Contact:
Jennifer Benito
Save the Redwoods League
(415) 820-5814
jbenito@SaveTheRedwoods.org
SaveTheRedwoods.org
SAVE THE REDWOODS LEAGUE ELECTS MELINDA M. THOMAS AS BOARD CHAIR AND SAMUEL M. LIVERMORE AS VICE CHAIR OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
— Seasoned leaders to advance the protection and stewardship of redwoods throughout their natural range
SAN FRANCISCO (October 22, 2013) — Save the Redwoods League, the only nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting redwood forests throughout their natural range, today announced the election of Melinda M. Thomas, Samuel M. Livermore and Justin Faggioli to the Board of Directors. The newly elected officers bring extensive executive leadership and philanthropic experience to the League. Thomas, Livermore and Faggioli are longtime members of the League’s Board of Directors and Council and are passionate leaders and advocates for the redwoods.
“Save the Redwoods League is delighted to welcome new leadership on our Board of Directors,” said Sam Hodder, president and chief executive officer of Save the Redwoods League. “Their understanding of conservation issues and their expertise in building public awareness and strategic partnerships will be invaluable as the League continues its work to ensure that current and future generations can enjoy our magnificent redwood forests.”
Melinda M. Thomas, Board Chair
Melinda M. Thomas, Board ChairMelinda brings several years of executive leadership and entrepreneurship experience to Save the Redwoods League. Most recently Melinda was the inaugural Entrepreneur in Residence for New York City. In this role Melinda connected resources, mentored aspiring scientific entrepreneurs and strengthened science networks in New York. Melinda has also served as Vice President of Operations at CardioDx, where she shepherded the startup from day one to its first product launch. At CardioDx she was responsible for all non-research functions. Prior to CardioDx, Melinda was the VP of Operations at ParAllele Biosciences, a genotyping and SNP discovery company. Melinda holds a B.S. from U.C. Berkeley and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Samuel M. Livermore, Vice Chair and Assistant Treasurer
Samuel M. Livermore, Vice Chair and Assistant TreasurerAn accomplished corporate attorney, Samuel M. Livermore brings more than 30 years of legal experience to the League. Since 1996, Sam has been a partner at Cooley LLP, where he leads the San Francisco Business and Finance Practice. He also is responsible for the Regulatory Group at Cooley, which includes antitrust, government contracts, health care and international trade, and has served on Cooley’s Management Committee. Sam holds an AB summa cum laude from Dartmouth, a Master’s in International Relations from the London School of Economics, which he attended as a Marshall Scholar, and a JD from Stanford. Sam was a founder of The Yosemite Conservancy (previously known as The Yosemite Fund) in 1988 (and its predecessor the Return of Light Campaign in 1985), and served as its Chairman from 1996 through 2004. He also has served on the boards of several other environmental, educational and community organizations. Sam is a 5th generation California native with a lifelong passion for wilderness. For many years (before his legal career took over) he spent his summers as a wilderness guide and packer throughout the High Sierra.
Justin Faggioli, Secretary
Justin Faggioli, SecretaryJustin Faggioli is a well-known rancher, vineyard owner and business executive. He manages family ranches and vineyards in Sonoma and Tulare Counties in California. Justin has served as Chief Executive Officer and Director of Niman Ranch, Executive Vice President and Director of Ravenswood Winery, and a member of the management teams at E. D. Bullard Co. and Sitka Inc.
Justin is currently Vice Chairman/Director of E. D. Bullard Co., and a member of the Board of Directors of J. H. Baxter Co. and Patz & Hall Wine Company. Justin has devoted considerable time to nonprofit activities. In addition to serving as a League Councilor and Board of Directors member for many years, he has also served as President and Trustee of The Thacher School and as President and Director of Family Winemakers of California. Justin also served for eight years as a Councilmember (two years as Mayor) of his hometown, Belvedere, California. Justin holds a B.S. and M.S. in Earth Sciences from Stanford University and an MBA from Harvard University.
Editors, please note: For images or to schedule an interview with Save the Redwoods League please contact Jennifer Benito at (415) 820-5814 or jbenito@SaveTheRedwoods.org.
About Save the Redwoods League
Walk through a redwood forest — home of the tallest, largest, and some of the oldest living beings on Earth — and you can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of awe and peace among these magnificent giants. Since 1918, Save the Redwoods League has led the effort to protect the coast redwoods and giant sequoias for all to experience and enjoy. To date the League has completed the purchase of more than 190,000 acres of redwood forest and associated land. For more information, please visit SaveTheRedwoods.org, or to sign up for monthly updates please visit SaveTheRedwoods.org/signup.
Tags: 2013, Press Release
