Posted on March 13,
ADAO 15th Annual International Asbestos Awareness and Prevention Conference
“Where Knowledge and Action Unite”
April 5 – 7, 2019
Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel
2019 Conference Info | Know Before You Go | Registration | Marriott Reservations | Agenda | RSVP for Events | Friday – March for Justice and Remembrance | Friday – Trolley Tour | Friday – Casual Dinner | Saturday “Meet the Artists” Reception and Gala Awards Dinner | Sunday Brunch | Honorees | Speakers | Speaker Information | Tributes | Sponsors | Media | Meet the Speakers Blog Series | 2019 Livestream | Previous Conferences
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) is proud to present a new weekly series “Meet the Speakers and Honorees,” which will highlight esteemed participants of our highly anticipated 15th Annual International Asbestos Awareness & Prevention Conference! The ADAO conference, which will take place on April 5-7, 2019 in Washington, D.C., combines 30 expert opinions, victims’ stories, and new technological advancements from 10 countries across the globe into one united voice raising awareness about asbestos. ADAO is the only U.S. nonprofit that organizes annual conferences dedicated solely to preventing asbestos exposure and eliminating asbestos-caused diseases. Register Here Today! 
Sunday Unity and Remembrance Brunch Speakers: Marilyn Amento, Jill Cagle, Dr. Barry Castleman, Kim Cecchini, Dr. Richard Lemen, and Heather Von St. James
Moderator: Ellen Costa
***
Marilyn Amento, (SLT Director, Eastern Region) has been involved with ADAO in various capacities since before the first Asbestos Awareness Conference in Washington, DC in 2005. Marilyn is the widow of Joe Amento, Jr. who died of mesothelioma at the age of 53, only 6 months after his first symptom. Joe was exposed to asbestos approximately 40 years prior while visiting his father at one of the several asbestos plants, and playing on asbestos scrap piles in the small borough of Ambler, a Philadelphia suburb. Marilyn has a Master’s Degree in Human Services Management from The Heller School of Brandeis University, and is the proud Mom of two college students, Joe and Julie. She channels her grief and anger with the asbestos industry by working with ADAO and educating the public about asbestos through her strong Facebook presence.
Jill Cagle is a performer and Mesothelioma Widow. She is the surviving spouse of Mesothelioma Warrior Robbie Cagle, who lost his 6-year battle with Peritoneal Mesothelioma on 9-11-11 at the age of 46. She is a mother and now grandmother of 3. She is a Christian and her faith in God truly sustains her. She is the lead singer in the Band Backstreet and plays the Fiddle. She makes primitive crafts and candles and she loves to ride her Harley and feel the wind in her hair. She has been associated with ADAO since 2007 and has now started an annual Motorcycle Ride, “Ridin the Wind with Rob” which includes a 110-mile ride, dinner, silent auction, raffles and t-shirt sales to raise funds for awareness and ultimately a CURE of Mesothelioma. Jill and Rob marched on Capitol Hill in 2010 to help get Illinois to sign the National Asbestos Awareness Day Bill and also met with the DOD. She is committed to doing whatever it takes to get this killer 100 % banned. She is truly honored and proud to be a part of this organization.
Dr. Barry Castleman, ScD is an Environmental Consultant trained in chemical and environmental engineering. He holds a Doctor of Science degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. He has been a consultant to numerous agencies of the US government and other governments, international bodies, and environmental groups dealing with a wide range of public health issues. He has testified as an expert in civil litigation in the US on the history of asbestos as a public health problem and the reasons for failure to properly control asbestos hazards. Dr. Castleman has spent the past 40 years working on asbestos as a public health problem.
Kim Cecchini, ADAO Board Member, has been involved with the organization since its founding in 2004. She is a senior communications strategist, with more than 25 years of experience managing diverse PR and corporate communications programs for a wide variety of high growth companies, specializing in technology and the federal sector. She currently resides in Raleigh, NC.
Ellen Costa is a Strategy Consultant at Wells Fargo Home Lending and ADAO Board Member. Ellen has been a volunteer with ADAO since 2012 and is honored to be of service to this very special organization; its mission, founders and supporters. Professionally, she has been in the financial services industry for over 25 years and has served firms in marketing, communications, product management and strategic planning. Her current position at Wells Fargo Home Lending is as a strategy consultant in the financial reform regulatory environment. Inspired by Linda Reinstein’s commitment and passion in making change, influencing political policy and advocating for practical issues on a global level, lead to her involvement with the organization. The awareness, family support and leadership ADAO provides in creating the change needed in this world is truly powerful. Most importantly, she believes in Linda Reinstein and is truly privileged to serve the mission of ADAO.
Dr. Richard Lemen, PhD, MSPH is a retired Assistant Surgeon General of the United States and also served as the Acting Director and the Deputy Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health before his retirement. He has been a practicing epidemiologist for more than forty years and has taught graduate level courses on environmental and occupational health issues, including asbestos, at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. He has also testified on behalf of asbestos victims; Dr. Lemen is a world-renowned author, speaker, and lecturer on this topic.
Heather Von St. James was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma at the young age of 36, just 3 1/2 months after the birth of her one and only child. She is now a 13-year survivor of the disease and a strong advocate for asbestos victims’ issues. She, along with her husband, blog for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance, and Huffington Post. She spends her spare time volunteering at her daughter’s school, being with friends and family and living life to the fullest. Her goal is to bring about hope to mesothelioma patients and awareness regarding the disease.
***
Check back next week for the seventh installment of “Meet the Speakers and Honorees” featuring our 2019 Keynote Speakers and Artist.
In Unity,
Linda