Mike is an educator, 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.

Craig has a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering and worked in product development as a mechanical engineer. He is a researcher at EasyToBeGreen, a firm that educates interior designers on product sustainability. Craig is an avid outdoorsman and is involved with Inner City Outings, which gives inner city kids the chance to try outdoor activities. MAEV is an opportunity for him and his long-time partner Sue Norman to design their own home and live in an environmentally aware community.

Sue is experienced in all phases of commercial design and building. She teaches Green Advantage courses through Grand Rapids Community College and interior design studio courses at Michigan State. Sue’s passion for sustainability is woven throughout her life and work. She created and manages EastToBeGreen.com, a sustainable design resource for interior designers. Sue was a founding member of the West Michigan Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council.

Ginny has been actively involved in environmental education and action for nearly 40 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, and coordunates the Nazareth Center for Eco-Spirituality. Ginny is also an adjunct faculty member of Environmental Studies at Western Michigan University.

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. Father Mike's message: if all people in the world lived as we do, it would take two and a half to three earths to supply the resources!

By day Teri is an Operations Assistant at Kalamazoo College in the Center for International Programs. She is the webmaster/graphic designer for MAEV. Teri has many years of varied administrative experience, a BS in eBusiness, and has studied web and graphic design at the Center for New Media in downtown Kalamazoo. She enjoys backpacking and looks forward to building a strawbale house at MAEV and surrounding it with native plants!

Carolyn is a 'retired' scientist. She has a Ph.D in Physical Chemistry and worked in pharmaceutical chemistry and chemical engineering at Pfizer. She has educated herself on green building, and designed and helped to build her own house. Carolyn also has experience in landscaping with native plants, and is an avid outdoors person. Since retiring she has been volunteering all over the U.S. for Facing Hunger, a hunger relief effort. Currently she is in Alaska.

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.

Brian is a local agent with ERA Network Real Estate. He serves the Greater Kalamazoo Area and lives in Portage with his wife and 3 children. As a Realtor Brian has had much success in the residential market working with both sellers and buyers.

Jordan is an attorney in Kalamazoo who works primarily in the areas of business and real estate law. He has a long-standing interest in sustainable living and intentional communities. Jordan has been active with Manitou Arbor for over eight years, both as a member, and providing certain pro bono legal services.