NMA NEWS RELEASE:
Addressing the role of art, education, business and environment in Northern Nevada’s culture and economy, more than 100 people will take part in a major half-day summit held at the Nevada Museum of Art. Concentrating on the region’s course toward developing sustainable and successful communities in the 21st century, panelists from across the state and the nation will lead four individual discussions following a keynote address by Chevron Energy Solutions CEO, Jim Davis. Coordinated by Susan Clark, Executive Director, REA250; Jill Derby, Educational Consultant and Cultural Anthropologist, REA250; and Colin Robertson, Curator of Education, Nevada Museum of Art, the Summit marks the initial gathering of the group of opinion-makers and leaders and will highlight the changing landscape – both political and economical – in the region.
Production, live web-streaming and video on-demand services for the Sustainable Energy and Communities Summit will be provided by Sierra Nevada Community Access Television (SNCAT), which is funded through Nevadaworks and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Live web streaming is available a half hour before the event at: http://208.96.4.228/15834-33560. A non-profit 501(c) (3), SNCAT enables public, business, government and education communities to share their ideas, concerns and creativity through the technology of today and tomorrow. For nearly 20-years, SNCAT has been the gateway for the community to public, education and government (PEG) access on cable television.
Speaking on Art and Architecture, panelists Don Clark, AIA, Cathexes Architecture; Christine Fey, City of Reno Arts and Culture Manager; Heather Lineberry, Interim Director, Arizona State University Art Museum; and Dr. Howard Rosenberg, Chair, University of Nevada Department of Art will illustrate that vibrant and successful communities are created through networks connecting the arts, education and business. Guests will be shown how art and artistic practice catalyzes cultural and environmental change by initiating and provoking dialogue about renewable and sustainable energy.
Stacey Crowley, AIA, LEED, Kiley Ranch Communities; Jason Geddes, City of Reno Environmental Services Administrator; Phillip Satre, Chairmen of the Board of Directors, NV Energy; and Dr. Steve Wells, President, Desert Research Institute will focus on Nevada’s ideal physical, business and educational environments for fostering long-term economic prosperity during the panel on Community and Environment. The speakers will highlight the various conditions that Northern Nevada boasts to produce and promote strong, vibrant communities and environmental sustainability.
Addressing the state’s use of safe havens, business incubators and accelerators, Amy Berry, Manager of Corporate Communications, Mariah Power; Dr. Thomas Harris, University of Nevada, Reno; Ian Rogoff, Trustee and Chairman, Nevada Institute for Renewable Energy Commercialization; and Fred Sibayan, CEO, Vortex IP will lead a panel on Business and Clean Energy Economy Safe Havens. Discussing the conditions necessary for innovation and competition, the panel will bring to light methods with which to stimulate new economic drivers and cultivate opportunities in the realms of renewable and sustainable energy.
Discussing Education and Workforce Training in the renewable energy sector is Mendy Elliott, Assistant Deputy
Director, Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation; Ted Plaggemeyer, Dean of the School of Sciences, Truckee Meadows Community College; Dr. John Rice, Director of Institutional Advancement, Great Basin College; and Danny Thompson, Executive Secretary/Treasurer, Nevada State AFL-CIO. The panel will explore how educational and workforce training are essential to creating successful businesses and new jobs, and whether institutions of higher education are ready to offer training to prepare workforces for new opportunities.
Prior to the panels, Jim Davis, CEO of Chevron Energy Solutions (CES), will address the prospects for expanding and sustaining renewable energy programs in Nevada through the Summit’s keynote speech. One of the world’s leading energy efficiency and renewable energy services companies, CES is the largest developer of solar power solutions for education facilities in North America.
