Sierra Club Georgia Chapter 2025 Executive Committee Elections

Vote for up to four (4) candidates.

Dan Friedman

I am asking for your vote to become a member of the Georgia Sierra Club Executive Committee. I have been a Sierra Club member for 30 years, including 14 years as an Executive Committee member. I have previously chaired the Transportation Committee, Membership Committee, and served as Chair for the Atlanta and Gwinnett Groups. While I have not served in an official capacity for several years, I have the insight that a long-term member accumulates, and, being away for several years, the perspective of a new(ish) member. I want to help Local Groups to have better relations with their communities and to help the Chapter to become more effective. Thank you for your consideration.

Jason Lathbury

My name is Jason Lathbury, and I am running for one of the Georgia Sierra Club’s open Executive Committee positions. I am an Aerospace Requirements and Verification engineer, currently employed by Northrop Grumman on the HALO program, part of a civil Lunar Space Station. My day-to-day work largely involves database management, basic scripting, some metrics generation, and general administrative work. I recently graduated from Johns Hopkins with my masters in Space Systems Engineering. I am also the current Transportation Committee Chair for the chapter. I have been doing clean transportation advocacy with the Georgia Chapter since 2015, with a particular emphasis on transit and urbanism within the Atlanta Metro, where I was born and raised. After college and spending some time away for work, I returned to Atlanta in 2022, and volunteered for the Transportation Committee Chair position soon after, where I have remained. As chair, I have experience with much of the Sierra Club’s operations, administration, and planning efforts. I have spoken as a representative for the Sierra Club to the public, press, and officials, advocating for clean transportation throughout the state of Georgia. I work with coalition partners, perform public outreach, and help educate local politicians about a variety of clean transportation issues.
My general interests remain in clean transportation, though I also hope to help the chapter grow through new local groups, new issue committees, and a more active relationship between our state-level initiatives and our Local Groups themselves.

Craig Meyer

I have been a member of the Sierra Club since 1993. I served in the U.S. Army with the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, NC.  After my service in the U.S. Army, I attended Arizona State University.  I earned a B.S. Degree and majored in Political Sciences.  Arizona State University was ranked #1 on Sierra Club's annual "coolest schools" for the most environmentally friendly colleges in North America.  I am a member of ASU GA Chapter Alumni.  I am also a member of Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce.  I live in Cumming, GA.  I work in commercial real estate as a broker and have also been an asset manager.  I have been involved in many properties with environmental issues.  I have had to remove leaking underground storage tanks, dealt with endangered species, contaminated soil, etc.  I have had to work with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Federal Aviation Administration.  I work out a Johns Creek LA Fitness and am a big sports fan.  I am very passionate about trying to protect our planet.

Sherman Neal

Thank you for considering my candidacy for the Executive Committee of the Sierra Club Georgia Chapter. Currently, I serve as the Director of the Sierra Club Military Outdoors campaign, where we focus on breaking down barriers to access nature for the military community and empower veterans to use their voices as champions for conservation. In Georgia, this means advocating for transit initiatives that benefit communities, developing "outings to advocacy" strategies rooted in community priorities, and fighting for justice. Over the next several years, equipping members to fight for environmental justice in a hostile environment will require fresh approaches to organizing. I believe that my experiences as a Marine, attorney, and community organizer can add new perspectives that build on the Chapter's efforts to explore, enjoy, and protect the planet.

Bailey Shea

Hi y’all! My name is Bailey Shea, and I’m a lifelong Georgian. I would be truly honored to serve on the Executive Committee in 2026. I’ve dedicated my career to advocating for a cleaner, more affordable energy future for the South because I believe every Georgian deserves a voice in shaping this future. I am deeply committed to people power and the power of public policy to drive meaningful change. I have worked alongside many Sierra Club advocates in my role at the Southern Environmental Law Center, where I serve as Energy Policy and Outreach Associate in our Georgia and Alabama offices. I recognize that, at 30, I’m relatively young and new to the chapter. But I’m running for this position because I’ve long admired the work Sierra Club Georgia does, and I’m eager to contribute my fresh perspective to the chapter’s well-rounded leadership. The values that guide me are service and authenticity. To put those values into action, I’m committed to prioritizing responsibility and boldness in decision-making. The Sierra Club is a powerful force for good in Georgia, and I would be honored to contribute to our shared mission. Thank you so much for considering me as a candidate. I look forward to the opportunity to serve.

