ProfNet Experts Available on State of the Union, Disaster Response, More

NEW YORK, Jan. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Below are experts from the ProfNet network that are available to discuss timely issues in your coverage area. If you are interested in interviewing any of the experts, please contact them via the contact information at the end of the listing. To receive these updates by email, send a note to [email protected] with the industries you cover, and we'll add you to the appropriate edition. 

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EXPERT ALERTS

• Disaster Response Service Groups
• Texas High Court Looks at Keystone Land Case
• Josh Brent DUI Details Valuable for Civil Case
• Estate Warriors

EXPERT ROUNDUP

• State of the Union

MEDIA JOBS

• Sports Reporter – San Mateo Daily Journal (CA)
• Copy Editor – New York Daily News (NY)
• Editor (BizWomen) – American City Business Journals (NC)
  

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES

• Grammar Hammer: Feeling Nauseous?
• Media 411: The Popular Unpopular Stories
• The Role of Hispanic Media in 2014

EXPERT ALERTS:

Disaster Response Service Groups
Dennis Petrocelli, PG
Co-Founder
Matrix New World Engineering, Inc
"One cannot experience a man-made or natural disaster without walking away with a renewed appreciation for the human spirit. Over and over, no matter what type of disaster, no matter how bad the loss -- people and communities universally rally to re-group, repair, and re-build -- with an unbreakable conviction they will come back stronger than before. Although disasters happen all over the world -- the Jersey Shore anthem "Strong Than the Storm" captures the strength and buoyancy of shared survival that I've seen from people no matter the disaster. This is truly so inspirational and I am grateful to bear witness to and have the opportunity to tell these heartbreaking and heart healing stories."
Petrocelli has almost three decades of experience and planning in executing multidisciplinary, environmental, and engineering studies. Most recently, his firm, Matrix New World Engineering, developed a disaster response service group, which has been lauded for their efforts on Superstorm Sandy and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Matrix is working on a wide range of restoration infrastructure building and environmental projects for public and private-sector clients throughout the United States. Lastly, he has developed a production company called Matrix New World Productions which has produced a documentary called "Heart of the Storm" which chronicles the struggles of the communities affected by Superstorm Sandy. He is a professional geologist and also won Company of the Year (2010, NJ BIZ) and was a finalist in Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year (2011.
ProfNet Profile: http://www.profnetconnect.com/dennispetrocelli
Website: http://www.matrixneworld.com
Media Contact: Amy Delman, [email protected]

Texas High Court Looks at Keystone Land Case
Kent Sullivan
Attorney, Former Texas Appeals Court Judge
Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP in Austin
Oil is already flowing through the southern leg of the TransCanada Keystone pipeline that sits on the Crawford family farm in North Texas thanks to the power of eminent domain. But a court challenge continues. The Texas Supreme Court surprised some court watchers by agreeing to review the property rights case which was rejected by a state appeals court. Julia Trigg Crawford contends a foreign company doesn't have the right to take a Texan's land. Historically, Texas grants the power of eminent domain to pipeline companies when they are common carriers, but recent lawsuits and rulings have clouded the issue. Says Sullivan: "The Supreme Court may be simply signaling its desire to provide greater clarity on the matter, but it's an interesting collision between a pro-business government and property rights."
Media Contact: Kit Frieden, [email protected]

Josh Brent DUI Details Valuable for Civil Case
Steven C. Laird
Founder and Personal Injury Lawyer
Law Offices of Steven C. Laird, P.C. in Fort Worth
"The intoxication manslaughter conviction of former Dallas Cowboy Josh Brent brings a wealth of evidence that could be used against a Dallas club if a civil lawsuit follows. According to news accounts, prosecutors presented surveillance footage from Club Privae. It showed Brent drinking straight from a bottle shortly before he flipped his car while driving at least 110 mph in a 45 mph zone. Brent's friend, Jerry Brown, was in the car with him and was killed. Texas' dram shop laws hold bars civilly liable if they over-serve customers. Criminal evidence including surveillance footage and blood-alcohol reports can be compelling to a jury or judge in a civil trial."
Laird has obtained a seven-figure recovery for the family of a drunken driving victim against an establishment that over-served a patron.
Website: http://www.texlawyers.com
Media Contact: Dave Moore, [email protected]

Estate Warriors
Ronald Fatoullah, Esq.
Founder
Ronald Fatoullah & Associates
"Families who feud over the family estate are often torn apart by allegations, legal claims and counter claims. Litigation is costly and stressful. An alternative process that is gaining in popularity is Estate Mediation. Mediation is a process that is specifically designed to achieve a successful resolution when highly emotional and contentious conflicts arise. Mediators are neutral and work for the common good of all individuals involved."
Fatoullah is a practicing elder law attorney with more than 30 years of experience. He has an eight year inclusion as a "Best Lawyer" in New York for in the fields of elder law and trusts and estates, and he is highly regarded for his contributions to the field of elder law.
Website: http://www.fatoullahlaw.com 
Media Contact: Carol Schell, [email protected] 

****************

EXPERT ROUNDUP: New Year's Resolutions

EXPERT ROUNDUP: State of the Union Address

Following are experts who are available for quotes on various topics touched on by President Obama in his State of the Union address last night. If you need additional experts, you can also submit a query, and can filter your request by institution type and geographic location to get the most targeted responses. The best part? It's free! Just fill out the query form to get started.

Communication, Speech, Media

Costas Panagopoulos, Ph.D.
Director, Center for Electoral Politics and Democracy
Associate Professor of Political Science
Fordham University
"The effectiveness of his speech will depend partly on how successfully the GOP responds in its rebuttal."
Panagopoulos is a former staffer to Sen. Hillary Clinton, a former visiting research scholar at the Institute for Politics and a former research fellow at the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies at American University. He is an expert on presidential campaigns, key speeches, conventions.
Bio: http://www.costaspanagopoulos.com/bio.html
Media Contact: Joshua Knoller, [email protected]

Matthew Hale, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and MPA Chair, Department of Political Science and Public Affairs
Seton Hall University
"The vast majority the State of the Union is only valuable to historians as soon as it is delivered. A small portion remains useful to politicians inside the beltway as a reference point for a couple of weeks.  A microscopic portion is useful to the public because it gives them one or two ideas about the president to talk about at the water cooler the next day. What gets pickup by the media is what gets the water cooler talk going."
Hale's research focuses on how the media covers the public and nonprofit sectors.  His recent comments on Gov. Chris Christie and the Bridgegate scandal appeared in newspapers throughout the country and around the world, and he discussed the unfolding story on Wolf Blitzer's "The Situation Room."  Hale's articles have appeared in The International Journal of Press Politics, Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, Mass Communication Society, and the Stanford Law Policy Review.  At Seton Hall, Hale teaches The Environment of Public Service, Public Policy Analysis, Public Sector Leadership, Public Sector Ethics, Financial Management and Budgeting, Research Methods, and Strategic Management and Governance, and other courses. He worked as an aide to California Senator Barbara Boxer and in the press and candidate advance operations for several local, state and national political campaigns. He is available to discuss the history of the SOTU, the role of SOTU in future action, and whether media coverage of the SOTU is more important than the speech itself.
Media Contact: Margaret McCorry, [email protected]

