#plugintodevin - Your Mark on the World with Devin Thorpe

#plugintodevin Show

Guest: Jenny Kassan

Office Held: Fremont City Council

Office Sought: None currently

Issue: Getting sufficient friendly capital for small businesses that are doing good in the world.

I have run several undercapitalized businesses and I hate living in a world where the most needed changemakers are struggling just to make ends meet.

We need to make it easier for everyone to move their investment dollars into the businesses they love and care about - this requires legal reform but even more important massive education and support for small businesses and non-professional investors.

Bio: Jenny has 25 years of experience as an attorney and advisor for mission-driven enterprises. She has helped her clients raise millions of dollars from values-aligned investors and raised over $1.5 million for her own businesses. She is the author of Raise Capital on Your Own Terms: How to Fund Your Business without Selling Your Soul (Berrett-Koehler, October 2017). Jenny earned her J.D. from Yale Law School and a masters degree in City and Regional Planning from the University of California at Berkeley.

Website: www.jennykassan.com

Twitter: @jennykassan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenny.kassan

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennykassan/

Instagram: @jennykassanconsulting

Photo credit: Jennifer Graham Photography

#plugintodevin Show

Guest: Gay Lynn Bennion

Office Sought: Utah House of Representatives, District 46

Issue: Education, historically underfunded, now challenged by COVID-19 and social distancing policies. All of our family members have attended public schools. I currently serve as Director of Education Committee with Women's State Legislative Council and have been following bills, attending hearings. Our 3-year old granddaughter is already excited to go to school. I want to work for the best education possible for her and all of our children. Being involved with the refugee/immigrant community for the past 5 years, I know they bring new energy and drive to our society, but they also need dedicated support from schools to thrive in a new culture and sometimes language.

Our democracy's foundation is educated citizens who have critical thinking skills, especially given the challenge of "fake news" and inundation of information with the internet. Funding has increased this year, but we still have many improvements to make.

Bio: I’m a Utah native and graduate of BYU in English. I married Jim in 1986. We began an adventure as his Air Force military physician service took us and our 4 children around the country.

We returned in 2012. I joined Women’s State Legislative Council and this 100 year old non-partisan group has allowed me to see the legislative process in action. I’ve attended and testified at hearings, followed bills, and written five resolutions passed by the Council.

I’ve also enjoyed teaching English to immigrants and refugees through English Skills Learning Center and received the 2016 Jean and Bruce Bingham Literacy Legacy Award.

I’ve been involved at this level because I am passionate about our public education, environment and helping all of us navigate through the health, financial and social problems we face due to the pandemic. I am endorsed by Senator Kathleen Riebe, Representative Marie Poulson and Josie Valdez.

Website: www.gaylynnbennion.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gaylynn.bennion

Photo credit: Robin Pendergrast

#plugintodevin Show

Guest: Jennifer Miller-Smith

Disable Rights Caucus Chair

Issue: Accessibility

Some places are not accessible.

We need more accessibility.

Bio: Utah Democratic Party Disability Caucus Chair, Salt Lake County Party Disability Caucus Chair. Disability activist/organizer.

Twitter: @jlms_qkw

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.millersmith

Photo credit: Karen Sewell

#plugintodevin Show

Guest: Elizabeth Hill

Chair of the Democratic Women of Utah County

Issue: solving the homeless crisis in Utah County, access to Mental Health Services and Suicide Prevention, gerrymandering, Affordable Insurance or Universal Health Care, overcrowded classrooms, helping folks transition from gov assistance with a better living wage, equal pay for women and rational student loan programs

We all know someone or are someone that has been personally affected by these issues

Elect leaders that also care deeply about these issues that are committed to addressing and solving them. Volunteering time and resources can make a big difference in many of these areas.

