STAFF
DIRECTORY

Jamie Heipel is The Green Institute's Executive Director. Jamie brings ten years of business and human resource management experience in the areas of financial and risk management. Before joining The Green Institute in October 2003 as Director of the ReUse Program, Jamie served as Strategic Business Unit Regional Manager for Affiliated Computer Services, a Utah-based company providing business and information technology outsourcing, whose clients include the American Express Midwest Region. (612) 278-7113

Carl Nelson is Associate Director for The Green Institute. He has over ten years of experience in implementing community energy strategies, including renewable energy and energy efficiency assessments for a variety of projects throughout Minnesota. Prior to coming to The Green Institute in 2003, Carl helped coordinate a statewide renewable energy coalition. He is a Certified Energy Manager by the Association of Energy Engineers, and holds an M.S. in Technology, Energy and the Environment from the Humphrey Institute. (612) 278-7117

Gary Bland is a Crew Leader for the ReUse Program's DeConstruction Services. Since joining The Green Institute in 2000, Gary has helped develop operational tools and techniques for deconstruction. Gary holds experience in the Automotive and Construction industries. (612) 221-9455

Karen Brown has been with DeConstruction Services since 2007. As Coordinator, she works on all aspects of the program. Karen's diverse range of experiences includes leading and managing art studios and remaining an active volunteer in her community. Karen holds a B.F.A. from Utah State University and an M.F.A. from Indiana University-Bloomington. (612) 278-7114

Nancy Kelly is the Community Energy Project Manager. She has over twenty years of experience on both small and large scale energy projects, including the Riverside Power Plant where she was employed by Xcel Energy to oversee plant upgrades and improvements in environmental health and safety. Nancy holds an M.S. in Industrial Hygiene from the University of Minnesota and a B.S in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is a licensed professional engineer and certified Energy Manager.

Bradley Krause is the ReUse Program's Retail Operations Manager for the Minneapolis store. He brings over twelve years of experience in the construction industry. Prior to joining The Green Institute in 2006, Bradley worked for Best Builders, Ellingson Construction and Scherer Bros where he developed special skills in remodeling and carpentry. (612) 724-2608

Diana McKeown is Metro-CERTs Network coordinator. Prior to joining The Green Institute, Diana worked for over fourteen years at Clean Water Action where she gained experience with media work, grassroots organizing, campaign planning, lobbying, and fundraising. Diana has experience building strategic campaigns and coalitions. Diana holds a B.S. in Environmental Studies from the University of Minnesota. (612) 278-7125

Mick Pulsifer is DeConstruction and Sales Manager. Prior to joining The Green Institute in the winter of 2005, Mick was a Consultant specializing in reclamation, helping to develop business strategies for the reuse of salvaged building materials. He brings special knowledge in the salvaging, recycling and selling of quality wood products, construction equipment, cast iron, and non-ferrous metals. (612) 278-7121

Kirsten Saylor is GardenWorks Program Manager. Kirsten brings strong leadership and organizational skills to GardenWorks. She helped develop the Twin Cities Community Garden Sustainability Plan, which is being carried out with funding from the McKnight Foundation. Kirsten brings special knowledge in community food security, farming and food systems and sustainable agriculture. She holds an M.A. in Applied Anthropology from Oregon State University. (612) 278-7123

Martin Simmons is a Crew Leader for DeConstruction Services. Martin has been with The Green Institute since 2007 and brings experience in both construction and management. (612) 235-9417

Helen Spry is Building and Office Administrative Assistant for The Green Institute. In addition to her administrative duties, she provides support to the fifteen commercial tenants at the Phillips Eco-Enterprise Center. Before joining The Green Institute, Helen worked for thirty years at AT&T in Minneapolis and Chicago. She holds an M.A. in Telecommunications from DePaul University in Chicago. (612) 278-7122

Diane Tilseth has been Financial Accounting Clerk for The Green Institute since 2001. Prior to joining The Green Institute in 2001, Diane worked at the American Indian Opportunities Industrialization Center (AIOIC) as a bookkeeper. (612) 278-7115

Agatha Vaaler is Associate for the Green Building Program. She has been an affiliate of The Green Institute since 2006 having served on its Board of Directors. Agatha brings experience in architecture, urban planning, and community economic development. She holds an M.A. in Housing and Urbanism from the Architectural Association (London) and a B.A. from Middlebury College. (612) 278-7142