating roles at BEA, including head of business development for products, site manager for new mobile products, and lead for new engineering efforts in India. She also served in corporate development, leading strategic projects for the CEO and M&A transactions. Prior to BEA, Ellen focused on business development and closed technology licensing deals for Tellme Networks and Microsoft's WebTV division. She also served as a consultant at MyCFO and at Danger Research, where she headed the Sidekick's first marketing requirements efforts. Before entering the tech field, Ellen was a corporate attorney for Cravath, Swaine & Moore in both its New York City and Hong Kong offices, working on deals across the Philippines, Singapore and Greater China. She provided guidance on high-yield debt offerings, M&A transactions, aircraft financings, and pro bono projects for Habitat for Humanity and Covenant House. Ellen holds a BS in Electrical Engineering and a certificate from the Wilson School of Public and International Affairs from Princeton University, a JD from Harvard Law School and an MBA from Harvard Business School.



Michael Peck is principal and founder of MAPA Incorporated (founded in 1994), a strategic and creative business development consulting practice operating with offices in Washington DC, Northern Virginia, Atlanta, Georgia, and Madrid and Barcelona, Spain, focusing on premium U.S. – Spain commercial relationships. In Spain, MAPA's clients have included over the past fifteen years: Repsol, Gas Natural, La Caixa, MCC, Gamesa, Banco Santander, Telefonica I+D, Amena, Gaiker, Fatronik, Iberdrola Diversification, Iberdrola Energias Renovables, Abertis, Instituto de Empresa, La Fundación Barcelona Digital, Grupo Berge. Compass, and Isofoton, and other leading Spanish multinationals with a distinct specialty in the Pais Vasco, Madrid, and Catalunya regions. MAPA currently represents Spain's leading multinationals in the wind energy, solar energy, infrastructure, industrial manufacturing, and research sectors. Within MAPA, Mr. Peck has outlined a recognized triangular business development approach to the "Iberoamerican Marketplace", involving best practices cross-border transactions between the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal), Latin America, and the United States. Mr. Peck has also helped to found Hemisphere Trade Services in 2006, which, together with MAPA Inc., Isofoton USA, Compass USA and MCC USA, form the MAPA Group. On occasion, Mr. Peck will serve in high level corporate roles for MAPA Group's client base in a U.S. context. As an example, Mr. Peck serves currently as the Director of Media, Institutional and Labor Relations for North America on behalf of the leading Spanish wind turbine manufacturer, Gamesa USA. Mr. Peck is also a leader in the national green jobs movement.



John Podesta is the president and CEO of the Center for American Progress. Under his leadership, the Center has become a notable leader in the development and advocacy for progressive policy. Prior to founding the Center in 2003, Mr. Podesta served as White House Chief of Staff to President William J. Clinton. He served in the president's cabinet and as a principal on the National Security Council. While in the White House, he also served as both an assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff, as well as staff secretary and a senior policy advisor on government information, privacy, telecommunications security, and regulatory policy. Most recently, Mr. Podesta served as co-chair of President Obama's transition, where he coordinated the priorities of the incoming administration's agenda, oversaw the development of its policies, and spearheaded its appointments of major cabinet secretaries and political appointees. Additionally, Mr. Podesta has held numerous positions on Capitol Hill, including counselor to Democratic Leader Senator Thomas A. Daschle (1995-1996); chief counsel for the Senate Agriculture Committee (1987-1988); and chief minority counsel for the Senate Judiciary Subcommittees on Patents, Copyrights and Trademarks; Security and Terrorism; and Regulatory Reform (1981-1987). A Chicago native, Mr. Podesta is a graduate of Knox College and the Georgetown University Law Center, where he is currently a visiting professor of law. He also authored The Power of Progress: How America's Progressives Can (Once Again) Save Our Economy, Our Climate and Our Country.



Carl Pope was appointed Executive Director of the Sierra Club in 1992. A veteran leader in the environmental movement, Mr. Pope has been with the Sierra Club for nearly thirty years. During Mr. Pope's tenure as Executive Director, Sierra Club added 150,000 new members, growing to 700,000 of your friends and neighbors. In addition to his work with the Sierra Club, Mr. Pope has had a distinguished record of environmental activism and leadership. He has served on the Boards of the California League of Conservation Voters, Public Voice, National Clean Air Coalition, California Common Cause, Public Interest Economics, Inc., and Zero Population Growth. Mr. Pope was also Executive Director of the California League of Conservation Voters and the Political Director of Zero Population Growth.



Dan W. Reicher has over 20 years of experience in business, government and non-governmental organizations focused on energy and environmental technology, policy, finance and law. He recently joined Google where he serves as Director of Climate Change and Energy Initiatives for the company's venture called Google.org which has been capitalized with $2 billion of Google stock to make investments and advance policy in the areas of climate change and energy, global development, and global health. Prior to his recent position at Google, Mr. Reicher served as President and Co-Founder of New Energy Capital Corp., a New England-based company that develops, invests in, owns and operates renewable energy and distributed generation projects. From 1997-2001, Mr. Reicher was Assistant Secretary of Energy for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). As Assistant Secretary, he directed annually more than $1 billion in investments in energy research, development and deployment related to renewable energy, distributed generation and energy efficiency. Prior to that position, Mr. Reicher was DOE Chief of Staff (1996-97), Assistant Secretary of Energy for Policy (Acting) (1995-1996), and Deputy Chief of Staff and Counselor to the Secretary (1993-1995). Mr. Reicher is also a member of General Electric's Ecomagination Advisory Board, co-chairman of the advisory board of the American Council on Renewable Energy, and a member of the board of the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. Recently, Mr. Reicher was also a member of the National Academy of Sciences Committee on Alternatives to Indian Point for Meeting Energy Needs. He also served as an adjunct professor at the Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and Vermont Law School.



Joel Rogers co-founded the Apollo Alliance and served as its first chairman. He is professor of law, political science, and sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a longtime government and campaign adviser and democratic activist. In his academic work, Joel has written widely on democratic theory, American politics, and public policy, including such books as On Democracy, Right Turn, The Forgotten Majority, and What Workers Want. He is currently working on problems in energy efficiency, government performance, and egalitarianism capitalism. Joel is also director of the UW-Madison-based John R. Commons Center, the corporate umbrella of the Center on Wisconsin Strategy, the Mayors Innovation Project, and the Center for State Innovation. The first is an applied research center and field laboratory for high road ("triple bottom line") competitiveness and government. The second and third promote high road policy innovation among mayors and elected state executives (governors and others). A contributing editor of The Nation and Boston Review, Joel has received many academic honors and a MacArthur Foundation "genius" fellowship. Newsweek identified him as among the 100 Americans most likely to shape U.S. politics and culture in the 21st century.