Our Board and Advisors
Board of Directors (in alphabetical order)
Gary L. Howe, Photojournalist
Gary is a freelance photojournalist and writer based out of Traverse City. He is a world traveler, spending five years in China and one in Australia. To document coffee producers selling to Fair Trade importers, he has traveled to Mexico, Bolivia, Rwanda, and Colombia. In addition to photography, Gary works to make his home community a great place to retire - in about 30 years. He is an instructor at Northwestern Michigan College, volunteers with a number of nonprofits, and hosts a blog about intentional design of public space with a focus on transportation www.MyWheelsAreTurning.com
Len Mankowski, Geologist
Len is a geologist at an environmental consulting firm and works throughout Michigan and the upper Midwest on environmental investigation and remediation projects. He received a B.S. in Applied Geophysics and an M.S. in Geology from Michigan Technological University. As a student and grad student, he performed active research in the areas of near-surface geophysics and climate change, and also developed workshops for K-12 teachers and student youth programs including the American Indian Workshop. Following graduation, Len spent a year as an instructor at Michigan Tech before returning to Traverse City, where he spends as much time as possible paddling, skiing, or sledding with his wife, two children, the dog, and (occasionally) the cat.
Johanna Miller, Community Builder
Johanna is the Outreach Director and Energy Organizer at the Vermont Natural Resources Council, working with organizations, local officials, and citizens. She works to make the connection between the health of Vermont's natural resources and the viality of the state's communities, economy, and people. She spent five years as an organizer for the Michigan Land Use Institute. Johanna has served on the board of directors for the Friends of the Crystal River, the Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council, and Great Lakes Bioneers. Johanna was educated at Northern Michigan University and the University of Vermont, where she received a BA in English and Environmental Studies. She lives in Montpelier, VT, and enjoys skiing, kayaking, running, and hiking.
Pete A. Muñoz, Professional Engineer
Co-Founder of SEEDS and Board Vice President, Pete is Senior Engineer and Managing Principal at Natural Systems International, a global firm that provides comprehensive and specialized ecological infrastructure analysis, engineering, and design services for the creation of water, wastewater, stormwater, and water reuse systems. He is a licensed professional engineer in six states and is a LEED Accredited Professional. He is also a Michigan certifed Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (#5341). He received a BS in Biosystems Engineering from Michigan State University and an MS in Environmental Engineering from the University of Vermont. Much of Pete's current work involves constructed wetlands, water reuse, and greywater treatment systems. His other interests include natural building and design, traveling, and his new daughter.
Bill Palladino, Business Consultant
Bill wears many hats. He is the Executive Director of On the Ground, a nonprofit dedicated to working directly with communities around the globe helping them gain sustainable access to fresh water, education, and quality healthcare. He is also the principle consultant and owner of Krios Consulting, a strategic planning and leadership development practice with global reach. Bill grew up in the Bronx, NY and spent 12 years as a broadcast journalist working with Minnesota Public Radio and other public broadcasters.
John Taylor, Energy Efficiency Liaison
John is SEEDS Board President. Since 2002, John has worked at The Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE). Currently he serves as CEE’s Liaison to the ENERGY STAR Program and is in charge of CEE's Central Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Initiative. CEE, a nonprofit public benefits corporation, develops initiatives to promote the manufacture and purchase of energy-efficient products and services for its North American members (who invest nearly $4.5 billion annually to promote energy efficiency). He has Master's degrees in Environmental Management and Public Policy from Duke University, and a Bachelors degree in Economics from Kalamazoo College. In his free time, John gets outside as much as possible to bike, run, and ski with his wife, son, and Bernese Mountain Dog.
General Counsel
Ross A. Hammersley
Ross is an Associate with the firm, Olson, Bzdok and Howard. He specializes in environmental, real estate, municipal and land use law. He is a cum laude graduate of the Michigan State University College of Law where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Michigan State Law Review from 2005 to 2006. His background includes leading experiential youth programming. ross @envlaw.com
Sister Organizations
In addition to the many partners we work with, we have a special relationship with the two organizations listed below. Because of the great affinity of vision, the peninsular proximity, and our general fondness for working with one another, our boards have ratified sisterhood with:
