2013 IDA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Officers of the Board
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President
Dr. Tim Hunter
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Since 1986, Dr. Tim Hunter has been interested in the growing problem of light pollution. He founded IDA with Dr. David Crawford in 1987. Currently, Dr. Hunter is a professor in the Department of Radiology in the College of Medicine at the University of Arizona and was head of the department 2008-2011. He was on the Arizona Medical Board (AMB) 1997-2006. Dr. Hunter has been an amateur astronomer since 1950, and he is the owner of two observatories, the 3towers Observatory and the Grasslands Observatory. He is also a prime example of someone whose hobby has run amok, spending more time and money on it than common sense would dictate. He has been the President of the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association, Inc. (TAAA) and a member of the TAAA since 1975. He currently is the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Planetary Science Institute (PSI). Dr. Tim Hunter |
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Vice President
Connie Walker
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Dr. Connie Walker is an associate scientist in the Education and Public Outreach group at the National Optical Astronomy Observatory. She chaired both the U.S. and the global working groups on dark skies awareness for the International Year of Astronomy and regularly convenes global conferences on astronomy and light pollution education (e.g., International Astronomical Union 2012 Special Session on light pollution). The GLOBE at Night star hunt has gained hundreds of thousands of participants under her management. She chairs the IDA Education Committee and the Global Astronomy Month Dark Skies Awareness program, and sits on the board of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. She received IDAʼs Hoag-Robinson award in 2011. |
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Treasurer
Christian K. Monrad
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Christian K. Monrad (PE) is the vice president of Monrad Engineering of Tucson, Arizona, USA, and has over thirty years of experience in lighting design, specification, construction administration, and compliance with various regional lighting ordinances. His projects have included lighting systems for numerous schools, roadways and parking facilities, as well as retail, aviation, industrial, institutional, athletic, medical, and commercial applications throughout southern Arizona. He is a U.S. Green Building Council LEED® Accredited Professional, a former president of the Southern Arizona Section of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, and a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers. Christian K. Monrad, PE |
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Secretary
J. Kelly Beatty
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J. Kelly Beatty is a senior contributing editor for Sky & Telescope magazine. Specializing in planetary science and space exploration, he enjoys writing for a wide spectrum of audiences—from children to professional astronomers. His work has appeared in numerous other publications, and his commentaries have aired on National Public Radio. Kelly has been active in efforts to reduce light pollution for more than 15 years. He served as a co-organizer of IDA’s highly successful 2002 Fall Meeting in Boston, USA and chairs the New England Light Pollution Advisory Group. J. Kelly Beatty |
Directors at Large
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James R. Benya
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James R. Benya (PE, FIES, FIALD, LC) is principal of Benya Lighting Design with offices in West Linn (greater Portland), Oregon. An internationally recognized lighting designer, educator, and writer, Jim has won more than 250 lighting design awards worldwide for his residential and commercial projects. He is a fellow of the International Association of Lighting Designers, a fellow of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, a registered professional engineer, a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, and is Lighting Certified by the National Council on Qualifications for the Lighting Professions. Jim currently serves as chairman of the Board of Fellows and member of the Technical Review Council of IESNA. He also chairs the IDA/IESNA Joint Task Force for a Model Lighting Ordinance. Jim holds a BSE in electrical engineering and a BS (CCS) from the University of Michigan. James R. Benya, PE, FIES, FIALD, LC |
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Christopher Kyba
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Christopher Kyba is a light pollution researcher working in Berlin, Germany, and currently the chair of IDA’s Night Sky Brightness Monitoring Committee. Through his position on the board, he would aim to further extend IDA’s commitment to monitoring skyglow, particularly through increased engagement of citizen scientists and backyard astronomers. Christopher would also provide the board with expert opinions regarding questions of skyglow quantification, as well as updates on the most current research. Chris represents IDA at scientific conferences, and in discussions with other researchers.
Christopher Kyba |
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Jim Dougherty
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Jim Dougherty is an environmental lawyer and also serves on the Sierra Club Board of Directors. His volunteer service has also included VP of Defenders of Wildlife; - General Counsel of Green Seal; Law Enforcement Branch Chief of USEPA; Director of Friends of the National Zoo; DC Environmental Planning Commissioner; League of Conservation Voters National Advisory Council, and - Co-founder of DC Environmental Network. Jim is also a professional photographer and lives in Washington, DC.
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Dr. Mario Motta
| A cardiologist and amateur astronomer, Dr. Motta studied the effects of glare to better understand the impact of light pollution on vision. A member of the Massachusetts Medical Society and elected member of the American Medical Association's (AMA) Council on Science and Public Health, Dr. Motta spent years encouraging members of the medical community to recognize the negative effects of glare. In 2009, his campaign bore fruit with the unanimous passage of AMA Resolution 516 officially supporting light pollution efforts and glare reduction efforts. IDA is honored to admit this longtime ally and medical expert to the Board of Directors. His presentation at the 2009 Annual General Meeting, "The AMA Recognizes Light Pollution," is available on the Annual Conference page. |
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Tyler Nordgren
| Tyler Nordgren is professor of physics at the University of Redlands. Since 2005, he has worked to promote astronomy education in U.S. national parks. Working with parks across the U.S. he has developed a popular poster campaign to “See the Milky Way” that promotes the message that “Half the park is after dark.” In 2010 his book Stars Above, Earth Below: A Guide to Astronomy in the National Parks was published. As an astronomer, Tyler has observed at telescopes around the world and developed astronomy travel-courses that educate students about the role of the night sky in history. |
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Leo Smith
Regional Officer, IDA Northeast USA
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Leo Smith is president of Capital Ventures Group of Suffield, Connecticut, U.S. He is a lifetime member of IDA and serves as the IDA northeastern regional director and as the section leader for the state of Connecticut. He is also a member of both the Illuminating Engineering Society and the Standard Practice Subcommittee for Roadway Lighting. He has served on the IDA/IESNA Joint Task Force, which is responsible for developing the Model Outdoor Lighting Ordinance. Leo Smith |
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Martin Morgan-Taylor
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To view past officers, click here>>