2013 adao conference biographies: speakers and adao …€¦ · believes that, in unity, we can...

2013 ADAO Conference Biographies:

Speakers and ADAO Leadership

Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

"United for Asbestos Disease Awareness, Education, Advocacy, and Community Support" 1525 Aviation Boulevard, Suite 318 · Redondo Beach · California · 90278 · 310.251.7477

www.AsbestosDiseaseAwareness.org

Julie Amento is the daughter ADAO volunteer, Marilyn Amento and the late Joe Amento, Jr., who died of mesothelioma when Julie was only 8 years old. Julie will be graduating from high school in June 2013 and plans to attend Muhlenberg College in the Fall. An avid reader and creative writer, Julie loves stage acting and plans to pursue both writing and acting in college. In April, Julie will perform the roles of a few characters in her school’s production of “The Laramie Project”. Julie is also an accomplished flutist in her school’s Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble and related competitions. She loves terrifying roller coasters, scary movies and the BBC series, “Dr. Who”. Jul has volunteered at several of ADAO’s conferences, including as Timekeeper for our speakers.

Marilyn Amento is ADAO's State Representative for Pennsylvania and Family Tribute Chair. Marilyn is the widow of Joe Amento, Jr. who died of mesothelioma at the age of 53, only 6 months after his first symptom. Joe was exposed to asbestos approximately 40 years prior while visiting his father at one of the several asbestos plants, and playing on asbestos scrap piles in the small borough of Ambler, a Philadelphia suburb. Marilyn has a Master’s Degree in Human Services Management from The Heller School of Brandeis University, and is also the mother of two teens, Joe and Julie. She channels her grief and anger with the asbestos industry by working with ADAO, fundraising, and educating the public about asbestos through her strong Facebook presence.

Karen Banton is a strong advocate on behalf of asbestos disease sufferers and their families, fervently continuing the legacy left by her late husband Bernie Banton AM. During those all-consuming years Bernie spent as the public face for asbestos-disease sufferers of Australia, behind the scenes, Karen very much 'walked the walk' with him. Karen was every bit as passionate as Bernie for the cause, and even more so with his passing in November 2007. In Australia she has now become the public face for this mission and the ongoing fight for justice. In 2009 Karen, along with a number of supporters, founded the Bernie Banton Foundation, with its’ primary aims being to provide support and information to asbestos related disease sufferers

and their families, and facilitate community awareness of asbestos and its' dangers.

Brad Black, PhD has been the Medical Director and CEO for the Center for Asbestos and Related Disease in Libby, Montana since 2000. He has been a physician in the Libby medical community since 1977 and became the Lincoln County Health Officer in 1984. Beginning in 1999, he worked closely with Dr. Alan Whitehouse, a Spokane, WA pulmonologist, for 9 years. Since 2000, Dr. Black has had the opportunity to care for thousands of patients and this longitudinal observation of progressive pleural fibrosis has led to a clear characterization of Libby amphibole asbestos disease. CARD continues to provide asbestos health screening and care to a






population with significant Libby Amphibole exposure and related diseases. In 2008 he presented at the National Institute of Health/National Cancer Institute about the progressive pleural fibrosis and mesothelioma identified in those exposed to Libby amphibole asbestos. He was instrumental in initiating research on Libby amphibole asbestos health effects. His work has expanded into research leading to an association with pulmonologists and occupational medicine specialists from multiple academic centers around the U.S. In 2010, Dr. Black became an adjunct professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. He has collaborated on a number of professional journal publications, and most recently he participated in a National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences working group that developed a publication on the non- neoplastic, pleural endpoints. Today, Dr. Black continues his dedicated efforts to providing excellent healthcare, outreach, and research for asbestos related diseases.