Aaron Kall
Director, Debate Program and Debate Institute
University of Michigan
"This year's speech is especially significant given the continual political divisiveness and rancor that exists in the country while control of Congress will hang in the balance during the upcoming November midterm elections."
Kall can discuss the overall issues involving the State of the Union address.
Bio: http://ns.umich.edu/new/experts/experts-list/20728-aaron-kall
Media Contact: Jared Wadley, [email protected]

Heather LaMarre
Assistant Professor of Strategic Communication
Temple University's School of Media and Communication
LaMarre says that during this year's address, the president needs to buck the trend and focus on specifics: "State of the Union speeches are a time to highlight past success and set a roadmap for the coming year. They are agenda-setting speeches that rarely offer detailed plans of action. However, with low opinion ratings and waning trust, President Obama needs to deviate from protocol and offer enough specifics to re-build trust, inspire confidence, and re-affirm his commitment to American families. If he can balance between offering an honest, accurate assessment of the issues we face with laying out an aspirational plan for American success, then I believe we will see a bounce in the polls. On the other hand, if he seems distant and aloof, uses cliches and catch-phrases, or offers vague initiatives, then I suspect the public will remain skeptical."
LaMarre believes Obama must accomplish three things in his speech: 1) The president must provide the public with reassurances that his administration is diligently working on foreign and domestic affairs to secure American interests (e.g., security and peaceful relations); 2) The president needs to take responsibility for domestic issues causing grave concerns among the average American family (e.g., healthcare, jobs, inflation), and offer some detail regarding specific plans to keep the promises made in prior years; and 3) His speech should demonstrate that he understands how demoralized the middle class has become and instill confidence that his final years in office will be dedicated to stopping the middle-class crunch.
Media Contact: Jeff Cronin, [email protected]

Matt Eventoff
Owner
Princeton Public Speaking, Dallas
Eventoff, a communication and messaging strategist, has worked with leading multinational organizations, the U.S. Department of State, YPO-WPO (Young Presidents' Organization)  and leaders from myriad other industries. He has trained clients throughout the United States, Central America, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Asia. He is a frequent lecturer on communication at colleges and universities, including undergraduate and graduate programs at Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania and Notre Dame. He serves as professional advisor to the Princeton University student organization Speak with Style. He is available to discuss speech content, messaging, delivery, verbal delivery, nonverbal characteristics and rhetorical tools.
Website: http://www.dallascommunication.com
Expert Contact: [email protected]

Jeffrey M. McCall
Professor of Communication
DePauw University
McCall is a recognized authority on media and journalistic ethics and standards, having been interviewed and quoted by over 100 newspapers, including the New York Times, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, Newsday, Chicago Tribune and others. His op-ed columns on contemporary media issues have appeared in a number of papers, such as the Indianapolis Star, Miami Herald, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Chicago Tribune and others.  He has made a number of appearances on radio and television shows, including multiple appearances on Fox News Channel's "The O'Reilly Factor."
McCall teaches courses in broadcast journalism, communication ethics, media law and media culture. He serves as an editorial consultant for the Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media, and has professional media experience as a radio news director and as a correspondent for National Public Radio. He has also been a newspaper reporter and political media consultant. He is the author of the book, "Viewer Discretion Advised: Taking Control of Mass Media Influences," published by Rowman & Littlefield.
Expert Contact:[email protected]

Ted Gorski
President
Get Your Edge, LLC
A Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Gorski works with emerging leaders and trailblazers to create extraordinary results by utilizing coaching, workshops, teambuilding, assessments and coaching clubs. He is the co-winner of the 2013 Executive Coach of the Year through the International Coach Federation of New England chapter. He is available to discuss rapport-building skills -- connecting with the audience through body language, tone and words , leadership communication, delivery of message, leadership presence.
Media Contact: Amanda Snyder, [email protected]

Robert Lehrman
Public Communication Professor
American University
Lehrman, former chief speechwriter for Vice President Al Gore, is the author of "The Political Speechwriter's Companion" (CQPress 2009) and thousands of speeches for politicians, heads of corporations and nonprofits. Lehrman writes often about politics and other topics, and conducts speechwriting workshops in the U.S. and abroad.
Contact: American University communications department, [email protected]

Leonard Steinhorn
Professor of Communication, Affiliate Professor of History
American University
Steinhorn is an expert in American politics, culture and media, strategic communication, the presidency, and recent American history. He can comment on the politics and history of the State of the Union speech and whether President Obama regained his political momentum.
Contact: American University communications department, [email protected]

Dotty Lynch
Public Communication Professor
American University
Lynch serves as a political consultant for CBS News doing on-air radio analysis. She worked the 2012 election from New York as an exit poll consultant for CBS News.
Contact: American University communications department, [email protected]

Jane Hall
Journalism Professor
American University
Hall specializes in media and politics, particularly issues relevant to young people.
Contact: American University communications department, [email protected]

Anita McBride
Executive in Residence
American University
McBride most recently served as chief of staff to First Lady Laura Bush and served in the last three Republican administrations. She runs the First Ladies' program and is a fellow in American University's Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies. She can discuss the tradition of the First Lady box and the message the administration tries to convey.
Contact: American University communications department, [email protected]

Economy, Jobs, Taxation

Miguel Farra
Principal-in-Charge, Tax and Accounting Department
Morrison, Brown, Argiz & Farra
Farra can discuss tax reform and corporate tax reform as related to the State of the Union address. He has over 34 years of experience in the areas of tax planning and compliance, consulting, mergers and acquisition, accounting, and audit services for domestic and international businesses. His industry experience includes banking, manufacturers, distribution, automotive dealerships, aviation, electronic commerce, finance, healthcare, hospitality, real estate, and technology. He has been involved in corporate reorganizations, international tax and corporate structures, tax planning for real estate developers, audits of healthcare organizations and income and estate planning for high-net-worth individuals.
Media Contact: Stacy Merrick, [email protected]

Paul Harrington, Ph.D.
Professor and Director, Center for Labor Markets and Policy
Drexel University
Harrington is an expert in workforce development, public policy, job market trends and economic development and growth. He has authored or co-authored more than 14 books, and has studied workforce development and human resource policy for the Pennsylvania Department of Labor, the Rhode Island Board of Education, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research.
Bio: http://drexel.edu/soe/faculty-research/faculty/Harrington-Paul/
Contact: Alex McKechnie, [email protected]

