Michael Lee Environmental Foundation
Board of Directors
Frank Schiavo - In Loving Memory - A True Friend and Environmental Pioneer / MML - Professor Emeritus
Frank taught environmental studies for over 37 years. He taught at high school and university levels as well as conducting tours of his eco-friendly and environmentally responsible home. Frank had recently retired from teaching at San Jose State University, however he continued reaching out to the community, giving tours of his home and enjoyed cooking dinners at his for students and friends.
Frank passed away in his home while preparing another of his infamous "By Invitation Only" meals for friends on January 26th 2010. He will continue to live in our hearts and memories and his legacy in environmental education will long live as we pass his wisdom down to future generations.
Be in Peace Frank, we all loved you and learned from your wisdom.
1939 - 2010
Mike Kutilek - President
Mike Kutilek has been a professor of Biology at San Jose State for 32 years. Mike's main scientific interests are in ecology and conservation biology with previous research on large mammals including the African Antelope. Locally, Mike has studied disturbance ecology of plants and animals. His main reason for joining the foundation is to better understand and help apply the various resources that can be allocated to assist education, along with applications for funding and research of environmental and conservation efforts. Personal interests include hiking, camping, bird watching and enjoying nature by being there.
Jennifer Seguin - Secretary
Jennifer Seguin works for the City of San Jose's Environmental Services Department in the Office of Sustainability. Her primary responsibility is to raise the sustainability level of the City’s existing building portfolio using green building certification through the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED-EB: Operations and Maintenance certification program as a guideline. She is the lead for the City’s participation in the USGBC’s Portfolio Program Pilot as well as green building resource for all City Departments and the private sector.
Ms. Seguin is a LEED Accredited Professional, accredited through the U.S. Green Building Council. Her previous experience includes working for an affordable housing developer as the Energy Analyst and Green Building Specialist, working for the City of San Jose as a Green Building and Energy professional and various positions in the high-tech industry in engineering, sales and marketing. Her educational background includes a Masters in International Communication/International Economics from The American University in Washington, D.C. and a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA. Ms. Seguin joins the Foundation to act on her belief in the importance of environmental education.
Monique Lee - Treasurer
Monique Lee is a wildlife rehabilitator for several Bay Area rehabilitation centers; California Bat Conservation Fund, Native Animal Rescue in Santa Cruz, Injured and Orphaned Wildlife in Campbell and Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley in San Jose. During spring and summer months, all her free time is spent caring for injured and orphaned wildlife, with the support of her husband, Sam. Actively involved with her son Ronan's environmental education, she also provides educational presentations for schools with a focus on bats and their role in a healthy ecosystem.
Karen Metz - Past President
Karen is currently employed at National Semiconductor Corporation as an Intellectual Property Paralegal/Notary Public, her focus being patents. Prior to her Paralegal work she worked at various companies which positions included, Contract Negotiations, Administrative Assistant for Corporate Legal, Marketing Communications and International Sales and Marketing. Over the years Karen has volunteered her time for community services, such as Feeding the Homeless, Sorting/Handing out food for Second Harvest, Tutoring Elementary School Children and Sorting/Wrapping presents at Christmas time for The Family Giving Tree. Karen always wanted to be a part of a group focused on helping the environment. "When a mutual friend of Michael Lee approached me to consider being on the Board of Directors for Michael's Foundation, I thought, what a great way to get involved in helping the environment". Karen has been on the board for 4 years and is honored to be Board President and be a part of such a worthy cause to help make Michael Lee's dream come true.
Scott Gould - Director
Scott has a BS & MS in Environmental Studies from San Jose State University. He is currently employed at Stanford University as a Energy Engineer focusing on building energy efficiency and sustainable design. He is also a part-time instructor at De Anza College in the Environmental Studies Department where he teaches classes on energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. Scott is accredited with LEED TM (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). He is also a Certified Energy Manager (CEM). He has published papers for the Association of Energy Engineers, American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, US Green Building Council, and the American Solar Energy Society.
Sam Lee - Board Director
Sam Lee is the brother of Michael Lee, our founder. Sam is a credentialed teacher and has been teaching for 25 years. Since 1996, he has been teaching high school mathematics at Oak Grove High School in San Jose . Sam enjoys spending time with his family, including his daughters, Ryan and Megan of Sacramento. His passions include surfing, hiking and bicycling, along with being a supportive husband and caring father to their six year old son, Ronan. Sam’s objective to being on the board is to help the Foundation fulfill its mission in Michael's name.
