About EcoWatch
STAFF & BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Stefanie Penn Spear - Stefanie Penn Spear is founder and executive director of EcoWatch. She is passionate and committed to educating people about environmental issues and bringing people together to achieve a sustainable world. Stefanie has been actively working on environmental issues for more than 20 years. From 1989-1999, she published Affinity, an environmental newspaper similar to EcoWatch Journal that was distributed for free throughout Ohio. Stefanie speaks throughout the state on ways individuals can lower their energy use in their home. She is president of Expedite Renewable Energy, a company that helps businesses assess their electricity usage, strategize the best renewable energy project for their site and implement the project from start to finish. Stefanie works on creating policy that will help transition Ohio to using renewable energy sources. Spear is the chair of the Green Team at Fairmount Temple and Village of Moreland Hills. She is on the advisory committee for GreenCityBlueLake and Tri-C's Green Academy and Center for Sustainability, and co-chair for the steering committee for the Advanced Energy Generation for Sustainable Cleveland 2019.
BOARD MEMBERS
Matthew J. Castelli - Matt is the Director of Human Resources for the Retail Division of Darice, the leading wholesaler/retailer of craft supplies in the United States. He is responsible for directing and establishing Human Resources policies and procedures for over 30 retail locations and 1000 employees throughout the Midwest. Matt is also a Councilman for the city of Middleburg Heights where his dedication to the environment is evidenced through his introduction of a Green Building Policy, his revision of guidelines for storm water management to help reduce pollution and increase green space, and his desire to continually promote energy efficiency and environmental awareness. Matt graduated Summa Cum Laude from Cleveland State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and has served on a variety of community, educational and non profit advisory councils and boards. He resides in Middleburg Heights with his wife Kristen, daughter Marcella and son Pete.
Monica Deadwiler - Monica is a Manager of Strategic Projects and Continuous Improvement for The Cleveland Clinic. In October 2008, she relocated to Cleveland and joined the Clinic. Monica has worked for many large corporations through consulting and internally managing organizations. She began her career as an Energy Deregulation/ Business Process Re-Engineering Consultant for Andersen Consulting. In 1999, Monica joined United Airlines to lead business process improvements by implementing new global technology. While at United Airlines she managed $700 million in global revenue, transforming their processes and systems to support global business opportunities and assure compliance with Sarbannes Oxley federal regulations enacted due to Enron. Afterwards, Monica led Continuous Improvement for United Airlines Financial division and focused on driving multi-million dollar improvements (no/low cost). She enacted employee education programs in Lean and Six Sigma process improvement methodologies, and leadership development focused on VP, Director and Manager levels. She leveraged these trained employees to achieve Multi Million Dollar improvements. Ms. Deadwiler is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Lean Master, Change Management Consultant and Professional Facilitator. She is also a trained Six Sigma Black Belt. She holds a degree in Management Science from Case Western’s Weatherhead School of Management. Ms. Deadwiler is an advocate for emerging alternative energy development (i.e. Algae Oil).
Piyush Dubey - Piyush is currently involved in P&L responsibility of $ 75 M annual premiums for commercial auto business of Progressive Insurance in the states of WA, OR & NV. Previously, at Nationwide Insurance, Columbus, OH, Piyush worked on internal consulting engagements aimed at process improvement and cost reduction. In 2007, Piyush was involved in a 7 month consulting engagement with the Deputy Prime Minister's office, the Government of Ethiopia, targeted at enhancement of Ethiopia's cash crop exports. In India, Piyush led cross-functional teams for marketing of Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG) energy projects (ranging between $ 0.5 M and $ 50 M) to clients in various industries. Further, Piyush worked in Engineering projects at Switzerland and Germany for 3 months each. Piyush holds a bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology and an MBA (with University fellowship) from Fisher College of Business, The Ohio State University.
James R. Leikin, Treasurer - Jim is currently working in a private practice in Beachwood, Ohio in the field of public accounting. He earned his BS in Accounting at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He has been practicing in his profession for twenty four years in the Cleveland Area. He is currently involved with many non-profit agencies in helping with their accounting and tax filings. It is his hope that his expertise will be useful to this organization through his participation on the board.
Oakland Lewis - Oakland moved to the Cleveland area November of 2001 from New York City. Wanting to get involved with the local community he became an active member in his daughter's PTA. He eventually became the president of the PTA and led the team to two successful years. After his daughter changed schools Oakland again became very active in the PTA and was the VP in charge of fundraising. Here too he had two very successful years bringing in more funds year over year. While working on a school levy Oakland was approached by someone form the mayor's office to sit on the Cable Commission. Eventually Oakland became a very active member of the cable commission in Euclid. After the budget cuts and the recent economic upheaval, the commission was disbanded. Having some time on his hand, and being a financial coach, Oakland started volunteering his time as a financial coach to certain families at the YMCA. Eventually he was approached by the director to be part of the advisory board. Today Oakland is a very active member of the advisory board. He heads up the Membership and Program committee. This committee is charged with getting the right programs in place and keeping the members engaged. He is also actively working on the goal to raise 30K for the Strong Kids campaign. This campaign raises money to help with scholarships for families who cannot afford the membership fee. Oakland lives in Euclid with his wife Robin and daughter Bryce. He enjoys learning new things, languages, cooking and traveling to name a few.
