Presenter+Bios


 * Bio – Julio Quan**

Julio Quan is a Guatemalan social scientist now serving as the Executive Director of Centro Latino in Tacoma. He brings us invaluable knowledge and experience in conflict resolution, something the world is in desperate need of right now.

His academic background encompasses training in the US, and teaching in Latin America. His master’s degree is in population geography, which led to assuming responsibility for the National Atlas of Guatemala, where he also directed the School of Political Science at the National University of Guatemala.

From there, he returned to the United States as a Fullbright Scholar at the University of Hamline in Minnesota. He then moved to Costa Rica to become the Director of the Conflict Resolution Program of the United Nations University for Peace. While there, he developed crisis intervention techniques, reconciliation processes, collaborative problem solving, mediation etc. As alternatives to the violent tactics used in a civil war he proposed the creation of economic, social, political and cultural development programs based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. His efforts were geared towards making these programs a reality, not only in Central America, but also around the world.

As Director of Centro Latino, Dr. Quan is in charge of an organization responsible to develop the following Vision: Fully integrated into the U.S. society, Latinos as a socially responsible community excel in politics, sciences, economics and the arts.

And Mission: Provide the necessary skills for Latinos to become a leading community in pursuit of economic security, legal protection, nutritious food, quality housing, excellent education and health in a clean environment.

Type in the content of your new page here. Solar Richard is Tacoma's own answer to how to make solar energy work in homes and offices, even in the Pacific Northwest, we don't tan we rust. As the name implies, Solar Richard has devoted a good chunk of his adult life (over 30+ years) to solar energy. He has been speaking and teaching on the subject for some time. He was honored at the "2005 Solar World Conference" as a Solar Pioneer with more than 25+ years in the solar industry. Most recently, he spoke on Solar Energy and LED Lighting at "Solar Nigeria 2007". He is now working on a plan to electrify rural Nigerian villages with solar energy.
 * Bio – Solar Richard**

He is a font of solar ideas. You can see his idea for using solar LED light to illuminate the Tacoma Narrows Bridge at www.NarrowsBridgeLights.org. He has been published in Solar Today, the Kiplinger Report, Mother Earth News, and interviewed by several TV stations and newspapers. Locally, he is working as a Mentor in solar energy with students at Bellarmine High School on solar projects that have won 1st place for solar engineering the past four years at the INTEL Science Competition for Washington State.

And, as one might expect, he was the first in Tacoma to have a Solar Grid-Tie System that allows his electric meter to go backwards. He uses a photovoltaic solar tracking system so that his solar array is always facing in the optimal angle for peak efficiency. He has a number of solar demonstration projects, including a remote solar power system in his Chevy Suburban to show Al Gore's movie at local libraries, a solar electric scooter, solar massage chair and more. He will also be using his solar know how to power the PA system for the Daffodil parade again and providing solar power for the Jazz & Blues Music Festival later that afternoon.

In his professional life, he has just completed work on a solar house in Idaho that has solar tracking "Ecotricity" to run the utility meter backwards, "Energy Star" appliances, CFL and LED lighting throughout the home. Also part of this solar package is domestic solar hot water with solar radiant floor heating and a emergency battery back-up electrical system.