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<\/a>(Courtesy Hering)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Hering is a prominent military and civilian sustainability leader with a broad background in energy and environmental issues. His passion in sustainability is educating people on the dangers the future holds if we don\u2019t take responsible actions to secure the nation\u2019s energy independence and to preserve water, air quality and other resources.<\/p>\n
A native of Portsmouth, Virginia, Hering retired from the Navy in 2009 after more than 32 years of service. He was noted as one of the Navy\u2019s top experts in base operations and facility support with an emphasis on sustainability and the environment.<\/p>\n
While in the Navy, Hering\u2019s efforts included everything from renewable energy to responsible water use and conservation. He built a team recognized throughout the Department of Defense as the best in environmental protection and sustainable innovation. Within three years, the team reduced energy consumption by nearly 42 percent, diverted 75 percent of Navy waste from landfills and reduced water consumption by more than 1 billion gallons, saving tens of millions of taxpayer dollars. Hering instigated wind, thermal, photovoltaic and conversion technology at all levels in Navy facilities. President George W. Bush awarded Hering a 2005 Presidential Award for Leadership in Federal Energy Management in recognition of his leadership efforts reducing oil spills and for recycling.<\/p>\n
In 2009, Hering joined the University of San Diego as vice president for business services and administration. In that role, he initiated numerous sustainable measures on the campus. During the two years he served, the university installed the largest solar system of any private campus in the country, instituted the most comprehensive water abatement project in the school\u2019s history and reformed numerous business practices to help control costs. His efforts resulted in saving more than 3 million gallons of water per year and more than $1 million in electrical costs.<\/p>\n
Hering\u2019s endeavors include founding what is now the largest sustainability business partnership in San Diego County, the San Diego Regional Sustainability Partnership, a consortium of business, government, academic and community organizations promoting practices that support a sustainable future for the region. He now heads the Center for Sustainable Energy in Kearny Mesa.<\/p>\n
A nonprofit social enterprise, the center has facilitated 44,000 energy projects for consumers, businesses and governments. Through their market outreach and technical and policy expertise, over 130,000 people have been directly served by Center for Sustainable Energy programs. The organization\u2019s areas of expertise include clean transportation, distributed generation, building performance, energy efficiency, energy storage and renewable energy. Together, they are the catalysts for sustainable energy market development and transformation. If you are thinking of putting solar panels on your roof, attend a free Center for Sustainable Energy workshop to learn all the \u201cdos and don\u2019ts.\u201d They’ll even give you lunch!<\/p>\n
On Saturday, May 30, the La Mesa Foothills Democratic Club will once again be a participant in the annual La Mesa Flag Day Parade, a walk through the heart of La Mesa escorting many of our local and civic leaders. As usual, President Obama (a cardboard cutout, at least) will be leading our contingent in a special convertible accompanied by our very professional \u201csecret service\u201d detail. Don’t miss this fun event; visit our website for time and meeting specifics.<\/p>\n
And a quick heads-up to mark your calendar for our return to Mission Trails Regional Park. Our July 1 meeting will be our Annual Independence Day Celebration on the patio of the beautiful Visitor and Interpretive Center. We’ll again be providing dinner, some very special speakers, a silent auction and beer and wine tasting on the patio. And we\u2019ll feature our now-famous pie baking contest. It’s an event that our members turned out in large numbers for last year, and this year will be even better. More details to follow, but note that the evening of July 1 will be a special evening for our entire Democratic community.<\/p>\n