Contact:
Elena Velkov, Media Relations Coordinator
651.726.7576 (office), 651.402.6103 (cell)
velkov@fresh-energy.org
Rick Fuentes, Senior Media Relations Specialist
651.726.7572 (office), 612.741.0662 (cell)
fuentes@fresh-energy.org Fresh Energy Hires New Media Relations Director to Shape Public Dialogue on Energy Issues St. Paul – Clean energy advocacy organization Fresh Energy is pleased to announce the hiring of its new media relations director, Ron Meador. He will push forward Fresh Energy’s goal of leading the transition to an innovative clean energy economy. The Media Center’s goal is to change public policy by first changing public dialogue. “I’m honored to be joining Fresh Energy at this turning point in U.S. policies on global warming and renewable energy,” Meador said. “I’ve admired and respected its work over many years, and three of its staff in particular – Michael Noble, J. Drake Hamilton and Dee Long, now retired – were important teachers for me when I was learning energy issues as a journalist.” Meador worked for three decades as a newspaper reporter, editor, manager and editorialist. He spent 26 years at the Minneapolis Star Tribune in such roles as city editor, assistant managing editor for special projects and national/foreign news, and writer for the opinion pages. In 1995, an investigative project he supervised was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. He joined the Minneapolis paper after several years as an editor on the national desk of The New York Times, and left in March 2007 to be executive director of Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness. “A dozen years of writing editorials taught me some things about public opinion, how it changes, how it can be informed and influenced – especially on energy and environmental topics,” Meador said. “In the last few years, Minnesotans have moved from seeing global warming as a dogfight to understanding it is the most important problem of our time. The same thing is happening nationwide.” Between high oil prices, a dwindling economy, and the region’s ample wind, the timing has never been better to get the word out about clean, renewable energy to grow jobs. “All of us are at least beginning to get it – that smart energy policies won’t require that we give up our living standards. They’ll be the foundation of a vibrant new economic sector, built on renewable energy sources and sustainable technologies. The Upper Midwest really can be the Saudi Arabia of renewables. This has been Fresh Energy’s message all along, and I’m eager to dig into this work with such talented, experienced colleagues.” Fresh Energy’s Media Center, which Meador will lead, provides free media services to RE-AMP, a Midwest network of more than 70 nonprofits and foundations concerned with energy issues. RE-AMP organizations from seven states access the Media Center for assistance in getting credible, engaging information about energy issues to the public through channels ranging from traditional news outlets to brand-new internet media. Media Center services include reporter lists, news release distribution, consultation on strategic messaging, media trainings, story pitching and clip tracking. “I’ve been an admirer of Ron Meador’s work for more than two decades,” said executive director Michael Noble. “As a leading journalist, he played a significant role in influencing public dialogue on global warming issues. We are extremely pleased to give him the opportunity to continue these efforts at Fresh Energy.” - end - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fresh Energy is a nonprofit organization leading the transition to a clean energy system. One that supports the health of our economies, our people, and our environment while moving us toward energy independence. www.fresh-energy.org | 
