MD-AEP News
Asian Embassies Join Over 150 Public-Private Leaders at Maryland Environmental Leadership Series Banquet
Annapolis, December 7, 2009. Last Thursday, Asian embassy officials from China, Indonesia, Korea, the Philippines and Taiwan (Tapei's Economic and Cultural Representative Office) came to Maryland's Miller Senate Office Building to partake in the Maryland Asia-Environmental Partnership's (MD-AEP) inaugural banquet. They came to hear about some of Maryland's top corporate and academic sustainability leaders who were all gathered at for the evening celebration. Over 150 Maryland environmental business, government and academic leaders were also joined by U.S. government agencies including NOAA, USGS and USDA for a night to remember.
The Indonesia Embassy's wonderful Gamelon music and traditional dance gave us a great backdrop for our Maryland-Asia focus and set a beautiful stage at last Thursday's banquet.
Bob Agee, the Annapolis City Administrator, provided the opening welcome and highlighted his city's forward thinking approach to sustainable city management and also the fact that Annapolis is sharing the model with various regions in China. That then set then stage for Ms. Zhao Junjie, First Secretary for Science and Technology from the Chinese Embassy who discussed China's renewable energy opportunities for collaboration in China. Ms. Zhao highlighted President Obama's recent visit to China and the recently announced $150 million joint US-China Clean Energy Research Center. Ms. Zhao invited the MD-AEP gathering to "draw up a blueprint on future cooperation" for China's renewable energy market.
MD-AEP President Peter Gourlay co-presented with Dr. Robert Summers, Deputy Secretary of the Maryland Department of Environment, in honoring Maryland's MD-AEP Environmental Leadership Series 2009 hosts. The audiences heard a synopsis on what was learned during 2009 from previous forums with MD-AEP hosts including Battelle, Coca-Cola Enterprises, I.M. Systems Group, Spiralcat of Maryland, UMD's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, UMD Center for Environmental Science, UMD's ESSIC Climate Change Center and Zephyr Environmental Corporation. "The event was rich in information delivered in an atmosphere of support and pride regarding the accomplishments of Maryland's leading environmental companies and counterparts in Asia. I learned a great deal," said Mickie Holden, Vice President Market Development, Lion Brothers Company Inc.
The climax of the evening was a heartfelt tribute to one of Maryland's great business leaders, Dr. Michael Galiazzo of the Regional Manufacturing Institute who was honored for all of his good work on green manufacturing. Chief Enterprise Officer at John Hopkins Aris Melissaratos and RMI's Chairman and President of Marlin Steel Wire Products Drew Greenblatt recognized Mike with a beautiful tribute that included citations from from U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, Maryland State Senator Kathy Klausmeir on behalf of the Maryland Senate, and Kathy Oliver and Nancy Grasmick from Maryland's Higher Education. Senator Cardin wrote, "With Dr. Galiazzo at the helm, RMI has led the way in promoting sustainable manufacturing and business practices in Maryland." The award design was a beautiful sculpture created by Marlin's engineers from the recycled scrap iron at Baltimore's Marlin Steel Wire production facility...the award is symbolic of Mike's commitment to sustainability.
Testimonial: "It is rare to find such a diverse and illustrious group with a common mission assembled in one room. It is even rarer to see them so open and interested in making new connections socially and professionally, and building the partnerships we will need to benefit the state and our partners in Asia. As so often before, your vision, your leadership and the impeccable execution of this event have been impressive and are admirable. Hats off! And all the best for what will come next." Matthias Ruth, Roy F. Weston Chair of Natural Economics and Director of the Center for Integrative Environmental Management at the University of Maryland.
Coming in 2010: MD-AEP has a great slate of activities being planned for 2010 including Environmental Leadership Series forums in Talbot County focussing on wastewater technologies; a host of Environmental Leadership Series events showcasing clean energy technologies in partnership with the Maryland Clean Energy Center; and an environment and climate change trade delegation to Vietnam.
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