Catherine L. Ross, Harry West Professor and director of the Center for Quality Growth and Regional Development (CQGRD) at Georgia Institute of Technology, has been invited to the White House, in partnership with DOT and HUD, Clean Energy Forum. Secretary Ray LaHood (DOT) and Secretary Shaun Donovan (HUD) will speak about why action for a clean energy future is of vital importance and will then illicit responses and experiences from stakeholders regarding the issue. Ross has extensive experience in regional planning, infrastructure planning, and development. She is the author of the recently released "Megaregions: Planning for Global Competitiveness," published by Island Press in July 2009. Ross co-authored "The Inner City: Urban Poverty and Economic Development in the Next Century," published by Transaction Press. Ross advises the newly created White House Office of Urban Affairs .It is headed by Director Adolfo Carrión, Jr., who is charged with reporting directly to President Obama and concurrently to both Valerie Jarrett and to Melody Barnes.