Art Sheldon

My interest in public policy dates back to my youth discussing politics while still in high school.  I went to college and received my Bachelors in Environmental Studies with plans to continue my education.  I applied to and was accepted into the graduate City Planning program at Georgia Tech. I have been a long time Sierra Club member and currently am Conservation Chair for the Gwinnett area Sierra Club Local Group as well as being a current Executive Committee member and former Gwinnett ExCom vice chair. I also have co-chaired the state Sierra Club Sustainable Communities committee and serve on the state Transportation Committee and am our representative to the national Transportation committee.  I became a member of the revamped Sierra Club Georgia Chapter Political Committee this year. In the late 1980s, I had an opportunity to serve as co-chair of the land use and development sub-committee of a county study committee looking into the future role of the county government where I was living at the time.  The role quickly evolved into my chairing the committee.  In 1996 I served on the first SPLOST citizens’ project selection committee as a homeowners’ representative.  Subsequently I served on the same committee for the three most recent SPLOST’s as the environmental group representative or alternate. In between those roles I was one of the original appointees to the Gwinnett County Transit Advisory Board.  I eventually was reappointed for a second four year term and served as the board chair and vice-chair.  In 2018 I served on the county transit study stakeholders committee for the transit expansion study before the MARTA referendum in 2019. Since that time I have been a vocal supporter of two subsequent transit referendums. I have also served on the McDaniel Farm Park steering committee, a county Trash Service study committee, the EngageGwinnett budget review committee, and the Duluth Mayors Advisory Council. During the formation of the Gwinnett Village, now known as Gateway 85, CID I served on the team working with property owners to create the CID.  In the early 2000’s I successfully lobbied the county commission to adopt Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) to help protect rural parts of the county.  I am still working to get the TDR process set up. I currently am lobbying the county commission for Impact Fees charged to new development. I also am lobbying the state legislature to add schools as Impact fee recipients.

Chelsea Spaman

I would be honored to serve on the Georgia Chapter Executive Committee. The Sierra Club embodies the many reasons why I have dedicated my entire academic and professional career to sustainability, as well as my personal passions. My purpose is driven not only by the urgent need for environmental equity for present generations and future ones, but also to ensure the opportunity for all to experience the natural world. Along with my passion for the outdoors, I would bring the following education and experiences to the Sierra Club Georgia Chapter:

• Multiple professional experiences in sustainability, with my longest and most recent position being at Delta Air Lines on the Global Sustainability Team for 3 years, specifically working on Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
• Class of 2023 Commencement Speaker atTufts University Department of Urban and Environmental Planning and Policy M.S.S.
• M.S. in Sustainability, Tufts University. Graduated Summa Cum Laude
• B.S. in Environmental Science, Western Michigan University. Graduated Summa Cum Laude
• Presidential Scholar Award, 2020-2021 by the School of Environment, Geography, and Sustainability. The highest academic honor an undergraduate at WMU can achieve, awarded to one graduating student in each academic unit
• Environmental Service Award, 2020-2021. Awarded each year to one student who has demonstrated a willingness and ability to work for an environmentally better future.
• Experience navigating non-profit and volunteer-led organizations, such as the club sailing team at Western Michigan University (as the Treasurer and Vice-President), and in Stonewall Sports Atlanta (as a multi-year team captain and board volunteer).

I am committed to using the skills, experiences, and spaces I am fortunate to have to advance the mission of the Sierra Club.

Nikki Washington

I am super excited to apply for the Georgia Chapter Executive Committee! I have been volunteering with the chapter for the past two years and am inspired by the Sierra Club mission. I feel that it closely aligns with my personal ideals concerning the environment and our planet as well as my professional background. My professional experience and current role make me a great fit for this position. I have a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health and a master’s degree in Public Administration, both from the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!). I am currently a program manager for several clean commuting programs in the MetroATL area, have deep connections to the sustainable transportation community, and knowledge of major land use projects impacting the Atlanta area. My relevant skills for this role include the ability to articulate technical and complex concepts to community stakeholders, being highly organized and skilled at prioritization, as well as creating short and long term action plans for a variety of initiatives.

On a personal note, I really enjoy being outdoors and highly resonate with the Chapter’s goals of protecting our lands and getting more folks outside! I am an avid day hiker and have also had the opportunity to do some awesome outdoors trips like backpacking the entire John Muir Trail and white water rafting the whole Grand Canyon. Experiences like these are what drive me to volunteer my time with organizations like Sierra Club. I strongly believe that making the outdoors more accessible is one of the best ways to inspire more people to take an active role in protecting our planet for years to come! Overally, this position with Sierra Club would be a great opportunity for me to become more involved in issues that I truly care about and to use my education and skills towards making a difference. Thanks for your consideration!

