YEO Policy Academies Clean Energy & Environmental Justice Pol. Academy | Page 56

YEO Staff Tallahassee, Fla. Mayor Andrew D. Gillum YEO Network Executive Director Andrew Gillum, executive director and founder of the YEO Network, is an alumnus of Florida A&M University (FAMU), former president of the Student Government Association, and FAMU’s first student member of the Board of Trustees. He became the youngest person ever elected to the four-member Tallahassee City Commission in February 2003. Gillum has held prominent leadership roles on the commission, including mayor pro tem, chairman of the Capital Region Transportation Planning Agency, and lead commissioner for the Long Range Community Based Target Issue Committee. He has championed several community initiatives including the Nims Middle School Digital Harmony Pilot Program, the Landlord Tenant Mediation Program, the Code Enforcement Amnesty Program, and the creation of the Silver Lake Neighborhood Park. He served as Field Organizer and statewide Director of the “Arrive With 5” program with People For the American Way Foundation (PFAWF). He organized the largest “Arrive With 5” get-out-the-vote campaign in Florida’s history. He has also served as political director of his state party. Currently, Gillum serves as programs director for People For the American Way Foundation’s Youth Programs as well as his role with the YEO Network. Contact Andrew at [email protected]. Matthew Despard YEO Network Team: Communications and Programs Clean Energy & Environmental Justice Policy Academy | 2016 54 Matthew Despard is the communications and programs associate for the YEO Network. Prior to joining the D.C. office, he cultivated editorial work experience for both print and digital publications, including The American Scholar and Jewish Quarterly. As production manager for his college’s independent newspaper, he implemented a redesign of its departments and oversaw the addition of a special student elections supplement. His volunteer work with Green America and his state party, and internship with the Animal Welfare Institute, stems from a lifelong passion for progressive policy. He has a strong interest in graphic design and emerging media platforms. Despard is a native Washingtonian and a recent graduate of the University of St Andrews in Scotland, where he studied history. Contact Matthew at mdespard@ pfaw.org.