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2009
Axis of Oil:
Will Energy Be The Political Weapon of the Future?
Do the ways we use energy strengthen our enemies? Are we on the cusp of a new kind of Cold War? One fought not over political or religious ideology like communism or Islam, but against other nations for scarce energy resources?
KEYNOTE
 Matt Simmons
An Oil Man Reconsiders the Future of Black Gold
This veteran Bush/Cheney energy advisor and industry insider’s 2005 book Twilight in the Desert: The Coming Saudi Oil Shock and the World Economy shocked the oil world, suggesting Saudi & world oil reserves are declining faster than we think. His message is not to be missed. Detailed CV.
SPEAKERS
 James Howard Kunstler
Social Critic — Author — Journalist
Author of the captivating 2005 tome, The Long Emergency: Surviving the End of the Oil Age, Climate Change, and Other Converging Catastrophes of the Twenty-first Century, Kunstler is a social provocateur who understands that being honest about the past and present is the only way to prepare ourselves for an uncertain future. A seasoned journalist with the power to wake up a crowd, Kunstler frequently covers energy issues, the environment, and the new economy for The Atlantic Monthly, The New York Times, and Rolling Stone. Detailed CV.
 John Ghazvinian
Expert on Geopolitics of Energy
Author of the acclaimed book, Untapped: The Scramble for Africa’s Oil, this young Oxford-educated scholar will be joining us fresh from a month-long research trip to Iran for his next book. Detailed CV.
 Thomas A. Petrie
Oil-Industry Consultant
Co-founder of Denver/Houston-based energy consulting firm Petrie Parkman & Co. will join the Institute’s-own Dick Lamm & Mike Johnston as an expert facilitator at our June 25th participants’ session and as a featured speaker the following day. Detailed CV.
 Joseph Romm
Alternative Fuels and Climate Expert
Dr. Romm, renowned physicist and climate expert, has been praised by Time and Thomas L. Friedman and was recently featured on 60 Minutes’ discussing so-called “clean coal.” He’ll be an ideal guide to our discussion of alternative and renewable fuels and our energy future. Detailed CV.
The Vail Valley Institute is an independent, non-profit, non-partisan forum for thought and dialogue located in Vail, Colorado.
Our seminars give a wide spectrum of thoughtful and concerned individuals the opportunity to come together to address some of the most pressing national public policy issues of our time.
Discussions, in the form of Socratic dialogues, are based on current thinking and discourse but are framed within the context of the past, exploring some of the great but now largely overlooked lessons of history, with the goal of formulating solutions for the future.
These discussions are conducted in the format of round-table seminars held in late June at The Lodge at Vail in Vail, Colorado. They are open to the public for a tuition fee, and last from Wednesday evening through Saturday morning. They include in-depth Socratic dialogue among the participants facilitated by professional moderators, as well as presentations by national experts in the topic areas and discussions with these speakers. Curriculum materials are mailed in advance to help prepare all participants for the discussions.
The seminars include lunches, receptions and dinners in comfortable, private settings which engage speakers and participants in informal discussions that further enrich these stimulating experiences.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Peter Abuisi
Vail, CO
Robert W. Craig
Keystone, CO
John L. Furth
White Plains, NY & Scottsdale, AZ
Jeffrey S. Gorsuch
Aspen, CO
Michelle R. Hubbard
New Canaan, CT & Vail, CO
Michael C. Johnston
Denver, CO
Lee P. Klingenstein
Treasurer
Scarsdale, NY & Vail, CO
Patricia D. Klingenstein
Greenwich, CT & Vail, CO
Alan W. Kosloff
Vail, CO & Scottsdale, AZ
Richard D. Lamm
Denver, CO
Walter Loewenstern, Jr.
President
Santa Cruz, CA & Beaver Creek, CO
Jerry Santoro
Eagle, CO
Kathy S. Smith
Eagle, CO & St. Louis, MO
Keith E. Spero
Edwards, CO
Brooks Thomas
Chairman
New York, NY & Vail, CO
Neale Ward
Boulder, CO
Joan E. Wilson
Palo Alto, CA
Melissa L. Decker
Executive Director
Vail, CO |