Karen Beck - Director
Karen Beck started work at Build It Green (BIG) (a non-profit membership organization whose mission is to promote healthy, energy- and resource-efficient building practices in California) in 2005 as their Membership Manager. She transitioned to working part-time as a Project Manager after welcoming the birth of her son in early 2007. Her most recent projects include managing the website redesign, creating and coordinating marketing materials and event planning. Before working for BIG, she worked for Electric Power Research Institute in Palo Alto and Brussels, Belgium, as their Environmental Product Line Specialist and International Web Liaison, for over 8 years.
For the last 2 years her energies have been focused towards completing her Master’s Thesis on Green Building Policy in the U.S. Karen received a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Studies from San Jose State University in 1997 and a Web Design Certificate in 2000.
In her spare time, she has been working on a green remodel of her home, which was featured on the Build It Green Home Tour in 2006. She is also an active member of her local chapter of the California Native Plant Society and is a Certified Green Building Professional. She enjoys hiking, backpacking, running and mountain bike riding with her family and friends. Her participation on the Board helps fulfill her belief that everyone, in a position to do so, should give back to their community.
Ralph W. Schardt - Executive Director (Staff)
After working 20 years in the high technology industry, Ralph went back to school to earn a degree in Environmental Studies. He has taught practically all grade levels including college, and leads nature and birding tours for local groups. He is an avid birder and was fortunate to work with Pinnacles National Park to provide a photo-chronology of the reintroduction of the California condor for which he was widely published
He has been on the boards of various local non-profit organizations while working in the non-profit arena for the past 14 years. His passion is "getting people connected with nature." His outdoor activities include kayaking, hiking, biking, and California geology. His favorite quote is: "You don't know what you've got till it's gone." - Joni Mitchell
Advisory Council
Chester & Janet Lee -
Chester and Janet Lee are the parents of Michael Lee, the founder of MLEF. Chet has a B.S. degree in Biological Sciences and worked for 30 years in the manufacturing industry, holding positions in personnel, purchasing and production. He also owned and operated a personnel agency. Janet’s work has been in the secretarial and accounting fields. Chet and Janet are now retired and living in Selma, California. They joined the Board in September of 2002 and share their son’s desire to give back to this world in gratitude for all that it has given them. In 2007 Janet and Chet decided to retire their position as active board directors and now remain on the Advisory Council.
Jim Beall - California State Assembly Member
Jim Beall, Jr., was elected to the Assembly in November 2006 with 64 percent of the vote. His dedication to improving the lives of our children, families, and seniors has led him to fight for better health care and the efficient delivery of social services. These goals are reflected in his legislation and in his committee assignments. As Chair of the Committee on Human Services since 2007, he has focused on bolstering the Safety Net for our elderly, poor and people with physical and developmental disabilities, and combating hunger.
During his 27 years of public service, he has have worked hard to preserve the environment for future generations to enjoy. Most recently, he introduced Assembly Bill 811, which the Governor signed. AB 811 allows local governments to create special assessment districts for the installation of solar panels, dual pane windows and high efficiency heating and air conditioning units. The intent of the bill is to decrease the burning of fossil fuels and to reverse global climate change through increased energy efficiency and conservation.
As a County Supervisor, he initiated a process to strengthen the County General Plan to better protect hillsides and views in the face of increasing requests for land use permits to clear hilltops for monster homes. The new ordinance preserves our valley hilltops and scenic vistas for future generations to enjoy and provides firm guidelines for owners and private developers.
He also, requested the county administration to evaluate the feasibility of extending the current the Park Charter Amendment, Measure B, sales tax rate. In June 2006, voters overwhelmingly approved the continued funding of Santa Clara County’s regional parks ensuring a stable funding source for our parks and recreation department.
Assembly Member Beall, a San Jose native, is a graduate of San Jose State University, where he studied Urban Planning and Public Finance and earned a degree in Political Science.
He and his wife, Pat, have been married for more than 25 years. They have a son, Greg.
Prior to joining the Legislature, Beall served 12 years on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and 14 years on the San Jose City Council., working on issues affecting uninsured children, seniors, foster care, and people with disabilities.