Lee McMinn did undergraduate work at the University of Texas, receiving a commission through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps.  Upon graduation in 1969, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the US Marines and attended flight school at NAS Pensacola.  Retiring from the Marines in 1991 he worked with Central Texas College in its overseas programs as an instructor and administrator.  He attended the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia and earned Masters Degrees in Human Resources Management and in Counseling and Personnel Services. He retired 2002 and moved to Transylvania County with his wife, Linda Randall, where he discovered through genealogy research that he has deep family roots. There he volunteers for the US Forest Service, other public service groups, and has become involved with the Board of Visitors at Brevard College.

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February 22 - Cyber Security, presenter Duane Dunston
The securitization of cyberspace has caused a sea change for both governments and the private sector is faced with new threats, new battlegrounds and new opportunities. With challenges such as international cybercrime and authoritarian control of networks how will the U.S. and its democratic allies approach the cyber frontier? How does this new domain figure in U.S. strategic interests?

Duane Dunston is an Information Security practitioner for STG Inc. and has been in the Information Security industry since 1997.  He is also an adjunct Information Assurance instructor at Pfeiffer University, his Alma Mater.  Prior to teaching at Pfeiffer University he was an adjunct computer science instructor at UNC-Asheville. Duane graduated from Pfeiffer University in 1997 with a degree in Sociology and completed his graduate work there in 1999 with an MS in Management. He has written several articles on linuxsecurity.com and is currently revitalizing an information security course originally developed by Carnegie Mellon and making it freely available on the Internet.  He was recently invited to become a Fellow on the National Board of Information Security Examiners.

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February 29 - Energy Geopolitics, presenter Grant Gosch
The energy markets have been shaken by the instability of Middle East oil and the vulnerability of nuclear power. Moreover, developing countries like China are becoming bigger energy consumers, while energy producers like Russia see the opportunity to widen their influence. In this changed landscape, how will the U.S.’s energy needs affect its relations with other nations?

Grant Gosch is General Manager at First Light Solar in Asheville and has been with the company since 2008. First Light Solar is a design and installation company providing residential and light commercial clients with the latest technology in photovoltaic and solar thermal energy systems.  Through his work at First Light Solar, Grant is applying his business know-how with his care for the environment to create a cleaner world. Grant is currently the president of Asheville Young Professionals and spends his free time cycling, hiking with his dog, and playing music with his wife Sarah.

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March 7 - Middle East Realignment, presenter Tom Sanders
The popular revolts and upheaval of the Arab Spring have radically changed the face of the Middle East. What lies ahead for the Middle East’s transition to democracy? What are the prospects for the governments that have held out in this new order? With many longtime U.S. allies ousted, how will the U.S. recalibrate its relations with new regimes?

Tom Sanders is well-known in the area since he has spoken on a number of Great Decisions topics in the past.  Tom grew up in Asheville, holds an AB from Duke and a PhD from Columbia. Early in his career he became a tenured professor of religious studies at Brown but he spent much of his career, 20 years, as a Latin American specialist for a consortium of universities. Tom has also taught political science and international studies at Connecticut, Earlham, and Tulsa.  Retiring to Asheville 20 years ago, he focused much of his attention on understanding the Muslim world including studying Turkish in Turkey and Arabic in Cairo. A year ago he did a course on Religion, Ethnicity, and Politics in the Middle East in the Master of Liberal Arts program of UNCA and this past fall a course on Political Development in the Arab World in the College for Seniors. Tom has long been associated with WAC-WNC, including serving as its Director for four years.

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March 14 - State of the Oceans, presenter Meredith E. Newman
The world’s oceans are essential to life on earth and are tremendously sensitive to global climate change. What are the consequences of climate change on oceanic factors like biodiversity, sea levels, and extreme weather systems? How can the U.S. and its international partners address the emerging challenges to this shared resource?

Dr. Meredith E. Newman is a prolifically published and practicing scientist and has a wide a varied professional life that has taken her far beyond the labs and flasks traditionally associated with her craft.  With a doctorate from Clemson University, she has taught undergraduate and graduate students, directed research projects, and conducted research at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, the University of Idaho, Clemson University, and Hartwick College. Her to her current interest is in the chemistry of the water in lakes and its effect on its effect on aquatic life.

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