Jill Cagle is the surviving spouse of Meso Warrior Robbie Cagle, who lost his 6 year battle with Peritoneal Mesothelioma on 9-11-11 at the age of 46. She is a mother and now grandmother of 3. She is a Christian and her faith in God truly sustains her. She is the lead singer in the Band Backstreet and plays the Fiddle. She makes primitive crafts and candles and she loves to ride her Harley and feel the wind in her hair. She has been associated with ADAO since 2007 and has now started an annual Motorcycle Ride, "Ridin the Wind With Rob" which includes a 110 mile ride, dinner, silent auction, raffles and t-shirt sales to raise

funds for awareness and ultimately a CURE of Mesothelioma. Jill and Rob marched on Capitol Hill in 2010 to help get Illinois to sign the National Asbestos Awareness Day Bill and also met with the DOD. She is committed to doing whatever it takes to get this killer 100 % banned. She is truly honored and proud to be a part of this organization.

Barry Castleman, ScD is an Environmental Consultant trained in chemical and environmental engineering. He holds a Doctor of Science degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. He has been a consultant to numerous agencies of the US government and other governments, international bodies, and environmental groups dealing with a wide range of public health issues. He has testified as an expert in civil litigation in the US on the history of asbestos as a public health problem and the reasons for failure to properly control asbestos hazards. Dr. Castleman has spent the past 40 years working on asbestos as a public health problem.

Ellen Costa started as a volunteer with ADAO in 2012 and is honored to be of service to this very special organization; its mission, founders and supporters. Professionally, she has been in the financial services industry for over 25 years and served firms in marketing, communications, product management and strategic business development. Her current role at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is as a strategic consultant in the financial reform regulatory environment. The awareness, family support and leadership ADAO provides in creating the change needed in this world is truly powerful. Her interests and passions reside in venues associated with creating an environmentally safe and sustainable environments for our families and

future generations.






Paul Demers, PhD comes to OCRC from the University of British Columbia, where he was a Professor in the School of Environmental Health. As well as being Director of the OCRC, he is also a Professor with the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health. He has an MSc in Industrial Hygiene and a PhD in Epidemiology, both from the University of Washington in Seattle. Paul is internationally recognized for his expertise on the health effects of workplace exposures and sits on many expert panels, including the International Agency for Research on Cancer working groups that evaluated carcinogens such as dusts and fibres, firefighting and formaldehyde. He has

extensive research experience and accomplishments, including his leadership of a national program known as “CAREX Canada,” a workplace and environmental exposure database. Over his academic career he has held numerous research grants, supervised many graduate students and has published extensively.

Suzanne Dupree has been a volunteer for over 40 years, and that role has always been one of the most rewarding of her life. Her present employment at the District Attorney's office allows her to work for justice for victims daily. Prior to her current job, she worked 15 years as a curriculum specialist for school districts, and earlier, for the President of the Associated Press in New York. Several years ago, on vacation, she met Linda Reinstein, who had just founded the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization. She was so impressed with her commitment that she volunteered for the next conference. She has worked for ADAO as a volunteer for six years now, and for the last

three years, she has served as the conference coordinator. The returns are exponential for whatever time she gives; she has an opportunity to utilize her skills in the most rewarding way possible. She donates her time for an organization that formulates political policy and advocates for practical issues on a global level. Her volunteering allows her to keep up daily, through social media, with mesothelioma victims that have become her friends. She uses the educational resources provided by ADAO to create awareness of the impact of asbestos to those outside of our ADAO family. Most importantly, she believes in Linda Reinstein. She believes that, in unity, we can make change. She is privileged to serve the mission of ADAO.

Eleanor B. Ericson, RN, BSN, CCRN founded Nursing Liaisons in 2007 being keenly aware from her 30 years of experience in bedside nursing, that there was a need for post-facility care for patients released from the hospital. Ellie has been working in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Brigham and Women’s Hospital since 1985. Prior to that time, she worked in the Cardiothoracic ICU and the ICU Float Pool. She earned her diploma in nursing from the Mt. Auburn Hospital School of Nursing in1978 and went on to Worcester State College for her BSN. Ellie grew up in Waltham, Mass., as one of ten children – a background that gives her a unique understanding of our clients’ family

relationships. She currently lives in north Central Massachusetts with her husband and three children.

