Conference Speakers

Keynote Speaker: Terry Tamminen

Closing Speaker: Dr. Buzz Aldrin, Astronaut, Apollo Xl

King County Executive Ron Sims

King County Executive Ron Sims has built his career in public service around the progressive principles of social justice, good government and environmental stewardship. He has a national reputation for boldness and vision, and is a champion of reforming government processes to serve the people of the dynamic, forward-thinking Puget Sound region more effectively.

Currently in his third term as County Executive, Sims has established a strong record of environmental protection spanning the areas of transportation, land use and buildings, environmental management, and clean energy. At the heart of his work on global warming is a commitment to both mitigation and adaptation -- to create and implement policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as to protect against inevitable changes in our climate.

Under Sims' leadership, King County Metro Transit is now one of the greenest transit agencies in the nation, with operation of the world's largest fleet of articulated hybrid buses. Also under Sims' direction, King County became the first county and the first major bus transit agency in the United States to join the Chicago Climate Exchange.

An ardent conservationist, Sims has protected more than 100,000 acres of green space in King County since 1997. He won regional praise and national recognition for his leadership in a three-county effort to restore the runs of the prized Chinook salmon. He has also been a regional leader on managing growth in the economically booming King County region, as well as a driver on comprehensive, smart strategies to deal with transportation of people and goods and services in the heavily congested Puget Sound corridor. His leadership is widely credited with turning around a troubled Sound Transit agency that is now on track to providing needed relief to traffic congestion with new bus service and construction of a light rail system.

As demand for sustainable communities grows, Ron has led efforts to provide resources to support green building and development practices throughout King County. In 2001, Ron issued his "Green Building Executive Order" which required an increase in green-building practices for the county's capital projects. The Order established an internal "green team" which is a group of representatives from each of King County's departments that support King County project managers and staff to implement green building practices. In June, 2007 the county ramped up resources to suburban cities with the unveiling of a green tools program and tool kit designed to provide suburban cities with resources to jump start or enhance their green building programs.

Ron was nationally distinguished in November 2006 as Governing Magazine's Public Official of the Year, an award which highlighted Ron's "across-the-board" innovation, particularly in light of King County's efforts to combat global warming. Ron's leadership of the county in adapting to the impacts of global warming was also the subject of a U.S. News and World Report cover story in summer 2006.

John Boesel, President and CEO, WestStart-CALSTART

John Boesel is the chief executive for WestStart-CALSTART. The public/private nature of WestStart-CALSTART is reflected in John's background. Upon graduating from the University of California, Davis, in 1982, John worked in the California legislature as a legislative aide to then Assemblyman (now Congrerssman) Sam Farr. In that position, John drafted and managed energy and environmental legislation. He received his MBA from UC Berkeley in 1989. After graduating from business school he worked as a commercial banker in Wells Fargo's Corporate Headquarters building in San Francisco.

Immediately prior to joining WestStart -CALSTART in 1993, John worked as an Environmental Business consultant providing services to natural resource-based businesses and non-profit groups. John began work as the Vice President of Programs for CALSTART and was promoted to President and the organization's chief executive position in the fall of 2001. John has also worked overseas as an English teacher in China and as an intern in Tokyo for the largest Japanese engineering and construction firm. At UC Davis John was an honors student and received his bachelor's degree with a major in History. He also was also the Student Body President and the Stroke of the Varsity Crew Team. John was born in New York and in 1968 moved to the San Francisco Bay Area where he lives now. He is married with two terrific children.

K.C. Golden, Policy Director for Climate Solutions

K.C. Golden is Policy Director for Climate Solutions, a research and advocacy organization pioneering practical and profitable solutions to global warming.

From 1999 to 2002, K.C. was a special assistant to the Mayor of Seattle for clean energy and climate protection initiatives. In the late 1990s, he served as Assistant Director of Washington's Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, where he directed the Energy Division and the state's energy policy office. From 1989 to 1995, he was Executive Director of the Northwest Energy Coalition. He has helped Northwest elected leaders launch the West Coast Regional Climate Action Initiative and the US Mayor's Climate Protection Initiative.

