November 2010 Session

MELINDA HUNTLEY
Executive Director
Lake Erie Costal Ohio & OSU Sea Grant Extension

CLICK HERE FOR MELINDA'S POWERPOINT PRESENTATION

Melinda Huntley has worked within the tourism industry for nearly 25 years, most of which were in positions more directly related to promoting and marketing destinations. Through that experience, she has developed a passion for connecting the tourism industry to resource conservation. She currently serves as Tourism Program Director for the OSU Sea Grant Extension College Program and as Executive Director for the Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail national scenic byway.

This is how Melinda is a Changemaker*:
By connecting and networking those from various fields of interest, one can begin to identify common ground. Huntley works to identify the issues and opportunities, evaluate options, identify partners who may agree with a shared vision, and facilitate action. She believes change occurs through four steps: engagement, education, motivation, and empowerment.

The place for which Melinda feels a fondness or connection:
Lake Erie. The ''burning" of the Cuyahoga River sparked the formation of the EPA, the first Earth Day, and the launch of an environmental movement that, indeed, created change. The communities along the lake to this day are at the forefront of sustainable energy engineering and grassroots activity. However, because the perception of the lake is still tainted by decades-old reputations, and there is not enough investment in promoting a more positive and realistic image of the beauty and opportunities along the lake, few people truly connect to the lake (and the Great Lakes in general) and its importance to the nation. Continued focus on only negative stories in the media and others continue to reinforce this image, without the ability to balance this message with "real" pictures and stories about the rich heritage, natural resources, outdoor recreational activities, and unique communities.

The change Melinda passionately wants to happen:
People protect what they value, and they value what they have experienced. There are several changes that need to take place: 1) increased investment in promoting the Great Lakes as an exceptional place to live, work or play; and 2) increased industry, resident and policymaker responsibility for protecting and interpreting the resources that define our special place in order to retain and enhance those places that make our region unique, competitive, and great places to live.

*Source: www.changemakers.net

LEE A. GILL, J.D.
Associate Vice President for Inclusion & Equity/Chief Diversity Officer
The University of Akron

CLICK HERE FOR LEE'S POWERPOINT PRESENTATION

Lee Gill was named Vice President for Inclusion and Equity/Chief Diversity Officer of the University of Akron in March of 2008

Born and raised in South Bend, Indiana, married to wife Lynne, he has two sons Lee Gill, Jr., and Andre Gill.

Mr. Gill received his B.A. degree in Political Science and Sociology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI and his Juris Doctor degree in law from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Kent College of Law, Chicago, IL.

Mr. Gill brings more than 25 years of private and public sector experience working with major corporate executives, law firm executive committees, hospital administrators, and college presidents. His passionate belief is that no organization can afford not to harness the rainbow of demographic change for a competitive advantage. As he views it, The Business Case for Diversity is akin to the educational process, "learn it well and be rewarded. Fail to learn it and be left behind."

Prior to his appointment at the UA from 2005 to 2008, Mr. Gill was Chief Executive Officer of the Stratus Group Consultants, a Michigan firm that specializes in strategic planning, organizational assessments and diversity audits.

From 1995 to 2005 Mr. Gill was the Dean of Lake Michigan College Institute for Diversity and Leadership and the Affirmative Action Officer located in Benton Harbor, Michigan. He managed a cadre of instructors and consultants that provided diversity audits, organizational assessments, diversity training, team building, strategic planning, policy development and change management to local and regional businesses for pragmatic organizational and strategic advantage.