Members of Citizens’ Climate Lobby’s Governing Board

Ross Astoria (Chairman)

Professor Ross Astoria teaches political science and law at the University of Wisconsin, where he has been recognized as an outstanding educator by Phi Delta Kappa. He recently completed a chapter on greenhouse gas mitigation and utility law for a forthcoming Oxford University Press book. Ross is group leader for the CCL’s Racine-Kenosha chapter, and liaison to the office of Speaker of the House Paul Ryan.

Professor Astoria has recently published on several aspects of international trade and greenhouse gas mitigation policy, including carbon border tax adjustments.

George Hetzel (Secretary and Treasurer)

Having earned his his M.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology, George Hetzel began a 25-year career in real estate in San Diego County; this experience became the basis for the real estate agent training and coaching program he created and oversees.

George lives with his wife Diana, school teacher and author, and two children, Ana and Anthony, plus 1 dog and two cats. When not serving clients, George is either driving his kids to swim club, cheering at soccer, or checking off projects for his wife.

Jerry Hinkle

Jerry Hinkle, an economist in banking for the last 30 years, holds Master’s degrees in Economics and in Climate Policy. He has been lobbying Congress for climate solutions since 2006, has served as a regional coordinator for Citizens’ Climate Lobby since 2011, and founded Citizens’ Climate Lobby’s Speakers Bureau and Proactive Outreach Action Team — both now essential nationwide programs.

Jessica Langerman

Jessica Langerman is the founder and president of the Massachusetts carbon fee-and-dividend organization Climate X-Change. She organized Massachusetts’ first public forum on environmental tax reform at Babson College, and in 2013 worked with energy economist Cathy Carruthers to commission the nation’s first econometric study of carbon fee-and-dividend legislation.

Jessica Langerman has a masters degree in education from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She worked as a corporate trainer, manager, and writer for various industries, including the airline industry, for more than 15 years before becoming a high school English teacher in 1999.

Marshall Saunders

Before founding Citizens’ Climate Education, Marshall Saunders,a successful businessman turned philanthropist, personally facilitated millions of microcredit loans in the developing world as a RESULTS volunteer. He is one of only six recipients of the Grameen Humanitarian Award and has served as chairman of the board of Grameen de la Frontera, a microcredit lender in Sonora, Mexico.

With ever-rising energy production and increased use, Saunders believes citizens must create the political will for a sustainable climate, by empowering themselves to exercise their personal and political power.