Cliff Bridges,  Senior Director of Global Communications and Development, Polymer Group Inc (PGI)

Cliff supervised the development and publication of PGI’s first Sustainability Report for 2008, which was recognized for “Engagement” at the 2010 Global Reporting Initiative Conference in Amsterdam.  As a spokesperson for PGI, Cliff has been featured on three segments of Green Sustainability Television, which airs nationally on The Learning Channel and the National Geographic cable programs.  After graduating from Emory University in Atlanta with a degree in biology, Bridges pursued graduate studies in psychology at Atlanta University, while teaching biology and Russian language courses in Atlanta high schools. Additionally, he holds a masters degree from the George Washington University in strategic public relations and communications. He is a member of the Board of Visitors for the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and he is also a licensed Real Estate Broker for the State of North Carolina. 

Scott Curry Urban Designer/Planner, The Lawrence Group

Scott is an urban designer and town planner at the Lawrence Group in Davidson, NC. His work focuses on the development/redevelopment of sustainable communities at a wide range of scales from comprehensive regional plans to small urban areas. Scott’s academic training includes master’s degrees in Urban Design and Urban Planning from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and a bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning and Development from Ball State University in Muncie, IN. Scott is a past recipient of the APA Urban Design and Preservation National Fellowship, the Edward Ginsberg Community Service and Social Justice Award, and has been appointed to several research assistantship positions focusing on sustainable urbanism. More recently, Scott has developed professional expertise in local sustainability initiatives, having previously served in the Sustainability Program for the Centralina Council of Governments. Scott is a strong advocate for greater transit and bicycle accessibility in the region. He lives Uptown and commutes to work every day via CATS route #77X.
 

Adriana Galvez Taylor  Immigrant Rights Program Director, Latin American Coalition

Adriana directs the Immigrant Rights Program at the Latin American Coalition in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Her academic accomplishments include both Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in History with emphasis on Latin American Studies, and more recently a Post-Graduate Certificate in Integrated Skills for Sustainable Change granted by Antioch University in Seattle. She has previously served on the Boards of Legal Services of Southern Piedmont and Mecklenburg Ministries and has been an active participant and collaborator with local and statewide immigrant and human rights organizations. Adriana’s overriding commitment is to the creation of sustainable social, political and economic systems based on justice and equity for all people.
 

Ben Harrison  President, DealCloud

Ben is the President of DealCloud. DealCloud provides technology-enabled applications that aid deal professionals in managing their network and streamlining the deal marketing and review process. Prior to DealCloud Ben was with Falfurrias Capital Partners, where he focused on the sourcing, structuring, and execution of mid-market investments. He also spent time as an investment banking Analyst at Edgeview Partners and Harris Williams & Co. He is an active member of ACG and The Charlotte Regional Technology Executives Council. Ben sits on the Board of Reach For Excellence, a tuition free program that prepares talented middle school students to succeed in challenging high schools and college preparatory programs. Ben earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
 

Jim Hock  Founding Partner, Origin Development

As one of the region's leading green developers, Jim's condo project Celadon in Charlotte's Wesley Heights neighborhood was the first LEED-Certified Neighborhood Development in the Southeast, and the fourth in the entire nation.  LEED-ND goes beyond simply building energy efficient structures, and ensures projects like Celadon are well-located to take advantage of existing infrastructure, including access to transportation, jobs,open spaces and a diverse array of goods and services.  Jim attributes Celadon's success to the sustainable aspects of the project. Recently, he and partner James Funderburk started a new business, The Home Collection, a boutique firm that owns and rents 16 furnished residences in Myers Park and Dilworth for short- and long-term stays.  Jim's previous experience includes marketing stints at Wells Fargo Advisors and Duke Energy.  A third generation Charlottean, Jim earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  
 

Robert McElfresh  Former Director of Energy Services for Southeast Region, GAI Consultants, Inc.

Robert is currently the manager of the Charlotte office for GAI Consultants, a multi-discipline engineering and environmental consulting firm.  He has more than 30 years experience in environmental permitting for energy construction projects and sustainability issues. His career includes 25 years with a large electric and natural gas utility company. While there, he helped establish one of the first comprehensive sustainability programs among such companies in the U.S. With others, his efforts resulting in his company being the only electric utility, at the time, listed on both the Dow Jones Sustainability Index - World and the FTSE4Good index. In addition to project-specific responsibilities, he served as chair and participated in industrial task forces and committees on public participation, biological issues, electric and magnetic fields and risk assessment. While living in Cincinnati, Bob was a founding board member of a pre-Google online environmental information organization and for many years was on the board of the local Earth Day celebration organizer. Bob holds zoology and wildlife management degrees from Miami University and Texas A&M University, and a business degree from Northern Kentucky University. 
 

Ernie McLaney  Former Director of the Center for Sustainability, Central Piedmont Community College

Ernie, a Charlotte native, is the former Executive Director of the Center for Sustainability at Central Piedmont Community College. CPCC became the first community college in NC to offer an Associate Degree in Sustainability Technologies through his collaborative efforts with colleagues and external partners. This degree now serves as a model for the other 57 community colleges in the state. Ernie has a BSBA in Marketing Management from Western Carolina University.  He serves on the steering committee for "Charlotte Clean and Green", an event held each year with classes and exhibits promoting living, working and playing in an environmentally friendly manner.  He serves on the Stewardship Advisory Committee for Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation. As a board member of Environmental Educators of North Carolina, Ernie works to support environmental literacy. He is vice president of the Leadership Team for HAWK (Habitat And Wildlife Keepers), a subchapter of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation and is a Certified Habitat Steward with the National Wildlife Federation. He has a life-long connection to the natural world, along with a passion for connecting today's youth to the wonders of nature, believing "they are the future stewards of the planet". He enjoys the great outdoors through hiking, kayaking, birding and traveling with his wife, Debbie.

Ambassadors assist us in connecting with the community, building relationships and helping explore opportunities to connect with and support Sustain Charlotte, including membership, volunteerism, employment, event attendance, sponsorship and networking.

If you are interested in becoming an Ambassador, please contact the Ambassador Program Manager for more information.


Elena Michel  Owner of Second Eden Studio

Elena received her BS in Architecture from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, and went on to achieve a master's diploma in Sustainable & Energy Efficient Building from the Oxford School of Architecture in England. After gaining +5 years of architectural professional experience in the UK, Elena moved to Charlotte in December 2009, where she began Second Eden Studio, Green Consultation + Design. Second Eden Studio utilizes design creativity and consultation knowledge for homes and businesses wishing to save money as well as the environment.