Board of Directors + Staff

IDEAS For Us – Board of Directors are the foundation that facilitate smooth operations and a successful International sustainability organization. They help to develop new projects, programs, partnerships and chapters, while providing a communication portal for the IDEAS Movement.

Scott Minos, Communications Director / DOE
I am an experienced strategic communicator with focus on issues related to clean energy, the environment, and high tech. I have worked in several communications positions at the United States Department of Energy (DOE) since 1986, and currently work in DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy developing strategic messaging, campaigns, and communications targeted across all media. In this position I an responsible for all office-related branding development, communication assets, publication approval and management, traditional marketing and advertising efforts, social media management, media tracking and research, and select writing and editing. Scott helps to link the U.S. Department of Energy with IDEAS chapters and frequently travels to speak.  Email: Scott@ideasforus.org

Chris Castro, Founder & Executive Director
Chris was born in 1988 in South Miami, FL. He’s an ambitious young green professional with a focus in Environmental Sciences, Clean Energy technologies and incorporating Sustainability.  Chris graduated from the University of Central Florida in December 2010 with a ‘B.S. Environmental Science’ and a minor in ‘Energy & Sustainability’. Through his years as an undergrad, he Co-Founded  IDEAS and continues to work with a network of youth leaders across the nation to facilitate positive environmental change.  For the past 2.5 years, Chris was the Campus Outreach coordinator for the University of Central Florida’s (UCF) Sustainability & Energy Management department; recently acted as a Youth Delegate for the Nation Wildlife Federation (NWF) and the Clinton Global Initiative; certified as a ‘Energy Specialist’ through Orange County (FL) and co-created the U.S. Department of Energy’s university outreach agenda: the ‘Student Ambassadors Program’. In addition, Chris has received numerous awards recognizing his effort as a humanitarian and steward of our environment, including the ‘Green Leaf Award for Environmental Excellence‘ from the Orange County Environmental Protection Division (EPD).  Email: Chris.Castro@ideasforus.org

Henry Harding, Founder & Public Relations Director, Outreach
Henry was born in South Florida in 1988. He is a recent graduate from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelors of Science degree in Environmental Sciences. He has earned his stripes by working with on campus departments; Landscape and Natural Resources and UCF Recycling Services, hired by the U.S. Department of Energy to develop their Student Ambassador Program, and successfully co-founded an environmental organization known as IDEAS (Intellectual Decisions on Environmental Awareness Solutions). Through these various accomplishments and learning experiences, Henry has gained valuable interdisciplinary knowledge in problem-solving real-world issues relating to energy, the environment, and society at the local regional and state level. Currently, Henry is working as an Energy Specialist with Florida’s Orange County Environmental Protection Division  to help reduce energy costs for their  county buildings and assisting IDEAS chapters with initiative development..  Email: Hank.Harding@ideasforus.org

Clayton Louis Ferrara, National Science Director & Outreach
Clayton was born in Santiago, Chile in 1986 but spent the most formative years of his life in South Florida where the anoxic mud flats and tangled mess of Red Mangrove prop-roots had a profound effect on his soul. Through he holds multiple degrees as a formally trained biologist, he prefers to think of himself as a self-taught naturalist and poet. He belongs to a multitude of environmental organizations from Tallahassee to Key West and he has lectured all over the world. As a seasoned world traveler, Clayton has pursued his studies in zoology, ecology and wildlife conservation throughout many countries. Since 2009 he has served as the director of education and head curator at the Oakland Nature Preserve, located in Oakland, Florida, but now spends the majority of his time running his own non-profit organization, the Terra Firma Institute.  Email: Clay@ideasforus.org

Viktor Elsaieh, Director of Grant Development / Haiti
Viktor El-Saieh was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and raised in Florida. He currently holds a BA in International Affairs from Florida International University and his primary interests are in environmental sustainability, urban planning, transportation systems and waste management. In 2009 he founded IDEAS for Miami, the Miami chapter of IDEAS (Intellectual Decisions on Environmental Awareness Solutions). IDEAS is a growing organization with over 10 university chapters throughout the country, 3 of which are based in Miami. He is currently forming the foundation for IDEAS’ first International chapter; IDEAS for Haiti. In addition, Viktor sits on the ACFFC (Art Creation Foundation for Children) advisory board and acts as a representative for this Haiti-based foundation.  Email: Viktor@ideasforus.org