K.C. was a Kennedy Fellow at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, where he received a Masters degree in Public Policy. He elected to the Governing Board of Phi Beta Kappa at UC Berkeley, where he received his Bachelor's degree in 1982. He was recognized as one of Seattle Magazine's "Power 25" most influential people of 2005 and it's #1 Eco-Hero in 2007.

K.C. serves as a Governor's appointee to the Executive Board of Energy Northwest. He also serves on a variety of boards and commissions, including the Governor's Climate Action Team and the Renewable Northwest Project board. His writes a monthly column and is a frequent featured speaker before business, government, and civic audiences.

K.C. lives in Seattle with his wife and two teenagers. He's an avid river enthusiast.

Andrew Grant, Commercial Hybrid Consultant

 Andrew Grant has been involved in the taxi industry from 1980 – 2005 at Yellow Cab Vancouver B.C. Canada. He has always been on the look out for new ways of bringing innovation to the industry to improve not only the customer experience of riding in a taxi but also creating a win-win for the operator of the vehicle and the environment. He became aware of Toyota designing and developing the first generation of hybrid electric/gasoline powered vehicles in the early 1990's. When the Prius came to the market place in Japan in 1996 he watched how the vehicle proved to be. In 1997 he was operating a Toyota Camry and was very satisfied how the vehicle was standing up better then any other vehicle that he used in the past. When the opportunity to buy a Prius came about in Canada in October 2000 he put on the first 2001 Prius as a taxi in the world officially on November 1st 2000. Over the next 25 months he put total of 327,418 kms (204,636 miles) at which point the 2001 Prius was exchanged with Toyota Japan for a 2003 Prius. The 2001 Prius was disassembled back in Japan. The information that was gathered from the vehicle was applied to the future Prius models. The 2003 Prius was used as a taxi for 11 months and retired and turned into his private car at 146,000 kms (91,250 miles), and currently has 174,000 kms (110,000 miles) and is going strong. The 2004 Prius that replaced the 2003 Prius is currently still in use as a Yellow Cab 15 and has just passed 600,000 kms (375,000 mile) on July 1st 2007 with no hybrid component failures.

As of July 2005 Andrew Grant retired from the taxi business but has kept in touch with his partner to keep up to date as to how the Prius is performing, and started to focus on his new career of being an Executive Success Coach. It wasn't long till his experience with the hybrid would be called upon again; on July 2006 he was asked to became apart of a new start up company called Go Green Ride and applying his knowledge as a consultant. The company is still in the process of acquiring the initial funds required to get the company off the ground, the tentative launch date is the spring of 2008. Since then he has also been asked to participate as a consultant for an up and coming hybrid taxi service in Arlington Virginia. It seems that Andrew Grant will continue to be involved in hybrids and electric cars in the years to come.

Kenneth S. Kurani, Research Engineer, ITS-Davis

Dr. Kurani is developing approaches and methods to evaluate user responses to new transportation and information technologies. This research includes activity-based approaches applied within quasi-experiments designed around interactive stated preference and reflexive survey methodologies. Further, he is exploring how activity-based approaches involve end-users in the process of technology development and policy formation, and ultimately how citizen/consumers can shape efforts to market social and systemic characteristics of transportation and communication networks such as energy efficiency, air quality, safety, and equity. His ongoing research includes the role of energy efficiency and air quality in household travel choices, continued work on household response to electric and hybrid electric vehicles, and the impact of travel on sensitive environments. The last includes a series of studies examining travel to, and in, Yosemite National Park.

