Third Planet is a Florida-based NGO established in 1999 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. In 2005 Third Planet was classified as a non-profit operating foundation that devotes most of its financial resources directly to the conduct of its own programs.
Third Planet has received contributions from private foundations, individuals, in-kind gifts from the business community, and grants from philanthropic organizations.
From its inception Third Planet's programs have been built around the two pillars of our organizational mandate:
1. To assist the general public in learning about and implementing sustainable lifestyles.
2. To assist traditional cultures in their efforts to rejuvenate, promote, and make relevant to the public at large, their traditional folk art, design, and science.
Chairman
DR. ING. DAVID BENJAMIN
Principal, Environmental Design Partners, Inc.
David Benjamin, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Third Planet, holds a Ph.D. (Doktor Ingenieur) in Architecture from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, and is a practicing urban designer. Dr. Benjamin is certified by the National Charrette Insititute as a Public Meeting Facilitator and the United States Green Building Council as a LEED Accredited Professional. He has designed and facilitated several charrettes over the last 7 years, among them the Government of the Bahamas island-wide planning of Great Exuma, the Broward County County-wide Community Design Guidebook, and for the Native American reservation housing authorities in Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota.
President
ROBERT FARMER
Chief Executive Officer, Concept Communiqués, Inc./OurEnergyFuture.org
Robert Farmer, President of Third Planet, served on the Energy Advisory Committee of the Governor’s Commission for a Sustainable South Florida (1996-97). He is an energy systems planning engineer, experienced engine sales executive, pre-sales marketing specialist and an accomplished public speaker on energy issues, with a particular interest in community power systems for the 21st century. He was educated as a planning engineer by Bristol-Siddeley Engines/Rolls-Royce Gas Turbines Ltd. in the United Kingdom. Among many activities he is a member of the Climate and Energy Specialist Group of the World Conservation Union's (IUCN) Commission on Environmental Law (CEL). He is also a member and science advisor of the Southeast Air Coalition for Outreach (SEACO), an initiative of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
BARRY BENJAMIN
Vice President, Peace and Plenty Club & Beach Inn
Previously President of Benjamin Publishing, and photographer in the commercial and stock photography industries.
NIELS WORSÖE
Radio Technology and Media Consultant
RAND ECKHART
President, Energy Structures & Systems, Inc.
Associate's Degree: Solar Architecture & System Design, Lansing Community College; State of Florida General Contractor; State of Florida Solar Contractor; State of Florida Utility/Underground Contractor; State of Florida Energy Rater; Authorized Contractor and Dealer for GE Solar Energy Systems.
Members of the Board of Directors have experience in working with other non-profit organizations including: the Exuma Foundation (Bahamas); Legal Environmental Assistance Foundation (LEAF); Natural Resources Defense Council; World Conservation Union; Gold Coast Clean Cities Coalition; Sierra Club, Broward Chapter; National Environmental Trust, Florida Office; Miami Green Building Coalition; Fort Lauderdale Chapter of the American Institute of Architects; and the South Florida Chapter of the United States Green Building Council.
