The six candidates for the five open positions for the Executive Committee of the Allegheny Group of the Sierra Club are: Chris Shepherd, Hiram Nearanzio, Kara Kukovich, Mike Pastorkovich, Naomi Swerdlow, and Ryan Rauch.
An Executive Committee member serves a two-year term.
The ballots will be sent to Allegheny Group Sierra Club members by email, or USPS mail if email is not known.
Thank you,
Bob Smith
The Allegheny Group Nominating and Election Committee
CANDIDATE STATEMENTS
Christopher Shepherd
I have been a very active member of the Sierra Club Allegheny Group for 13 years. I am currently the Chair of the Executive Committee. I have served as a committee chair for the Global Warming Action Team as well as Allegheny Group Treasurer for 3 years. I am interested in energy, conservation and the politics of environmentalism. I hope to serve another term on the Executive Committee of the Allegheny Group. If reelected to the Ex Comm, I will work to see that pro- environment legislation is passed. I will also fight for renewable energy and the preservation of nature.
Hiram Nearanzio
Originally from Hampton Roads, VA, I have spent the majority of my time outdoors, enjoying nature, hiking, primitive camping, and observing/collecting geological specimens and fossils. Adulthood led me to the military, where I experienced many of this country’s biomes. I gained a greater passion for nature, that led me to take greater notice of just how quickly people are destroying it, and how ignorant many are to the damage they’re causing. I wish to help educate and organize as many people as possible, so that we may make as great of an effort as we can to protect our only home.
Kara L. Kukovich
My first involvement with the Sierra Club was during the late 90s. In 2002 at 16, I was the youngest member to join the Sierra Student Coalition’s five-day summit in grassroots organizing. In addition to being a Wilderness Guardian, I have participated by joining trash cleanups, letter writing campaigns, citizen lobbying, and more. My proudest achievement was working with Prescott College to divest from fossil fuels. After a decade–long career in environmental education, I am now working towards a Master ‘s in PreK-4 Education. If chosen, I will bring the wisdom of experience and the passion of youth to Excom.
Mike Pastorkovich
I have been an activist with the Sierra Club Allegheny Group since 2004 and a member of the organization even earlier. Over the years, I have served on the Excom as Secretary, Vice Chair and three terms as Chair. My vision of the Mission of the Sierra Club is to educate about and foster appreciation for the environment, to encourage activism to protect the environment from the dangers facing it, and to fight for environmental justice so that all might share in the fruits of the environment of a planet that belongs to us all.
Naomi Swerdlow
Naomi Swerdlow here! I am currently the secretary of our Executive Committee. I write minutes for our meetings. I have been with the Sierra Club for 16 years. I started out by doing outings. I still act as secretary for the Wilkinsburg Pollinator Group, which our group started, and I am on the political committee to find good politicians. I post on our Facebook group. It is important for me to be active in an environmental organization so we are healthy and safe. I work in early childhood - kids need a better future and livable planet. Please vote!
Ryan Rauch
I have a passion for climate change and enacting action at the local level, as well as the role that ethically designed software can be used to help solve climate change and effect a socially just green transition. Too often, solutions to climate change are broadly painted on the federal and global level, but it is in the community space that true solutions will unfold. I hope to help the local Allegheny Sierra Club engage with a younger audience via social media and help combine efforts with critical partners in action including the Sunrise Movement, BLM, NRDC.