Environmentally Sound with Larry Burns

On October edition of Environmentally Sound, host Larry Burns, vice president for external affairs at The University of Toledo, talks with leaders from various segments of the business and scientific community about the ever-changing face of the sustainability movement.

In tonight’s episode:

• Rich Housh, chairman of Plug-Smart, discusses how intelligent energy solutions make for intelligent business models ;
• Dr. Connie Schall, associate professor of chemical and environmental engineering, describes the latest in research that aims to convert unused parts of plants into the fuel for your car;
• Tony Damon, chief executive officer for SSOE Group, describes how sustainable measures are being taken to heart by a major engineering and architecture firm; and
• Carrie Majeske, Manager of Sustainable Business Strategies, Ford Motor Company, shares ways that one of the big three automakers is looking to increase fuel efficiency and shrink your carbon footprint.

The fourth episode of Environmentally Sound finds host Larry Burns, vice president for external affairs at The University of Toledo, discussing a major solar installation in northwest Ohio, the Scott Park Campus of Energy Innovation, the future of sustainability-related education and the how universities across the nation are going “green” in the cafeteria.

In this episode:

• Dennis Welch, executive vice president for the environment, safety and health for American Electric Power discusses a new solar installation project in Wyandotte County that will power more than 6,000 homes;
• Matt Longthorne, Vice President of Manufacturing, Xunlight Corporation, talks about the future of Xunlight and its role in the new Scott Park Campus for Energy Innovation
• Dr. Charlene Czerniak, professor of curriculum development, and Dr. Kevin Czajkowsk, associate professor of geography and planning, discuss a new $5 million grant from the National Science Foundation which will help incorporate sustainability issues into K-12 curriculum; and
• Chris Stemen, ARAMARK Higher Education’s senior director of sustainability and environmental stewardship, talks about the leadership role colleges and universities are taking in embracing environmental initiatives through food service operations.

In the third episode of Environmentally Sound, host Larry Burns, vice president for external affairs at The University of Toledo, talks with regional experts about the environmental focus of the New General Motors, green entrepreneurship, sustainable economic development, photovoltaics and football.

In this episode:

• Beth Lowery, vice president, Environment, Energy, and Safety Policy for General Motors, discusses the new Volt and the new emphasis on renewable energy at the new GM;
• Steve Weathers, President & CEO of the Regional Growth Partnership in Toledo, explains what his organization is doing to support job growth in the region in the field of alternative energy;
• Dr. Norm Johnston, Chief Executive Officer, Solar Fields Inc., discusses how his company is working to create lower cost solar cells and bolster their use locally and nationally;
• Dr. Al Compaan, professor emeritus of physics at The University of Toledo, talks about UT’s emergence as a leader in photovoltaic research and how he has use solar power to power his own vehicle; and
• Tim Beckman, UT football head coach, gives a preview of the upcoming season and his plans to “sustain” the momentum.

In this second episode of Environmentally Sound, host Larry Burns, vice president for external affairs at The University of Toledo, welcomed guests from around the nation, including experts in federal energy policy, business development and construction innovation.

In this episode:

• Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, northern Ohio’s 9th Congressional District Representative, discusses the importance of energy independence and the U.S. economy;
• Mark Erickson, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Buckeye Silicone, a subsidiary of the California-based Sphere Renewable Energy, discusses their effort to launch a new solar company in Toledo, Ohio;
• Megan Reichert, director of incubation at The University of Toledo Center for Clean and Alternative Energy, discusses the role of universities in business incubation and how UT is helping to build the economy of northwest Ohio; and
• Chuck Lehnert, vice president for facilities and construction at The University of Toledo, discussing new ways that alternative energy innovation are being used in building projects across UT’s campuses.

In the premier episode of Environmentally Sound, host Larry Burns, vice president for external affairs at The University of Toledo welcomed guests from around the area, including experts in sustainability and environmental issues.

In this episode:

• Dr. Lloyd Jacobs, president of The University of Toledo discusses the great strides his university has made in the important field of alternative energy research and sustainability;
• Dr. Frank Calzonetti, UT vice president for research and development talks about what’s on the horizon as researchers work to move technology out of the lab and into the marketplace;
• Great Lakes researchers Dr. Carol Stepien and Dr. Daryl Moorhead share their insights on efforts to study and clean up the lakes, and talk about a recent event that brought the greatest minds in the field to our region to discuss the issues affecting us all;
• And, Emilia Askari, environmental reporter for the Detroit Free Press chats about some of what she’s learned during her many years looking at issues of sustainability.