Geoff Fary has an unusual combination of background and experiences. From 2010 to 2012, he was the independent Chairman of the Australian Asbestos Management Review. Elected Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) Assistant Secretary in 2007, and re-elected in 2009, he previously had responsibility for the national peak council’s policy on OH&S – including asbestos. He had earlier worked as a farm labourer, sheep shearer, administrator, Victorian Director of the Australian Trade Union Training Agency (TUTA), Chief of Staff to a Federal Cabinet Minister, Human Resources Director and company director with George Weston Foods Limited, CEO of Industrial Relations Victoria, Employee Relations Manager at Nestle Australia and Executive Director of the






Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia (APESMA). Geoff is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and serves on the Board of the Australian Institute of Management.

Sean Fitzgerald, P.G., President of Scientific Analytical Institute, Inc., is a professional geologist and microscopist with 25 years experience managing growing businesses and laboratories across the country. He has been guest speaker at asbestos workshops and conferences as well as local, state, and federal regulatory meetings and reviews, and advises private and governmental entities on issues of asbestos regulation, science, and process development. As a scientist, Sean is expert and instructor for PLM and PCM light microscopy, microprobe, TEM and SEM electron microscopy, AA, IC, HPLC, and ICP wet chemistry techniques, and mineral phase identification by XRF and XRD. Mr. Fitzgerald has been retained and has given testimony as an expert witness and researcher on asbestos in soils, asbestos in talc, naturally occurring asbestos, and asbestos in household products, with his work

appearing before English Parliament and the US Senate, as well as state and local courts from New York to California. Mr. Fitzgerald has authored numerous papers on asbestos geology and mineralogy; has served as peer review for EPA asbestos control documents, and is currently commissioned as an author and asbestos expert for ASTM international. He has spoken on asbestos issues before the Environmental Information Association (EIA- formerly the National Asbestos Council: NAC), the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM International), the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), and at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.

Arthur L. Frank, PhD, MD is co-chair of ADAO's Science Advisory Board and serves as Professor of Public Health and Chair of the Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine at the Drexel University School of Public Health in Philadelphia. Trained in both occupational medicine and internal medicine, Dr. Frank has been interested in the health hazards of asbestos for more than 35 years. He has published a great deal of work on the hazards of asbestos, and clinically cared for asbestos effected patients. He has lectured internationally about the problems of asbestos, and worked in many settings looking at the diseases caused by this material.

Fernanda Giannasi, is a Civil and Safety and Heath Engineer and has been a symbol of the struggle to ban asbestos in Brazil. As Labour Inspector for the Ministry of Labor in São Paulo state since 1983, Giannasi defends the public interest as regards worker safety and health. Having been exiled to Osasco city in 1995, Giannasi became aware of a number of cases of asbestos disease amongst the local population. In collaboration with former asbestos workers in this industrial city, she began an investigation into the incidence of asbestos-related diseases in the whole state of São Paulo, the major producer and user of

asbestos. Although Brazil still allows asbestos in most of the states of the federation, the Supreme Constitutional Court should decide this year if asbestos can be used or not since it has been banned in more than 50 countries worldwide and 5 Brazilian states including São Palo. Asbestos is still mainly used in the






production of roofing. Giannasi is a founding member of Associação Brasileira dos Expostos ao Amianto (ABREA), the association of asbestos-exposed workers in Brazil that was set up in 1995 to act as the voice for Brazil’s asbestos victims, and is the coordinator of the Latin America of the Citizens’ Virtual Network Against Asbestos. She leads the struggle of more than 3500 workers who have filed lawsuits against the industry. Criminal charges driven by economic interests have been filed against Giannasi by he biggest asbestos producer in Brazil (ETERNIT), and by supporters of the still powerful pro-asbestos lobby. Giannasi has successfully widened the world discussion and has been awarded for her struggle as it has been hold last December, the 5th where she was honoured with the Prize Professional Personality of 2012 offered by the National Confederation of Liberal Graduated Workers representing the category of Engineers. According to Giannasi, “As I an activist on public health I defend an immediate world ban on the production, marketing, import and exports and use of asbestos.”

