Chiho Kaneko

Chiho was born and raised in Iwate, Japan, one of the northern prefectures hit hardest by the earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011. After graduating from Hokkaido University in Sapporo, Chiho has spent most of her life in the United States, while maintaining a solid tie with her native land. She is a visual artist, journalist, and musician.

Robert Manning

Father, grandfather, teacher, and active community leader.

A fifth generation Californian, Robert served twenty-eight years as a California firefighter, of which the last fifteen were as Fire Captain. Throughout his career, Robert was also an active member of the International Association of Firefighters, including time as an executive board member for the Association. During his Disaster Management Career, he created and taught two courses: Fire Prevention, and Emergency Medical Technician training at Los Medanos College in Pittsburgh, CA and also served as a Fire Inspector and Recruit Trainer.

Robert is a lifetime member of Veterans for Peace engaging in anti-war activism since the first Gulf War in 1991 and worked with Dr. Daniel Ellsberg (Pentagon Papers), and the Sonoma County Peace and Justice Center during the war in Iraq. Since the 1960s when atmospheric nuclear weapons testing began, Robert has worked with well-known personalities such as: Dr. Helen Caldicott, the real Dr. Patch Adams, and Wavy Gravy. Additionally, as an active member of The Unity Foundation for twelve years, Robert assisted in creating events that promoted peace, nonviolence, and understanding of different cultures. 

Fairewinds Energy Education is grateful to have Robert Manning as a member of its Board of Directors.

Thomas Pound

Thomas brings his financial expertise to Fairewinds’ board, and has the mathematical and financial background to understand the research that Maggie and Arnie share with the world.

A native of Alabama, Thomas first became acquainted with Arnie and Maggie Gundersen when he was consulting in Vermont. Using his background in communication, mathematics, and finance to study the fiscal health of the nuclear energy sector, Thomas uncovered an ailing nuclear industry with many of its corporations and uranium companies at risk for outright bankruptcy.

Thomas and his family experienced the negative effects of the nuclear industry first-hand when Thomas lost an uncle prematurely to liver cancer, which was the effect of working in Australia’s uranium mines. Since their first meeting, Thomas developed a personal friendship with Arnie and Maggie, and believes in the work and mission they have created for Fairewinds Energy Education.

Thomas wears many hats. A graduate of the University of Alabama, Thomas is currently fulfilling his life calling as an educator in Southwest Florida. With a passion for teaching teenagers about the world of finance, Thomas returned to education with first hand knowledge of running his own successful business.

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