Tom Watson, Manager of Recycling and Waste Prevention Projects for King County

Tom Watson has managed recycling and waste prevention projects for King County Solid Waste Division since 1992. One of his major projects, the EcoConsumer program, steers the public to all types of environmental resources and actions, such as reducing waste, conserving energy, reducing car trips and buying greener vehicles.
As part of this effort, Tom writes the EcoConsumer column for the Seattle Times. He also does extensive TV and radio public outreach work, and does dozens of presentations every year regionally and nationally. Tom recently served as judge for "Green Me Up," a national reality TV show on the DIY Network, where two families competed to determine which was the greenest. The winning family received an electric car.

Prior to joining King County, Tom was a magazine writer and newspaper reporter. He lives in the Central District of Seattle with his wife Linda and daughter Genna.

Brian Wynne, President of the Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA)

Brian Wynne is president of the Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA). Mr. Wynne has an exceptional record of achievements in public policy advocacy, education and public relations, and has spent most of his career promoting transportation and technology solutions. He served as Senior Vice President of Business and Trade at the Intelligent Transportation Society of America, and as Chief Executive Officer of Automatic Identification Manufacturers International. Prior to his current post, Mr. Wynne managed a private consulting firm. Mr. Wynne holds a Masters of Arts degree in Advanced International Studies from Johns Hopkins University, and was a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Cologne.

Mark Simon, Director of Alternate Fuel Programs for the NY City Department of Transportation

Mark Simon has served as Director of Alternate Fuel Programs for the NY City Department of Transportation since 1997. Prior to that, he worked at the NY City Department of Environmental Protection on air quality and mobile source programs as well as alternate fuels. It all began with some methanol powered buses in 1988. Mark has an MS in Environmental Management/Public Administration from NYU.

Greg Rock — Sustainability Engineer

Greg graduated Summa Cum Laude from Cal Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo with General Engineering degree and a minor in Sustainable environments.

Co-Founded of the Green Car Company
The Green Car Company based in Kirkland, Wa has sold over 1000 alternative fuel and high efficiency vehicles into the northwest marketplace since opening its doors in 2005. In 2007 the Green Car company launched a fleet division which has provided fleet consultation and sales to leading business, municipal and educational fleets including: King County, University of Washington and Nike. Greg designed The Green Car Company's Green Fleet program and the Green Car Scoring system. These programs utilize lifecycle data produced by Argonne National Lab's GREET model to create credible and detailed environmental impact and comparisons reports for fleets and consumers alike. Reports show the total lifecycle impact a vehicle, or entire fleet make towards Global Warming, Fossil Fuel Depletion and Local Air Pollution.

Greg is also an expert on Peak Oil, Resource Management and Energy production technology. He presented his technical document "The Net Energy Profit Ratio — Using the Time Value of Energy" at the World Association for the Study of Peak Oil (ASPO) conference in Pisa, Italy. Greg also teaches a course on the subject at Shoreline Community College.

In 2006 Greg spent three months traveling through Europe observing how their urban centers have developed different layouts, transportation systems, buildings and general infrastructure systems as a result of the higher gas prices they have been paying since the 1973 OPEC oil embargo. Most EU states phased in a gas tax as the embargo ended in an effort to keep fuel prices at the "cost without imports." This effort to wean themselves off fossil fuels is a great case study for American cities to follow.

Todd Ellis — Director of Business Development at Imperium Renewables Inc.

Britta Gross — General Motors, Fuel Cell Commercialization

John Clark — President & Chief Operating Officer of V2Green

Mark D. Norman — CEO of Flexcar

Professor Andrew Alfonso Frank — Director Hybrid Electric Vehicle Research Center, The Mechanical Aeronautical Engineering Dept. The University of California—Davis

Professor Frank received a PhD in Electrical Engineering in1967, he has a Masters and bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, 1955 and 1957. He has worked in the Aerospace industry for over ten years on such projects as the Minute Man Missile, and the Apollo spacecraft to the moon.

After his PhD from USC, he became a professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at the University of Wisconsin. While there, his research turned toward advanced transportation systems for much higher fuel efficiency. A power split hybrid electric vehicle was developed from the ground up in 1972. A goal of developing a car with 100 mpg and 0 to 60 mph in 6 seconds or less then was set.

