VOTE! Cumberland Chapter and Group Elections!
If you are a current member in good standing in the Cumberland Chapter you will receive a ballot in the October member newsletter for Chapter and Group officer elections. You can also find an online ballot link here. Below are candidate statements for the Chapter candidates and each regional Group so you can learn more about the candidates before you vote. All should vote in the Chapter elections, and each member should vote in ONE of the regional group elections (look for the group that encompases your local region). Ballots due by November 30, 2019.
Kentucky Chapter Candidates
(Vote for up to 3 candidates)
Ed Allgeier
My professional career revolved around real estate. I did obtain a Masters of Science in Social work with a concentration in policy and planning, but after six months with Metro United Way, a friend, who had just become the Ex Director of New Directions, a private non profit real estate agency, called to ask if I wanted to take the job of property manager. It was an easy decision. From there, I renovated historic houses and generated three low-moderate housing projects, ultimately focusing on commercial appraisal. I obtained the MAI designation in 1987 and shortly after started my company. I and my wife lived downtown for seven of those years where my non profit activities consisted of several terms on the Mayor’s Downtown Development Board and several on the Landmarks Commission. Currently I sit on the board of the Kentucky Natural Lands Trust, a group whose primary mission is to acquire, protect and connect natural lands along Pine Mountain in Eastern Kentucky, but also in several other areas of the State. I also sit on the board of Operation Rebound, whose mission is to create affordable housing choices, primarily in Western Louisville. And I am currently the National Leader Council representative for Trout Unlimited for the State of Kentucky.
Aloma Dew
Pennyrile Group ex. com--Program chair; former S.C. Organizer for CAFOS and Water issues. Long-time environmental and women's issues activist. Author, speaker, former lecturer at Kentucky Wesleyan College.
Joey Shadowen
I’ve been a member of the Club since 1990. Since that time, I have held many different positions for the organization including my current role as Sierra Club Chapter Chair for Kentucky. I’m running once again for the Chapter ExCom. The Chapter has a lot of work that we need to accomplish in the coming year. I want to be on the ExCom to see this good work done. With your help will see Kentucky be a leader in our movement. I thank you for your vote.
Bluegrass Group Candidates
(Vote for up to 3 candidates)
Judith Humble
I believe that the protection of our environment, our wildlife, and the prevention of Climate Change, are the most critical issues facing humanity at this time. It is clear that if we do not act swiftly to protect these precious and irreplaceable resources, our children and grandchildren will be left to deal with the far-reaching consequences. I have made the personal decision to become an activist in these causes, and I joined the Sierra Club because this organization has been the most effective champion of our natural world. It is my belief that we can all be activists, and that all of our choices are important at this time, whether they make an impact at the personal level or on the broader stage. In my four years as Program Chair for the Bluegrass Chapter of the Sierra Club, I have attempted to invite speakers who are actively making a difference, both as individuals and as members of organizations fully dedicated to the cause of conservation. Collectively, we have had many inspiring programs, highlighting the excellent work that is being conducted on many fronts. In addition to my work as Program Chair, I am now facilitating three teams focused on energy and sustainability issues: • 100% Clean Energy KY is a statewide team, composed of representatives from Louisville, Owensboro, Lexington, and Bowling Green. This team promotes energy efficiency and renewable energy, with the goal of helping Kentucky’s cities transition to 100% renewable energy by 2035. • Empower Lexington is a volunteer team with representatives from various sectors in the community, including city government. The mission of this team has been to re-invigorate Lexington’s Empower Lexington Sustainability Plan (adopted by Council in 2012). With the support of our Mayor and City Council, the team is now seeking grants to support a 3-year Energy Manager position in city government. This position would be responsible for coordinating energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives in the private sector. • The Zero Waste Team is addressing the problem of single-use plastics in Lexington, with the mission of helping this community reduce its single-use plastics footprint. If I am elected to another term, I intend to continue working with Sierra Club members and other committed parties on the crucial issues of Climate Stabilization and Sustainability.
Greater Louisville Group Candidates
(Vote for up to 3 candidates)
Emily Boone
I request your consideration to vote for me to be a member of the Executive Committee of Greater Louisville Group. I have been a life member of Sierra Club for over thirty years. I have been active at the local, neighborhood, state, and regional levels in civic, professional, political, and hobby organizations. In each of these I have been elected to officer positions that I have executed effectively. I am seeking this position at this time to further implement my passion to be a part of the solution and to work cooperatively and collaboratively with others in the most strategic ways to establish, implement, and maintain sustainable systems that nurture all living organisms on our fragile planet. I bring many skills and much energy to each task. Please support and vote for me for Greater Louisville Group EXCOM.
Terrell Holder
I am interested in returning to the executive committee for several reasons. First, I have enjoyed my role as outings leader. I have spent quite a bit of time in training and hope to advocate for more focus on getting people of all abilities outdoors. I understand the importance of the work we do both locally and beyond and am excited to keep our momentum going. We are at a critical time in history, and I will do what I can to help Greater Louisville Group remain a powerful voice for the future of north central Kentucky.