Bio: Elizabeth Hill- Chair of the Board for Democratic Women of Utah County. I am a paralegal working in Family Law and a firm believer in access to justice. I am a senior manager of volunteers for FanX, managing 150+ volunteers for Vendor Floor and Artist Alley. A firm believer in the value of volunteering whenever and wherever I can to make a difference in this world. DWUC is a group of women and men in Utah County that are committed to engaging in monthly meetings that provide information about local opportunities to volunteer, candidates running for office and global issues that affect us locally. We try to highlight local organizations that are making positive contributions to our community. Our membership dues are used solely to provide a scholarship for a nontraditional student seeking to further their education through UVU. Throughout the year we hold opportunity drawings at the monthly dinners for an item that is donated by a board member, and the money raised is donated to Project Read. We also do a yearly sub for Santa for the holiday and provide a wonderful holiday for a local family through the generous donations of our members. We have been highlighting Utah Women from our past and present this year as we celebrate the anniversary (150 for Utah!) of the right to vote. Some of the key issues that concern our members are: solving the homeless crisis in Utah County, access to Mental Health Services and Suicide Prevention, gerrymandering, Affordable Insurance or Universal Health Care, overcrowded classrooms, helping folks transition from gov assistance with a better living wage, equal pay for women and rational student loan programs. Of course, we could go on and on about the issues that we as a group care deeply about.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Democratic-Women-of-Utah-County-199367541541/

Photo credit: Reiko Turner

Guest: Joel McKay Smith

Issue: Creating and cultivating economic opportunities for marginalized communities (rural and neurodiversity)

I grew up on a farm in Utah county in what is now referred to as Silicon Slopes, I have a passion for education and empowerment.

Once this current crisis passes the ability for urban cores and rural communities will be even more important. The neurodiverse are uniquely qualified to execute critical tech positions that are hard if not impossible to fill.

https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance

Bio: Rural Business Development Champion, Cause Supporter, Super Connector, Public Speaker, Geek Evangelist, Father, Husband

Website: accelerantbsp.com

Twitter: @joelmeister

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joelmckaysmith

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelmckaysmith/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joelmeisterslc/

Guest: Aaron Dekeyzer

Office Sought: SL County Council 6

Issue: Dark Skies

Light pollution is growing at twice the rate of human population. As cities transition to LEDs in the name of energy efficiency (which they should), they often overlook the unintended consequences that those have on human and environmental health. And now, the first generation has been born that will never experience the Milky Way.

Fortunately, you can do something about it! Follow these two fundamental dark-sky principles: 1) only light your intended area when you need it by using a full-cutoff fixture, and 2) use bulbs with a color temperature of 3,000 Kelvin or fewer (think soft white, or warm yellow). You can also inquire with your city about their lighting ordinance. If you would like assistance on working to ensure that it is appropriate, you can connect with the Utah Chapter of the International Dark-Sky Association at utah.darksky.ngo

Bio: Aaron Dekeyzer has the passion to connect with voters and a strategy to win the election for Salt Lake County Council! A native of the valley, he currently serves as the Chair of the following organizations: Sandy City Sustainability Focus Group, Utah Society for Environmental Education, and International Dark-Sky Association Utah Chapter. Aaron has a Masters Degree in Ecopsychology and a certificate in Smart City Design and Technology from MIT. Aaron is a Realtor at Living Wasatch with Equity Real Estate. He holds the GREEN Designation, and focuses on educating his clients on the benefits of a green lifestyle. He loves spending time in his boys’ classrooms teaching ecological principles and networking with teachers. When he is not working in the community, Aaron enjoys photographing birds and stars, hiking and skiing, playing chess, and rocking out to concerts in gardens. He is so grateful to his wife and three sons for their support, and looks forward to having yours!

Twitter: @aaronslco

Facebook: http://facebook.com/aaronforcountycouncil

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-dekeyzer-44ba7668

Guest: Dayton Thorpe

Bio: I am a Data Scientist in San Francisco. I completed a PhD in physics at UC Berkeley and a bachelor's in math and physics from the University of Southern California. I serve on the Board of Directors for Eden I&R/211 Alameda County and Conard House, two California non-profits.

