I am an Innovator because I am creative and enjoy finding more efficient and creative solutions to practical problems. As a first year student and Eco-Rep in my university I found myself fighting two different battles. One battle was for the survival of my first year in college and the second battle was to inform other first year students on campus about sustainability. I was able to quickly learn how to survive and excel as a college student and I was victorious in my first battle, but my battle as an Eco-Rep proved arduous. Students were mostly indifferent about sustainability and even saw it as a distraction to their studies, but by the end of the school year, the Eco-Reps were able to transform several students to sustainable behaviors. 

Stay tuned to learn more about this Rising Clean Energy Leader

I am senior Environmental Science major at the University of St. Thomas and I am very involved in environmental and energy programs. I am the President of ECOS, the environmental club, as well as a work-study employee for the Environmental Science and Studies Department, and a second-year Focus Organizer for FTN. I help coordinate recycling on campus, Recyclemania, and even recyled at the 2011 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. 

I am a Senator of the Associated Students of Dine' College (ASDC) where it is our duty to reach out to other students and address the problems they are concerned about and try to correct said problems. I've also worked in my community under the Shonto Community Development Corporation, a completely Navajo owned solar company. I headlined the installation of solar panels at my grandmother's place on the Navajo Nation, and her home will soon be sustainable. I'm always eager to learn more and help out any way I can and it is always interesting to hear other's perspectives on issues facing their community and we can always learn from each other.

I am Navajo from Shiprock, NM. I'm 22 and I have great event director skills; I do my best in seeing where every need is and filling those needs with help to make it a great event. I believe this is very important because it I am able to oversee all the activities and be the one to find out what is lacking and fix the problem. I'm looking forward to meeting new people and being around a positive atmosphere at the retreat. I would love to learn new and innovative skills to bring back to my community to inspire and educate more and more youth.

Stay tuned to learn more about this Rising Clean Energy Leader

I’m a new-paradigm thinker originally from Chico, CA and I’m passionate about all things sustainable, or better said, holistic. My educational basis is in journalism, for which I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Oregon, where I am also currently seeking a graduate certificate in ‘Leadership in Sustainability’. I first became interested in the role of storytelling and the power of narrative to awaken hearts and minds across the globe to a more sustainable and livable future for all when I wrote an ‘energy & environment issues’ column for my school paper. I’m continuing my exploration of the topic currently in my first attempt at writing a fictional screenplay with sustainability as the subject matter and personal awareness as a primary theme. I plan to complete my training and transition into a position where I’ll consult with localities and organizations to help them envision and plan for their own unique ‘story of sustainability’ and assist in figuring out how they’ll implement and ultimately achieve that vision.  

I am a journalist, environmentalist, spiritualist, artist, theorist. I generally see the glass half full, usually with hot cocoa. I am out to change the world, and environmental education through communication is my tool. 

A rising senior at Ithaca College, I am a double major in journalism and environmental studies. I hold an editor position for both our campus newspaper, The Ithacan, as online editor, and our alternative campus publication, Buzzsaw Magazine.

Beyond my work as a journalist, I am passionate about food and spend free time working on local farms, at the farmers' market and making tasty vegetarian dishes in my much too tiny kitchen.

I am most excited to meet all of the other delegates, facilitators and guest speakers involved with ReCharge! This will also be my first trip out West, which is pretty exciting as well.

The Focus The Nation event we held on campus would have to be one of the most positive contributions we made to our community. The two skills that I feel I possess and are important to me would be my ability to communicate effectively, and listen carefully. This is why I would identify with the Storyteller quadrant.

