Gary Waayers, a community college adjunct biology professor, conceived the concept for California Teachers for Fossil Fuel Divestment. He was inspired by Bill McKibben and 350.org's campaign to divest college endowments from fossil fuels. Gary has been teaching biology at various San Diego County community colleges since 1996 and is currently teaching at Southwestern, Grossmont, and Palomar Colleges. He is a member of AFT and CTA. Prior to teaching, he spent twenty years in the Navy, is a Vietnam veteran, and a graduate of San Diego State University with both a BS and MS in biology. Members of San Diego 350.org and teachers, active and retired, have helped move this project forward.