Erik Neandross, Board Chair, is the CEO of Gladstein, Neandross & Associates (GNA), an environmental consulting firm specializing in emissions reduction, energy and transportation policy and market development for alternative fuel vehicles. Neandross has 10 years of experience in the development of advanced transportation and alternative fuel vehicle and refueling infrastructure projects throughout the United States, with a significant focus on both LNG and CNG for heavy-duty fleet applications. He is the co-chair and transportation and air quality representative for the City of Santa Monica’s Environmental Task Force, a position appointed by the city council. He is also a director for the Zolla Family Foundation, a nonprofit corporation providing educational opportunities for low-income minority students to attend top-tier colleges and universities. Neandross earned a bachelor's degree in environmental geography from Colgate University.
Todd Campbell, Vice Chair, is the director of public policy for Clean Energy Fuels Corporation. Campbell is at the forefront of creative transportation and environmental public policy initiatives in California. As a former CCA employee, he worked on alternative fuel advocacy and the improvement of atmospheric quality. He coauthored a study titled Failing the Grade: How Diesel School Buses Threaten Our Children’s Health. Campbell has been a member of the Natural Resources Defense Council and the California Natural Gas Vehicle Partnership. He has a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and master’s degrees from the Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and the University of Southern California School of Public Policy.
Jamie Knapp, Treasurer, is Principal of J Knapp Communications and is a public relations practitioner who specializes in writing and strategic communications on transportation, energy and environmental issues. Knapp developed an expertise in transportation issues at the Sacramento-based Planning and Conservation League (PCL), where she worked on statewide initiative campaigns, served as PCL’s communications director and collaborated with other environmental stakeholders in the effort to preserve California’s Zero-Emission Vehicle Mandate. Before shifting her focus to advocacy work, Knapp worked as a radio journalist and news director for 10 years. She has won awards for public relations campaigns, feature writing and broadcast journalism; in 1981 she shared honors with her radio news department in accepting the nationally coveted George Foster Peabody Award. Knapp received a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Diana Ingram, Secretary,is a director for the IBM Software Group, where she leads sales of strategic software technology in North, Central and South America. Previously, Ingram was senior vice president, general manager of operations west, for Kinko's Inc., where she was responsible for retail and commercial operations for half of the United States. In addition to CCA, she is a board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles and the Inland Empire. In 1992, the NAACP Education and Legal Defense Fund named Ingram a recipient of the “Black Woman of Achievement" award. She holds a bachelor’s degree in human biology from Stanford University and a master’s degree in marketing and finance from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Committee Chairs
Jamie Knapp, Nominating and Governance Chair, is Principal of J Knapp Communications and is a public relations practitioner who specializes in writing and strategic communications on transportation, energy and environmental issues. Knapp developed an expertise in transportation issues at the Sacramento-based Planning and Conservation League (PCL), where she worked on statewide initiative campaigns, served as PCL’s communications director and collaborated with other environmental stakeholders in the effort to preserve California’s Zero-Emission Vehicle Mandate. Before shifting her focus to advocacy work, Knapp worked as a radio journalist and news director for 10 years. She has won awards for public relations campaigns, feature writing and broadcast journalism; in 1981 she shared honors with her radio news department in accepting the nationally coveted George Foster Peabody Award. Knapp received a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Bruce MacRae, Development Chair, is the public affairs director for the Pacific Region of the United Postal Service (UPS), where he oversees local, state and federal issues affecting the company. Since starting in 1978 at a UPS package facility as an un-loader, Mac Rae has risen through many positions, acquiring skills in operations, industrial engineering, hazardous materials, customer relations, community/public relations and security investigations. In addition to CCA, Mac Rae serves on the boards of the California Trucking Association, Nevada Motor Transportation Association and the Arizona Trucking Association, among other organizations. He is the host of the local television show Long Beach Pride.
Felix Oduyemi, Audit Chair, is senior project manager for public affairs at Southern
California Edison (SCE). His extensive local government experience includes working with the Southern California Association of Governments, serving as a senior planner for San Bernardino County, and providing planning consultation to a host of cities across Southern California. Oduyemi is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and served on the board of directors of the American Planning Association, Inland Empire Section. He also devotes time to developing strategies for sustainable economic development and stable democratic government in Nigeria. Oduyemi attended Cal Poly University Pomona, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning and a master’s degree in public administration. He is a doctoral candidate in public administration at the University of La Verne.
