about us
Our Mission
“To confront the climate crisis with urgency in order to accelerate the transition to a post-fossil fuel society.”
Our Story
In 2021, a group of both active and retired individuals gathered at a local restaurant and bar once a month to discuss technologies aimed at better managing our planet. As beer glasses clinked and wine glasses swirled, casual conversations began to shift. The group shared a common passion—protecting the planet we live on.
As the years passed, climate science revealed increasingly alarming data about the declining state of our atmosphere. Scientists warned that, within just a few short years, we would reach levels of greenhouse gases that could irreversibly damage life on Earth. Something had to be done.
What started as a simple “happy hour” conversation soon became something more. The group began meeting at members’ homes and local restaurants, turning casual talks into serious planning sessions.
Their goal: to form a non-profit organization committed to restoring our atmosphere to pre-industrial greenhouse gas levels.
This mission would be pursued through education and outreach programs focused on climate change facts and mitigation strategies for young people and local officials.
Meet the board
Chairman
Steve Driese
Dr. Steven G. Driese is a paleoclimate scientist whose specialty is paleoclimate reconstructions using Paleosol. Steve attended Southern Illinois University for his B.S. and the University of Wisconsin-Madison for his M.S. and Ph.D. in Geology. Steve worked as a Professor of Geology from 1982-2004 in the Geological Sciences Department at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and the in the Geosciences Department at Baylor University in Waco, TX from 2004-2022. Steve has been an Emeritus Professor since 2022 and now resides in Knoxville, TN. 2024 Treasurer, 2025 Chair of Knox Climate Watch Board.
Treasurer
Gary Aumaugher
Gary Aumaugher, BSEE from Western Michigan University with specialty in instrumentation and controls. Automation and instrumentation and control work for a number of industries including computer manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, NASA, food, and metals. Spent seven years working with teams of researchers at Electric Power Research Institute in areas related to carbon reduction for utilities world wide. The focus of my research was energy efficiency in homes and businesses, with an emphasis on smart homes and how utilities can best communicate needs to the modern smart home. Also worked in the areas of solar generation, wind turbines, and international cooperation.
Secretary
Deb O'Dell
Dr. Deb O’Dell is a soil scientist who is an adjunct faculty member of the Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science department of the University of Tennessee. Deb went back to school late in life and got her doctorate in 2019 with research measuring carbon emissions over agriculture. Previously Deb worked as a computer programmer at the DOE plants in Oak Ridge, TN and then explored electronic payment systems such as eCash followed by work in cyber defense, before going back to school. Deb now supports Knox Climate Watch as Secretary on the Board of Directors. Deb is excited to work with the community to help understanding of climate change and explore what we can all do to reduce the impacts of climate change.
Past Chairman
Brian May
Bio
At-Large
Brian Jones
Brian Jones is a retired President and Chief Executive Officer of DPRA, Inc. and previously served as a Group Leader and Principal Investigator at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He holds a B.S. from Campbell University and an M.S. in Software Systems from Webster University, with additional experience in LISP (Symbolics) in Cambridge, MA. Brian also had a distinguished military career, serving in the U.S. Army Special Forces and as a U.S. Air Force Aviator, later working as a National Defense Planner. Now retired, he enjoys fly fishing and continues to engage with his community.
Want to reach out?
We are always open to talk about climate change and how we can work together to help Knox County become greener.