Vote for up to three (3) candidates.

Lee Graham

Lee Graham has edited the Centennial Group’s newsletter and led Sierra Club outings for years. He is passionately concerned for our environment.

Tania Robinson

Tania K. Robinson currently works as the Registration Admin Coordinator for Cobb County Elections. In this role, she has responsibility to prepare election media, provide voter registration training, update voter records and maintain the department website. Tania has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, working for MetLife, MassMutual, and Prudential. Her personal goal is to become a lifetime resource for each person. She is a Prudential Pathways certified speaker and has conducted monthly financial workshops to City of Atlanta employees, the National Veterans Administration as well as other local and national organizations and conferences. Tania holds her series 7, 63 and 66 Securities licenses as well as her life, health and variable life licenses. She also received the Financial Services Certification Professional Designation (FSCP®) from the American College of Financial Services in Bryn Mawr, PA. Tania is a graduate of Syracuse University where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Information, Management and Technology and a Masters Degree in Project Management becoming a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. through the Kappa Lambda chapter in 1999. Since graduation, Tania has been a member of the Marietta-Roswell Alumnae chapter and is a Diamond Life member, where she has served as a Past Chair of Internal Audit and Financial Assistant. She is currently a member of the Scholarship, Political Awareness/Social Action, Economic Development and Physical and Mental Health committees. She also has the honor of being the 2017-2018 MRAC Delta of the Year. Tania is active in her community as a parishioner at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Marietta, a member of the Atlanta chapter of Women in Insurance and Financial Services, ExCom member of the Centennial Group, the Atlanta Alumni Club of Syracuse University. In addition, Tania had the honor to serve as a delegate to the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC for GA’s 11th Congressional District and as a state senate candidate in 2020. She is the widow of Retired Army Sargent Major Robert A. Robinson and resides in Mableton, GA with her daughter Nia, a college freshman. I would like to continue the work that Sierra Club promotes for environmental health, safety, and justice in our communities. I am particularly interested in continuing partnerships with organizations like Delta Sigma Theta, CHARTER, and others to provide valuable information and action items to our community, particularly around expanded transit.

Lynn Walston

I’m a long-time member of the Sierra Club and the Centennial Group. I’ve been the Chair of the Centennial Group ExCom for several years and would like to continue to work to support important local and state environmental programs and initiatives. I appreciate Georgia’s natural resources and enjoy being out in nature, on hikes, and stream cleanups. Now more than ever I feel it is critical for us to work to support clean air and water and protect our outdoor treasures.

Vote for up to three (3) candidates.

Michael Hallen

I am an ExCom candidate for the Greater Gwinnett Group seeking re-election to the Gwinnett ExCom.  I have been an active member of the Sierra Club for 20 plus years, volunteering at Sierra Club events along with volunteering with other groups in Gwinnett and around Georgia. Primary interests are Solar, better transportation for all of Gwinnett Country, Adopt-a-Stream, Adopt-a-Road, helping keeping our Gwinnett Parks & park lands clean and accessible for all.

Scott Presson

I am Scott M. Presson, and I am a candidate for the Greater Gwinnett ExCom. My wife and I have been joint Sierra Club members since 1988, and we have resided in Lawrenceville for over 20 years. I am retired from a career in public health. I have become an active volunteer in the GA Sierra Club for the past 9 years, currently volunteering as Chair of the Clean Energy for All Committee on the Chapter level and as a member of the Greater Gwinnett Group ExCom. My focus is working with Sierra Club staff and members and other environmental organizations to create as robust a response to the climate emergency as we can. Examples include past work with Sierra Club’s Ready for 100 program, the Beyond Coal Campaign, and GA Power IRP process. One current focus is educating our members and the public on the current status of benefits in the Inflation Reduction Act, Federal efforts to rollback clean energy programs, and viable efforts to accelerate our transition to a sustainable, clean energy future. I regularly attend the Greater Gwinnett Group meetings, and I look forward to continuing to contribute as a member of the Gwinnett ExCom.