Stay tuned to learn more about this Rising Clean Energy Leader

Asmeret Gebretekle

I am a senior at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas majoring in Journalism and Media at the Hank Greenspun College of Urban Affairs. After my first year of college I decided to take up Film as my minor to help me become a well rounded student in my areas of interest, which included integrated media marketing and communication, writing, and film documentation. Over the years my studies at UNLV have allowed me to gain a greater understanding of what a leader represents and the different types of leadership roles any individual can obtain through strong work ethics. I have been fortunate enough thus far in my education to have had dedicated mentors and advisors who have opened my eyes and mind to the many opportunites that are present. During my junior year I interviewed for the position as a Program Assistant for the National Education of Women Leadership - Nev. I was hired, and everyday I feel honored to work along-side some of the most outstanding people in government, academic, and community work. In 2011, I also interned at Vegas PBS and experienced a tremendous amount of growth as a hopeful future journalist. I picked up my latest hobby while at Vegas PBS, which is creating mini documentaries. Whenever I have free time I enjoy being able to pick up a camera and capture real moments around me. It doesn't matter if I am using still shots or recording. The ability to stop for a few minutes and observe my surroundings has helped me to develop on a personal and professional basis.  Another passion of mine is my home, and when I say the word home I'm referring to our planet. Our environment has always been something I have been attentive to. I can recall memories of my childhood when my friends would litter, and I would let them know they weren't important enough yet to pick up trash after. Of course some always responded with the "who cares" facial expression, but there were a few who realized what they just did and picked up after themselves. My then unconscious love for our environment has grown since, and that is why I want to become active in sustaining our home. There are so many energy issues that have peaked my interest, one of the most important being our water conservation methods here in Nevada, and world-wide. Water is a resource that many in the past didn't think twice about saving, but today the water industry is extremely powerful and profitable. Especially in area of bottled water companies which continue to expand at a rapid pace globally, while adding more to our energy issues through the usage of plastic. Sometimes when I really sit back and think about how obsessed our culture is with consumption and instant gratification it triggers many thoughts and ideas as to how we can change our behaviors by implementing simple daily conservation tools. I'm interested in the notion that we as a society can prevent a great deal of devastation to our environment by being aware and active right now, changing our energy problems into simple solutions is possible. ReCharge! is the perfect platform for me to grow and extend into a networking group that really understands and believes in this. I'm so stoked! To know that I will be experiencing this kind of adventure with other students and advisors who are motivated to move!

Stay tuned to learn more about this Rising Clean Energy Leader

I'm 23 years young and I live in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.  I'm an Iraq war veteran and I'm currently a senior studying Electronics Engineering. I like to call my self a "Lazy Engineer." How lazy you might ask? I wired the lights in my room to turn off via email...

Michael Greenberg is an 18-year-old high school senior at the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville, Maryland who will be entering college in the Fall of 2012. Before becoming active in the anti-Keystokne XL pipeline campaign, he was active on issues of mountaintop removal coal mining and hydraulic fracturing.

As an engineering student, I identify myself most as a Technician. Currently, I plan to pursue a PhD in my field after gaining my undergraduate degree at Columbia University. This will allow me to commit to research and development of new and improved technologies.

I was very active in political advocacy for clean energy legislation. After attending the national Power Shift conference in 2009, I closely followed the debate around ACES and other proposed federal climate bills. In the fall of 2009, I became active on my campus to organize for a state level Power Shift. Since 2009, I have followed new climate developments by regularly reading Grist and ClimateProgress. I have learned more about government at the St. Louis level, and have talked with fellow community organizers about potential policies that could help to spark a local transformation towards a green economy. 

I am passionate about working to elect progressive leaders to change the course of our country and my state's energy future. Although Kansas is one of the most conservative states in the country, it has the potential to be a great leader in clean energy and I have enjoying working within the political system to harness that potential. In addition to my academic studies, I have worked on numerous political campaigns and a statewide advocacy organization, the Great Plains Alliance for Clean Energy. Currently, I work for the Kansas House Democratic Caucus and serve as an advocate for several local sustainability groups.

I'm a sophomore Forestry and Natural Resources major seeking to merge my love of wildlife and the outdoors with my desire to help humankind create a sustainable society and a better energy future.