Donald Grimes
Senior Research Associate and Economist, Institute for Research on Labor, Employment, and the Economy
University of Michigan
Grimes specializes in economic forecasting and regional economic development, especially in Michigan and the Midwest.
Bio: http://bit.ly/1flrNB3
Media Contact: Jared Wadley, [email protected]

Jen Steinmann
Deputy CEO, Chief Talent Officer
Deloitte LLP
Steinmann is available to discuss: 1) Workplace flexibility – Deloitte is known for leading the pack on creating an inclusive and flexible workplace that is not only female-friendly, but sensitive to the needs of everyone. Their quest to create a flexible environment started 20 years ago with their firm-wide Women's Initiative, which has truly transformed the organization. 2) Hiring/skills gap/education: Deloitte employs over 60,000 people and is hiring 18,000 people this year. As a major employer in the U.S., in order to succeed, Deloitte needs a healthy pipeline of skilled talent, and that starts with education. 3) Public/private partnerships: Deloitte has been leading the way in public/private partnerships over the last few years and, in fact, President Obama and his top administration officials regularly look to Deloitte for insight from the business community. Just this past year, Deloitte launched two programs aimed at ensuring America continues to have a competitive workforce, including programs for principals and veterans. Deloitte has also worked closely with The White House on various initiatives, including Joining Forces.
As the deputy CEO and chief talent officer of the Deloitte U.S. Firms, Steinmann is advancing this vision for Deloitte professionals as she leads the Talent organization, which includes Acquisition, Delivery, Development, Specialties, Operations, Partner Matters, the Women's Initiative (WIN), Diversity & Inclusion and Alumni Relations. In addition, she also continues to serve as lead consulting principal for a major global financial institution, and performs pro bono and volunteer work with several non-profits, including Youth Business America, an organization focused on investing in young people by helping them turn their good ideas into successful businesses. She started her career with Deloitte in Consulting in 1995, where she led complex, strategic engagements in the financial services industry in areas such as global payments, market entry, and new business plan development.
Media Contact: Chrissie Marra, [email protected]

Dr. Richard Ebeling
Professor of Economics
Northwood University
Ebeling, a well-noted authority on monetary economics and reform, is available to discuss economic topics and the economic impact of government policies on the Affordable Care Act, raising the minimum wage, immigration reform and other policy changes surrounding the president's State of the Union address.  Dr. Ebeling has co-edited and contributed to five books, and lectures widely on the problems of economic reform and change. He recently wrote this piece on what the President's SOTUA should include: http://tinyurl.com/m92zpma
Media Contact: Bethany Hilt, [email protected]

Robert Basso
Owner
Advantage Payroll Services
Basso, a small-business entrepreneur, expert and author of "The Everyday Entrepreneur," is available to weigh in on the president's State of the Union address and discuss its style, delivery, what areas met small business' expectations, and what areas remain lacking and in need of further attention. Among the vast topics he can offer insight on: 1) Style and delivery: "Recent surveys show people tend to like the president and believe he is a 'nice guy,' but the majority doesn't think the country is going in the right direction. The president used his style and skill as a speaker to motivate and map out his agenda for this year and the remaining three years of his term. Small businesses want to see America as a leader and need to see and feel confidence in our president, as well as all of our leaders." 2) Wealth gap and income inequality: "We want a fair nation, but people need to work and pursue opportunities, not rely on government. The best way to improve the national economy and elevate more people is to support business growth, trade, R&D and economic activity. Because taxation and large programs hinder this, small businesses want to see the president focusing more on jobs and economic support of business." 3) Affordable Care Act: "Most people think the Affordable Care Act is not successful. The president did not spend much time on this but he did point out positives and examples. The president is not likely to change direction, and Republicans will press for change but may not make further attempts to repeal. Small-business people remain concerned about the ACA and this will continue to be a major topic of debate through mid-term elections."
As the owner of the New York region's largest independent payroll processing firm, Advantage Payroll Services, Basso has been involved with business owners and thousands of small businesses. He is author of "The Everyday Entrepreneur," a book of business success stories with tips and strategies for individual and business growth. A well-respected small-business advocate and expert who is regularly called upon by the regional and national media to comment on small-business related issues, Basso regularly appears on Fox Business and has appeared on Fox News, MSNBC and Huffington Post, as well as a variety of regional news programs. He has been interviewed by Entrepreneur and Time magazines and is frequently interviewed by many newspapers, including Newsday, New York Times and Long Island Business News. He has also appeared in national Associated Press and Reuters stories.
Websites: http://www.liadvantage.com and http://www.bassoonbusiness.com
Media Contact: Allison Gayne, [email protected] or Bill Corbett, [email protected]

David Kautter
Managing Director, Kogod Tax Center
Executive in Residence, Department of Accounting and Taxation
American University
Previously, Kautter served as Ernst & Young's director of national tax, the chief operating executive for the firm's national tax practices. Kautter has written extensively on tax law, policy and compliance issues. He can address efforts to reform the tax code including corporate tax reform.
Contact: American University communications department, [email protected]

Jason Cooper
Partner and Co-Coordinator, IP Practice
Alston & Bird
Cooper manages patent portfolios of various domestic and international clients and works to monetize those portfolios. He regularly prepares and prosecutes patent applications before the U.S. Patent Trademark Office. Additionally, he is an expert on the America Invents Act and the overall issue of patent trolls. In 2011 alone, U.S. businesses incurred $29 billion in direct costs because of patent trolls. In the same year, President Obama signed the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA) into law to help curb the issue. Due to legal loopholes, Congress passed the Innovation Act this year to amend the AIA and reduce frivolous lawsuits brought by the patent trolls. Trolls not only put a stress on the U.S. economy, but they can hinder innovation and development. Cooper can discuss the nuances of the laws and what companies need to know to protect their intellectual property.
Media Contact: Anne Standley, [email protected]

Education

Zach Leverenz
CEO
EveryoneOn
Leverenz is the CEO of EveryoneOn, a national nonprofit working to eliminate the digital divide by making high-speed, low-cost Internet, computers, and free digital literacy accessible to all unconnected Americans. According to a Pew Internet and American Life study, teachers report that only three percent of low-income students have access to the internet at home, compared to over 50 percent of teachers who report that "all or almost all" of their upper-income students have home access. Teachers of low-income students are more than twice as likely as those who teach students in the highest income bracket to report that their students' lack of access is a "major challenge" to implementing new, innovative digital teaching techniques and tools. EveryoneOn's Connect2Compete program focuses on connecting households with school-aged children who qualify for the free or reduced school lunch programs to the Internet at home. The organization is supported by the Knight Foundation, Carlos Slim Foundation and Wasserman Foundation.
Leverenz also serves on the board of directors at MEET, an MIT-based technology and social justice organization. He is available to discuss the digital divide in education, Internet access via public/private partnerships success for at-home Internet, and implementation in schools.
Websites: www.Connect2Compete.org and www.EveryoneOn.org
Media Contact: Amber LaCroix, [email protected]

