Ryan Bell implements recycling and waste prevention projects and other local sustainability programs for Alameda County’s General Services Agency.  Ryan also worked briefly with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s grants program and ICLEI’s Local Governments for Sustainability.  Ryan co-authored Local Action: The New Paradigm in Climate Change Policy, led the climate change task force for the City of Olympia, Washington, and has advised Eastern European communities on implementing environmental programs as both a Peace Corps volunteer and a consultant. 

Tim Hansen is a graduate from UC Berkeley and Cornell Law School and served as Executive Director of The Julia Morgan Center for the Arts in the late1980s.  He has served on City of Berkeley commissions and non-profit boards including the Landmarks Preservation Commission, the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association, and the Hillside Club.

Bruce Flushman is an attorney, and leads the Environmental Practice Group at Wendel Rosen Black & Dean in Oakland.  He represents public and private interests regarding compliance with environmental laws and regulations, in obtaining federal, state, or local land use and permits or entitlements and in related litigation.  Prior to entering in private practice, Bruce was a California Deputy Attorney General for almost 17 years.  He has an abiding interest in energy, including reduction of green house gases through energy conservation and smart growth.  Bruce and his family are long-time active members of the Berkeley/Oakland community.

Rick McCracken has been working with nonprofit organizations throughout the Bay Area for the last 29 years.  He has served in the capacity of Executive Director and Development Director for a number of organizations.  He has also trained nonprofits around the country on topics from board development to strategic planning.  Rick currently is the Interim Executive Director of Beyond Emancipation which provides services to former foster youth that help them live independently. 

Ruth Grimes is a retired City Planner with 30 years of local government experience.  She also has nearly 40 years of board experience with non-profit community based organizations,  including serving as a Board Officer for seven organizations. She is the Past Chair of the Community Energy Services Corporation Board.

Barbara Atkinson is a Research Associate at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s Energy Analysis Department.  She has worked in the field of energy efficiency for three decades conducting policy analysis, energy audits, and monitoring & evaluating efficient lighting programs.  She served on several national and state lighting advisory committees and is the Secretary of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America’s Energy Management Committee.  Barbara also operates a consulting practice, Lightstream Energy.  In the 1980s she provided technical assistance in Nicaragua, co-founding a group that provided small photovoltaic lighting systems to rural cooperatives.