James A. Grogan is the General President of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators, one of 14 International Unions under the Building and Constructions Trades Department of the AFL-CIO. Born in Mt. Kisco, NY, his distinguished union career which has spanned more than 56 years began in September 1956 working as a permit worker in Asbestos Workers Local Union 32, in Newark, New Jersey. After serving in the U.S. Army he returned to the trade and in short order demonstrated his leadership abilities giving rise to numerous leadership positions at the local, state, national and International levels. He has exhibited a passion for finding a cure for mesothelioma and other asbestos induced diseases, which have so decimated his membership and their families for generations. Mr. Grogan and his Union continue to work with doctors, researchers, attorneys and organizations such as

the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, the Pacific Meso Center, and the Health Education Council.

Herman Hamilton is the Executive Assistant with ADAO. After becoming familiar with the medical and legal aspects of Asbestos through his neighbor and longtime friend of 30 years, Dr. Barry Castleman, Herman joined ADAO in January of 2005 as the Veterans Representative. Presently, Herman assists Linda in the day-to-day operations of ADAO and amongst his many duties, he has been a liaison for other like-minded asbestos groups. He also works with Congressional staffers to set up meetings regarding ongoing legislation. His proudest accomplishment has been his work to defeat the Asbestos Trust Fund. The goal he would like to achieve the most is the passage of legislation for a total ban of Asbestos. Outside of ADAO, Herman has served on the Board of Directors of Legal Aid Bureau of Maryland for the past 12 years and counting.

Elizabeth Harty is a dedicated ADAO volunteer. Upon graduating from Texas Tech University, Elizabeth assisted in plant genetics research prior to being recruited by Calgon’s Water Management Division. While with Calgon, she spent approximately 90% of her time in the field serving various industrial plants: primarily in the power, oil, and paper industries of the Gulf Coast states. Elizabeth soon discovered from the men working in these plants that it wasn’t a plant explosion they most feared, it was “that lung disease” their fathers endured. This, and other environmentally-related health complaints offered by these industrial workers, began Elizabeth’s shift away from serving in the industrial chemical arena toward health related fields. Always






maintaining an interest in fiber-induced diseases, Elizabeth is pursuing a certificate in public health with the intention of earning graduate degrees in public health policy and biostatistics. She is currently interested in the disease potential of the serpentine, antigorite.

Lisa Hyde-Barrett has been a thoracic surgery nurse for nearly 25 years, and has had the privilege of caring for countless mesothelioma patients over the years. Lisa has worked alongside some of the leading authorities on treating mesothelioma at Brigham and Women’s Hospital through the International Mesothelioma Program (IMP). Lisa is also a wellness advocate and she understands the relationship between awareness and cancer prevention and spends much of her time educating patients and their families about the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. She also knows that mesothelioma is one disease that can only be prevented through avoidance of asbestos, and once it develops it is challenging to treat. Lisa also works with Nursing Liaisons, where the nurses not only offer medical care to patients, but also help to educate patients synchronizing their diagnosis with each

unique, individual journey of mesothelioma. Lisa has been called upon to share her knowledge of mesothelioma at various conferences and educational seminars. In September, she co-presented a session at the 11th International Conference of the International Mesothelioma Interest Group entitled, “The Complex Discharge Needs of the Mesothelioma Patient.” She and her colleagues discussed the potential barriers mesothelioma patients and their families may encounter that could impede learning how to care for the patient and how nurses can offer support to help overcome those obstacles. She is certified in Guided Care which was presented from Johns Hopkins Hospital. Also, Lisa recently has been certified in Reiki, a Japanese “laying on hands” technique for stress reduction and relaxation that promotes healing.

Meagan Jensen joined ADAO as an intern in June of 2011. She attended her first year of law school at Penn State Dickinson School of Law after receiving her B.A. in History from UC Santa Barbara. Meagan is currently a third year law student at the UC Davis King Hall where she focuses on international and domestic social justice issues including worker-employer relations, employee health and safety policy, and their intersection with immigration law. While with ADAO Meagan had the opportunity to use her studies in a variety of ways - from speech drafting, to attending Congressional meetings, to developing her blog writing and social media skills. Meagan is honored to be a part of ADAO and the incredible work ADAO does.

