Our Mission
ReThink Energy Florida’s mission is to educate, engage, and empower Floridians to take action and achieve a just transition to clean energy for a healthier, more sustainable environment through youth education, adult engagement, and community organizing.
Who We Are
The ReThink Energy Florida family is comprised of two distinct but connected organizations – ReThink Energy Florida, our 501(c)(3) educational charity founded in 2010, and ReThink Energy Action Fund, our 501(c)(4) social welfare advocacy organization founded in 2016.
After the Deepwater Horizon disaster on April 20, 2010, many Floridians were left feeling hopeless and helpless, and wanting to take action to help ensure that Florida’s environment and economy were protected from the adverse effects of risky fossil fuel development. Founders Kim Ross and Brian Lee, operating as Crude Awakening Tallahassee, organized letter writing parties to engage citizens in demanding that then Governor Charlie Crist call a special session of the Florida legislature to place a referendum for constitutionally banning offshore drilling on the ballot. Although we did not get the legislative results we set out for, we did connect people from all over Florida with their legislators and began building a network of citizens willing to educate and engage on energy and environmental issues.
Our Values
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Empowerment through deliberative democracy
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Evidence-based information
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Solutions-based problem solving
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Education-driven, particularly youth-focused
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Engagement with local, state, national, & world communities
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Grassroots organizing, education, & action
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Earth restoration
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Inclusion and Diversity
- Equity and Environmental Justice
Vision
We envision a world where communities are motivated and empowered to combat the effects of climate change, and where 100% of clean and renewable energy is available and affordable to all. Florida communities will unite in protecting and preserving their environment and lead the nation in developing more sustainable and energy independent communities.
ReThink Energy Florida will:
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Support Floridians in their efforts to affect climate change
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Educate young people about clean energy and motivate them to help in the transition towards global energy independence
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Help create healthy and sustainable communities
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Promote policies making Florida a leader in renewable energy
Annual Reports
Eva Armstrong
Board Member
Directors
Co-founder Kim Ross serves as Executive Director of Rethink Energy Florida. When she was an owner/member of EarthSTEPS, an environmental consulting firm, Kim also worked as the Operations Consultant and Project Manager on energy efficiency and Demand-Side Management projects. Kim was recognized as one of Tallahassee’s ’25 Women to Know’ in 2014.
Kim Ross
Co-Executive Director
Known throughout Tallahassee, Te’Rel joins ReThink with 25 years of organizational management, strategic planning, and coalition building. With a passion for community engagement, Te’Rel works to ensure that residents in every part of our community have a voice in conversations about clean energy. Te’Rel also serves as Operations Manager for the local Habitat for Humanity.
Te’Rel Bowman
Co-Executive Director
As a co-founder, Brian Lee has engaged in progressive and environmental campaign organizing for over fifteen years. He currently serves as the Campaign Director. Brian also served as a Leon Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor from 2014 – 2022. asdfghjk asdfghjk asdfghjk asdfghjk asdfghjk asdfghjk asdfghjk asdfghjk asdfghjk gh hjk ghh
Brian Lee spacefillers
Campaigns Director
With a passion for STEM and environmental justice, Autumn Goffigan’s journey began in robotics and coding. While studying in New Orleans, a love for teaching STEM grew, leading to work in education. After earning a psychology degree from FAMU, that passion continued through advocacy and now as a math teacher at Nims Middle School. Go Trojans! glh
Autumn Goffigan
Education Team
Director
Staff and Interns
Joan Leggitt has been a typesetter, proofreader, graphic artist, manager of an educational materials distribution facility, and freelance editor. In 2013, she founded Twisted Road Publications, an independent press with a mission of publishing marginalized voices.
Joan Leggitt
Executive Assistant
Talethia O. Edwards is a grassroots organizer, advocate for equity, coalition builder and speaker. She is the Founder and President of the Greater Bond Neighborhood Association, executive director of The H.A.N.D, Up Project, and CEO of her own Community Development consulting firm.
Talethia Edwards
S.E.E.D. Neighborhood Leader
Shelia is a native of Tallahassee and a graduate of Florida A & M University. She has worked in health care for 30 years. In Shelia’s spare time, she gives back to the community by volunteering, spending time with her family, shopping, reading, and meditating. ebebeb ebebeb ebebeb ebebeb
Shelia Morris
S.E.E.D. Neighborhood Leader
Dr. Hairston has a Ph.D. in Public Health and over 36 years as a strategist, researcher, facilitator, educator, and analyst. She is Founder/CEO of Project S.W.A.N, President of J.M. Hairston Consulting, and Community Health Initiative Advocate for the Greater Frenchtown Revitalization Council.
Dr. Jacquelynn Hairston
Grants Development Advisor
A Political Science student motivated by the opportunity to influence policy for a more sustainable and equitable future.
Stella Nunes
Associate Director of Campaigns
An Environmental science student deeply committed to conservation and driven to enact positive change. With a passion for sustainable development and innovative solutions, striving inspire environmental stewardship.
Alexander Barbosa
Communications Coordinator
Board
Dr. Bruce Strouble is the Senior Manager of Equitable Climate Resilience Projects at GroundWork USA and an adjunct professor at Florida A&M University.
He has been on ReThink’s board since January 2019.
Bruce Strouble
Board President
Marion graduated from Florida State University with major in Political Science and minor in Environmental Science and Policy. She is motivated to help the environment, especially by promoting renewable energy sources and eliminating plastic waste in her community.
Marion Knowles
Board Secretary
Cetta Barnhart, graduate from Florida A&M University has served the last 20 years in the areas of health and wealth building for families in her community. Currently operating Seed Time Harvest Farms, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) services and as an Enviromental Specialist within Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services her focus continues to be on the health and welling being of all she comes in contact. asdfghjk asdfghjk gh hjk ghh
Cetta Barnhart
Acting Treasurer
Ms. Armstrong is a member of the Leon County Water Resources Advisory Committee and the Tallahassee Board of Realtors. During her successful eight years directing Florida government’s real estate division, Eva was responsible for the purchase of 1.1 million acres of conservation lands for $2.3 billion, providing Floridians and visitors with additional recreational opportunities throughout the state while protecting sensitive habitats for our unique wildlife.
Eva Armstrong
Board Member
Before her retirement in 2015, Mrs. Ebben served with the Florida Department of Health for 22 years. She has been on the board of ReThink Energy Florida since May of 2017.
Cynthia Ebben
Board Member
Mr. Ebben had a 61-year career in broadcast journalism and received the Legacy Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his “commitment to excellence, character, and leadership in broadcast journalism.”