Curt Thompson

Curt Thompson a life-long resident of Gwinnett County. A Shiloh High School graduate, he graduated from American University in Washington, D.C. He returned to Gwinnett in 1990 and earned a law degree from Georgia State University.  He founded Thompson & Associates Law Firm, P.C., in 2008 and they have offices in Duluth, near Gwinnett Place Mall. As a longtime progressive advocate in the Gwinnett, his values are to ensure that his fellow Gwinnettians are safe, treated with respect, have equal opportunity, and are free from discrimination of any kind. For those reasons, he ran for a State House seat in 2002, winning his first election to then-House District 69. In 2004, he secured a seat in the Georgia State Senate, representing District 5, which stretches from Norcross to Lawrenceville. He was honored to serve in that position from 2005 to 2019, eventually becoming the Chairman of the Special Judiciary Committee and a member of the Rules, Appropriations, Judiciary, and Ethics Committees. He also served as founding board chair for the Gwinnett Village CID (now Gateway 85 CID). Curt continued his commitment to public service after leaving office and currently serves as the Political Vice Chair of the Gwinnett County Democratic Party. Additionally, he is the current Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) Board Member for Congressional District 7 and serves on the Board of the Gwinnett Water & Sewerage Authority for County Commission District 1.  In the nonprofit sector, he serves as the Chair of the Sierra Club Georgia Chapter and co-leader of the Greater Gwinnett Group of the Sierra Club and is seeking another term on the Greater Gwinnett Group ExCom this year. 

Vote for up to one (1) candidate.

Max Brown

I have served my Metro Atlanta Group as Outings Leader for eight years now. We have enjoyed events at Arabia Mt., Panola Mt., Gold Branch, Vickery Creek, Constitution Lakes, Intrenchment Creek, Mason Mill, Emory at Lullwater Lake, Sweetwater Creek, Glen Emerald, Michelle Obama Trail, the Okefenokee NWR and also Manuel’s Tavern. I lead habitat projects at Stone Mt. and Panola Mt. I support our Sierra Club frequently at rallies and protests and attend DNR, PSC and SEB meetings. I also volunteer for the Birds Georgia and Cornell Lab Climate Watch. These activities allow me the opportunity to promote my love of nature and to defend our public lands. Being a part of Sierra Club is the very best way to explore, enjoy and protect the planet.

Vote for up to four (4) candidates.

Troy Keller

Troy Keller serves as a Professor of Environmental Science and Chair of the Department of Earth and Space Sciences at Columbus State University (Columbus, Georgia). He has dedicated his career to advancing sustainability in the southeastern U.S. He teaches graduate and undergraduate environmental science-focused courses. Dr Keller’s research includes bioremediation using algae to treat municipal wastewater, ecological restoration of streams, and conservation and ecology of crayfishes and other aquatic macroinvertebrates. He serves as a founding member of CSU’s Sustainability Committee and the faculty advisor for CSU’s Students for a Sustainable World. He has served two two-year terms on the Executive Committee for the Middle Chattahoochee Group of the Georgia Sierra Club. He is a founding member and organizer of Clean Energy Columbus.

David Sellman

I have lived in LaGrange since 1986 and in the Southeast since 1983. I was married in 1989 to my wife, Ann. I am retired now, but most of my career was with Milliken & Company in their floor covering division. We have two grown children, one residing in Jacksonville, FL, with his wife and daughter, and the other residing near Richmond, VA, with her husband. I have always loved the outdoors and many of my activities reflect that. My passions over the years include surfing, stand-up paddling boarding, birding, photography, running, hiking, mountain biking, and whitewater canoeing. I am happy to support environmental conservation through the Sierra Club.

Sarah Tash

Sarah Tash holds a master's degree in Natural Resources from Columbus State University. Her research focused on shoal lily populations on the Flint River, GA. She is currently working on a PhD at Auburn University, where she is expanding her shoal lily research across diverse habitats in the southeastern U.S. Sarah is involved in restoration and research efforts across three states, focusing on understanding the species' unique habitat requirements to advance conservation strategies and ensure long-term survival of these rare flowers. When she is not working on shoal lily research, you can find her at home in Columbus, GA, or spending her days wandering around rivers and exploring new habitats.

John Tures

John A. Tures is married to Elizabeth Tures who teaches Middle School Language Arts at LaGrange Academy. They have two kids: Asher Tures (who graduated from Agnes Scott College and works at the Alpharetta Public Library), and Zachary Tures (who began attending Mercer University this Fall). He grew up in El Paso, Texas, graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio and at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He earned his doctorate at Florida State University, analyzed data in Washington, DC, and is now a Professor at LaGrange College. He writes a weekly column for newspapers and magazines. He has published a number of short story mysteries and thrillers and reads them at "Storytelling with Friends" events.

Vote for up to four (4) candidates.