J. Brent Kynoch is the President of Kynoch Environmental Management, Inc. (KEM), which was formed in 1996 to provide value engineered consulting services within the asbestos abatement industry. Since 1996, KEM has earned a reputation as one of the leading consultants in asbestos inspection, assessment, abatement design, and management. J. Brent Kynoch has been a leader in the asbestos abatement industry since 1984. KEM’s licensed Asbestos Inspectors and Management Planners have provided extensive service in support of federal AHERA and NESHAP regulations. Over the years, they have successfully provided asbestos consulting for historic restorations, hospital renovations, and AHERA school abatement projects. With their experience in asbestos testing and management for the federal agencies, the






Department of Defense, and architecture and engineering firms, they have earned a reputation for diversity and dependability.

Doug Larkin is the Communications Director and Co-Founder of Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) – which works to help raise awareness about asbestos related diseases, while serving as a global community for asbestos victims and their families. Doug holds a B.A. in political science from Muskingum University, New Concord, Ohio. Doug is the President & CEO of Larkin Communications, a strategic communications and public affairs firm based in Washington, DC. He has worked on numerous successful legislative campaigns on behalf of large technology companies and national trade associations. In addition, he is considered an expert in corporate communications, brand identity, as well as message development and dissemination. Doug has also worked as the press secretary and the communication director for Congressman Kevin Brady (R-08-TX). Rep. Brady is the Republican

Deputy Whip and a senior member of the House Ways & Means Committee. “Congress and the media respond to compelling stories. It’s through your stories and donations to ADAO, that enables us to advocate a strong message for present and future victims of asbestos related disease.” Doug has worked tirelessly behind the scenes garnering the attention of the media and advocating for the rights of asbestos victims and their families. Doug’s father-in-law, William D. Shields, was exposed to asbestos, and died from Mesothelioma.

Tom Laubenthal currently serves as the Technical Chief for The Environmental Institute in Marietta GA. There he is responsible for the development and maintenance of a variety of training programs related to asbestos and lead-based paint control industries. He has 29 years of industry service with a significant experience base in the asbestos control industry. He has served as a PLM Technical Expert for the NIST/NVLAP program since 1988. He has served as the National President of the Environmental Information Association, and was the founding President of Georgia Chapter. Mr. Laubenthal serves on a variety of national-level committees, has published

extensively in print and e-media, and regularly speaks nationally and internationally in the area of asbestos detection and control. He received his B.S. in Geology from Georgia State University.

Richard Lemen, PhD is a former Assistant Surgeon General of the United States and also served as the Acting Director and the Deputy Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health before his retirement. He has been a practicing epidemiologist for more than forty years, and has taught graduate level courses on environmental and occupational health issues, including asbestos, at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. He has also testified on behalf of asbestos victims; Dr. Lemen is a world-renowned author, speaker, and lecturer on this topic.






Charles Levenstein, Ph.D. is Professor Emeritus of Work Environment Policy at University of Massachusetts Lowell. He has a Ph.D. in economics from M.I.T. and a masters degree in physiology and occupational health from Harvard School of Public Health. He is Editor Emeritus of New Solutions Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health Policy, and author of numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals as well as of several books, including The Cotton Dust Papers (with G. DeLaurier and M.L. Dunn) and The Point of Production (with J. Wooding). He has just completed editing The Toxic Schoolhouse with Madeleine Scammel.

Captain Aubrey K. Miller, M.D., M.P.H., currently Senior Medical Advisor, Office of the Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health.(NIH). He has responsibility for strategic planning and coordination of environmental health issues and activities among HHS and other federal agencies, as well as supervisory oversight of the NIEHS office in Bethesda, MD. Dr. Miller has longstanding experience, publications, speaking engagements, and contributions to a wide range of occupational and environmental health issues and policies. He has had extensive involvement in the Gulf Oil Spill response providing testimonies before Congress on the health concerns of environmental exposures and coordinating a variety of ongoing NIEHS activities. His has worked on health issues for numerous disaster responses including Hurricane Sandy, H1N1 pandemic, anthrax attacks, Hurricane Katrina, and WTC response. Additionally, Dr. Miller has longstanding involvement with asbestos issues; helping to lead the federal response to the

asbestos contamination in Libby, Montana; assessing health effects & exposures, developing public health alerts, and facilitating improved access to health care and needed research. He is also working on newly identified concerns related to hydraulic fracturing and erionite exposures in the U.S. He is board certified in Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

James Millette, PhD is a consulting scientist involved in environmental/ forensic/particle and materials studies since 1972 primarily, using microscopy techniques. His previous work includes 11 years as a research scientist at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Research Center in Cincinnati, Ohio and 5 years at McCrone Environmental Services performing and supervising analysis of particulates and product constituent analysis by microscopic techniques.






