About EcoWatch
STAFF & BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Stefanie Spear - Stefanie 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. She is committed to helping individuals and business learn how they can become more energy efficient and/or invest in on-site renewable energy projects, and help create policies that encourages the transition to renewable energy production.
BOARD MEMBERS
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.
Steven Newman, President - 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 - 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.
Jeff Smith - 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.
Shirley Tomasello, Secretary - Shirley has been an attorney licensed in the State of Ohio for the past 17 years. She currently works for the City of Cleveland Department of Law in the Health, Environment and Public Utilities Section. Prior to that position she was the Executive Director of a non-profit environmental organization, the Lake Erie Alliance. She is also an active member of the Animal Law Section of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association.
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.
Bob Yanega - Bob is an entrepreneur, writer, and speaker and has served on the boards of a number of local non profit organizations. He does consulting work for the real estate and construction industry, but most enjoys working on his own home to reduce waste and improve energy efficiency. He has cut his natural gas, water and electricity usage dramatically by improving the building envelope, building a rainwater collection system, installing solar heating and solar-powered components, and retrofitting most of his lighting fixtures. He recycles unused items on Craigslist and through local recycling centers. In his spare time he practices organic gardening, bikes and rollerblades.