David J. Lindner - David is an attorney with the Cleveland office of Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLP. He represents owners, developers, contractors and governmental entities in all facets of residential and commercial real estate, including acquisition and disposition, financing, development, leasing, zoning, and condominium law. He was listed in The Best Lawyers in America (2009-2010) for real estate law and recognized as one of Ohio's Super Lawyers- Rising StarsT, in the 2006 and 2007 Cincinnati Magazine, as voted by his peers. Mr. Lindner earned his B.A. and J.D. from the Ohio State University.
Steven Newman - Steve is the Program Director for the non-profit organization United Labor Agency. The United Labor Agency mission is to strengthen the community by focusing the resources, compassion and commitment of the labor movement. For the past ten years, he has been fortunate to have the opportunity to work in many different facets within the Ohio community. His main duties include grant writing and creating partnerships and alliances with other organizations to help people that struggle with their employment needs. Steve received a Masters degree from the Weatherhead School of Business at Case Western University. He loves the outdoors and wants to do what he can to help protect it. Steve lives in northeast Ohio with his lovely wife Tracey and two small children Eli and Sophie.
Ann-Marie Potemski, Secretary - Ann-Marie is Services & Solutions Executive for Xerox Corporation. With over 16 years of experience with Xerox, focusing on the healthcare industry, Ann-Marie is skilled in all aspects of account management including strategic planning, new product/services development and lead generation. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Sales Marketing and Personnel Management from the University of Akron. Ann-Marie’s passions include community involvement and sustainability. Ann-Marie has coordinated events and raised thousands of dollars for countless organizations as the Xerox Community Involvement Coordinator. Some of the organizations supported: Benny Cowgill Foundation, Genesis House, Haven of Rest Ministries, Special Olympics, Dancing Wheels, Toys for Tots, City Mission, Heart and Hand, March of Dimes, Special Olympics and many others. Other professional organization involvement includes: YWCA, WIN, Toastmasters International, Pi Sigma Epsilon and American Production & Inventory Control Society.
Thomas J. Quinn - Tom worked as a reporter, editor and columnist in his 41-year career at The Plain Dealer. He also served in Vietnam as an army correspondent and photographer. He won awards in breaking news writing in police and courts coverage and in investigative reporting on medical care and public transit. He worked as a TV-radio columnist and assistant state editor and also covered suburbs, education, energy and environment. In 2005, he initiated and contributed to a six-month series, Crude Awakening, which detailed a coming worldwide energy crisis. The staff-produced series won state and national awards, including the Excellence in Journalism Award from the Renewable Natural Resources Foundation. The Columbia Journalism Review featured Tom in a 2005 article entitled, “Working the Fringes,” which detailed how his news-gathering style led to the Crude Awakening series.
Michelle Sheehan - Michelle is a partner at the law firm Reminger Co., LPA. She concentrates her legal practice on litigation including insurance coverage matters, government liability, premises liability, and appellate advocacy. In addition to handling civil jury trials in state and federal court, she routinely argues cases before the state and federal appellate benches. She is also a frequent lecturer for professional associations and continuing legal education seminars dealing with insurance coverage and risk management issues. Michelle is actively involved in the community. She has served as President of the Ohio Women's Bar Association, serves on the Visiting Committee to the Dean of Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, the Board of Trustees for the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law Alumni Association and the Rocky River Civil Service Commission. She has also spearheaded many new projects for the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Assoc. and other organizations in town. Michelle is an avid environmentalist and actively involved in sustainability projects in Cleveland. She earned her B.A. in Public Administration from Miami University and J.D. degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. She is licensed to practice law in Ohio and Florida.
Jeff Smith, President - Jeff is an attorney with Millisor + Nobil Co. L.P.A., where he has practiced ERISA / employee benefits law for the past 5 years. Jeff also assists nonprofit organizations in tax matters. He earned his Bachelor of Science in mathematics and economics from Baldwin-Wallace College and then received his law degree from Case Western Reserve University. Jeff resides in Strongsville and is a member of the Strongsville Chamber of Commerce.
Donna VanRooy - Donna is the Director of Professional Development atBaldwin-Wallace College. Professional Development is one of the Business Division’s outreach services that provide executive and professional education to area organizations. Donna earned her BSBA in Marketing from Bowling Green State University and her MBA from The Ohio State University. Donna has been involved in various community organizations that promote education within the local community. Donna lives in Olmsted Township with her husband and three children. They are native Clevelanders, avid supporters of the outdoors, and want to help to preserve Northeast Ohio.
Eileen Victoriano - Eileen is a Manager within Ernst & Young’s Advisory Services. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Management Information Systems from Miami University. Eileen has managed projects at global businesses to promote efficiencies, strategically align IT with their business and implement compliance policies and/or processes. She also holds her CISA (certified information systems auditor). Eileen’s interest in green initiatives stems from an appreciation of nature and sustaining a clean environment for our future generations. She is an advocate for the revitalization efforts of Northeast Ohio and member of the City Club’s Young Leaders.