In 1985 he transferred to the Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering Department at The University of California—Davis. Here he continued the research toward fuel efficient vehicles by using the Student Competition format. He constructed world record vehicles for fuel economy at 3300 mpg on gasoline and 2200 mpg on M85. He then turned his effort toward practical cars utilizing the evolving battery and electronic and power electronic technology. He has now constructed nine vehicles that use both gasoline from oil or plant derived bio fuels and electric energy from the electric grid or renewable sources. These cars have been shown to provide the lowest emissions, the lowest possible greenhouse gases, the best fuel and energy efficiency, the highest performance, and the lowest incremental cost of any alternative. The fuel efficiency is 2X+ and the liquid fuel reduction can be as high as 90% compared to conventional engine car and truck technology. The concept created is the Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle. These cars can run on solar, wind, and ethanol to completely displace gasoline. Dr. Frank is the founder of Efficient Drivetrain Inc, EDI which will begin to commercialize the PHEV and CVT technology.

Bill Van Amburg — Senior Vice President, WestStart-CALSTART

Bill Van Amburg is senior vice president for WestStart-CALSTART, a non-profit, fuel-neutral and member-supported consortium of more than 145 companies worldwide. It focuses on helping companies and agencies develop and produce clean and efficient vehicles, advanced and renewable fuels and new systems for transit and personal mobility, serving as a strategic broker to the industry.

Bill oversees teams in five program areas at the consortium: Heavy hybrids; New Fuels; Technology commercialization; Fleet analysis and consulting; and industry services. Responsibilities include the Hybrid Truck Users Forum (HTUF), a national program to speed the production and commercialization of heavy-duty hybrid trucks, operated in a partnership with the U.S. Army's National Automotive Center (NAC), with support from the Hewlett Foundation and the Department of Energy (DOE). Hybrid trucks and buses reduce fuel use and emissions, saving users money while contributing to reductions in foreign oil importation and global warming emissions. He is also involved with WestStart-CALSTART projects focused on overall greenhouse gas reduction and energy security strategies.

Van Amburg brings more than 25 years of experience in marketing and market development, technology commercialization, communications and environmental markets, including emission credit trading.

Previously, Van Amburg was senior vice president with the first electronic emission credit exchange, has operated his own environmental marketing consulting practice, The Ardent Group, as well as serving previously as a vice president with WestStart-CALSTART from 1993-2000. Prior to that he had a nearly two decade career as an Emmy award winning broadcast journalist focusing on science, technology and environmental issues.

He is a graduate of the Executive Management Program at the UCLA Anderson School of Management and has a certificate in Brand Management from the Stanford Alumni Association, as well as a bachelor's degree in Anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley.

Gunnar Lindstrom — Sr. Manager, Alternative Fuel Vehicle dept.

Gunnar joined American Honda in 1978, working first in Motorcycle and later with the Automobile Service division as a technical trouble-shooting Engineer. He joined Honda R&D and the newly formed Electrical Vehicle team in 1990 where he was responsible for the initial US strategy and coordination of Honda North American EV activities. He also worked to develop EV recharging Infrastructure Standards jointly with the Electric Utility industry.

Today, his department is responsible for the launch of the Honda FCX, the first fully certified Fuel Cell vehicle, as well as developing the launch strategy and business plan for the FuelMaker "Phill", home refueling appliance. Successfully deploying this home refueling appliance for natural gas vehicles will allow Honda to market the natural gas powered Civic GX to retail consumers, an industry first.

Gunnar is currently based at the Honda Torrance facility.

