Athens, GA (April 25, 2007) - Thirty-three leaders from agriculture, forestry, business, education, environmental organizations, government, and civic groups have been selected for the next class of the Institute for Georgia Environmental Leadership (IGEL), which begins its first session at the Fanning Institute on May 9th. The IGEL program, now entering its sixth year, has created a diverse and better informed network of environmental leaders helping to address Georgia’s environmental challenges.

“The 2007 class will join the ranks of the 155 leaders from across the state who have previously completed the program since its inception in 2001.” said Ross King, incoming Chair of IGEL and also Deputy Director of the Association County Commissioners of Georgia. “IGEL is rapidly developing a strong network of key decision makers who are leaving their imprint on the development of state and local environmental public policy. The consensus building skill sets reinforced at IGEL programs has, and will continue to, lead towards a stronger sense of the key importance of collaboration in environmental decision making,” he said.

Participants selected for this year’s Institute are:

• Marcia Bansley, Executive Director, Trees Atlanta
• Mike Berg, Commissioner, Dawson County
• Will Berson, Coastal Policy Analyst, Georgia Conservancy
• Paul Brockington, President & Senior Archaeologist, Brockington Cultural Resources
• Chandra Brown, Riverkeeper & Exec. Director, Ogeechee/Canoochee Riverkeeper
• Mike Burch, Vice President and General Manager, Rayonier
• Ralph Callaway, Executive Vice President, Callaway Gardens
• Brad Currey, CEO and Chairman, Rock-Tenn Company
• Dan Davis, CEO, Integrated Science & Engineering
• Steve Davis, Deputy Director of Operations, Columbus Water Works
• Todd Edwards, Asso. Legislative Director, Natural Resources & Environment, ACCG
• Gene Eidson, Clemson University
• Kevin Fletcher, Vice President, Economic Development, Georgia Power Company
• DeAnn Fordham, Environmental Protection Manager, Home Depot
• Barbara Gallo, Partner, Balch & Bingham, LLP
• Jim Giattina, Director Water Management Division, EPA
• Dave Gustashaw, Vice President Engineering, Interface, Inc.
• Randy Hartmann, Director, DCA Office of Environmental Management
• Rick Hatten, Chief of Forest Management, Georgia Forestry Commission
• Douglas Henderson, Partner, Troutman Sanders, LLP
• Todd Holbrook, Wildlife Resource Division Administrator, Georgia DNR
• Noel Holcomb, Commissioner, Georgia DNR
• April Ingle, Executive Director, Georgia River Network
• Charlotte King, President, Snowden & King
• Katie Kirkpatrick, Director, Environmental Engineering, Goldkist, Inc.
• Liz Kramer, Director, NARSAL, Institute of Ecology UGA
• Tommy Linstroth, Sustainability Associate, Melaver Inc.
• Linda McGregor, Chief Watershed Protection Division, EPD
• Greg McKibben, Senior Environmental Engineer, Southwire Company
• Christopher Morrill, Assistant City Manager, City of Savannah
• Paul Pressly, Program Director, Ossabaw Island Education Alliance
• Charles Stripling, president, Stripling Inc.
• Ben Thompson, Vice President of Economic Development, Ogeechee Tech. College

The program is facilitated by faculty at the Fanning Institute at the University of Georgia. “These participants are already leaders and experts in their own fields. IGEL provides them with an opportunity to explore the role of their leadership skills and expertise across boundaries to address complex issues in the state,” said Rob Williams, Fanning Institute, University of Georgia who facilitates the Institute.

IGEL participants will attend four sessions held in different locations throughout the state beginning in May and concluding in November 2007. Nominations are now being accepted for the Class of 2008.
For more information, click here.

##

This article was posted on Wednesday, April 25th, 2007 at 8:59 am and is filed under News.