TEDx Henderson 2020
Speaker Sessions
Click on a name below to jump directly to the speaker’s session.
Michael Boyko | Amy Lahav | Alexia Chen | Christene Klimek | Sam Castor | Stephen Perkins | Rita Hosking and Sean Feder
Michael Boyko | Water -- A Call To Action
Michael paints a scary picture of increasing water needs coupled with diminishing natural replenishment of this valuable resource. He does this to incite action. We’re moving in the right direction – we just have to accelerate our pace! Michael Boyko’s work has focused mainly on water use in heavy industries including manufacturing, power plants, mining operations and others. He has extensive expertise in electrochemical technologies, chemical scrubbers, thermal oxidizers, dust collectors, bulk material handling, custom metal fabrication and process equipment.
Michael has served on the board of several public companies and regularly consults with the power industry, manufacturing and mining groups around the world.
He is the founder of Dynamic Water Technologies developed with the idea that through the implementation of better treatment technologies we can conserve water and reduce chemical additives while still providing savings for the end user over traditional treatment methods. DWT’s technologies are time tested solutions used around the world.
Michael holds a Bachelor of Science in finance from Arizona State University.
Amy Lahav | Nevada Has A Reputation--For Solar Energy!
In some circles, Southern Nevada is not known predominately for its casinos and resorts, it is famous for its ability to produce solar energy. Now, with the development of high-capacity energy storage, the stakes are even higher. Amy tells the story of solar energy’s rise in importance, but also speaks of the state’s commitment to geothermal and even wind energy. Over the last twenty years Amy Lahav has found her way to contribute towards cleaning up our planet as an environmental and renewable energy jack-of-all-trades, tech interpreter and information seeker.
Today, as a senior project manager in the Renewables and Origination Department at NV Energy, Amy has worked to negotiate and procure over 2 gigawatts of some of the world’s most cost-effective solar energy and 690 megawatts of battery energy storage for Nevada’s customers.
She has been on the forefront of evaluating new technology establishing the utility’s first non-wires alternative evaluation tool and facilitating partnerships with emerging technology companies to develop collaborative opportunities.
Amy is excited to see what the future holds.
Alexia Chen | Why Our Homes Matter
Alexia Chen discusses the importance of the built environment as she walks us through DesertSol, a solar-powered, ultra-efficient home that highlights sustainable innovations in energy, technology and materials. The home was one of the 2013 winners in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon, built by a team led by Alexia at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Alexia is a project architect at LGA, who is passionate about creating a better world through the built environment. She strives for a balance between great experiential design, functionality, and environmental impact. She is the recipient of the 2019 AIA Nevada Young Architect Award. Alexia is a volunteer with the International Living Future Institute in Southern Nevada where she provides continuing education on environmental design programs to the profession and students in the community.
Christene Klimek | Sustainability for Cities: a Blueprint
Henderson, Nevada’s conservation and sustainability plan can be used by cities all over the world. It is simple, comprehensive — and it worked! Christene Klimek tells how the City’s “Green Team” recommended and implemented innovative changes that reduced its carbon dioxide impact by 40%. Since 2018, Christene Klimek has served as the environmental manager for the City of Henderson. She launched a city-wide environmental management program and is involved in other sustainability projects.
Christene formerly worked as an environmental advisor at NV Energy for 15 years supporting the company’s environmental compliance and permitting programs for power generation and heading up its sustainability reporting initiatives.
She received her Bachelor of Science in biology from Gonzaga University. She completed her Master of Science in environmental policy and management from the University of Denver.
Sam Castor | It’s People, not Technology that Will Save Us
Sam’s work experience is steeped in technology in many different iterations. However, he knows that technology will not save us from global changes and challenges – it is people. It is us and the way we collaborate with candor and humility that will define our future on this planet. Sam Castor, Esq., manages regulatory, intellectual property and litigation matters and policy at Switch. As a member of the Sustainability Team, he provides legal and policy insight to ensure Switch is 100% renewably powered world-wide, and drives thoughtful sustainability policy throughout the company’s operations, energy procurement, and government and legislative policy. As general counsel, Sam assists Switch with transactional, telecom, legislative, regulatory, and litigation matters.
Sam’s professional path includes service in all branches of federal government assisting with technology policy, including time under President Obama and President Bush. He received his undergraduate degree in communications from Brigham Young University and his law degree from Catholic University of America. He speaks fluent Romanian and Moldavian after providing two years of service in Eastern Europe. He is a trap and skeet enthusiast.
Stephen Perkins | And the Beat Goes On
Warning: this is a participatory video! So, grab your drumsticks and your tambourine and join Stephen Perkins as he brings home the beat. It’s 15 minutes of energizing drumming that will leave you mesmerized as you follow his rhythmic lead! Watching Stephen Perkins on drums is a show within itself. His energy, charisma, unique skill and style make him one of the most sought-after drummers today. One of the founders for Jane’s Addiction, Stephen is performing and touring with Think:EXP Beyond The Wall and other bands. Born in Los Angeles, he picked up drumsticks at the age of eight. His first public drum performance was at his Bar Mitzvah1980 in front of family and friends. His passion for playing the drums led him to purchase his first drum set bought at Valley Arts Music Center, Studio City, CA with his Bar Mitzvah gift money. In 1983, Stephen’s first band ‘champion’ played the Troubadour in Los Angeles; his second band ‘disaster’ rocked the Whiskey & Roxy in Los Angeles in1984. By late summer 1985, he had joined an older singer and bass player and together they formed Jane’s Addiction. Stephen’s career has included numerous other bands and hit records. But his greatest hit is his son!
Rita Hosking and Sean Feder | Good People Wherever You Go
Listen closely to the lyrics, as Northern California’s singer/songwriter, Rita Hosking, sings of forest fires, culture clashes, demolition derbies, the working class, hope and “good people.” Rita is accompanied by multi-instrumentalist and longtime collaborator, Sean Feder. Acoustic Magazine calls their music, “timeless, unhurried elegance.” Rita has published eight records in the last 15 years, hitting airwaves from NPR’s Weekend Edition to BBC London, and touring from living rooms to festivals in the US and Europe. A descendant of Cornish miners who sang while they worked, Rita grew up with deep regard for folk music and the power of the voice. Rita recently started an online, creative journal called The Oar, where offerings include new songs, poems, short essays, articles and visual art.
Sean’s three decades of musical performance have been eclectic and rooted in rhythm. His music career includes collaborative performance and recording projects with several notable rhythmic and melodic masters, such as Arthur Hull (Village Music Circles), Hershel Yatovitz (of Chris Isaak), and Joe Craven. For ten years Sean taught Afro Latin-style hand drumming classes at UC Davis and to private groups. Ten years ago, Sean embarked on a journey into the energizing twang and spark of banjo and dobro.