Doug Howell — King County, Special Projects Manager, The Climate Initiative

Doug Howell has worked on public policy issues for over 20 years, most of which has been focused on transportation and climate change. He currently is a Special Projects Manager for Department of Natural Resources and Parks in the King County government in Seattle, Washington. In that capacity he manages the Air Quality and Climate Initiative for the County. Previously he was a strategic advisor for Seattle City Light and managed the Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Program for the electric utility. In addition, Doug was an attorney with the Environmental and Energy Study Institute in Washington DC, working on federal transportation and climate change policy. In 1994, Doug did a fellowship with the Institute of Transportation Studies (UC Davis) to review advance vehicle technologies. Doug worked for the California Energy Commission representing their transportation and energy interests. Doug also worked for the U.S. Senate from 1987 to 2000 on a variety issues including transportation and the environment.

Steve Mayeda — VP Sales and Marketing MC Electric Vehicles

Mr Mayeda has over 30 years experience in marketing, advertising and sales. In 1985 Mr. Mayeda was working as the Director of Marketing for Pace International. He developed and implemented corporate strategies and tactics that optimized Pace's revenue and profitability. The Consumer Division had three main products that were sold worldwide. The Nursery Division had over 25 products that were sold regionally to Lowe's Hardware, Fred Meyer, Home Depot and Costco. Pace was a 45 million dollar company at that time. Five years ago Mr. Mayeda began working at MC Electric Vehicles where he helped introduce electric transportation to Washington and Oregon. This past year, Mr. Mayeda co-authored House Bill 1820 which allowed Neighborhood electric Vehicles to travel at 35 mph. Previously NEVs were not allowed to travel over 25 mph. MC Electric Vehicles sells more NEVs in the state than anyone else and is the number one dealer of the ZENN Electric car in the entire country.

Ron Johnston-Rodriguez — Economic Development Director, Port of Chelan County

Ron Johnston-Rodriguez is the Economic Development Director for the Port of Chelan County (www.ccpd.com) in Washington State and a former Director of economic development councils in Washington's Chelan, Douglas and Okanogan Counties. He is also the past and present owner of several small businesses, including a kayak outfitting service and a consulting firm assisting businesses and community organizations with planning, research, project development and financing.

He has planned and implemented award-winning development programs; facilitated nationally recognized public-private partnerships; and organized numerous special events, seminars, and industry conferences. A published author, business instructor, and frequent lecturer, he has also created and managed marketing programs, economic impact analyses, feasibility studies and business plans. Accomplishments include playing a lead role in securing over $12 million for public infrastructure and over $65 million in private sector financing for projects ranging from ski resorts to lumber mills, and creating over 1200 jobs with payrolls exceeding $40 million. Ron has provided testimony to the state legislature, and served as President of a Washington association of economic development executives and on several governor-appointed economic development task forces.

As strategist and practitioner for the Port's Industry Cluster Development plan, Ron has helped to position the Port as a catalyst for business activity linked to the introduction and convergence of emergent technologies. He was involved in the design and marketing of the Port's Confluence Technology Center's Video Conference facility and business incubator; the rapidly growing regional wine industry in Chelan County; and the recruitment of Yahoo! Ron is also leading an effort to develop a water trail for paddlers on the Columbia River from the Canadian Border to the Tri-cities.

In November 2005 he organized the Advanced Vehicle Innovations (AVI) consortium to establish a center for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle technology, electric vehicles and alternate fuels. The AVI and its local partners have received statewide and national exposure for organizing the first conference on plug-in hybrids in Washington in 2005; converting and demonstrating its 100 mpg (in-town mileage) plug-in hybrid Prius; acquiring a bio-diesel / plug-in hybrid electric school bus; converting a gasoline-fueled tractor to an all-electric machine; and providing a web-based clearinghouse for local and statewide advanced vehicle development at www.plugincenter.com. Currently, the AVI is refining its plan for a Plug-in Hybrid Demonstration/Pilot Project involving national labs, research institutes, state and local agencies, PUDs, and Wenatchee Valley College.

Ron earned a Bachelor of Science degree, Deans Honors, in Rural Community Development from the University of California at Davis.