My name is Tom Krupa, and I am a senior energy engineering undergraduate student at Pennsylvania State University. My studies include many energy generation systems but, my passion lies with renewable energies and alternative fuels. As a student I am excited to inform/clarify the public’s understanding of how these systems operate and the reasons for various consequences or solutions. This knowledge provides a basis to help decide what’s wrong with our energy systems, why they are wrong, and what can be improved, removed, or altered. This can result in an energy efficient and clean system that is also a financial stable project. When I'm not studying I enjoy spending my free time playing guitar & mandolin, or hiking & fishing the Appalachian Mountains. I am looking forward to gaining a firsthand experience with some of these systems at the ReCharge! retreat as well as enjoying what the outdoor environment has to offer at Mt. Hood.

I am a fourth year student at University of California, Berkeley studying Environmental Policy with minors in Education and Entrepreneurship. Having performed my undergraduate research projects on fuel plants to optimize ethanol output, I am passionate about the energy problem because it is an issue that affects all of us. I want to dedicate myself in promoting the use of renewable energy. I want to work for change in our current energy policy into one that embraces Renewable Portfolio Standards and Feed-in-Tariffs. Asides from academics, I like to lead an active lifestyle by doing many extended drills at the gym such as shooting jumpshots (currently doing the 300 jumpshot workout). I am thrilled to meet and connect with this year's ReCharge! cohort and work on solutions together.

My name is Victor Liao and I'm going into my 4th year at Clemson University. I'm majoring in Biosystems Engineering with a minor in Business Administration. I love the environment and have been involved in Students for Environmental Action, an environmental organization at Clemson, and LIEF (Leaders Innovating for our Environment and Future), a non-traditional class in which the students develop what to learn and teach themselves. For fun, I like to mountain bike, play tennis, and stare in awe at nature.

I identify most with the Innovator quadrant. I like seeing the implementation of my ideas and the ensuing results. I think that my greatest leadership skill is my ability to generate ideas in order to improve upon existing foundations within organizations while also creating new opportunities that may not have been previously realized. 

In reflection, I believe my life experience has shaped me into becoming an innovative leader. Innovation As climate change becomes even more concerning and our world becomes further dependent on resourcefulness and efficiency, we are going to need to rely on people that can captivate and inspire through their words and actions. Innovators are going to be the cornerstones of which we will build and maintain a nation of renewable energy, which is why I identify most with the innovator quadrant.

In 2009 I graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Science. I have since become increasingly interest in renewable energy and clean energy. In the Fall 2012 I was accepted into the Columbia Gorge Community College (CGCC)'s Renewable Energy Technology Program. Since enrolling in the program I have been very active as an elected-Representative of CGCC's RET Student Club, Delta Energy Club, and as a Focus the Nation Forums to Action Team Coordinator. Over the past 8 months the Delta Energy Club has presented two Clean Energy Film Festivals, established a coordinated resource research and recommendation committee for a potential RE Community Education and Interpretive Center, applied for a EPA P3 Award/Grant, and has become a pilot-AWEA Student Chapter. 

Some of my major accomplishment this year includes: awarded the WoWE Rudd Mayer Fellowship to WINDPOWER 2012, authoring the Delta Energy Club's EPA P3 Grant submission, and now becoming a FTN Delegate for ReCharge! 2012.

I want to find a way to integrate my past experiences in land/resource conservation/management, community service, and environmental outreach and education with my interest in clean energy.

I most closely identify with the “Politico” quadrant because of my previous experience and continuing network of contacts and relationships. I began my political endeavors in Lincoln, Nebraska and have worked with every level of government.

I love exploring my many passions. Whether conducting literature review on gut bacteria, singing in my church choir, summiting Mt. Washington, or analyzing policies regarding the federal subsidies of biofuel, I desires an understanding of how the world works and how I can best improve it. My exploration ensues as a graduate student at Tufts University.

Growing up in Washington, D.C., politics has always been a part of my life. Studying environmental policy at Middlebury College in Vermont allows me to combine my interests in politics and environmental activism. I am passionate about making the environmental movement interesting and accessible to everyone, and ensuring that we have the necessary individuals in office to lead the charge. I love spending time outdoors and could not be more excited for Recharge! The retreat will give me the opportunity to step outside of my politico comfort zone and learn from individuals exploring paths that differ from my own.