Bill Goodwyn
CEO
Discovery Education
Goodwyn serves as CEO of Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital textbooks and curriculum-based digital content in U.S. schools. As a global leader in educational transformation, Discovery Education partners with districts throughout the country to support educators with digital technology, high-quality multimedia content, professional development, assessment services, and common core solutions that drive student achievement.
Since taking the helm in 2007, Goodwyn has transformed Discovery Education into the fastest-growing division of the company.  He has expanded into new services that make Discovery Education a leader in educational transformation, most recently with the launch of the Discovery Education Techbook series in 2010. Designed to replace traditional textbooks as a core instructional resource and to provide interactive, experiential learning, Discovery Education's Techbooks in K-8 Science became the first all-digital science solutions to be adopted in multiple U.S. states' textbook review processes. Techbook has been honored with numerous industry awards for innovation, and is now offered for all grades in K-8 Science, four high-school science subjects and three middle-school social studies subjects, and will expand to include a series of mathematics Techbooks in 2014.
Goodwyn has also spearheaded the development of Discovery Education's public-private partnerships, delivering needed resources to educators, students and parents at no cost, including the award-winning Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge and other programs that support educators in enhancing their curriculum in traditionally underfunded academic areas, such as STEM, environmental education, financial literacy, health and wellness, and college and workforce readiness.
Goodwyn is available to discuss a variety of topics about education, including digital learning, digital textbooks, importance of professional development and the impact digital content has in classrooms. He can also help put you in touch with district leaders across the country. 
Media Contact: Christina Scripps, [email protected]

Scott Kinney
Senior Vice President
Discovery Education
An acknowledged thought leader and powerful voice in support of educational technology, Kinney has more than 20 years of experience in the education industry. As senior vice president for Discovery Education, Kinney cultivates partnerships with school districts across the country, working with educators and administrators to develop customized solutions that support their strategic goals and empower them to make the transition from print to digital. Under his leadership, Discovery Education services are transforming teaching and learning in more than half of U.S. schools and 40 countries worldwide. Kinney also consults with high-level education officials, U.S. governors, and foreign ministries of education. He also oversees the Discovery Educator Network (DEN), one of the largest, most active international learning communities dedicated to supporting educators from around the world as they embed technology into their daily classroom instruction. He has testified before Congress on the future of learning, spoken at countless education conferences, keynoted numerous administrator events, and contributed to various national education publications. Prior to joining Discovery Education, Kinney spent 15 years in public education, serving at both a school district and regional service center. In addition to his K-12 work, Kinney has taught undergraduate and graduate classes for Kent State University and Penn State University. Kinney also launched a partnership with Wilkes University, which offers in-service educators the opportunity to advance their careers through the accelerated, non-degree EDGE program or through the online, fully accredited Master of Science in Instructional Media program.
Kinney can speak to a variety of topics about education, including digital learning, digital textbooks, importance of professional development and the impact digital content has in classrooms. He can also help put you in touch with district leaders across the country.
Media Contact: Christina Scripps, [email protected]

Dr. Lisa Wright
Professor, College of Public Service
Kaplan University
Dr. Wright can discuss education reform and, specifically, early childhood education, as related to the State of the Union address. She joined Kaplan University in January of 2008, where she has served as an adjunct professor, the assistant academic chair in the School of Arts and Science in the Educational Studies Department, faculty coordinator, and currently serves as a full-time professor. Dr. Wright received a bachelor of health science degree in physical therapy from the University of Missouri, and is a licensed physical therapist. She has worked as a clinician with young children for over 20 years in rehabilitation hospitals, private practice, early intervention programs, and the school system. She has a master of education and Ph.D. in early childhood special education from the University of Missouri. Dr. Wright has taught in early childhood, special education and physical therapy at the University of Missouri for 11 years, and her research area of interest is interventions for young children with autism. Her professional membership includes the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Council for Exceptional Children.
Media Contact: Stacy Merrick, [email protected]

Jorge Perez
VP of Youth Development, Family Enrichment and Social Responsibility
YMCA of the USA
As VP of youth development, family enrichment and social responsibility for the YMCA of the USA, an organization that serves 9 million youth each year, Perez is an expert on early childhood education and tackling achievement gap issues. He can discuss these issues and what programming the Y already has in place to serve the youth of our nation.
Perez, a native Texan, has over 23 years' experience meeting community needs through a variety of health and social development programs.  He is the VP of youth development, family enrichment and social responsibility at YMCA of the USA in Chicago. Before coming to work with Y-USA, he served YMCAs in Dallas, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Southwest Illinois. He previously served on multiple YMCA national Y organizations/initiatives: as a YMCA of the USA Board member, Training & Leadership Development Advisory Board, Hispanic Latino Leadership Network, Emerging Leaders Leadership Network, 2013 General Assembly planning team and, Multicultural Leadership Development Institute.
Media Contact: Annie Rees, [email protected]

Energy, Environment, Climate Change

Andrew Hoffman
Director, Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise
University of Michigan
Hoffman can assess President Obama's comments about climate change, and can field questions about the social debate over climate change and why some people reject the scientific consensus. He is the Holcim Professor of Sustainable Enterprise, a position with joint appointments at the Ross School of Business and School of Natural Resources and Environment.
Bio: http://webuser.bus.umich.edu/ajhoff
Media Contact: Jared Wadley, [email protected]

Barry Rabe
Professor of Public Policy
University of Michigan's Ford School
Rabe, also a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, is an expert on the development of policies to reduce greenhouse gases. He was the first social scientist to receive a Climate Protection Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2006 and is author of the book "Statehouse and Greenhouse: The Evolving Politics of American Climate Change Policy." He is available for interviews on Obama administration climate initiatives and programs the EPA has launched in recent years.
Bio: http://www.fordschool.umich.edu/faculty/Barry_Rabe
Media Contact: Jared Wadley, [email protected]

Bernard Weinstein, Ph.D.
Associate Director, Maguire Energy Institute
Adjunct Professor, Business Economics
Cox School of Business, Southern Methodist University
Weinstein can address issues around President Obama's energy policy; oil and gas prices; oil and gas supply; America's potential energy independence, fracking; alternative energy; energy as a potential bright spot in the American economic future.
From 1989 to 2009, Weinstein served as the director of the Center for Economic Development and Research at the University of North Texas, where he is now an Emeritus Professor of Applied Economics. He studied public administration at Dartmouth College and received his A.B. in 1963. After a year of study at the London School of Economics and Political Science, he began graduate work in economics at Columbia University, receiving an M.A. in 1966 and a Ph.D. in 1973. He has authored or co-authored numerous books, monographs and articles on the subjects of economic development, energy security, public policy and taxation, and his work has appeared in professional journals such as Land Economics, Challenge, Society, Policy Review, Economic Development Quarterly, Policy Studies Journal, and Annals of Regional Science.
Media Contact: Anna Martinez, [email protected]

