Post Carbon Institute Staff
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Asher Miller, Executive Director Asher became the Executive Director of Post Carbon Institute in October 2008, after having served as the manager of the Relocalization Network. He's worked in the nonprofit sector since 1996 in various capacities. Prior to joining Post Carbon Institute, Asher founded Climate Changers, an organization that inspires people to reduce their impact on the climate by focusing on simple and achievable actions anyone can take. Some of his previous roles include: Partnership Director at Plugged In, an organization working in East Palo Alto, CA that connects individuals and cultivates minds by creating the opportunity to produce, express, and contribute using technology; International Production Coordinator at Steven Spielberg's Shoah Foundation, which created the largest video archive in the world, containing more than 52,000 interviews conducted in 56 countries around the world; and Youth Manager at the Volunteer Center of Sonoma County, which engaged more than 800 teens a year in community service and education about social and environmental issues. He also ghostwrote the autobiography of a Polish Holocaust survivor who fought as a partisan in the forests of Belarus, and served as a consultant to a number of other nonprofit organizations, including Just Think and Okizu Foundation. Asher currently serves on the boards of Transition United States and Listening for a Change, and on the Advisory Board of ErthNxt. He recently served as a member of Senator John Edwards' Cleantech / Green Business Advisory Committee. Asher was born in the Netherlands, and has lived in Israel, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Connecticut, Colorado, and California. He currently lives in Santa Rosa, CA with his wife and three year old son. Asher received his B.A. in Creative Writing from The Colorado College. |
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Daniel Lerch, Program Director Daniel is the author of Post Carbon Cities: Planning for Energy and Climate Uncertainty, the first major municipal guidebook on peak oil and global warming. One of the few experts specializing in local government responses to global fossil fuel depletion, he has delivered presentations and workshops to elected officials, planners, and other audiences across the United States, as well as in Canada, Ireland, the UK, and Spain. Daniel has worked with urban sustainability and planning issues for over twelve years in the public, private and non-profit sectors. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies from Rutgers University in New Jersey and a Master of Urban Studies from Portland State University in Oregon. Contact Daniel | |
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Desiree Cesarini, Communications Director Desiree oversees Post Carbon Institute’s creative and media strategies, website design, marketing-related projects, events, and Speaker’s Bureau. Desiree joined Post Carbon Institute in November 2007, bringing more than twelve years of experience in marketing, advertising and direct mail. Prior to joining PCI, she was Marketing Director for Travel of America and Robinson’s May Travel where she managed all marketing, promotions, and multi-media production for 40 locations. Desiree's previous experience also consists of art direction, and event management. In addition to directing the organization's marketing efforts, Desiree manages all of Post Carbon Institute's day-to-day operations. Contact Desiree |
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Kristina Vigna, Finance Manager Kristina Vigna recently relocated to Sebastopol from Point Arena, CA were she lived for the past few years growing food, rebuilding a green/natural house, and inspiring people to think local and sustainable. While living in Point Arena, CA she was a financial consultant for a software developer and local non-profit organization. Prior to moving to the rural Mendocino coast, Kristina worked in numerous financial management roles for different organizations in the Bay Area. Kristina enjoys gardening, exercise, health conscious cooking (will splurge for good treats occasionally), alternative energy/building, sailing, and anything that is a real mental and physical challenge while using the least amount of fossil fuels possible. Contact Kristina |
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Linton Hale, Web Producer Linton's responsibilities include web production, design and implementation, as well as project management, technical planning and documentation. Linton holds an independent bachelors degree from Brown University entitled "Educational Change: Music and Computers" that combines computer science, anthropology and music. He has 20 years experience as a database and multimedia programmer, information systems manager and director of web development. He is also a composer and musician who loves to share music in community. He lives in Sebastopol, California with his wife and son. |
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Sarah Orio, Executive Administrator / Operations Manager Sarah is a Silicon Valley transplant with 12 years of experience working in the high-tech industry in various administrative rolls. Sarah’s interest in climate change and green technology brought her to Post Carbon Institute in March 2009 as Executive Administrator. She holds a degree in Liberal Studies, and is continuing her education in Sustainable Business with hopes to use her knowledge to help change the way businesses impact their communities and the world. Sarah was raised in Los Gatos, CA and Northern England, and currently lives in Sonoma County with her husband John, and two children Reese and Ryleigh. |