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Lee Felsenstein

Lee Felsenstein is recognized as a pioneer in both the design of early personal computers and in the formation of the personal computer industry from a hobbyist pastime. The legendary Homebrew Computer Club (1975-86) of Silicon Valley was instrumental in the formation of 23 of the original personal computer companies, largely due to the open meeting process developed by Mr. Felsenstein. He designed the first complete personal computer incorporating video display, and the first commercially successful portable computer. Mr. Felsenstein has operated his own electronics design company and spent 8 years working for Interval Research Corporation. He is a Laureate of the Tech Museum of Innovation for his work on sustainable information and communication systems for the developing world, and has been awarded the Pioneer of the Electronic Frontier award of the Electronic Frontier Foundation. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering in 1972 from the University of California at Berkeley.

Lena Diethelm

Lena Diethelm began her financial management and consulting company, The Numbershuffler, in 1986. She has been quoted in The New York Times and the Guardian regarding stock options. Prior to that she was Controller of an investment company. In the 1970s and 1980s, she spent many years as a trade union activist. Ms. Diethelm has had a lifelong interest in communications, networking and equal access. She is a member of the WELL, a pioneering online system, where she hosts the Holistic and Statements conferences. Ms. Diethelm received a Masters in Counseling and a Bachelors Degree in Spanish from San Francisco State University.

Robert Marsh

Robert Marsh has been a Silicon Valley entrepreneur for over 25 years. He co- founded Processor Technology Corp. in 1975, and co-invented one of the very first personal computers, the Sol-20, that same year. He was VP, Engineering at Document Technologies, Inc., an electronic document management supplier and Director of Engineering at Interwave Communications, a supplier of GSM cellular infrastructure. Both of these companies made IPO offerings on NASDAQ during his tenure.

He has also worked extensively with the Calflora Database in Albany, CA (www.calflora.org), a scientific and educational non-profit, and he is currently Assistant Treasurer of the Green Party of California. He is an alumnus (1970) of the University of California at Berkeley and is a member of the AAAS.

Maria Syndicus

Maria Syndicus has been involved in cultural exchange and international development since 1966, when she moved from her native Germany to California (USA) as an American Field Service exchange student. She has traveled widely and has used her intercultural interests in her avocations as Iyengar yoga instructor and online community networking pioneer.

With a background in chemistry, and science and technology, Maria's major work and business experience reflects her global networking interests. She has 25 years of experience researching and writing about emerging technologies and international business for global consulting firms. As a consultant, Maria has developed successful business concepts, commercial opportunities and strategies for small and large companies. In addition, her business experience includes international marketing and sales, marketing communications and public relations, and development and management of strategic partnerships.

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