THE DETAILS

Focus: The Eco-Renaissance

Maximum ten people allowed
First ten people to RSVP accepted

FEATURED EXECUTIVE - David Fortson

David Fortson’s path from athlete to eco-entrepreneur is a wild one.  After a “Theology of Nature” class in high school, David was inspired to do his part to help save the planet. 

Arriving to UC Santa Barbara, David immediately dove head first into environmental activism.  To begin he led an impactful campaign that helped stop ExxonMobil’s Clearview oil drilling project and created a highly successful campus-wide recycling program. As a third year, he found himself commanding a million dollar budget. David and his fellow board members doubled the park size, increased natural habitat and strengthened organic standards, while reaching out to the county and University to begin a master planning process for the suffering Isla Vista.

Upon graduation, David worked for, or served on, the board of a handful of community environmental policy organizations, a perfect lead in to working for State Assembly member Hannah Beth Jackson.   These experiences led David to found and serve as Executive Director of the Santa Barbara County Action Network (SB CAN) where he lobbied across the county for stronger environmental and social justice legislation.

After 10 years as a full time activist and realizing the limitations of government and non-profits, David moved into business working for a, then start-up, company called Sonos.  While at Sonos, he invented and nationally launched a dog product, "The Brush Buddy", making two appearances on QVC. 

In 2009, David created a company that combined his experiences as an activist, legislator and businessman: LoaTree.  Believing business is one of the most powerful and dynamic agents for making a better planet, LoaTree focuses on inspiring change with successful and sustainable business models and lifestyles. 

David lives on a 300 acre ranch that practices sustainable land use management practices and co-founded the Orella Stewardship Institute (OSI), a catalyst for regenerative land use design and practices.

LoaTree currently serves as the Manager of Marketing and Production for the 40th Anniversary Earth Day, a 20,000 person event held in Santa Barbara on April 17th – 18th, 2010.

WHAT TO EXPECT

What is the "Eco-Renaissance" and why should your business care?  David will focus on the powerful societal shifts that are fueling the eco-renaissance in business and personal living.  He will discuss business models that focus on inspired innovation and personal living to help address the mountain of environmental challenges facing our country and world.   David will share his experience of integrating community, sustainability, and profitability as a critical path for business and positioning yourself for success in the Eco-Renaissance.  David will also touch on the state of eco-business and issues in Santa Barbara County.

David prides himself on keeping people laughing, thinking and, most importantly, stimulated to live and lead eco-inspiring lives. 

Might you be a eco-renaissance man or woman?  Come find out.