Nick Johnson
During the last two years of my present term on Greater Louisville Group’s Executive Committee, I have watched as unceasing attacks on science and reason threaten the environment in ways I have never seen before in my lifetime. In such a discouraging and disconcerting political climate, I feel that the work we do locally is now more important than ever. We can no longer rely on public institutions to deliver the protections we need; we must rely on each other. In the face of a crippled EPA and withdrawal from international institutions like the Paris Climate Accord, it is clear that our state and national elected officials are failing us. Therefore, it is my aim to focus Greater Louisville Group’s efforts and resources where we have a proven track record of being able to make an impact: right here in our own community. That is why, in these trying times, I resolve to refocus our energies on an important mantra in the environmental community: “think global, act local.” With my next term on the EXCOM, I strive to see our group push for important local and regional issues we know we must take on ourselves, because in the face of a lack of state and federal leadership, we cannot sit back and depend on someone to swoop in from above and fight these fights for us. Some of these issues include advocating for a vibrant urban tree canopy, addressing the urban heat island crisis here in Louisville, pushing Louisville Metro Government to transition to 100% renewable energy, and saving Bernheim Forest from the threats this treasure faces. It is with great respect for each of our members, and appreciation for joining together in the task of “exploring, enjoying, and protecting” the planet, that I ask for your consideration to serve on the Greater Louisville Group EXCOM.
Northern Kentucky Group Candidates
(Vote for up to 3 candidates)
William (Bill) Theony
I am asking the members to re-elect me to the Executive Committee of the Northern Kentucky Group of the Sierra Club. I am currently serving as Chairman of the ExCom and would be honored to continue to serve on the committee. I am very interested in protecting and improving the environment and have served as Conservation Committee Chairman and was instrumental in the establishment of a Butterfly Garden in Goebel Park in Covington. I have also assisted at public events with the NKY Sierra Club group at Earth Day and Salt Festival events for the past several years to support the group’s public outreach mission. I have also served as the naturalist on group outings. I would appreciate the chance to continue to help the group to Explore, Enjoy, and Protect the Planet! Thank you.
Jerry Junker
Through much of the 1990s, I felt an increasing concern about the environment. During this time, I followed with growing interest what I saw the Sierra Club in Kentucky doing. In 2001, a new river water quality monitoring program was launched by the Cumberland Chapter throughout the state, and I decided to step out and volunteer. Knowing no one, and with two very young children, I attended the first “Water Sentinels” training program in April of 2001. I took my then 4-year-old daughter with me on my water testing trips. She enjoyed the creek visit experiences. I enjoyed the camaraderie of fellow Sierra Club members, and I enjoyed the sense of accomplishing an important mission. Within about a year I was elected to the Northern Kentucky Group ExCom. I served for 6 years and I focused with others on trying to build up the identity and long-term stability of the Group. After a number of years out of leadership, 4 years ago, I was re-elected to the Northern Kentucky Group ExCom. There are many exciting activities in our Group that I want to support and promote, such as interesting monthly membership meetings, frequent high-quality outings, our Pollinator Garden, casual dinners for new and old members, a book club, and tabling at local events to grow our membership. With over 18 years of active membership in the Northern Kentucky Group I would like to continue my ExCom leadership role to help the Group continue to grow.
Jeff Hampton
I am a graduate of NKU with a Bachelor and a Master's degree and I also hold a Rank I teaching certificate. I retired from teaching in the Covington Schools in 2003 having taught in several settings including teaching at Holmes Junior High School, First District Elementary School, Covington Adult High School and four years as head Teacher at Project Success. I have been a member of the Sierra Club since 2002 and have served on the Northern Kentucky ExCom for several years. I have served as the Recording Secretary for 10 years and have chaired the Political committee for several years as well. I am very active politically having been involved in many presidential campaigns and campaigns for Kentucky Constitutional officers since 2004 and have canvassed and phone banked extensively. I have also been a member of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth and have lobbied in Frankfurt at every legislative session for various issues involving political, economic, environmental and economic justice.
Pennyrile Goup Candidates
(Vote for up to 3 candidates)
Kari Miller
I am a criminal justice professor at Kentucky Wesleyan College and the faculty advisor to the KWC student environmental club.I served as the Pennyrile Group Chair for the past two years and on the ExCom for several years prior. I look forward to continuing to serve on the EXCom!
Mike Robinson
I’m a member of the Executive Committee of the Pennyrile Group. I spent 42 years in education in Kentucky and Indiana serving children as a teacher, principal and superintendent of schools. I have enjoyed nature and the out-of-doors my entire life. As a youth I was a Boy Scout and spent many days in the woods hiking and exploring. I’m a Veitnam combat veteran and a member of various veteran’s groups. I spend many hours volunteering, including several educational groups. I’m presently a board member of the Joey Ford Nature Center in Daviess County. My membership in the Sierra Club is one of many memberships in various national conservation groups. I look forward to my continued membership and involvement in the Sierra club in Kentucky. My wife Chari and I have been married for 50 years and we have 2 adult children and 1 grandchild who loves everything about nature.