Marlena Bergeron

Discovering nature's bounty of riches, even in our own backyards, I have found a renewable well of joy and grounded inspiration, a mental recalibration and a celebration of Mighty Oaks and Towering Pines to 'Little Things That Run the World." Joining the Adopt-A-Stream Crew after obtaining my Master Naturalist and Master Gardener Certification in 2022 has allowed me to deepen my relationship and understanding of our watershed and cavort in our dynamic creeks with data-driven and dedicated individuals. I was able to have AAS added to the Master Gardener Project List as a way to recruit advocates and raise awareness. Sierra Club has a historic and established presence with the Georgia Chapter serving the state-wide community and promoting conservation over 40 years. The Savannah River Group is especially vital given our rapidly changing landscape vis-a-vis development pressures, population growth, storm damage, and climate change. Now more than ever, our Savannah River and all her tributaries need our attention and protection. Research and humble reverence teach us that all our activities on land are interconnected to and impact our life-giving water. We need strong and vocal positions to maintain water quality and biodiversity, and the public needs the Sierra Club now more than ever as they seek answers and environmental impacts posed by data center and solar farms. While many of my existing commitments, including my son's Scout Troop 122 where I serve as the service committee chair, will preclude me from participating in Sierra Club's Tuesday night meetings, I also see my activities as opportunities for extended partnerships between the Sierra Club and other nature lovers. My volunteer work with the Georgia Native Plant Society since 2023 brings conservation home to local residents' backyards when they seek our consultation services to make more eco-friendly and sustainable landscaping and plant choices. We are blessed with Phinizy Swamp, Reed Creek, and Heggie's Rock, and all the places for wildlife, water, and native vegetation in between. When I'm not playing with plants and frogs or picking dirt from under my fingernails while picking up my son from school, I'm plucking strings with the Columbia County Orchestra, helping in the St. Teresa of Avila's sound booth during services, or reading a book by Charlotte McConaghy, Robin Wall Kimmerer, Barbara Kingsolver, or Doug Tallamy.

Chris Maurer

Chris Maurer, born in New York City, has been a member of the Sierra Club for many years. In her professional life, Chris has been an RN, a nurse manager, and most recently a case manager. Her career took her across the country as a traveling nursing and to Saudi Arabia in an ENT unit. Chris has been a lifelong lover of the environment, particularly wild creatures, and has adopted numerous dogs and cats over the years. She is an avid gardener and loves spending time in nature. As a retiree, Chris enjoys her time volunteering for AARP, the Miller Theater, the Columbia County Performing Arts Center, The League of Women Voters, Sacred Heart Cultural Center, and her church. Most recently, Chris has been working to try to preserve our democracy and protect our environment.

Matt Maurer

Dr. Matthew Maurer retired from Butler University in Indianapolis in 2020 where he was a professor of education with a specialty in instructional technology. As a professor, he wrote a book, numerous journal articles and many grants. Matt has experience working with disabled youth who were deaf, blind, nonverbal, autistic, and developmentally delayed. This work was the greatest joy of his life. Matt has had a lifelong interest and commitment to the environment, nature, and wildlife. He was an Eagle Scout, a dedicated bird feeder, and an avid nature walker. Matt’s life has been largely dedicated to issues of social justice. He enjoys his work with the Sierra Club to promote better use of our natural resources and to save our wild spaces and wild creatures. In his retirement, Matt enjoys gardening, hiking, writing, and volunteering. Matt describes himself as a serial hobbyist. Above all he likes to learn new things.

Jean Yarsawich

Jean loves living in the CSRA and has been here for a good 20 years. She was born and raised in Connecticut and graduated with a degree in Food and Nutrition from the University of Connecticut (Go Huskies). She served a happy career as a registered dietitian following a non-traditional path working for kitchen equipment manufacturers. Also, software installation and training in home health and military hospital food services. She has lived in Nashville, TN; Philadelphia, PA; Reston, VA; Boston, MA and Nashua, NH. Jean moved here in 2004 completing her career as Food Services Director at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center. A common thread throughout her life is a love of nature and travel. Travel interests focus on culture, ancient civilizations and natural wonders. A highlight has been interaction with penguins. This was in the Galapagos, Falkland Islands and South Africa. In my view, however, the sights and sounds here in the U.S. are unparalleled for variety and natural enjoyment. It is our life here in the CSRA that offers much opportunity for daily enjoyment, and the Sierra Club focus on conservation, clean energy and protection of wildlife makes for a complete nexus of maintaining a healthy life for all.