Arturo Romero, Director of Workforce Development
Mr. Romero is an Energy Engineer at GDS Associates. His experience in the energy industry includes work in areas of energy efficiency and renewable energy R&D, in-depth policy and research analytical studies, market research and market transformation, complex computer simulations, and energy performance modeling.  Arturo joined GDS in April 2011 after working as a Project Engineer with the US Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy – Building Technology Program, Emerging Technology Group. He held programmatic responsibility of a $40+ million program to develop, promote and implement the next generation of building energy efficiency policies and technologies to dramatically reduce global energy demand that will enhance energy security and mitigate carbon emissions. Mr. Romero managed over 30+ “high-risk, high-reward” projects with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and several companies in the private sector.  Email: Arturo@ideasforus.org

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IDEAS For Us – Staff are the workforce that works with the BOD and takes action and adds value to the on-going projects, programs and initiatives.  In addition, the IDEAS Staff includes Regional Coordinators, Program Coordinators and focused initiatives to provide opportunities for the movement.

Samantha Ruiz, National Policy Director
Samantha is a recent graduate at the University of Central Florida (UCF) who studies Legal Studies with a minor in Energy & Sustainability, and Urban & Regional Planning. Since her sophomore in college, Samantha has been extremely involved with the environmental movement at UCF, not to mention a founding member of the UCF chapter. She’s been serving on the Student Sustainability Alliance (SSA) board for 2 years, as well as helping to launch IDEAS at UCF into what it is Today.  She has worked for a number of organizations, including Repower America, and holds great experience in policy and conservation efforts. Currently, Samantha worked as a Clean Energy Policy intern for the Florida Conservation Alliance helping research existing local government initiatives designed to advance local investment in clean energy & energy efficiency. Currently she’s working with the Millennium Institute to help with Rio+20 the UN Sustainable Development Conference, and leading the IDEAS chapters in implementing campus policy to facilitate a successful environmental movement.  Email: Samantha@ideasforus.org

Christopher Stampar, International Partnership Development / IDEAS For UN
Chris is a 19-year old sophomore at the University of Miami, where he studies International Relations, Computer Science, and Geo-Spatial Technology. Deeply interested in sustainable agriculture and economic development, Chris has been working with the Millennium Institute since high-school, most notably on research for the United Nations Environmental Programs Green Economy Report. From there, he’s naturally moved his focus to research, reporting and youth mobilization efforts for IAASTD Rio+20.  While not in class, Chris is an avid cook, a passionate photographer, sailor, and a travel junkie with 16 countries under his belt. He’s always looking for another opportunity to mark up his passport for a new experience.  Email: cstampar@ideasforus.org

Jacob Robison, Co-founder & President of IDEAS For Binghampton
Jacob began his IDEAS career by being co-founder and President of IDEAS for Binghamton in Summer 2011. He studies Natural Resources at Binghamton University. He has been the Conservation Director at Camp Sequassen in Connecticut, and is a certified Leave No Trace Trainer. In March 2012, he was hired as the New York Regional Director as part of IDEAS for Us Board of Directors to build the infrastructure of the non-profit and advise and coordinate chapters in the northeastern part of the United States. Locally at the Binghamton University chapter, he leads the campus CYCLE initiative, which aims to create a semi closed-loop food system on the campus. IDEAS members work to create an on-campus farm and a compost system as part of this initiative. As interest began to rise in the Midwest, he was promoted to expand the IDEAS region to include all the states north of North Carolina, thus, along with interns, creating the IDEAS Office of the Northern Region.  Email: Jacob@ideasforus.org

Allie Thompson, Program Coordinator & President of IDEAS For Valpo
Allie currently a Senior at Valparaiso University studying Earth Science (background in Meteorolgy and Math).  She was born and raised in Saint Louis, MO.  In August 2012, she began organizing an IDEAS chapter on my campus, as well as interning for the City of Gary.  In addition, Allie works with Lauren Riga on WVLP 98.3 FM Sustainability 101, radio talk show.

 

Emmanuel Marfo, Africa Region Director, President of IDEAS For GADeF
Emmanuel is a social development worker who lives in Kenyasi in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana, Ghana. He is the Communications and Outreach Director, UNEP Youth Climate Report Initiative and the Founder of both Global Alliance for Development Foundation (GADeF) and  Youth Community Development Foundation(YCD Foundation). He has been a workshop leader and mentor for UNEP’s TUNZA Children and Youth Conference. Emmanuel has a BA in Publishing Studies from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana ,  diplomas in Public Relations and Business Management and Administration at the Institute of Commercial Management (UK). He holds a certificate in Project Management Professional (PMP). Since October 2012, Emmanuel has been serving as IDEAS African Regional Director, helping to establish Country Directors in African countries and expand the IDEAS movement.  Email: emmarfogh@yahoo.com