Earth Sciences Inc.

Hillery has a long and extensive track record of support for public education. He and wife, Yvette, raised five children, all of whom attended public schools in North Charleston. Hillery's involvement with the school board dates back to 1980 when he served on the Constituent Board for District #4 in North Charleston, followed by two consecutive terms with the County Board from 1984 to 1992. And now, he returns to the County Board after winning a seat in the November 2000 election, bringing with him a wealth of experience as a parent, past constituent and county board member, and successful businessman. Born and raised in Lincolnville, Hillery attended Lincolnville Elementary and graduated from Bonds-Wilson High School. After receiving his bachelor's degree in chemistry from Allen University in Columbia, Hillery went on to complete graduate studies at Charleston Southern University, South Carolina State University, and the Georgia Institute of Technology. A chemist and laboratory director with the former Charleston Naval Shipyard for 30 years and the owner of Earth Sciences, Inc., Hillery understands finances and the need for fiscal accountability in the public school system. A former school teacher at Gresham-Meggett School on James Island, Hillery sees the need for improvements in student performance and achievement and in school building facilities. Hillery also recognizes that improved resources can give students and teachers the tools they need to succeed. An advocate for Board harmony and unity of mission, Hillery and his fellow Board members agree: a consolidated school district is in the best interest of all the children in Charleston County public schools. Hillery currently serves on two committees of the Board: Legislative and Property & Operations, which he chairs. In March 2002, he was recognized by the South Carolina School Boards Association (SCSBA) for ten years of service as a board member in Charleston County. Hillery is also active in many community organizations including the board of Charleston Salvation Army. He's a former cub scout master and playground football coach and serves as vice-chairman of the Covington Hills Civic Club. His hobbies and special interests include boating and fishing.

Alan Morgan is a Professor of Earth Sciences at the University of Waterloo. He first visited Iceland as a 17 year-old schoolboy on a six-week expedition to central Iceland. Since then he has returned eleven times, including during the eruption of Eldfell when he filmed the volcano for a "Nature of Things" CBC and PBS documentary. He has led or co-led excursions to Iceland in 1974, 1990 and twice in 2002.

Dr. Pyke is the Principal Scientist, Primary Forensic Meteorologist and Expert Witness, and Seasonal Forecasting Specialist of California Weather & Earth Sciences, LLC and Western U.S. Weather & Earth Sciences, a division of Associated Science Experts, LLC.. Dr. Pyke prepares California Weather's long-range weather outlooks (2 weeks to 14 months), many of the Daily Weather Planner forecasts, and special weather forecasts for the film industry, Disneyland, Disney's California Adventure, and Walt Disney World, the Super Bowl, the Academy Awards, the Emmys, the Rose Parade, the Rose Bowl, the National Football League Kickoffs, agriculture, construction, power companies, family festivals, farmers' markets, and other special events. In the course of his forensic discovery and expert testimony, Dr. Pyke obtains and analyzes certified weather data, prepares forensic meteorological reports, and testifies in court for numerous cases involving rain, wind, ice, snow, fog, blowing dust, extreme temperatures, sunrise and sunset, twilight, and moonlight. He also coordinates dozens other of top specialists from the fields of meteorology, hydrologic engineering, oceanography, geology, and other sciences - each of whom serves as an Expert Witness in litigation cases. Since 2004, Dr. Pyke has headed Associated Science Experts, LLC, which also provides other specialized scientific services, such as public lectures and The Visiting Science Professor program, plus insect and pest control services. Dr. Pyke is the company's Managing Member, Principal Scientist, and primary Forensic Meteorologist and Expert Witness. Dr. Pyke is an official Weather Spotter for the National Weather Service and is a Member of the American Meteorological Society and California Weather Association.

Mike Benton is Professor of Vertebrate Palaeontology at the University of Bristol, and he is currently Head of the Department of Earth Sciences. His research is on dinosaurs, diversification and mass extinctions. He is currently working on the origin of dinosaurs and on the end-Permian mass extinction, the greatest extinction event of all time. He is deeply committed to earth sciences education and public engagement, and is author of some fifty books on dinosaurs and the history of life. He has had a long interest in geoconservation, having worked on the Geological Conservation Review from the 1980s, and being author and co-author of three GCR volumes.