Foreign Policy

Daniel Friedheim, Ph.D.
Assistant Teaching Professor
Drexel University
Friedheim, an assistant teaching professor in the Department of History & Politics at Drexel University, is an expert in democratic transitions, civil society and foreign policy. Prior to his academic career, he served as a tenured U.S. Foreign Service Officer in the U.S. State Department. His continuing research interest focuses on how states and societies interact to help or hinder transitions to democracy from authoritarian rule, and how individual states, international organizations or the whole international system try to "promote" democracy but often fail.
Bio: http://www.drexel.edu/histpol/contact/facultyDirectory/DanielVFriedheim/
Contact: Alex McKechnie, [email protected]

Jason Waite
Partner, International Trade and Regulatory Lawyer
Alston & Bird, Washington, D.C.
Waite concentrates his practice on the regulations impacting the global movement of goods, technology and services. He counsels clients on export controls, economic sanctions, customs and free trade agreements, with an emphasis on compliance, transactional matters and strategic planning, and enforcement defense. He is available to discuss international trade and regulation (sanctions and free trade agreements).
Media Contact: Rebecca Rice, [email protected]

Elizabeth Hein, Partner
International Trade and Regulatory Lawyer
Alston & Bird, Washington, D.C.
Hein counsels clients on all aspects of international trade matters, including antidumping proceedings, international and bilateral trade agreements, World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlements, export controls, sanctions compliance and customs matters.  In addition, Hein provides guidance on international trade and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) compliance in due diligence matters. Further, she has represented clients in front of U.S. government agencies and courts and has participated in proceedings before the Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration and Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), the International Trade Commission, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the Court of International Trade and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. She is available to discuss international trade and regulation (sanctions and free trade agreements).
Media Contact: Rebecca Rice, [email protected]

Eric Shimp
International Trade and Regulatory Policy Advisor
Alston & Bird, Washington, D.C.
Shimp advises corporate and public sector clients on global trade, investment and regulatory strategies in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. He has nearly a decade of experience gained as a U.S. diplomat and trade negotiator covering East and Southeast Asia. From 2000-2002, Shimp served as the director for ASEAN and Korean Affairs at the United States Trade Representative (USTR), where he managed U.S. trade policy toward the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Korea and South Asia. At USTR, he handled an array of trade and investment issues, including work on the negotiations toward the Free Trade Agreement with Singapore, concluded in 2002. From 1994-2001, he served as a United States Foreign Service Officer. During his tenure with the U.S. State Department, he was posted in China, Hong Kong and Washington, D.C. He is available to discuss international trade and regulation (global trade, investment and regulation).
Media Contact: Rebecca Rice, [email protected]

Gordon Adams
Professor of U.S. Foreign Policy
American University
Adams served as the associate director for national security at the Office of Management and Budget, the senior White House official for national security and foreign policy budgets. He is available to discuss budgets, foreign policy, and defense policy issues mentioned in the State of the Union.
Contact: American University communications department, [email protected] or +1-202-885-5950

Gun Control

Moe Glenner
Public Speaker/Author
Moe Glenner Enterprises
Glenner is a public speaker and author who helps organizations through innovative change leadership. His articles have been featured in Inc., Bloomberg BusinessWeek and Huffington Post. Following is a quote from his Huffington Post article on gun control (http://tinyurl.com/lrl76dd): "The currently proposed legislation is an example of planning failure. While it is limited in scope, it is fatally limited. It also doesn't have majority support, nor does it address how its supporters will respond to both special-interest challenges and to the current situation. In this case, it is better that there be no legislative response than a poor, ineffective legislative response. A better solution might be to (truly) engage the special interest groups, who also don't want repeats of Newtown." You may quote Glenner without further contact, or contact him for more insight on this issue.
Expert Contact: [email protected]

Health, Health Care Reform

Scott Finfer
CEO
Emerge CDS
"The government is creating a daunting challenge for itself by trying to change the dynamics of how the healthcare system works in parallel with what is arguably the largest healthcare IT project ever attempted. Regardless of what your political beliefs are, I'm afraid the combination of these two overwhelming projects will result in a net loss for the American people."
Emerge CDS is healthcare IT software used by cardiologists to streamline patient care.
Media Contact: Melissa Simon, [email protected]

Michael Schwartz, M.D., M.B.A.
President
OrthoTexas
"The Affordable Care Act has provided affordable premiums but not affordable care. We are seeing uninformed patients who believe that because they can afford the premium to hold insurance, they can get coverage. In reality, the deductibles are significantly higher and many are holding plans they cannot afford to use. It should be called the Affordable Premiums Act. In addition, providers severely underestimated the call volume to verify benefits. It is customary for all healthcare providers to call and verify everyone's benefits, which typically happens when you check in or at first appointment, a simple armless process. Providers are not equipped now to verify patients who received their plans via the government. This can hinder the patient being seen in a timely manner."
Media Contact: Sue Schwartz, [email protected]

Robert I. Field, Ph.D.
Professor, School of Public Health; Professor, School of Law
Drexel University
Field is a nationally known expert on health law and public health whose research focuses on ethical issues in managed care, public policy and legal facets of healthcare reform and genetic screening. He is the author of "Health Care Regulation in America: Complexity, Confrontation and Compromise" (2006), a comprehensive guide to the government's role in regulating health care. His most recent book on the American health care system, "Mother of Invention: How the Government Created 'Free-Market' Health Care," was released by Oxford University Press in November 2013.
Website: http://drexel.edu/law/faculty/FacultyProfiles/Robert%20Field/
Contact: Alex McKechnie, [email protected]

John Higgins, M.D.
Exercise Physiologist, Sports Cardiologist
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Dr. Higgins prescribes exercise programs for people with heart disease. Practicing what he preaches, Dr. Higgins completed a marathon in Houston earlier this month. He has written scholarly articles on energy drinks and their reported health risks, as well as conducted research on heart problems in young athletes. He is an associate professor in the Division of Cardiology at the UTHealth Medical School, the director of exercise physiology at Memorial Hermann Ironman Sports Medicine Institute, and chief of cardiology at the Harris Health System Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital.
Dr. Higgins is available to discuss the First Lady's "Let's Move" program and the many health benefits of physical activity, which include preventing chronic disease, enhancing productivity and improving quality of life. When it comes to fitness, Dr. Higgins says, "By exercise we win!"
Media Contact: Rob Cahill, [email protected] 

Michael Gomes
Senior Vice President
BenefitMall
As senior vice president, Gomes heads up all government and carrier relations initiatives and focuses on health care reform and compliance for both BenefitMall's insurance and payroll divisions. A veteran of the insurance industry, Gomes has more than 30 years of experience in planning, developing and executing national sales initiatives, including expertise in the area of government and regulatory affairs. Since 1999, he has been instrumental in driving the expansion of BenefitMall's carrier products across the nation, spearheaded the success of the sales and marketing organizations, and led the development of customer support and service programs that push customer satisfaction to exceptional levels. He upholds his commitment to the health insurance industry through his understanding and fostering of relationships to support the business endeavors of top brokers across the country. He has demonstrated this commitment by providing expert testimony and guidance on behalf of the broker community during the drafting and implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and is frequently asked to provide public testimony in front of various regulatory bodies. His focus has been towards providing guidance on how brokers can leverage their expertise to help individuals and businesses get the best possible health care solution that meets their needs at an affordable price.
Media Contact: Sue Schwartz, [email protected]

Homeland Security, Cybersecurity, Terrorism

Scott White, Ph.D.
Professor of Homeland Security and Security Management
Drexel University's College of Computing & Informatics
White is a criminologist with an accomplished career in security. He previously served as the director of the Institute of Homeland Security at Westfield State University. He was a commissioned officer with the Canadian Forces Military Intelligence Branch (Department of National Defence) and worked for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. He also served as an associate consultant in terrorism and intelligence analysis at MONAD Security Audit Systems. Additionally, he has consulted with federal, state, provincial and municipal police services in the U.S., Canada, and the UK.
Bio: http://goodwin.drexel.edu/profiles/Scott_White.php
Media Contact: Alex McKechnie, [email protected]

Kristene Unsworth, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Information Science
Drexel University
Unsworth can comment on national security policy as it relates to cybersecurity, information gathering and surveillance. She commented in stories about the NSA's data-gathering policies and President Obama's proposed changes to the association's tactics. Her current research examines how the federal government communicates national security issues to the public.
Bio: http://cci.drexel.edu/faculty/kunsworth/
Media Contact: Alex McKechnie, [email protected]

Immigration

Ann Chih Lin
Associate Professor of Political Science and Public Policy
University of Michigan
Lin can discuss immigration reform
Bio: http://www.fordschool.umich.edu/faculty/Ann_Lin
Media Contact: Jared Wadley, [email protected]

Carolyn Brown
Communication Professor
American University
Brown specializes in immigration/the border, Latino immigrant communities, and anti-immigrant militia groups. She recently produced an award-winning documentary, "From the Fields: An American Journey." She just released the trailer for her new film, "The Salinas Project," which follows four young people, the children of immigrant farm workers, in Salinas, Calif.
Contact: American University communications department, [email protected]

Alan Kraut
Professor of History
American University
Kraut can discuss U.S. immigration issues. Kraut is a non-resident fellow of the Migration Policy Institute in Washington, D.C., chairs the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island History Advisory Committee and is a consultant to the Lower East Side Tenement Museum. He is a historical consultant and the prize-winning author or editor of nine books and numerous scholarly articles.
Contact: American University communications department, [email protected]

Politics

Heath A. Brown, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Political Science and Public Administration
Seton Hall University
"Following such a tumultuous previous six months, the president can use the SOTU to re-establish a coherent policy vision and agenda for the coming six months and remainder of his term in office. With such low expectations about the passage of major legislation, I would look to the president to re-ignite energy behind stalled legislation like immigration reform and also signal the issuance of executive orders to address issues within the authority of his office. There is deep interest within the community of interest groups to see immigration reform pass. Finally, this is really the first major opportunity to set the terms of the 2014 mid-term elections. In this respect, the Republican response to the SOTU is also an important message about what that party will use to maintain its majority in the House and reclaim control of the Senate."
Brown received his Ph.D. in 2005 from George Washington University, where his doctoral research focused on education policy, charter schools and the political mobilization of nonprofits. He worked as research and policy director at the Council of Graduate Schools from 2004-2005, and as a graduate fellow at the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) during the summer of 2002. Brown's current research focuses on nonprofits, interest groups and the presidency. His book, "Lobbying the New President: Interests in Transition," was published in 2012 by Routledge. He has also published research at Policy Sciences, Social Science Quarterly, Political Research Quarterly, and Congress and the Presidency. His non-academic writing on politics has appeared at The Hill and The Huffington Post. He recently was awarded a foundation grant to study immigrant groups and the 2012 election.
Brown is available to discuss the use of executive orders to make policy; the State of the Union and presidential policy making; and immigration reform.
Media Contact: Margaret McCorry, [email protected]

Dr. Victoria Farrar-Myers
Professor, Department of Political Science
University of Texas at Arlington
"President Obama will walk a narrow line between establishing his legacy, pushing for past and future reforms, and trying to keep Democrats safe in this year's mid-term elections."
Dr. Farrar-Myers is able to discuss what the president must do to try to cement his legacy, the significance foreign policy will play in this second term, his relationship with Congress, Obamacare, and the Trans-Pacific Partnership. She can also discuss Democrats looking ahead to 2016 and Hillary Clinton. Dr. Farrar-Myers is also the 2013-2014 Fulbright Distinguished Chair in American Political Science at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia. She will begin her residency at the end of February. She is an expert on the American presidency and will conduct research on executive foreign policy-making with a particular emphasis on the Pacific Rim.
Media Contact: Bridget Lewis, [email protected]

Paul Ferber
Professor of Political Science
Rochester Institute of Technology
"I don't think Obama expects to get much through Congress this year, and will rely on executive actions to move policy in his favored direction. Such executive actions can be significant, but often fall short of the magnitude of change through legislative action. But with the low odds of getting much through Congress this year, executive actions are the stronger cards in a somewhat weak hand. Can the State of the Union 'help' him? I'd say that yes; the odds of it hurting him are pretty low (unless he gives a horrible performance, and he is not prone to doing that). A large part of this year's strategy will be to highlight accomplishments and try to set the Republicans up for the blame game that will be prominent in this fall's election. The State of the Union is the president's night. The focus is on him. Sure, the Republicans will have an opportunity to give a response, and it will attract far fewer viewers and less coverage. It's basically the president's opportunity to present his case."
Ferber is also available to discuss immigration reform and the rollout of the Affordable Care Act, among other political topics.
Media Contact: Vienna McGrain, [email protected]

William L. Rosenberg, Ph.D.
Professor of Political Science
Drexel University
Rosenberg is a well-known expert on local, regional and national politics and presidential elections, and is a recognized expert on the American presidency and presidential campaigns. Rosenberg also studies U.S. and public opinion, political polling and research methods used in polling. He is a co-author of two books related to public opinion and public policy, "News Verdicts, the Debates and Presidential Campaigns" and "The Politics of Disenchantment: Bush, Clinton, Perot and the Press."
Bio: http://www.drexel.edu/histpol/contact/facultyDirectory/WilliamLRosenberg/
Media Contact: Alex McKechnie, [email protected]