Gary Polakovic, Communications Chair, is the president of Make Over Earth Inc., a full-service public affairs and strategic communications firm specializing in environmental issues. Polakovic has more than 20 years of experience as an environmental professional, including writing and editing at the Los Angles Times, where in 2004 he shared the Pulitzer Prize with the Metro staff. He was also a Pulitzer finalist in 2001 and received the American Institute of Biological Sciences Media award. Polakovic earned a bachelor’s degree in communications and environmental science from Cal Poly Pomona and attended the graduate program in environmental management at Cal State Fullerton before receiving the John S. Knight Fellowship at Stanford in 1997-98, where he studied environmental economics, climate change and corporate social responsibility. He helped establish and lead the Society of Environmental Journalists and he serves as an advisory trustee for the California State Parks Foundation.
Peter Weiner, Campaigns Chair, heads the west coast environmental practice of Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP. Weiner worked in the California State government from 1975 until 1983, including as Special Assistant to the governor for Toxic Substances Control and as chief deputy director of the Department of Industrial Relations. He currently serves on the advisory committee to the director of the Department of Toxic Substances Control, on the Statewide Advisory Committee to the University of California Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, on the Advisory Council of the Yosemite Restoration Trust, and on the boards of both the California State Parks Foundation and the Planning and Conservation League. Weiner received a master’s degree from the London School of Economics, a law degree from Yale University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Harvard College.
Board Members
Ed Begley, Jr. is a film, television and theater actor, perhaps best known for his Emmy-nominated role on the 1980s television series St. Elsewhere, as well as his more recent reality television show about green living, Living With Ed. A long time environmentalist, Begley lives in a solar- and wind-powered home and is a vocal champion of electric cars and other transportation alternatives, such as bicycling. In 2007 he received the Thomas Alva Edison Energy Award for Energy Independence from the American Jewish Congress. In addition to CCA, Begley serves on the boards of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, the Environmental Media Association, the Walden Woods Project and Tree People. Begley graduated from Los Angeles Valley College in North Hollywood, California.
Victor Griego, Jr. is the president and founder of Diverse Strategies for Organizing Inc. (DSO), a public affairs consulting firm specializing in community relations, government relations, and political consulting. A nationally recognized political strategist, facilitator and organizer, Griego has had years of notable success in coordinating community leaders, neighborhoods and organizations in their efforts to influence public policy decisions. He has been an advisor on more than 50 local, state and federal elections and ballot measures. Griego is a member of the Latin Business Association and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and he is a founding member of the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation. Griego holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Whittier College and is currently pursuing a doctorate in political science at the Claremont Graduate University.
Yvette Martinez is a founding partner at Progressive Strategy Partners (PSP), a consulting firm that provides strategic communications, policy and coalition building for organizations, elected officials and campaigns. Martinez has managed public education and outreach campaigns for a variety of organizations and initiatives. An expert in California’s Latino community, Martinez provides strategic guidance on building alliances with stakeholders and partnerships with key organizations, opinion leaders and elected officials. Martinez has worked on campaigns for Monica Garcia and Nury Martinez for Los Angeles School Board, State Senator Alex Padilla, Senator Barbara Boxer and Congressmember Hilda Solis. Martinez and her firm have assisted state and national environmental organizations and initiatives on policy issues such as clean energy, coastal protection and preserving wilderness areas. In 2007, Martinez was appointed the national Clean Water Act Fund Board of Directors. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Ed Rendon
Bio forthcoming
Deidre Sanders is the Environmental Justice Program Manager for Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) in San Francisco. In addition to leading PG&E's effort to advance the implementation and institutionalization of environmental justice (EJ) policy within the company, her policy expertise is also applied to working on the potential impacts on disadvantaged communities resulting from energy use andclimate change, as well as the opportunities presented by the emerging green economy. Prior to joining PG&E, Sanders worked for seven years at Southern California Edison, where she focused on environmental policy, community involvement and market research. She earned a doctorate in politics and policy from Claremont Graduate University.
John S. Shegerian is the chairman and CEO of Electronic Recyclers, Inc. (ERI), an electronic waste collector and recycler specializing in the environmentally safe and socially responsible dismantling of electronic items. In 2008, Ernst & Young named Shegerian the Clean Tech Entrepreneur of the Year for Northern California for his work with ERI. In his presentations to business, environmental and social forums around the world, Shegerian is known to tout his trademarked slogan, "Green is Good," as he highlights ways that individuals and businesses can save money while being environmentally conscious. In addition to CCA, Shegarian serves on the boards of the Alliance Toward Harnessing Global Opportunities, the Environmental Media Association and the VerdeXchange for Innovations and Developments in the Green Economy. He is a cum laude graduate of New York University.
