Les Judd, President
Mr. Judd has been an environmental activist and leader all his life. He was inspired to be an environmentalist during childhood when he participated in a clean-up of the local brook in Ossining, NY where he grew up. Les became a leader in the nuclear freeze movement in 1982 when his Rabbi recommended him as a co-founder of the local nuclear freeze chapter. During the 1990s, Les was an activist and leader in the Sierra Club. In 1995, Les was one of the founding members of the Environmental Committee at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. He served 5 years as Co-Chair and is still active on the committee. Les was a volunteer hike and urban walking tour leader for Mosaic Outdoor Mountain Club of Greater NY for many years. He is Coordinator of the NYC Vegetarians, a group of New Yorkers who believe that one of the best ways of being an environmentalist is to be vegetarian or vegan.
Les has professional experience in New York City government, the private, non-profit sector and in private business. Les is an adjunct professor at Lehman College in the Bronx and teaches an undergraduate course titled Health, Wealth and Happiness: The Importance of Greening. Les has an MPA from New York University and a BA from SUNY Brockport. He is a licensed NYC Tour Guide.
Contact Information:
E-mail: Les@greencitychallenge.org
Cell: 718-530-5074
John Messerschmidt, Vice President Operations
John Messerschmidt is a green building consultant and founder of Four Points Consulting Group. He provides green construction management on residential projects in New York City and the Hudson Valley, energy efficiency auditing, building science, and energy design services. He has 25-plus year’s experience in construction and over 10 years specializing in green building.
John is very active in the environmental community of New York City and the Hudson Valley. He is a founding member of two environmental non-profit groups. The Green City Challenge connects the public with green businesses and other non-profits with the goal of educating the community. The Plastic Planet focuses on plastic and the impact of plastic waste on our oceans and planet. He also sits on the Environmental Conservation Commission for the Town of Rochester, NY.
“Our impact on the earth is too great to sustain our current culture. We have too much faith in a lifestyle that will have an end. We can sit and wait, hoping that someone comes up with solutions before it is too late or we can all contribute to building a new culture.”
Contact Information:
E-mail: John@greencitychallenge.org
Phone: (917) 596-8611
Erik Nevala-Lee, Treasurer
Erik Nevala-Lee engaged in the green movement in 2004 while a student studying Urban Design and Architecture at NYU. Over the years Erik has taken on various challenges and in 2008 became Program Coordinator for a non-profit GreenHomeNYC. In this role Erik is directly involved with all operations of GreenHomeNYC, including program creation and management, volunteer coordination and daily administration. In addition, Erik is a freelance illustrator who using mainly 3D computer aided design tools produces architectural, set and event renderings for various design clients throughout New York City.
Contact Information:
E-mail: erik@greencitychallenge.org
Greg Barber, Director
Greg Barber is President of EcoFriendlyPrinter. His firm has specialized in environmental printing since the 20th anniversary of Earth Day, 1990. Greg saw middle school kids celebrating Earth Day in his hometowns of Port Washington and Manhasset, LI, NY and decided to join their enthusiasm and establish his first environmental printing firm.
Even though the mandate for recycled paper in 1990 did not include PCW, Greg decided to feature 100% PCW recycled paper, made by the first 100% PCW mill, Domtar. Greg also decided to print with soy and vegetable based inks, and 100% non toxic toners for his digital printing. The digital printing market is gaining popularity over the past 5 years. Greg extended his paper selection to include Tree Free papers. In the 1990’s he featured Kenaf, Hemp, Old Money and Denim Blues. After those grades were discontinued by the Crane Mill, Greg has brought in Sugar Cane, Bamboo, Lemon, Banana, Coffee, and Banana paper, mixed with Post-Consumer. Recently, Greg added paper made from Rock & Minerals and paper “embedded with Seeds”, which he calls Seed Paper. Greg recently printed invitations for The NFL on this popular new addition.
Recently, Greg founded Neil’s Wheels, a high school program to educate parents coaches and teachers to spot problems with the school kids, and to encourage everyone to be open with any problem and not be embarrased to talk about their problems.
Contact Information:
E-mail: greg@gregbarberco.com
Debra Secunda, Director
“Eco-Chef” Debra Secunda is a broadcast journalist, speaker, and environmentalist who was first recruited as an activist to help create posters for Earth Day as a kid in school.
She’s been kissing trees ever since and as a Ford model/actress during the 80′s, hosting TV shows and developing her skills as a Hamptons organic backyard and NYC windowsill gardener. After learning the value of a “plant-based diet” in 1998, she endeavors to educate people about the benefits of and practical ways to “Eat Green” through the media.
Today she’s the president of a television/video production company, “Sky in the Pie Productions, inc.” and creator of subsidiary www.rawfooddvds.com which promotes the lowest carbon footprint, highest nutritional value, healthy diet for You and the Planet:
Try growing SuperFood Sprouts on your Manhattan kitchen countertop. It’s easy! Check out www.rawfooddvds.com to see excerpts from her new DVD, “Green Recipes for Health & Weight Loss”, and information from other renowned nutritional authorities.
In addition to appearing as a nationwide speaker at Expo’s, Festivals, and local events, conducting various “Demo & Tasting” classes, Debra also volunteers her time and energy to serving on boards of directors and fund-raising committees for various charities and health retreats such as the “Ann Wigmore Natural Health Institute” in Puerto Rico and the Green City Challenge in New York City.
Kady Ferguson, Director
Kady is a recruitment specialist who has worked within language services, finance, retail and nonprofit sectors, handling recruiting functions for both in-house and outsourced operations.
Passionate about the planet, Kady promotes environmental awareness and advocates for sustainable living in New York City. She loves exploring the farmers market, discovering new ingredients and finding ways to divert usable resources from the waste stream through reuse, composting, and recycling.
Favorite green tip:
Reuse Reuse Reuse – Reusing items can be just as effective as recycling. Find ways to reuse things in the home, or trade the things you no longer need at a local swap.
Kady holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Pace University, Lubin Business School.
Contact Information:
E-mail: Kady@greencitychallenge.org
Phone: 347-688-0223
Mark Anthony, Director
Mark Anthony first introduction to GCC began as a volunteer with the first race in 2010. Seeing the immediate benefits to helping spread the word of sustainability and ethics, he stayed on as an advisory volunteer for the 2011 race. Now an official board member, he looks forward to contributing to the GCC success and message of environmental responsibility. His primary focus with GCC is to inform humanity of the impact that poor health contributes to the environment. Being the owner of Primo Health Solutions, he engages people to find the solutions to living a life of natural and optimal health.
Contact Information:
E-mail: Mark@GreenCityChallenge.org
