Reform Institute Expands Advisory Committee to Help Guide Bold Agenda

Washington, DC, February 11, 2009 --(PR.com)-- As it launches an ambitious policy program for 2009 the non-partisan Reform Institute today announced the additions of several policy experts to its Advisory Committee that will help guide its reform agenda. The Institute will address critical issues such as energy and environmental sustainability, the economy, immigration reform, homeland security and national resilience, and governance and election reform.

Energy and economic reform will be major areas of focus for the Reform Institute in 2009. Lance Bultena, a partner with Hogan & Hartson, LLP and former counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, will provide insight to the Institute’s energy and economic policy programs as a new member of the Advisory Committee. As the United States seeks to recover from a recession, the Institute will advance reforms that produce a truly resilient economy and enhance opportunity and competitiveness in advance of the challenges ahead posed by rising national debt and an aging population. “I am excited to work with the Reform Institute as it addresses key energy and economic challenges that will affect long-term economic growth in the U.S. and our global leadership standing,” said Mr. Bultena.

Adding further expertise to its energy program the Institute is proud to announce that Bob Martin from Princeton, New Jersey has joined its Advisory Committee. Mr. Martin brings over 25 years of business consulting experience, primarily advising the utility and energy industry, to the Advisory Committee. He retired last year as a partner with Accenture, LLP. For the last several years he has also counseled numerous candidates at both the Federal and state level on energy policy. “I look forward to working with the Reform Institute as it seeks solutions-based reforms that reduce our reliance on foreign oil, preserve the environment, and rebuild America’s energy infrastructure,” according to Mr. Martin.

The Reform Institute will convene a national energy symposium in Washington, DC on April 21 to bring together a diverse array of stakeholders to discuss in a constructive manner the energy challenges facing the nation and how to confront them. In advance of the conference, the Institute will soon release a report that lays out the energy situation and offers ideas towards developing a comprehensive energy strategy that moves America forward. Modernizing the nation’s electrical power grid towards a high-tech “smart grid” that will promote conservation, efficiency, renewable energy and resilience is a key component of the Institute’s energy agenda that is currently gaining considerable traction in Washington.

Building on a successful 2008 the Institute will also continue to be a leader in national resilience and security policy. The Institute’s well-received March 2008 national symposium “Building a Resilient Nation: Enhancing Security, Ensuring a Strong Economy” and subsequent report of the same name helped to elevate the concept of resilience as a key component of America’s homeland and national security policy with the new Congress and Administration as well as in the private sector. In 2009 the Reform Institute will remain active in promoting resilience in critical infrastructure and the global supply chain, public-private partnerships, continuity of business operations, and preparedness on the part of individuals and communities.

The addition of Scott Greiper, President of the Secure Strategy Group, an advisory firm to the security and defense technology markets, to the Institute’s Advisory Committee will bolster the Institute’s efforts in homeland security and national resilience. In addition to being a frequent speaker on security and defense issues Mr. Greiper is a member of several professional groups, such as the InfraGard New York Alliance, which is sponsored by the FBI and brings together vetted practitioners and industry experts from business, academia and government with a common goal to enhance the security of the nation's critical infrastructure. “I am pleased to join with the Reform Institute to promote innovation, collaboration and leadership in strengthening national security and resilience,” stated Mr. Greiper.

The Advisory Committee is a bipartisan group of notable academics, experts, business leaders and public officials that helps guide the Reform Institute’s research and development of policy solutions. The committee does not have a governing role with the organization. “The Reform Institute is honored to have these new additions to our distinguished Advisory Committee,” stated Reform Institute Executive Director Cecilia Martinez. “They will play a valuable role in shaping and implementing our important policy agenda.”

The Reform Institute is a non-partisan, not-for-profit educational organization working to strengthen the foundations of our democracy and build a resilient society. The Institute formulates and advocates valuable, solutions-based reform in vital areas of public policy, including homeland and national security, energy and environmental progress, economic opportunity and competitiveness, immigration policy, and governance and election reform. Visit their website at www.reforminstitute.org.

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