Bio
John Diaz
John Diaz is the Editorial page editor for the San Francisco Chronicle.
Joe Epstein
Joe Epstein is the former President of The Commonwealth Club's Board of Governors. He is a veteran of over forty years in the steel business. In 1970, he founded Sierra Pacific Steel, a full line steel service center, located in Hayward, California. The Company was sold in 1998. He joined with David Garner to start Sierra Steel Trading, LLC in 2002.
Epstein is the President of Sierra Steel Trading and oversees its on going activities.
Tom Vilsack
Tom Vilsack is secretary of the US Department of Agriculture, where he is focused on strengthening agricultural economy; revitalizing rural communities; protecting and conserving natural resources; and providing a safe, sufficient, and nutritious food supply. Vilsack has worked to implement President Obama's agenda to turn around the economy and put Americans back to work.
In 2009, USDA supported struggling farmers and ranchers, provided food aid to one in five Americans, and implemented the Recovery Act to create jobs. Vilsack is implementing new strategies to restore forests and clean water supply. These conservation efforts are creating private-sector jobs and protecting and rehabilitating forests and wetlands. Under Vilsack's leadership, USDA is targeting child hunger and obesity. Vilsack has ordered a top-to-bottom review of USDA's food safety standards and has begun to implement policy changes. Vilsack has instituted reforms at USDA that will save taxpayers more than $50 million.