Philip Palmedo
Philip Palmedo, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, founded International Resources Group in 1978 and, as Chairman and CEO, managed IRG's growth to become an internationally recognized professional services firm. Dr. Palmedo has more than 30 years of experience in energy research, policy analysis, and the design of technology-based economic development. He was formerly head of the Energy Policy Analysis Division at Brookhaven National Laboratory and President of the Long Island Research Institute. PhD, Nuclear Engineering, MIT; BA, Physics, Williams College.

Asif M. Shaikh
Asif M. Shaikh, President and CEO, is a widely recognized authority on the links between economics, governance, and rural production systems, as well as on environmental policy, poverty alleviation and population. A frequent lecturer at universities and international forums on the development challenges of societies in transition, Mr. Shaikh has experience in more than 35 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, the Caribbean, and North America. MA, Economics, Columbia University; BA, Economics, Yale University. Fluent French.

Jerry Schubel
Jerry Schubel is an accomplished and respected administrator and scientist who has worked for 25 years in the fields of biology and environmental studies. A visiting professor of biology and environmental studies and director of the Alternative Futures Forum at Washington College, Dr. Schubel is the president emeritus of the New England Acquarium in Boston and the president and CEO of the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California. He has published 200 scientific papers and acted as writer, editor, or photographer for several books and academic journals. BS, Alma College; PhD, Oceanography, John Hopkins University; PhD (honorary), Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

Jim Simons
Jim Simons is the president and founder of Renaissance Technologies, a private investment management company, which he founded after teaching mathematics at MIT, Harvard University, and the University of New York at Stony Brook. Over the 22 years since he founded it, Renaissance Technologies has continually been at the forefront of research in mathematic and economic analysis. BS, MIT; PhD, Mathematics, University of California at Berkeley.

John P. White
John P. White is the managing partner of Global Technology Partners and is on the faculty of Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. Twice awarded the US Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service, he has held various positions in the department intermittently since 1959. Dr. White has served Harvard University as the director of the Center for Business; Kodak as vice president; and the RAND Corporation as a member of the board of trustees, as well as senior vice president for national security research programs. BS, Cornell University; PhD, Economics, Syracuse University.

Corporate VP Rotating Member:

Matthew S. Mendis, Corporate Vice President and Managing Director, Energy and Environmental Management, is internationally recognized for his work in promoting the development, innovative financing, and implementation of alternative energy and greenhouse gas mitigation projects in developing countries. Formerly with the World Bank, Mr. Mendis continues to advise the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, UN Development Programme, USAID, and other bilateral development agencies. In over 25 years, he has acquired expertise in more than 40 developing countries around the world. MA, Natural Resource Economics, University of Maryland. Languages: Indonesian, French and Spanish