Forrest Morgeson, Ph.D.
Director of Research
American Customer Satisfaction Index
As President Obama tries to soothe anxious nation, eroding citizen satisfaction with federal services and overall trust in the federal government is likely to make his job harder. Data from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) has consistently shown a link between citizen satisfaction with agency experiences, citizen confidence in specific federal agencies, and trust in the federal government overall. Declining satisfaction tends to erode citizen confidence in these agencies, but also erodes their trust in the federal government overall, both in real time and compounded over time. This effect is more pronounced for high profile and high-contact agencies that many Americans experience, like the IRS and HealthCare.gov. When satisfaction with these kinds of agencies drops, the effects will be more pronounced throughout society in terms of falling confidence and trust. Finally, because trust is a value that falls and grows only over time, weaker satisfaction via poor service can take years to "fix," and this less trusting environment makes the task of governing harder not only for President Obama, but for whoever may succeed him as president. Says Dr. Morgeson: "Adding to the list of the president's challenges is declining citizen satisfaction and confidence in federal agencies and their services, which contributes to diminished trust in government overall. The roll-out of Healthcare.gov has become the poster child for citizen dissatisfaction with government. Add these ingredients to growing political partisanship in Washington and the recent government shut down, and we have a recipe for citizen dissatisfaction that will make a turnaround in citizen's perceptions of the federal government even more challenging."
As director of research at ACSI, Dr. Morgeson is responsible for managing ACSI's academic research, statistical analysis, and its international licensing program (Global CSI). His research focuses on citizen satisfaction with government services, cross-national citizen and consumer satisfaction, and the financial impact of customer satisfaction in the private sector. His research has been published in the leading journals in both administration and marketing. Over the past decade, Dr. Morgeson has consulted with dozens of government agencies and corporations on citizen and consumer satisfaction, and has delivered lectures and presentations in dozens of countries around the world. His first book, "Citizen Satisfaction: Improving Government Performance, Efficiency, and Citizen Trust" (Palgrave Macmillan), is scheduled for release in May 2014.
Media Contact: Chaat Butsunturn, [email protected]

Michael Heaney
Assistant Professor of Organizational Studies and Political Science
University of Michigan
Heaney examines the organizational dimensions of American politics. His research focuses on the role of intermediary institutions -- especially interest groups, political parties and social movements -- in shaping the political process and policy outcomes.
Bio: http://bit.ly/L1OYqS
Media Contact: Jared Wadley, [email protected]

Christopher Galdieri, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Politics
Saint Anselm College
Galdieri teaches a wide range of courses in American government, on topics ranging from the presidency to constitutional law to the New Hampshire primary. Before entering academia, he worked in government relations as a writer and as a researcher at the Project for Excellence in Journalism. Galdieri's research focuses on the interplay between political elites and the mass public. His doctoral dissertation research examined how presidential candidates used the language of political values in their campaigns. Another ongoing project examines how candidates and interest groups use email to mobilize support.
A regular on political talk shows, Galdieri has provided his academic perspective to reporters from a wide range of local, national, and international news outlets, including WBZ Radio, Christian Science Monitor, Union-Leader, Nashua Telegraph, WBIN, WMUR, Associated Press Television News, Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Canada's Sun News Network, Sky Italy, and more.
Media Contact: Debra Caruso Marrone, [email protected]

John McGlennon
Chair, Government Department
College of William & Mary
McGlennon's current research is focused on the relationship between increased party competition and policy choices. He has published two books, "The Life of the Parties: A Study of Presidential Activists" and "Party Activists in Virginia." He is available to comment on any aspect of politics.
Media Contact: Phillip Jones, [email protected]

Brad Hays
Associate Professor of Political Science, Director of Law and Public Policy
Union College
Hays, an expert on presidential politics and constitutional law, is a frequent guest on a variety of programs on WAMC, Northeast Public Radio, which is a member of National Public Radio serving parts of seven northeastern states. Among the WAMC programs that have benefited from Hays' expertise are "Congressional Corner," "Vox Pop," "Academic Minute" and "The Roundtable." Hays can discuss Obama's "year of action" and whether this is a good way to govern.
Media Contact: Phillip J. Wajda, [email protected]

Jan Leighley
Government Professor
American University
Leighley focuses her research on American political behavior, voter turnout, media and politics, and racial/ethnic political behavior. She is co-author of the critically acclaimed new book, "Who Votes Now?: Demographics, Issues, Inequality, and Turnout in the United States," which identifies the trend of the rich consistently voting more than the poor for the past four decades, and that voters are substantially more conservative in their economic views. Leighley is available to discuss proposals to address income inequality and how the midterm elections may affect action on addressing the gap.
Contact: American University communications department, [email protected]

Allan Lichtman
Distinguished Professor of History
American University
Lichtman is an expert on the presidency, American political history, presidential campaigns, voting behavior, and public opinion. He is renowned for his "13 Keys" system, which has consistently predicted presidential winners, and can comment on legislative priorities and the significance of the speech as the country heads into midterm elections.
Contact: American University communications department, [email protected]

James Thurber
Director of the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies
American University
Thurber is an expert on campaigns and elections, presidential-congressional relations, and author of "Obama in Office" (2011). He can address what the White House and Congress can accomplish.
Contact: American University communications department, [email protected]

Jennifer Lawless
Director of the Women and Politics Institute
American University
Lawless is a nationally recognized expert on women's involvement in politics and women's issues. Her latest book is "Becoming a Candidate: Political Ambition and the Decision to Run for Office" (2012). She can address speech highlights, constituencies, and issue groups.
Contact: American University communications department, [email protected] or +1-202-885-5950

Connie Morella
Ambassador in Residence
American University
Morella represented Maryland's 8th district in Congress from 1987 to 2003, and was a well-known moderate. In addition to teaching at American University, Morella is the president of the United States Association of Former Members of Congress. She can speak about the current atmosphere on Capitol Hill and the impact the midterm elections will have on President Obama's agenda.
Contact: American University communications department, [email protected]

Patrick Griffin
Academic Director of the Public Affairs and Advocacy Institute
American University
Griffin served as legislative affairs director in the Clinton administration and has served in various roles in the U.S. Senate, including as a staff member on the Senate Democratic Policy Committee and the Senate Budget Committee. He can discuss Obama's legislative priorities including immigration and the amount of time he has to achieve them.
Contact: American University communications department, [email protected]

Richard Benedetto
Journalism Professor
American University
Benedetto served as a White House correspondent and columnist for USA Today and as political columnist for Gannett News Service. He covered the White House from Reagan through George W. Bush and can speak to how U.S. presidents use the speech during their terms of office.
Contact: American University communications department, [email protected]

Chris Edelson
Government Professor
American University
Edelson is a constitutional lawyer and expert whose teaching and research interests focus on presidential power, constitutional interpretation, and the U.S. Supreme Court. He is the author of "Emergency Presidential Power" (Wisconsin University Press, December 2013). He is available to speak about President Obama's use of executive orders to bypass Congress, the limits of their effectiveness, and the consequences.
Contact: American University communications department, [email protected]

