Theme: Focus on Southern Nevada

This event will be live-streamed on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=tedxhenderson) on October 11, 2020, starting at 2 pm. It is being held in conjunction with TED Countdown, a worldwide movement to foster a rapid shift to a world with net zero greenhouse emissions and tackle the climate crisis. There will be six speakers, two entertainment sets and several videos from the TED Countdown lineup. Todd Fisher and his wife Catherine Hickland will be the emcees and it will be broadcast from Todd Fisher's studio in Las Vegas, NV.

Virtual on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=tedxhenderson
1450 West Horizon Ridge Parkway
Henderson, Nevada, 89012
United States

Alexia Chen

Project Architect

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. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx.

Amy Lahav

Senior Project Manager

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.

Christene Klimek

Environmental Manager

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.

Ken Myszka

Chefarmer

Chef Ken Myszka, of Downs, IL, first discovered his interest in hospitality through hosting family gatherings and parties for close friends. He was instantly captivated by the ability to make people feel good and the joy of taking care of others. Later, Ken enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America in New York, then the University of Nevada in Las Vegas for a bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management. While in Las Vegas, he had the opportunity to work in the elite kitchens of renowned chefs, including Guy Savoy and Thomas Keller. However, Ken never lost sight of his roots in Central Illinois. In 2009, Ken returned to his hometown and founded Epiphany Farms with a vision to build a farm and a restaurant to change the current food system, one plate at a time. Currently, Ken and two partners operate five unique farm-to-table restaurants in the Bloomington area and steward 70 acres of land with regenerative practices.

Michael Boyko

Founder/Process Water Specialist

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.

Rita Hosking and Sean Feder

Singers/Songwriters

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.

Sam Castor

EVP Policy and General Counsel

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

Drummer

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!