Peter Zahn – Chairman of the Board
Peter Zahn is a business attorney and owner of Counsel Direct Law Offices, a full service San Diego business law firm that provides assistance with business agreements and transactions, clean tech and renewable energy matters, intellectual property and employment, corporate structure and financing, and real estate matters.
Peter brings a wealth of business experience to the U.S. Green Chamber, having served as Chief Executive for three companies, and as co-founder and legal adviser for several start-ups. In addition, he has held executive and Board of Director positions with companies located in the USA, Germany, Japan, Korea and Brazil. He particularly enjoys negotiating agreements that enable businesses to take advantage of growth opportunities — such as those common in the green business space.
“The Green Chamber is helping businesses and individuals take advantage of the exploding Green economy,” says Peter. “This is an exciting time — the green business sector is like the Wild West right now. We’re providing a way by which our members can learn about and seize new opportunities.”
Peter is a member of the Bar of California, New York, and New Jersey, as well as the American and San Diego Bar Associations. Additionally, Peter is past Chairman of the San Diego Council of TechAmerica (the former American Electronics Association (AEA) and Member of TechAmerica’s National Board of Directors, where he served on their Small Business Committee. He served also on the Boards of the American Lung Association of California and the American Lung Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties. He has held officer and director positions with the Solana Beach Chamber of Commerce since 2007, and is a director of The Justin Zahn Foundation for Pediatric Cancer Research.
David Steel – Chief Executive Officer
As the CEO of the U.S. Green Chamber, David Steel’s uncompromising commitment to the environment has helped skyrocket the formally locally-based Green Chamber of San Diego into a nation-wide organization.
With vast experience in the green arena, David understands the importance of providing the community with the resources and networking opportunities of like-minded individuals and businesses.
“I’ve been moved for many years by the state of our planet and have been committed to creating an organization that can make sustainable business practices practical, beneficial, and easily accessible under the Green Chamber,” explained David. “Already, I’ve seen immense success and growth in these areas, extending from our eco-hub, home base in San Diego to cities across the country.”
David also serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of SmarterLight.com an earth-friendly LED lighting company that helps individuals and corporations easily replace their current lighting with top of the line, next phase, environmentally gentle LED lighting solutions. He is also a founding board member and CFO of Conscious Humanity, a 501©3 committed to spreading peace and personal empowerment to all people. Previously David served on the board of directors for the San Diego Entrepreneurs Organization.
David’s passion and experience in these fields has helped the U.S. Green Chamber reach a number of ambitious goals as he continues to expand the organization’s reach.
Follow David on Twitter | Connect with David Steel on LinkedIn | Email David Steel
Jim Bunch – Director
Jim Bunch is an entrepreneur who has both founded and participated in start-ups in technology and personal development. He serves on the Transformational Leadership Council along with leaders in the personal development industry.
He has been called the “ultimate life coach and entrepreneur” with over 13 years of experience in professional speaking and presentations. Jim has worked with Xerox, Pitney Bowes, Frito Lay, Century 21, ReMax, Prudential, and many other companies and individuals to help them realize their potential.
In 1999, while still in college, Jim, along with his business associates and friends, built Bamboo.com (now Ipix.com), a virtual tour website. Bamboo was once a tiny start-up and is now a highly successful market leader.
Jim launched two personal and business development companies, The Ultimate Game of Life, an online game-like experience that brings happiness, health, and wealth into people’s lives, and CoachGenie.com, an online technology resources for entrepreneurs.
When Jim is not out inspiring change, he spends time with his wife and son or plays beach volleyball near his home in Del Mar.
Craig Nelson – Director
Currently SVP & Regional Manager for Pacific Mercantile Bank, Craig has over 25 years in the banking and financial services industry. Starting his career in corporate banking, Craig got the technology bug – eventually becoming Technology Practice Leader for MARSH and later founding the San Diego Technology & Life Sciences office of Comerica Bank.
