Founder and Chair, RMPBI

Earl Staelin attorney; co-founder and chair of RMPBI; Legal Advisor for the Public Banking Institute; past work includes attorney for law firm representing large corporations and banks; director of a legal aid and public defender association for six years; assistant city attorney in Austin TX; litigation for many persons injured by toxic chemicals and defective products and in other legal areas; volunteer work includes president of a council on world affairs; nutrition counselor; facilitator of an educational forum; and public banking advocate since 2011. estaelin@comcast.net

Vice Chair RMPBI

Was born of Greek parents in Alexandria, Egypt. He attended primary school at a British institution (Victoria College) in Alexandria and finished Junior High and High School (Athens College) in Athens, Greece. He has lived in Egypt, England and America. He received his Bachelor's and master's degrees in Economics from UC Berkeley and his PhD from UC Boulder under the tutelage of Kenneth Boulding. Here's a quote that has guided me in my thinking and teaching on Economics: “Anyone who believes exponential growth can go on forever in a finite world is either a madman or an economist!”
His main interests are in Steady State Economics, Integrative Medicine, Positive and Energy Psychology and Progressive Mystical Christianity.

RMPBI Secretary / IT professional

Former US Navy Sonar Technician aboard the nuclear submarine, USS Patrick Henry SSBN 599(G). After the Navy, Michael got his BA in Philosophy from Calvin College where he reestablished the Calvin College Peace Organization, published the first ever study on the Arms Industry in Kent County, MI where the college is located, and organized several churches for protest at the leading weapons manufacturer. Served as Radio Electronics Instructor in Mombasa, Kenya as a Peace Corps volunteer. Served on the Board of Directors of CFVI (Coloradans For Voting Integrity). Founded Colorado Move to Amend after the SCOTUS decision in Citizens United case. And is now wholly focused on public banking in Colorado. You can learn more about his interests on his website: http://EstablishingLocalDemocracy.org Or contact him at mdavidmelio@gmail.com

Elizabeta Stacishin has 25 years of professional experience in urban design and landscape architecture, and received her Master’s degree in urban design from Harvard University in 1994.

Elizabeta served as vice chair of the Design Advisory Board for Denver's Arapahoe Square District. She also served as chair of the Seattle Design Review Board and was founding chair of the Seattle Urban Forestry Commission. After having lived and worked in Brazil, Bali, Nepal, China and the US, she retired in 2019 and has since dedicated her time to working to strengthen our democracy and protect our climate. She's currently in the leadership team at Indivisible Colorado and co-leads Indivisible Ambassadors in Denver's Capitol Hill. elizabeta.stacishin@gmail.com

Sid is a member of the Rocky Mountain Public Banking Institute Board of Directors.