Matthew York graduated from Rutger's University with a degree in Communications (TV and Film) and English in 1978. In 1986, he founded Videomaker Inc., which publishes the national magazine Videomaker. Matt has been the company's President and Publisher since its inception. With a magazine readership of over 64,000 and the web site's 350,000 monthly visitors, Videomaker Inc.'s mission is to empower people how to make video through its monthly magazine, its website, DVDs books, and hands-on workshops and conferences. Over the years, thousands of people have benefited from the knowledge provided by the Videomaker staff and the company's resource offerings.
Matt York, as CEO of Videomaker Inc. has been at the forefront of researching and reporting about the video consumer electronics industry for over 2 decades. Through the development of his own patent for a consumer electronics device as well as his travels to the research and development labs in Japan, he is experienced in the details of electronics equipment development. His inside knowledge about consumer electronics gear, his tracking of up and coming technologies, and his seasoned relationships with many top decision makers of the major consumer electronics manufacturing firms attribute to his ability to fulfill the role needed by the current proposed projects at IES at EDC.
Besides his knowledge and abilities, Matt's professional contacts will vouch for his honesty and integrity in their working relationship with him. He is a well-respected colleague in both the publishing and consumer electronics industry.
Far and above the rest, Matt York has a passion for helping the people in the developing world. He is honored to put his talents to use for those individuals with the greatest need. To this end, he is most fulfilled. One Media Player per Teacher (OMPT) is his current initiative that he has been working on to achieve these goals.
Stephen Awe has served on non-profit boards including the governing board at Feather River Hospital since 1991and more than 15 years service on Paradise Academy School board. He holds a B.S. in Accounting and an M.B.A. in Finance.
Andrew Liebermanis from San Francisco, and received a B.S. degree at U.C. Berkeley in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences. He first visited Guatemala in 1990 to study Spanish and get a break from computer programming. He settled in the small mountainous town of Santa Cruz del Quiché, marrying in 1995. He earned the nickname of “Teacher Andy” by teaching numerous English and computer courses.
In 2000, he began the Enlace Quiché project with U.S.A.I.D. and Academy for Educational Development, pioneering efforts to bring educational technology to rural Guatemala and opening the first telecenters in the country. Students, teachers, and partner organizations were able to produce well-acclaimed digital, audio, and print content about Mayan languages and culture.
In 2003, he led the formation of the Ajb’atz’ Enlace Quiché NGO, a Guatemalan non-profit, which continues to help indigenous peoples reach their full potential through innovative applications of information and communications technologies.
In 2003, "A Destiny", one of the CDs produced by Enlace Quiché received a World Summit Award. In 2004, Andy was recognized as a Tech Museum Laureate. In 2005, he participated in Santa Clara University’s Global Social Benefit Incubator. Later that year, Ajb'atz' Enlace Quiché received a World Summit Award for its work in e-Inclusion.
Andy recently finished a Master's Degree in Education and is currently living in San Francisco with his wife and two children and continues to support Ajb'atz' Enlace Quiché as the Permanent General Advisor while offering a range of consulting services in technology, education, development, and NGO/NPO management.
Patrice York - bio soon to come
Brian Pierce is an inventor and entrepreneur whose notable genius is developing innovative, simple solutions to highly complex problems. His commitment to finding an environmentally safe and cost-effective alternative to pesticides has resulted in a new science, Applied Photo Mechanics. Mr. Pierce successfully sought and received one patent and has four patents pending to support Applied Photo Mechanics.
He has extensive management experience in several industries. He has taken the best practices of each (agriculture, manufacturing, mechanics, and air transportation) and applied them to Advanced Light Technologies. Mr. Pierce is a scientist who brings a fresh, unhindered perspective to the business of Photonics and technology development.