Barbara Minty McQueen is the widow of American film star Steve McQueen, and is a former model and photographer. She is also the author of Steve McQueen: The Last Mile, which documents the three-and-a-half year relationship between the two and includes candid photographs from 1977 to 1980. McQueen has hosted several art exhibits of her work with shows in London, Tokyo, San Francisco, Nashville, Phoenix and Idaho, where she resides.

Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH is a professorial lecturer in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the George Washington University's School of Public Health and Health Services. Her research includes assessment of worker health and safety laws and policies, and their effectiveness in protecting workers from illnesses, disability and death. She has published articles on strategies used by economic interests to manipulate scientific evidence to create uncertainty about health risks in order to delay protective regulatory action. Prior to her academic appointment, Dr. Monforton was a federal employee at the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA, 1991-1995) and Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA, 1996-2001). Dr. Monforton served on the special panels appointed by the West Virginia Governor to

investigate the January 2006 Sago coal mine disaster that took the lives of 12 workers, and the April 2010 disaster at Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch mine that killed 29 workers. Dr. Monforton is an active member of the American Public Health Association, and she has served in a leadership position with the organization’s Occupational Health and Safety Section.

Elizabeth (Liz) Ness, RN, MSN brings with her over 30 years of nursing experience and 16 years of clinical research experience. She earned her BSN from Boston College and her MS in Nursing Education from the University of Maryland. Currently, she is a Nurse Consultant for Education at the Center for Cancer Research, part of the intramural research program, at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, MD. Her primary responsibilities include coordinating, developing and evaluating all clinical research educational activities at the Center including orientation and ongoing continuing education programs for nurses and data managers, as well as physician investigators. Prior to working for the NCI,

Ms. Ness worked for six years as a Research Nurse with Lombardi Cancer Center in Washington, D.C. and for three years with a firm in Bethesda, MD where she worked on clinical trials as a contractor for the NCI. In addition to presentations at the NCI and NIH, she has recently presented clinical research related topics for the Oncology Nursing Society, the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care and various cancer centers.






Mavis Nye became a Meso Warrior on Facebook and joined with other sufferers around the world. She was asked to join the Macmillan Team to become a Patient Representative and attend the East Kent Cancer network meetings and also join the Doctors and Nurses of the Lung Disease Organisation Group where she participated and offered her opinions of the running of the NHS Trust. Nye also gives speeches to the medical staff about her experience as a mesothelioma patient. Nye won the IATP Meso Warrior Award at Derby in January for her contribution of offering advice and helping those newly diagnosed. This year at ADAO’s conference, she is being presented with the 2013 Alan Reinstein Award for her commitment to

education, advocacy, and support to countless patients and families.

Christine Oliver, MD, MPH, MS, FACPM is President of Occupational Health Initiatives, Inc. She is an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at Harvard Medical School and an Associate Physician in the Department of Medicine (Pulmonary and Critical Care Unit) at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Board certified in internal medicine and in preventive (occupational) medicine, Dr. Oliver’s primary specialty is Occupational and Environmental Medicine, with an emphasis on occupational lung

disease. She is the Co-Director of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital. There she evaluates and cares for patients with a variety of occupational and environmental diseases, including occupational asthma, interstitial lung disease associated with exposure to asbestos and beryllium, and building-associated illness. Dr. Oliver has done research and published in the area of occupational lung disease. An important focus of her research and clinical activities has been asbestos-related disease. She has lectured frequently on this topic. Dr. Oliver is responsible for medical surveillance of a group of public school custodians employed by the City of Boston and exposed to asbestos during the course of that work. She consults on medical-legal issues and provides expert witness testimony. Dr. Oliver has testified before Congress on issues related to workplace exposures and related disease. She was an active participant in the implementation of medical aspects of the 1991 Workers’ Compensation Reform Act signed into law in Massachusetts.