Poverty, Hunger, Farm Bill

Kevin Hagan
President and CEO
Feed The Children
Hagan serves as the president and CEO of Feed The Children, where he leads the organization's national and international lifesaving programs delivering food and other essentials to people in need. He has a keen passion to help those in need of life's essentials around the world. Prior to his work with Feed The Children, he served as chief operating officer for Good360, an Alexandria, Va.-based nonprofit organization dedicated to fulfilling the needs of nonprofits with corporate product donations. Hagan received his bachelor's degree in history, political science, and German from Mercer University in Georgia. He earned his master's degree in international affairs from The American University in Washington, D.C. He currently serves on the board of directors for Academy of Hope, an adult education nonprofit in Washington, D.C.
Hagan can provide insight on the newly passed Farm Bill, including cuts to the existing SNAP program (food stamps), and how the cuts actually may protect the integrity of the SNAP program now that it has passed.
Bio: http://www.feedthechildren.org/site/PageServer?pagename=org_kevin_hagan_bio
Media Contact: Serena Thomas, [email protected]

Trevor Moe
Senior Director of Government and International Relations
Feed The Children
Moe oversees the formation of Feed The Children's public policy positions, and engages with members of Congress and their staffs, administration officials, and foreign governments on behalf of the communities Feed The Children serves. Moe previously served as chief counsel to Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia. He is a graduate of The College of William & Mary and the George Mason University School of Law.

Moe can provide insight on the newly passed Farm Bill, including cuts to the existing SNAP program (food stamps), and how the cuts actually may protect the integrity of the SNAP program now that it has passed.
Media Contact: Serena Thomas, [email protected]

Mariana Chilton, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Director, Center for Hunger-Free Communities
Drexel University School of Public Health
Chilton is available to discuss policies and programs affecting families living in poverty, including minimum wage, nutrition assistance programs, welfare programs and more. As founder of Witnesses to Hunger, Chilton works directly with low-income parents who aim to take a place in the national conversation about poverty. Participants in Witnesses to Hunger are also available to discuss their experiences and perspectives on poverty issues.
Bio: http://publichealth.drexel.edu/academics/faculty/Mariana Chilton/
Contact: Alex McKechnie, [email protected]

Luke Shaefer
Assistant Professor of Social Work
University of Michigan
Shaefer studies extreme poverty in the U.S., the impact of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program on material hardships, barriers to unemployment insurance faced by vulnerable workers, and strategies for increasing access to oral health care.
Bio: http://ssw.umich.edu/faculty/profiles/tenure-track/lshaefer
Media Contact: Jared Wadley, [email protected]

Public Health

Chris Collins
Vice President and Director of Public Policy
amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research
Collins is available to discuss health issues related to the SOTU address, including HIV/AIDS, PEPFAR, scientific research, global health, and more. Based in Washington, D.C., Collins joined amfAR as vice president and director of public policy in April 2009 and has spent more than 18 years working in HIV/AIDS policy and advocacy. He is the author of "Improving Outcomes: Blueprint for a National AIDS Plan for the United States," which was published by the Open Society Institute in 2007 and, most recently, was a consultant on policy and communications efforts for organizations including the Coalition for a National AIDS Strategy and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where he helped coordinate the Foundation's Global HIV Prevention Working Group and reviewed grant proposals. Additionally, Collins co-founded the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC) in 2002 and served as its executive director for two years, leading the organization's advocacy and development efforts. He continues to serve on the board of AVAC. He also served as chief adviser to U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on HIV/AIDS and health policy, a role in which he developed the first Congressional legislation designed to provide incentives for the development and delivery of vaccines against AIDS, malaria, and TB. Collins is the author of dozens of publications about HIV/AIDS prevention, policy, education, and outreach. He holds a master's degree in public policy from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and graduated from the University of California-Berkeley with highest honors.
Media Contact: David Smith, [email protected]

Social Media

Joshua Pasek
Assistant Professor of Communication Studies
University of Michigan
"Fewer Americans are going to tune into the State of the Union Address on television this year. A lot more are going to hear the president's message accompanied by a series of simultaneous rebuttals on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. Although the administration is making a concerted attempt to cultivate these new channels, these forces mean that the president's message just doesn't have the same impact in the contemporary era that it had in years past."
Pasek has done research exploring how new media and psychological processes each shape political attitudes, public opinion and political behaviors.
Bio: http://www.lsa.umich.edu/comm/facultystaff/faculty/ci.pasekjosh_ci.detail
Media Contact: Jared Wadley, [email protected]

Elizabeth Breese
Senior Content and Digital Marketing Strategist
Crimson Hexagon
In addition to providing social data from Crimson Hexagon on the State of the Union address, Breese is a social scientist and social media analyst that can provide information on emerging Twitter trends based on the president's address. Crimson Hexagon will be monitoring the social conversation surrounding the State of the Union and can offer analysis via email in the morning, as well as throughout the day as the media requires.
Bridging the academic and social media analytics worlds, Breese manages Crimson Hexagon's Social Research Grant Program, and continues to research how people interpret the social world by analyzing social media. She uses Crimson Hexagon's ForSight technology to discover public opinion about current events, politics, and social issues and then finds ways -- through the Crimson Hexagon blog, the press, and social media -- to share those social insights. Breese graduated from Wellesley College and earned a Ph.D. in sociology from Yale University in 2012. Her dissertation explored the meaning system of American journalism and explained the cultural roots of the current perception that journalism is in crisis. She publishes articles on the public sphere, news media, and popular culture in academic journals, including Cultural Sociology and Communication Theory, and has presented her academic research at various conferences and meetings in the United States, Germany, and Greece.
Media Contact: Melissa J. Latham, [email protected]

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OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES:

Following are links to other news and resources we think you might find useful. If you have an item you think other reporters would be interested in and would like us to include in a future alert, please drop us a line at [email protected]

• GRAMMAR HAMMER: FEELING NAUSEOUS? In today's world, saying you feel nauseous is pretty commonplace, but is it worth getting into a grammatical spat? Cathy Spicer, aka Grammar Hammer explains: http://prn.to/M4qyxO
• MEDIA 411: THE POPULAR UNPOPULAR STORIES. You may or may not agree that Justin Bieber's arrest or the USA's Olympic uniforms were newsworthy, but the truth is, these stories were everywhere last week. How did these stories become the most popular stories of the day? Evelyn Tipacti takes a deeper look: http://prn.to/1dYXxxe
• THE ROLE OF HISPANIC MEDIA IN 2014. Last week we hosted a #ConnectChat with Maritza Puello, a managing editor of Newscore at Fusion, the ABC-Univision venture that launched in October of last year. Maritza discussed Fusion, its content, the differences between Hispanic and English language stations, challenges in the industry and much more. Check out a recap of the chat here: http://prn.to/1aLLmPW

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