The deflating of the dot.com bubble brought Craig back to commercial banking but his passion for technology remains. He serves on multiple technology award selection committees and served two terms as President of the San Diego MIT Enterprise Forum.
Pacific Mercantile Bank’s commitment to the Not for Profit business segment runs deep in the San Diego community, where Craig serves on the Charitable Organization Banking Group and NFP task force.
Craig has personally served as President, Chairman or Director of several non-profit and community organizations including the SDSU Aztec Athletic Foundation, American Lung Association of San Diego-Imperial Counties. He currently serves as Chairman of the Budget & Finance Commission for the City of Solana Beach.
Steve Bender – Director
Steve grew up in an environmental family. Not only was his father winning awards for water conservation in the 60s, but he was also raising organic beef in Kansas well before they called it organic. Steve moved to a house on the Back Bay almost two decades ago and has been involved in many different environmental organizations. Currently, he serves on the Advisory Board at University of California, Irvine for their Sustainability Leadership program and is a founding member and President of the Orange County Green Chamber.
He founded the Green Buyers Broker Organization, which helps homeowners install solar panels and green products for their homes utilizing rebates and incentives from realtors and government organizations. In addition, he sits on the board for Orangewood PALs and the Bacchus Doc in a Box. This group is working with a local high school to design and build a mobile medical center to ship to South Africa in 2011. He is the past president of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and is a volunteer for the American Cancer Society.
Steve joined the NBC Board in 2009 as co-chair of the Donor and Community Relations Committee and chaired the Rebranding Committee in 2010, resulting in a name change to the Newport Bay Conservancy. His priorities for the Bay include education and restoration.
Courtland Weisleder- Director
Courtland Weisleder is the founder of Greener Dawn, a company that provides services to Solar Installers, Energy Auditors, and Home Performance Contractors nationwide. Educating homeowners on the value of Energy Efficiency and Solar Installation is Greener Dawn’s focus through their numerous websites including www.mygreenerdawn.com.
Courtland founded Greener Dawn in pursuit of his belief that alternative energy, renewable energy and clean technology can define and build a brighter future.
“In September 2008 with the economy faltering, I began focusing on clean technology, green building, and sustainability practices,” explains Courtland. “Now fast forward to 2010 and it appears that the Green Revolution could become a dominant economic stimulus for the United States. San Diego has the opportunity to become the preeminent clean tech city; the Green Chamber is the perfect conduit to bring together local businesses with a thirst for maximizing green business opportunities. I am proud to be a founding member of the Green Chamber of San Diego.”
He was named to the 35 Green Entrepreneurs under 35 by San Diego News Network as well as a Metro Mover in 2010 by the San Diego Metropolitan Magazine.
Julien Brant – Director
Julien Brandt is the founder and CEO of OrganikSEO.com, a green friendly online marketing company that is dedicated to helping sustainable and environmentally conscious businesses increase their online exposure via social media and local search optimization. The company was founded in 2008 when Julien decided to combine his interest in online marketing with his passion for environmental awareness. His office is located on Cedros Avenue in Solana Beach, CA.
“I feel very blessed to have found a way to incorporate my personal passion into my business and the Green Chamber’s values and goals are closely aligned with my own. Not only do I get to work with like-minded companies and organizations, but I have the satisfaction of being part of an organization that promotes and helps these businesses succeed! To top it all off, I get to help the Green Chamber (and others) become even more green as they shift away from print to online marketing, a more environmentally friendly and sustainable form of marketing.”
In addition to his work he also serves on the advisory board for Cedros Works, and the communications committee for the SDRSP (San Diego Regional Sustainability Partnership). Julien is also the “San Diego Online Marketing Examiner” for Examiner.com and offers his time and know-how to assist charities and social justice organizations, such as NRDC (National Resource Defense Council) and Shap.info (Sustainable Comprehensive Humanitarian Assistance and Planning).