Emily Reinstein is the daughter of ADAO Co-Founder, Linda Reinstein, and is currently a sophomore at the University of Southern California studying International Relations. Since the age of ten, Emily has worked with her mother and other volunteers to expand ADAO. After helping to build ADAO’s social media network through Facebook and other platforms, as well as co-founding the Emerging Leaders Program, she has seen the importance of international cooperation and the involvement of the younger generation as we move forward.






Linda Reinstein is the President/CEO and Co-Founder of Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO). Reinstein became an activist when her husband, Alan, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2003. She co-founded the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization in 2004, and now serves as President and CEO. Reinstein has been a strong political voice for justice in every major asbestos-related issue. Reinstein, a highly sought-after international speaker, has frequently served as a Congressional witness and presented at the Department of Labor (OSHA), British House of Commons, United Nations Congress, American Public Health Association, and to other audiences around the world. Recognized as an expert with more than 35 years of nonprofit experience in building and sustaining grassroots organizations, Reinstein specializes in developing, implementing, and leveraging integrated social

media campaigns. Recently, Reinstein was asked to create social media educational materials and facilitate a workshop in Asia. Focused on national and international occupational and environmental disease prevention, Reinstein’s proficiency in the powerful advocacy space of online media has greatly increased the effectiveness of ADAO’s core mission of education, advocacy, and community support actions. She has won many prestigious awards including the Global Impact Award (2013), from the Independent Asbestos Training Providers; Bruce Vento Hope Builder Award (2011), from the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation; the highest level of the Presidential Volunteer Service Award for her 4,000 hours of volunteerism during her lifetime (2010); and the Heart and Soul Award in from the Manhattan Beach Women in Business Association (2005).

Laurie Rice, the newest member of the Board of Directors, is an associate at the criminal defense law firm of Bird and Bird in Torrance and also volunteers at the Los Angeles County Bar Domestic Violence Project assisting victims in obtaining temporary restraining orders. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she received her B.A. in Art History from UCLA and a M.A. in special education from CSUN. She taught deaf and hard of hearing students for five years before attending Loyola Law School. A former Deputy District Attorney, Laurie met her husband Stuart in the Compton court house as opposing counsel and took a long hiatus from the law while raising their two children and actively volunteering in the community.

Tony Rich has served as an industrial hygienist and environmental technician in the consulting field for the past 19 years, specializing in asbestos-related work, including: inspections, abatement monitoring/sample analyses, project management and regulatory compliance, and worker training. He has also received microscopy training from McCrone Research Institute for identification of bulk asbestos via polarized-light microscopy (PLM). Through the course of his occupation and personal endeavor, Tony has developed an extensive and compelling collection of asbestos-related photographs, product materials, artifacts, historical books, industry documents, and other related media. In promotion of asbestos awareness advocacy, Tony has made available many of the asbestos-related digital images, provided

asbestos product materials for research and educational purposes, and created asbestos training display aides for various organizations worldwide.






Kristin Samuelson is a full-time student at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. She is studying political science with an emphasis in law and legal studies, as well as philosophy. Kristin lost her grandfather to mesothelioma just days before her first birthday. As a result of this loss, Kristin is passionate about justice and became involved in this fight in the hopes of having a positive impact against the insidious diseases caused by asbestos exposure.

Freddi Segal-Gidan, PA, PhD is the director of the Rancho los Amigos/USC California Alzheimer’s Disease Center. She is a physician assistant with over three decades of extensive clinical experiences, most of which has been spent caring for older adults with chronic illnesses. She received her doctorate in gerontology as part of the first class of doctorate trained gerontologists in the country from the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. Dr. Segal-Gidan holds appointments as assistant clinical professor in the department of neurology at the USC Keck School of Medicine and at the USC School of Gerontology. She is actively engaged in clinical care, research and training of health professionals, and a strong advocate for geriatric training of all health care providers.

