2012 Conference Agenda

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Opening Plenary

8:00 am - Opening Plenary Session - Thursday, February 23, 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. -

Congressman John Lewis, 5^th District, Georgia
Stan Johnson, International Secretary-Treasurer, United Steelworkers
Larry Schweiger, President, National Wildlife Federation
Margrete Strand Rangnes, Deputy Director, BlueGreen Alliance

Plenary Panel

Southern Strategies for Building Sustainable Communities and Jobs
The jobs crisis has not hit all regions of the U.S. equally. The South, which entered the recession with the lowest unemployment rates in the country, now struggles with some of the country’s highest jobless and poverty rates. In fact, the Sun Belt now has more people out of work than the Rust Belt. This panel will highlight how labor, environmental and business partners can work together to revitalize southern communities through sustainable economic development. Such high road strategies can draw manufacturing, construction and other business back to the region and create jobs, build a skilled workforce, lift communities out of poverty and protect our environment.

Moderator:
Natalie Pawelski, Vice President, Cater Communications, Former Correspondent and Host, Earth Matters, CNN

Presenters:
Mtamanika Youngblood, President & CEO, Sustainable Development Strategies, Inc.; Board Member, Atlanta Beltline Partnership
Larry J. Schweiger, President and CEO, National Wildlife Federation
Louis Partain, Secretary-Treasurer for the North GA Building and Construction Trades Council and Vice-President, GA AFL-CIO
Susan Gibson, Director, Southern Regional Environmental and Energy Office, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army
Carlton Brown, Founding Partner and Chief Operating Officer, Full Spectrum

Workshop Session I: Thursday, February 23, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Workshop Session II: Thursday, February 23, 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Emerging Green Sectors

Making Chemicals Safer Through Policy and Practice

Green or Not: Safety is the Law

Infrastructure and Cleaner, More Efficient Transportation

Growing Auto and Truck Manufacturing Jobs: The Right Policy Mix

Regional, State and Local Initiatives and Partnerships

RESTOREing the Gulf Coast: Getting the Water Right, Getting the Jobs Right

Building Non-Traditional Alliances: Best Practices, Challenges and Lessons Learned

Responsible Investment

Responsible Investment in Renewable and Clean Energy: The Emerging Role of Workers’ Capital

Responsible Property Investment and the Integration of ESG into Real Estate Investment Strategies: The Role of Workers’ Capital

Workforce and Economic Development

Jobs21!: Taking a National Jobs Agenda to Southern States

Protecting Lives and Livelihood through Workforce Development: Greener Jobs through Improved Chemical Safety Best Practices

Youth, Education and Green Schools - Building a Clean Energy Movement

Healthy Schools, Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities

Day One Closing Plenary

3:30 pm - Day One Closing Plenary Session: Thursday, February 23, 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. -

Larry Cohen, President, Communications Workers of America
Mark Schauer, former Congressman, 7^th District, Michigan; National Co-Chair, BlueGreen Alliance Jobs21!
Scott Paul, Executive Director, Alliance for American Manufacturing

Plenary Panel

A Clean Energy Jobs Plan for the 21st Century
The world isn’t waiting for the U.S. to get in the race to win the good jobs that a clean energy economy will create. Join us for a discussion focused on how America can leap forward and create millions of good jobs that are also good for our environment. From investments in energy efficiency and clean energy to revitalizing manufacturing to bolstering emerging green industries, this lively panel discussion will feature business, labor and environmental leaders discussing what it will take for America to build a clean energy jobs plan for the 21st century.

Moderator:
Scott Paul, Executive Director, Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM)

Presenters:
Felicia Davis, Program Director, Facilities and Infrastructure Enhancement Program, United Negro College Fund (UNCF)
Ken Hall, General Secretary-Treasurer Elect, International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Steve Leffin, Director, Global Sustainability, UPS
Deborah C. Nisson, CRE, Vice President of Investments, Ullico Investment Advisors, Inc.