DREW BECHER - NEW YORK RESTORATION PROJECT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Drew Becher was appointed Executive Director of New York Restoration Project (NYRP) in July 2006.

Firmly committed to improving New York City’s parks, community gardens and open spaces, Becher has initiated many innovative new programs designed to improve the quality of urban life in New York City’s five boroughs while attracting economic growth. He is a proactive leader with a strong background in city government, public/private partnerships, and community/grassroots outreach.

Becher, along with Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and NYRP Founder Bette Midler, initiated the PlaNYC initiative MillionTreesNYC – a citywide movement to plant and care for one million trees by 2017. As the first anniversary of this enterprising program nears (Oct. 2008), MillionTreesNYC is expected to surpass its tree planting, advocacy and outreach goals. According to Becher, “With every tree we plant, we’re making an investment in our city’s neighborhoods and green spaces, improving the health of our residents, strengthening local economies, and most importantly, ensuring the long-term sustainability of our planet Earth.”

Under Becher’s leadership at NYRP, he has made great design a focal-point of all NYRP projects, including enlisting some of the country’s best landscape architects and designers to re-imagine NYRP’s catalog of 57 community gardens. Under the auspices of NYRP, and with the help of major corporations and foundations, NYRP community gardens have been featured in major publications including ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST, THE NEW YORK TIMES, METROPOLITAN HOME and many others.


JANINE JAMES -THE MODERNS, FONDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Janine James is a pioneer in the field of experiential branding and culture building. An early leader of environmental innovation, she founded the New York City-based firm The Moderns in 1992 as a brand strategy and multidisciplinary design think tank. Under her leadership, The Moderns’ work has brought success to some of the world’s most influential and most environmentally sustainable brands, among them American Express, Planned Parenthood, BASF, France Telecom, Sundance, Knoll Textiles and Shaw Industries.

A cultural visionary in her field and in the community at large, Ms. James is a sought-after lecturer; inspiring audiences across disciplines and professional backgrounds, in both national and international forums. Most recently, she led an executive education program at Harvard University’s prestigious Graduate School of Design and has spoken at major conferences assembled by AIGA, IDSA, RGD Ontario, and Sustainable Brands.


JOHN SCHROETER - APPLIED TEXTILES, PRESIDENT / CEO

Founder and President of Applied Textiles since 1991 John saw a critical need for a services-based textile company that focused on developing supply chains and process improvements. Today the company has three plants, located in Michigan, North Carolina, and China.

Committed to innovation, Applied Textiles was a pioneer and remains an industry leader in the development and marketing of environmentally friendly textile process technologies. Most recently the firm has launched to the contract and residential trade, Nano-Tex®, an environmentally friendly chemistry that is recyclable. Nano-Tex® completely protects the surface of the fabric from soil and stains. The performance design of nanotechnology bonds with fabrics rather than coating them. Applied Textiles offers a complete range of other progressive services including: textile distribution, processing, product development, testing and certification.

John also is an active leader in the industry. A member of BIFMA, he also has served two terms as chairman of the Steelcase Supplier Council, chaired the  Office Furniture Industry Council (OFIC)Textile Decision, and
an active member of (ACT) Association of Contract Textiles.
John earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Maine. He began his first job in 1983 in a New England textile mill, and worked in textile production and other roles for 8 years until 1991, when Applied Textiles opened their doors for business. John lives in West Michigan with his four children.


KEVIN CHRISTIANA– PROJECT RUNWAY SEASON 4

At 32 years Kevin is currently the head designer and partner of the labels “CHRISTIANA ZINN”, a women’s premium, denim-based collection targeting “women of all sizes” at a viable price point. The other label, “MYNT 1792” is a men’s premium, denim, lifestyle brand. Both labels will be launching in FALL 09. Some may know him as a contestant on Project Runway Season 4 while others have seen his frequent appearances on the Rachel Ray Show.
At 26 years old, he started his first label KEVIN CHRISTIANA and K JEANS. These collections have sold to approximately 200 boutiques nationwide. K Jeans debuted on the cover of the Victoria’s Secret fall 2006 catalog.