John Thayer is a former Supervisor for the Tunnel Workers and has worked at the AOC in Washington DC for the past 22 years. The Architect of the Capitol is responsible to the United States Congress for the maintenance, operation, development, and preservation of the United States Capitol Complex, which includes the Capitol, the congressional office buildings, the Library of Congress buildings, the Supreme Court building, the U.S. Botanic Garden, the Capitol Power Plant, and other facilities. He is a member of Local 5 Ironworkers and a highly trained steamfitter. John is also a Navy veteran of five years. He is married to Vikki, an RN and they have 2 children, Christina and Michael and 5 basset hounds.

Ellen Tunkelrott Webmaster, is a Contract and Grant Administrator for the original think tank, and resides in Redondo Beach, California. She became friends with Linda and Alan Reinstein through local community volunteer activity. Linda and Ellen collaboratively brainstormed the virtual non-profit site www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org, and Ellen developed the original site based on the concepts and direction from those sessions. She has a B.A. in Psychology from California State University, Long Beach, and an MBA from Loyola Marymount University. She is a Certified Paralegal and is licensed by the County of Los Angeles as a Legal Document Assistant. She is self-taught in web design and development. In her spare time, Ellen is an avid photographer, gardener and is a magician member of the prestigious Academy of Magical Arts, located in the world renowned Magic Castle in Hollywood, California.






Heather Von St James is a 44 year old wife to Cameron and mom to 7 year old Lily Rose. Diagnosed with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma at the young age of 36, just 3 1/2 months after the birth of her one and only child, and now is a 7 year survivor of the disease. She is a strong advocate for The International Mesothelioma Program and Dr David Sugarbaker's work, the ADAO, and Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. She along with her husband blog for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance. She spends her spare time volunteering at her daughter's school, being with friends and family and living life to the fullest. Her favorite quote is, "Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death." And this is how she lives her life. Her goal is to bring about hope to mesothelioma patients and awareness regarding the disease.

Laura Welch, MD is Medical Director for the Center for Construction Research and Training, a research and development institute affiliated with the Building and Construction Trades of the AFL-CIO, and adjunct professor of Environmental and Occupational Health at George Washington University. She previously held full time faculty positions at the Albert Einstein, Yale and George Washington University Schools of Medicine. She is the author of over 100 peer-reviewed publications, abstracts and technical reports and has served as a consultant to many federal agencies, including OSHA, NIOSH, CDC and the NIH as well as serving in leadership roles for APHA and AOEC. As CPWR’s Medical Director she manages two nationwide medical screening programs for construction workers and coordinates research portfolios on research to practice and on ergonomics. She directs a research project evaluating the effectiveness of participatory ergonomics in

the construction industry, and another analyzing the causes of early retirement among construction workers.

Christine Winter is the chairperson of the IATP (Independent Asbestos Training Providers) a nonprofit member organization for UK asbestos training providing companies. The organization’s core ethos is the raising of awareness through education and promoting the prevention of asbestos related diseases through its support of global charities and organizations. In 2005, Christine began publicizing and promoting the work carried out by ADAO in UK industry publications, her role encompasses communications and given Christine’s qualities and skills in this area she communicates with many organizations from Government to Labour Unions and Corporate Companies, always building a consensus as to the human suffering caused by exposure to asbestos being prevented, not only nationally but globally.

Key Quote: “Asbestos destroys individuals, families and communities.”

Jordan Zevon ADAO's tremendous National Spokesperson is a teacher, singer, and songwriter. Jordan was executive producer for his father, Warren Zevon's, final album The Wind. He also co-produced Enjoy Every Sandwich: The Songs of Warren Zevon, which features an all-star cast of singers and musicians. Jordan recently released his own EP entitled Jordan Zevon which is available from CDBaby.com. Jordan's immeasurable commitment to asbestos victims and concerned citizens has provided a united voice that will continue to help ensure that their rights are fairly represented and protected, while raising public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure and often deadly asbestos related diseases.

2013 adao conference biographies: speakers and adao …€¦ · believes that, in unity, we can...

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