Michael Lee Environmental Foundation
Board of Directors
Mike Kutilek - President
Mike Kutilek has been a professor of Biology at San Jose State for 32 years. Mike's main scientific interests are in ecology and conservation biology with previous research on large mammals including the African Antelope. Locally, Mike has studied disturbance ecology of plants and animals. His main reason for joining the foundation is to better understand and help apply the various resources that can be allocated to assist education, along with applications for funding and research of environmental and conservation efforts. Personal interests include hiking, camping, bird watching and enjoying nature by being there.
Frank Schiavo - Vice President, MML/Professor Emeritus
Frank has taught environmental studies for over 37 years, both high school and university levels. He recently retired from teaching, but continues his 25 year profession as a solar home design consultant to architects and home owners. He has won multiple awards for environmental teaching and advocacy. His goal as a Board Member for the Michael Lee Environmental Foundation is to continue his efforts as environmental educator and social change advocate.
Jennifer Seguin - Secretary
Jennifer Seguin works for the City of San Jose's Environmental Services Department in the Office of Sustainability. Her primary responsibility is to raise the sustainability level of the City’s existing building portfolio using green building certification through the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED-EB: Operations and Maintenance certification program as a guideline. She is the lead for the City’s participation in the USGBC’s Portfolio Program Pilot as well as green building resource for all City Departments and the private sector.
Ms. Seguin is a LEED Accredited Professional, accredited through the U.S. Green Building Council. Her previous experience includes working for an affordable housing developer as the Energy Analyst and Green Building Specialist, working for the City of San Jose as a Green Building and Energy professional and various positions in the high-tech industry in engineering, sales and marketing. Her educational background includes a Masters in International Communication/International Economics from The American University in Washington, D.C. and a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA. Ms. Seguin joins the Foundation to act on her belief in the importance of environmental education.
Vern Ladd - Treasurer
Vern's career includes almost 30 years in high tech (Apple, Xerox and others) in various disciplines— administration, human resources, sales, and product management. He subsequently owned and operated a Sylvan Learning Center with his wife, and they now operate a fundraising company which helps schools and other groups. His volunteer career history has included helping wheelchair bound people swim at San Jose's Timpany Center, serving on the City of San Jose Bicycle Advisory Committee, and as a former board member of the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association, and the Willow Glen Middle & High School Foundation. He also really enjoys helping out in his children's schools. He first became very interested in our environment as a young boy, and continues to try and live as 'lightly' as possible—cycling, carpooling, conserving resources, etc., whenever possible. As a member of the Michael Lee Foundation, he hopes to champion causes which will help our environment, so that it can be enjoyed by countless future generations of people from all walks of life.
Karen Metz - Past President
Karen is currently employed at National Semiconductor Corporation as an Intellectual Property Paralegal/Notary Public, her focus being patents. Prior to her Paralegal work she worked at various companies which positions included, Contract Negotiations, Administrative Assistant for Corporate Legal, Marketing Communications and International Sales and Marketing. Over the years Karen has volunteered her time for community services, such as Feeding the Homeless, Sorting/Handing out food for Second Harvest, Tutoring Elementary School Children and Sorting/Wrapping presents at Christmas time for The Family Giving Tree. Karen always wanted to be a part of a group focused on helping the environment. "When a mutual friend of Michael Lee approached me to consider being on the Board of Directors for Michael's Foundation, I thought, what a great way to get involved in helping the environment". Karen has been on the board for 4 years and is honored to be Board President and be a part of such a worthy cause to help make Michael Lee's dream come true.
Bruce Olszewski - Director
Bruce Olszewski (Ol-chef-ski) has enjoyed a diverse career in the environmental field. His experience includes work in energy efficiency, urban water conservation, recycling, urban planning, and academia. As Founding Director of the Center for the Development of Recycling (CDR) at San Jose State University, Bruce has worked and managed on nearly $2 million in environmental projects since 1989. CDR�s feature activity is having created and managed the Santa Clara County Recycling Hotline. The center specializes in collecting and disseminating information about recycling and reuse centers to businesses and residents in the county. The center is unique in providing service-learning opportunities for staff. Dozens of students began their environmental careers with project and public service experience at CDR. At SJSU, Bruce has twice served as Environmental Studies Coordinator where he teaches Introduction to Environmental Issues, Recycling and Resource Management, and Global Trade and Environmental Issues. He volunteered to be a Board member for the Michael Lee Environmental Foundation to expand his environmental education advocacy.
Jennifer Izzarelli - Director
With a B.S. from San Jose State University in Accounting and Information Systems, Jennifer currently works as a software and business consultant. She has a passion for the environment and was an early member on the Board as she "wanted to help make a difference in her community." She drives a Hybrid Prius and practices conservation with her life and family.
Scott Gould - Director
Scott has a BS & MS in Environmental Studies from San Jose State University. He is currently employed at Stanford University as a Energy Engineer focusing on building energy efficiency and sustainable design. He is also a part-time instructor at De Anza College in the Environmental Studies Department where he teaches classes on energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. Scott is accredited with LEED TM (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). He is also a Certified Energy Manager (CEM). He has published papers for the Association of Energy Engineers, American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, US Green Building Council, and the American Solar Energy Society.