I am a senior Documentary Film Production major at Chapman University (and graduating in 5 days!) Aside from making films, I really enjoy playing the drums and being outdoors. I've long been interested in the relationship between humans and nature, a theme which usually finds its way into my films, and most energy issues as well. I'm really excited to meet others with new perspectives and ideas about clean energy.

      My name is Taylor Redding and I enjoy keeping things simple.  Today the planet we share faces many complex issues related to resources and population, energy and energy users.  I am attending the Oregon Institute of Technology in pursuit of a Bachelor's Degree in Renewable Energy Engineering to quench my thirst for knowledge and also play a positive role in a field desperately due for creative innovation.  I am thrilled to have the opportunity to gather with other young leaders around the country to learn from one another, discuss energy related issues, and gain valuable experience from industry professionals.  As an adventure seeker my hobbies are numerous but almost always involve land, water or air with a few good friends!  Winter usually entails producing music and snowboarding while the warmer seasons beg for backpacking and basketball.  "If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change.  As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. ... We need not wait to see what others do."  ~Mahatma Gandhi

I am a Politico. I want to be part of the clean energy movement by being able to analyze things outside of myself. I think I fit in this category because I can evaluate and assess different issues, people, parties, and myself without any preceding notion or interest. I also want to take advantage of our democratic system and be engaged to bring change.

I'm originally from northern New England, having grown up in Maine and VT.  My interest in clean energy was sparked during my undergraduate in Environmental Studies at Bucknell University.  After 6 years of traveling the country doing seasonal outdoor jobs I attended Columbia Gorge Community College's Renewable Energy Technology program in The Dalles, OR and now work as a Wind Turbine Technician for GE in Arlington, OR.

The area that interests me the most is infrastructure and continuing development in a way that reduces negative impact to the environment. If thought about in the beginning stages of development, many current technologies are fabulous choices to aid the country's energy situation. I want to understand where current technologies are heading and how they can be implemented in today's world to make a difference both today and in the future.

I am an IT Professional who is highly interested in moving this country forward with energy efficiency. There is no reason why the young people of our nation cannot achieve anything we set out to accomplish. Making the future brighter and cleaner for future generations is what I want to be a major part of. Eventually, I hope to be the developer behind many software applications controlling and monitoring the energy efficiency infrastucture in my hometown.

I feel that I identify most with the Storyteller quadrant. With aspirations to become a producer, I would like to broadcast the important issues in our communities. For the transformation of a society, the masses must become aware of the truths that are occurring every day. 

Currently, I am an Environmental Science undergrad, with a minor in Geographic Information Systems. My degree utilizes GIS to further efforts in land-use, water management and soil conservation. However, much of my free-time is spent following national and world politics, including environmental issues.

As an AmeriCorps alum, I have to say I care most about connecting the people and communities to new ideas, allowing them to adopt new practices so that they can reach out to their elected officials and tell them how important a sustainable, green lifestyle is. There exists a gap between the educated, early adopters of the green movement and people and communities who are less privileged. Yet, these communities have so much potential to create low-cost, green solutions and own the green movement in their own way.

Growing up in DC, I have been surrounded by politics my whole life and have always seen it as a route to help solve the world’s biggest problems and greatest challenges. I have faith in the political system’s ability to put our energy system on a more sustainable trajectory. It seems to me the best way to tackle the climate crisis is to pass innovative policies that encourage clean energy development and phase out fossil fuel usage. 

I am passionate about solar energy, including both its technical and political aspects. As a chemistry major, I have been doing research on an emerging form of solar cells, organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs), for the past two quarters with the Tobin Marks Group at Northwestern University. Last summer, I received an Undergraduate Research Grant from the university to continue my research. I am working on improving the efficiency of OPVs by modifying the chemical layers of the cells.