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Schiavinato Leads The Coastal Society

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Katie Mosher, 919/515-9069, katie_mosher@ncsu.edu

Posted Thursday, February 10, 2011

Lisa Schiavinato, North Carolina Sea Grant's law, policy and community development specialist, recently started a two-year term as president of The Coastal Society. Known as TCS, the international organization of private sector, academic and lisaschiavinato_working_smgovernment professionals along with students, is dedicated to "actively addressing emerging coastal issues by fostering dialogue, forging partnerships, and promoting communication and education."

"I can't think of a better person to take over the helm of The Coastal Society," notes Jeff Benoit, outgoing president of TCS and president of Restore America's Estuaries.

"Lisa brings to the society a unique combination of practical experience dealing with coastal issues and strong leadership capabilities to help steer TCS over the next two years," he adds. Schiavinato previously served as president-elect of the group and chaired its 22nd international conference held in Wilmington, N.C., in June 2010.

Currently she is leading a study of North Carolina estuarine policy funded by the National Sea Grant Law Center, North Carolina Sea Grant and the University of North Carolina School of Law. Previously she partnered with the N.C. Division of Coastal Management to lead a statewide study committee that offered the N.C. General Assembly and the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources recommendations on revising ocean policies based on current and emerging issues.

"It is to both the Coastal Society's and North Carolina's advantage that Lisa will assume these duties. Her experience, skills, leadership and vision on many coastal resource policy matters are second to none," stated Michael Voiland, executive director of North Carolina Sea Grant. "Sea Grant is pleased that one of its own will be key in advancing the society's admirable partnership and educational goals."

Schiavinato also was recently named by Gov. Beverly Perdue to the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement's (BOEMRE) North Carolina Task Force on Offshore Renewable Energy. The task force will review proposed leases of federal waters for offshore renewable energy development and specifically provide guidance to the state of North Carolina and BOEMRE regarding offshore wind energy development. She had previously served on a state committee looking at wind energy, providing expertise on issues surrounding policy development regarding coastal wind power.

A North Carolina Sea Grant specialist since 2007, Schiavinato holds a law degree and a certificate in environmental and land-use law from the University of Florida. She earned a bachelor's in political science from the University of South Florida.

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