provided to The Santiva Chronicle
The SanCap Chamber presents one of its most popular speakers, The Everglades Foundation Chief Executive Officer Eric Eikenberg, to talk at its Wednesday, Oct. 15 luncheon meeting. It begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Sundial Beach Resort on Sanibel Island. MHK Architecture of Sanibel sponsors the luncheon.
In Eikenberg’s presentation “Everglades Restoration – It’s Worth It!” he will provide an update on projects and roll out the results of a new economic impact study that the foundation recently conducted.
Eikenberg, a seasoned political strategist and environmental policy expert, leads one of the country’s most prestigious and respected environmental non-profits. He oversees a team of nationally recognized scientists, educators, lobbyists, and communications and development professionals who work together to achieve a decades-long campaign to restore America’s Everglades – roughly three million acres of endangered habitat that is vital to Florida’s economic and environmental viability.
Appointed CEO by the foundation’s board of directors in 2012, Eikenberg has extensive policy and political experience in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. He previously served as chief of staff to former Gov. Charlie Crist and former U.S. Rep. E. Clay Shaw, Jr. The latter authored the landmark $8.4 billion Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).
A sought-after public speaker on the importance of preserving one of America’s most unique natural habitats, Eikenberg is a regular op-ed columnist. He also is a widely quoted source for national and local media outlets, including National Public Radio, CNN, The Associated Press, U.S. News & World Report, Politico, and Miami Herald.
Eikenberg has been a long-time champion for expediting Everglades restoration, with a knack for innovation and engaging partners in the corporate, philanthropic, and political arenas. During his tenure as CEO, The Everglades Foundation has provided scientific, technical, and policy support to numerous decision-makers in executing CERP.
Eikenberg’s team helped bring widespread attention to the perennial toxic algae crisis in Florida and across the globe and has been a leading voice on the need to incentivize technological solutions to problems that threaten our waterways, livelihood, and health.
“Eric is the expert on Florida’s most fragile and important ecosystem, and we look forward to the outlook for the ecosystem now that reservoirs and other crucial measures reach or near completion,” said John Lai, chamber president and CEO. “He will address the economic factors of a clean environment from the perspective of Florida’s most crucial watershed.”
The SanCap Chamber business lunch is a monthly networking opportunity held at various member locations. The chamber strives to provide speakers to discuss business topics relevant to the membership. SanCap Chamber members receive meeting invitations by email. Cost for luncheon attendance is $35.
Advanced registration is required to attend; walk-ins are not accepted. Register by 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10, at sanibel-captiva.org or by contacting Aaron Walton at aaron@sanibel-captiva.org or 239-472-8759. Payment is due at time of registration.
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