Windell T. Mitchell — Fleet Administration Director for King County

Mr. Mitchell has more than 30 years of experience in the industry. Mr. Mitchell manages a large and diverse fleet of vehicles. His fleet consists of one of the largest fleet of hybrid and flex fuel vehicles on the west coast and he has also placed a soft order with Plug-in Partners for 430 plug-in hybrid vehicles when they become commercially available. Mr. Mitchell earned a Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning and Architecture and Master's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington.

Mr. Mitchell was recognized by Government Fleet Magazine as one of the top two finalists for 2007 Public Sector Fleet Manager of the year.

His division is the recipient of the Blue Seal of Excellence Award from the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence—the highest recognition for excellence in the automotive industry. It is also certified by Ford, GM, Daimler-Chrysler and others to perform in-house warranty repairs.

Mr. Mitchell was chosen to lead a National Consortium to negotiate the purchase of Hybrid Vehicles on behalf of all governmental agencies across the U.S. He also formed a Regional Consortium designed to help accelerate the demand and production of medium and heavy-duty hybrid trucks. His Division has received several environmental awards, among which are awards from the American Lung Association, for its efforts to improve air quality; the Highest EnviroStar Award given to Business and Agencies for reducing pollution and hazardous wastes; the Wastewise Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; the 2005 National Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties for its mercury switch removal program and National Recognition from the U.S. Department of Energy for its model alternative fuels program.

Mr. Mitchell has also been the recipient of several other awards including the 2001 Larry Goill and the NAFA Awards for regional partnership; the 1998 Award for his vision in mentoring and leadership of youth by the Casey Family Foundation (The UPS Foundation); the National Association of Counties' Award for Quality and Efficiency in Fleet Management; and a number of other prestigious awards from industry magazines, Business Week Magazine, and other professional associations. He served on the National Board of Governors and Trustees of NAFA for 13 years. He served as National Treasurer, Regional Trustee and National Vice President.

Rich Feldman — Senior Policy Advisor to Mayor Nickels

Rich is a Senior Policy Advisor to Mayor Nickels. He also is coordinating electric vehicle initiatives for the mayor's office. He joined the Mayor's staff in the spring of 2007. Prior to coming to the city, Rich served as the Washington State coordinator of the Apollo Alliance, a coalition of labor, environmental, business and community organizations focused on livable wage jobs and energy independence. As part of his work on behalf of the Apollo Alliance he worked on the passage of state legislation for a Vehicle Electrification Demonstration Project and insuring that alternative fuel requirements for state and local public fleets includes electricity. He has been a steering committee member of the National Plug-in Partners Campaign, a speaker at numerous alternative fuel conferences, and the co-author of "Electrify Transportation in Washington, 2007."

Feldman initiated the formation of the Duwamish Coalition — a broad alliance of labor, business, government and community — which focused on resolving contaminated land issues in the industrial area south of Seattle and retaining and expanding industrial employment. He developed the business, labor and environment Build Them In Washington Coalition and coordinated a team of economists, public relations and lobbying consultants that successfully insured that a major ferry construction job was built in-state and by local workers. Feldman co-developed the Harvard/Ford Foundation Innovations in American Government award winning Community Voice Mail (CVM) system, which enables homeless and phoneless people access to critical phone communications.

Steve Marshall — Senior Fellow, Cascadia Center

Steve Marshall has more that 25 years of experience working on energy/infrastructure issues, serving as chief outside counsel to the state's largest utility and more recently as assistant general manager in charge of power, transmission and conservation at Snohomish County PUD. He is the immediate past chair of the Municipal League of King County and is a senior fellow of the Cascadia Center for Regional Development where he has written extensively on moving from oil to electricity and biofuels in transportation, including a July 1st Seattle Times op-ed calling for actions to accelerate and integrate flexible fuel plug-in electric vehicles with the power grid and transportation systems. He graduated from the University of Washington and Harvard Law School.