Elizabeth Tjader - Director
As a school psychologist, counselor and special education program specialist, Elizabeth has a passion for educating and inspiring students to make a difference in the world. She hosts environmental field trips and community outings for students and families including hiking, kayaking, sailing, and birding. Elizabeth has a strong commitment to tread lightly on the earth and models environmentalism by riding her bike when she can and driving a hybrid.
Her home is powered by a photovoltaic system in addition to using passive heating and cooling strategies. Elizabeth also eats low on the food chain to minimize the impact of animal agriculture and to promote good health and longevity. Her motto is: “What is good for us is good for the planet.”
In addition to being a vegan and practicing organic gardening, Elizabeth 's other hobbies include political activism, backpacking, and triathlons. Elizabeth became a board member for MLEF to help model conservation activities, and support youth in discovering their stewardship through education and innovation.
Karen Beck - Director
Karen Beck started work at Build It Green (BIG) (a non-profit membership organization whose mission is to promote healthy, energy- and resource-efficient building practices in California) in 2005 as their Membership Manager. She transitioned to working part-time as a Project Manager after welcoming the birth of her son in early 2007. Her most recent projects include managing the website redesign, creating and coordinating marketing materials and event planning. Before working for BIG, she worked for Electric Power Research Institute in Palo Alto and Brussels, Belgium, as their Environmental Product Line Specialist and International Web Liaison, for over 8 years.
For the last 2 years her energies have been focused towards completing her Master’s Thesis on Green Building Policy in the U.S. Karen received a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Studies from San Jose State University in 1997 and a Web Design Certificate in 2000.
In her spare time, she has been working on a green remodel of her home, which was featured on the Build It Green Home Tour in 2006. She is also an active member of her local chapter of the California Native Plant Society and is a Certified Green Building Professional. She enjoys hiking, backpacking, running and mountain bike riding with her family and friends. Her participation on the Board helps fulfill her belief that everyone, in a position to do so, should give back to their community.
Ralph W. Schardt - Executive Director (Staff)
After working 20 years in the high technology industry, Ralph went back to school to earn a degree in Environmental Studies. He has taught practically all grade levels including college, and leads nature and birding tours for local groups. He is an avid birder and was fortunate to work with Pinnacles National Park to provide a photo-chronology of the reintroduction of the California condor for which he was widely published
He has been on the boards of various local non-profit organizations while working in the non-profit arena for the past 14 years. His passion is "getting people connected with nature." His outdoor activities include kayaking, hiking, biking, and California geology. His favorite quote is: "You don't know what you've got till it's gone." - Joni Mitchell
Advisory Council
Chester & Janet Lee -
Chester and Janet Lee are the parents of Michael Lee, the founder of MLEF. Chet has a B.S. degree in Biological Sciences and worked for 30 years in the manufacturing industry, holding positions in personnel, purchasing and production. He also owned and operated a personnel agency. Janet’s work has been in the secretarial and accounting fields. Chet and Janet are now retired and living in Selma, California. They joined the Board in September of 2002 and share their son’s desire to give back to this world in gratitude for all that it has given them. In 2007 Janet and Chet decided to retire their position as active board directors and now remain on the Advisory Council.
Jim Beall - California State Assembly Member
Jim Beall, Jr., was elected to the Assembly in November 2006 with 64 percent of the vote. His dedication to improving the lives of our children, families, and seniors has led him to fight for better health care and the efficient delivery of social services. These goals are reflected in his legislation and in his committee assignments. As Chair of the Committee on Human Services since 2007, he has focused on bolstering the Safety Net for our elderly, poor and people with physical and developmental disabilities, and combating hunger.
During his 27 years of public service, he has have worked hard to preserve the environment for future generations to enjoy. Most recently, he introduced Assembly Bill 811, which the Governor signed. AB 811 allows local governments to create special assessment districts for the installation of solar panels, dual pane windows and high efficiency heating and air conditioning units. The intent of the bill is to decrease the burning of fossil fuels and to reverse global climate change through increased energy efficiency and conservation.
As a County Supervisor, he initiated a process to strengthen the County General Plan to better protect hillsides and views in the face of increasing requests for land use permits to clear hilltops for monster homes. The new ordinance preserves our valley hilltops and scenic vistas for future generations to enjoy and provides firm guidelines for owners and private developers.
He also, requested the county administration to evaluate the feasibility of extending the current the Park Charter Amendment, Measure B, sales tax rate. In June 2006, voters overwhelmingly approved the continued funding of Santa Clara County’s regional parks ensuring a stable funding source for our parks and recreation department.
Assembly Member Beall, a San Jose native, is a graduate of San Jose State University, where he studied Urban Planning and Public Finance and earned a degree in Political Science.
He and his wife, Pat, have been married for more than 25 years. They have a son, Greg.
Prior to joining the Legislature, Beall served 12 years on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and 14 years on the San Jose City Council., working on issues affecting uninsured children, seniors, foster care, and people with disabilities.