Name: Lisa Mergen
Company: Western Digital
Title: Senior OEM Account Specialist

Why did you join the AYC?
I moved to Austin in August not knowing anyone so I thought it was a great way to get involved and meet more young business people in the community.

How did you get to Austin?
I drove the whole 21 hours from Minnesota by myself! [Split into 2 days of course] I heard there was no snow here and that was enough to get me packing!

What is your favorite lunch spot?
I just discovered Beets Cafe on 5th Street. It is a Living Foods restaurant but I encourage everyone to try it! *Order the E.L.T.

If you could have any celebrity live next door to you who would it be?
Ellen DeGeneres- She probably would invite you over for a drinks and to share a few good laughs but wouldn’t be a nosy neighbor.You could probably count on her to catch your dog if it ran away.

What are your top 3 things to do or see in Austin?
I am still discovering so I need the ideas!

When people ask you what you do for a living, what do you tell them?
I work for a hard drive company, but I don’t make them!
Or I go with Fortune Teller, it’s a better story.

If you couldn’t live in Austin, where would you want to live?
I would live on the Northern Beaches of Syndey, Australia.

Name: Paul McDonald
Company: BuildASign.com
Title: Talent Acquisition Manager

Why did you join the AYC?

Two years ago I was fortunate enough to start working for a great company, and was looking for an organization to expand my network and grow professionally. A few employees let me know about the Young Chamber and I attended one of the events. I knew immediately that it was really well aligned with my professional goals and that it was the type of organization I wanted to get involved in.

How did you get to Austin?

I have been around Central Texas now for almost 12 years. I went to college at Texas State, and knew after graduation I wanted to be in Austin. I made the big move 30 miles north of San Marcos as soon as I graduated.

What is your favorite lunch spot?

Our offices are out by the Domain so you can find me at any of those spots pretty often, but my “go to” is Cover 3.

If you could have any super power what would it be, and what would you use it for?

Rage! Mr. Furious off Mystery Men! I would get all worked up and not really do anything.

If you could have any celebrity live next door to you who would it be?

Justin Timberlake! He seems to have a pretty easygoing, fun life and the traffic to and from would be great to see.

What are your top 3 things to do or see in Austin?

Run Town Lake
SXSW Music
Lake Austin or Lake Travis boating

If you played hooky for a day, where would we find you?

The lake! I enjoy a good day of wake surfing and relaxing in the sun.

When people ask you what you do for a living, what do you tell them?

Talent Acquisition Manager for BuildASign.com, which has been voted one of the best places to work in Austin for the past four years! In a nutshell, I help find great people to come work for a great company.

What do you think the best invention is in the past 50 years?

It is a tie between HDTV and Iphone! They both forever changed the way I view life.

Who was your first Facebook friend?

My college roommate in 2004 Clark Martin IV told me this site that was going to be a life changer, and to get on now. So I did. I was on Facebook very early on. It is great to go back and look at the posts from then.

If you couldn’t live in Austin, where would you want to live?

I cannot imagine not living in Austin! I was asked this a couple of days ago, and I couldn’t even answer. I think the only other place I would live would be Vegas. You know you would have a ton of friends coming to see you.

How do you give back?

BuildASign.com has an amazing philanthropic program, BuildASign Gives. The program makes it very easy to be involved with various non profits, through volunteering and by providing in-kind donations. We’ve donated more than $350,000 to over 400 local and national organizations. I also speak and work with professional and networking groups in Austin and advise them on how to find jobs in the local market.

Registration: Registration is limited to 25 people and is free for AYC members.  Please RSVP to energy@austinyoungchamber.org

The University of Texas’ Hal C. Weaver Power Plant meets the university’s needs 24 hours a day, every day of the year.  Thanks to energy efficiency improvements, The University of Texas at Austin’s power plant uses roughly the same amount of fuel as it did in 1977 — yet it produces about twice the power and serves almost twice the square-footage in building space.

Over $150 million in efficiency improvements were paid for by savings from reduced fuel costs. In addition to saving the university money, increased efficiency has reduced CO2 emissions from power generation by about 100,000 tons.

Go behind the scenes with Juan Ontiveros, director of Utilities and Energy Management and check out the most efficient chilling station in the country, the University’s 140-megawatt Hal C. Weaver Power Plant.

In 2011, Texas experienced the most severe drought in recorded history.  The public health, environmental, and economic impacts of water scarcity are uncertain, but mounting evidence suggest these impacts are likely significant.   These recent events have redefined water resource paradigms for broads group of stakeholders.  How would long-term water scarcity affect Texas? Can we continue our long-standing success in growth and quality of life under increasing water restrictions? What are the potential solutions and how can we achieve them?

Join the CleanTX Foundation as we explore the potential of water efficiency, conservation, and reuse to meet Texas’ water resource needs.

Register here!

General Admission: $25 until 4/3, $30 after 4/3
Students: $10 until 4/3, $15 after 4/4. Students should be prepared to show ID upon entry at the event.

The Clean Technology SIG’s diverse membership which includes business leaders from large and small companies, startups, and nonprofit organizations represent different segments of the clean tech sector including battery systems, wind generation, electric retail, smart grid, lighting, and PV solar.

As a publicly owned power company and a city department, Austin Energy returns profits to the community annually. That money helps fund City services such as fire, police, EMS, parks, and libraries. The utility has provided $1.5 billion in dividends to the community since 1976.

APES provides a networking forum for Austin and surrounding area members to gather quarterly at industry social events supported by sponsor companies.