Website: howto115.com

Facebook: facebook.com/dayton.thorpe.7

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/dayton-thorpe-45240658/

Instagram: @dayton.thorpe

Guest: Daisy Thomas

Office Sought: Utah State House District 46

Issue: Health care

We all need healthcare.

Every human being deserves to live a life of dignity and in the US that means life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I don't believe people should suffer and die in poverty because they lack the financial capacity to pay for required medical services. Healthcare is an investment into a functioning society, as we are seeing with this worldwide pandemic.

Bio: Daisy Thomas served as the Utah Democratic State Party Chair 2017-2019, presiding over more growth in the Democratic Party than Utah has seen since the 1990s—retaining all incumbents, while adding three State House seats, one State Senate seat, and a seat in the US Congress -- all turned blue during Daisy’s tenure.

Website: http://www.daisyforutah.com/

Twitter: @daisygthomas

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDaisyThomas

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daisygthomas/

Instagram: @daisyforutah

Photo credit: Karen Sewell, Avenue Twelve Photography

Guest: Kurt Bestor

Office Held: National Delegate for Obama 2008

Issue: Health Care

As a free-lance musician, I have no employer and health insurance is very expensive.

There was a time in my life when I COULDN'T get health insurance (because I had two children with Spina Bifida). I made too much money to get Medicaid or other help while not making enough to pay for expensive medical specialists out of pocket. No insurance companies would cover my family due to the cost of the kids' care. Talk about medical care "no man's land!" I have LONG been a fan of taking the profit margin out of health care. R & D is one thing, but the profane world that health insurance and hospital monopolies have created need to be curtailed. A version of a one-payer system is a good place to start. This would cover all Americans for basic health care. Of course, like in Canada and the UK, one can always pay for luxury care or nicer hospital digs, but EVERY American should have the constitutional promise of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Sounds like good health to me!

Bio: Kurt Bestor, an Emmy-Award-winning and Grammy-nominated composer, is known for the incredible range of musical genres in which he excels. From his full orchestral film scores for IMAX movies like Great American West and Sedona to cutting edge synth compositions for television shows and video games, there's virtually no style he hasn't composed. Bestor's music is played by orchestras, bands, and singers the world over. His popular anthem "Prayer of the Children" is still one of the most sung choir songs in the world and is currently being covered by American Idol finalist David Archuleta and the iconic rock group Three Dog Night. When not composing, Bestor performs his traditional holiday show to sold-out audiences in the Intermountain West and his classical compositions and orchestral pops shows with various orchestras throughout the world.

He and his wife, Petrina, and daughter Ella make their home in the mountains of Utah.

Website: http://kurtbestor.com

Twitter: @kbestor

Facebook: facebook.com/kurtbestor

Linkedin: linked.com/in/kbestor

Instagram: @kbestor

Guest: Angela Krull, Campaign Manager

Issue: Opportunity and economic mobility for all

I grew up in a relatively small town in Idaho. I was taught that if you work hard, you can achieve your dreams. What I didn’t understand then and only really started to understand with more life experience was that not everyone starts in the same place and that all too often, the obstacles to achieving one’s dreams are almost insurmountable. That is especially true for minority communities and some rural communities.

Bio: Angela is the campaign manager for Devin Thorpe’s campaign for Congress. She is a lawyer by trade and has been working in the non-profit sector doing development work for the past 10 years. She helped create the Community Foundation of Utah, raised over $1M to expand Quatere’s entrepreneurial peer cohorts to several urban and rural communities across Utah, and has served in the boards of several nonprofits, including Encircle House and Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum. Angela has a BS from the UofU in Political Science, with a minor in Economics, and JD from U of U Law School. She and her husband have a daughter 11 and a son 10.

Website: http://devinthorpe.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angela.krull

Instagram: @angkrull