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We are a group of SW Michigan residents, working diligently to create a model sustainable residential community in SW Michigan.
Although we come from different walks of life and have diverse backgrounds, what unites us is our desire, through sustainable design approaches, to form a supportive and diverse human community that seeks to model a way of living in greater harmony with each other and the natural world.
If you would like to join us, feel free to come to the next Future Organizing Group F.R.O.G. meeting. It is always the 2nd Sunday of each month at 1:30pm at Nazareth College in Kalamazoo, MI. Print map.
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Michael D. Swords, Ph.D - Treasurer
Mike Swords is a scientist, researcher, and writer. He was a Professor of Natural Sciences and Human Biology at Western Michigan University, where he received a Teaching Excellence award.
Mike graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a B.S. He studied biochemistry at Iowa State University where he earned his M.S., and at Case Western Reserve university where he earned his Ph.D.
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Virginia Jones, CSJ, Ph.D - Marketing, Corresponding Secretary
Ginny Jones has been actively involved in environmental education and action for more than 20 years. She holds a doctorate in environmental education and a certificate in spiritual direction. She is a spiritual director with the Nazareth Center for Eco-Spirituality, a program that promotes environmental awareness for a greater harmony balance with the Earth community. Ginny is known for her work in eco-spirituality and for her efforts in establishing Manitou Arbor Ecovillage.
Ginny is also an adjunct faculty member of environmental studies for Western Michigan University and Sienna Heights University. She has planned, coordinated, and directed many environmental activities including statewide conferences on Christianity and the Ecology in the Kalamazoo metropolitan area.
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Rev. Michael Howell - Recording Secretary
Fr. Mike has been working on the MAEV project since its beginning in 1999. His interest is in trying to help create a style of living that shows we Americans can live in keeping with a "one-earth" standard. Presently, if all people in the world lived as we do, it would take two and a half to three earths to supply the resources.
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Sue Norman - member of the US Green Building Council, Interior Designer LEED AP
Sue is the designer and owner of designis |
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Craig Ressler - |
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Richard Dailey, ACSW - Fund Development
Richard has undergraduate degrees from Notre Dame, Hillsdale College and Florida State University. He also has a Master of Social Work from the University of Hawaii and School Social Work Certification from the University of Michigan.
Richard's most recent activities include volunteering at St Monica Church, the food pantry at First Baptist, Phoenix Community Church, and the Michigan State Employee Retirement Association (SERA), all in the Kalamazoo area.
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Christina Snyder - Architect
Lead architect of our ecovillage project and principal of Equilibrium
Energy Spaces, Christina is Michigan's first trained Passive House Consultant,
designing near Zero Energy Homes that can incorporate solar energy
systems, natural materials, earth-sheltered, co-housing, and whole
system design.
Shown here in front of her first self-installed Evacuated Tube Solar
Hot Water system, which is still working well! |
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Jordan Schau - Consulting Attorney
Jordan is an attorney in Kalamazoo who works primarily in the areas of business and real estate law. Jordan has a long-standing interest in sustainable living and intentional communities. He has been active with Manitou Arbor for over five years, both as a member, and providing certain pro bono legal services. |
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Carolyn V. Pesheck, Ph.D - Fund Development
Carolyn is a retired physical chemistry scientist from Pfizer with experience in pharmaceutical chemistry and chemical engineering. She has educated herself on green building, and has designed and helped to build her own house. Carolyn also has experience in landscaping with native plants, and is an avid outdoors person.
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Jody L. Washington, B.S. - Draftsperson
Jody has a Bachelor's degree in the Science of Architecture from
Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, MI. A former student
of Christina Snyder at L.T.U., Jody participated in the 2007 Solar
Decathlon Competition, helping to design and build an energy
efficient, solar powered home. |
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Teresa Lyn - Graphic and Web Designer, Marketing
Teri is a web designer and enjoys graphic design and making art in her spare time. She has a BS in E-Business and 20 years of adminstration experience. Teri works in administrations in the Center for International Programs at Kalamazoo College. |
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