Michigan Environmental Council

Michigan
Environmental Report

Volume 22 . Number 5
October 2004

PURPOSE
Founded in 1980, MEC is a coalition of over 60 environmental, public health, and faith-based organizations with nearly 200,000 individual members. For over 20 years, MEC has provided a voice at the State Capitol. In addition to serving as a clearinghouse of environmental information, MEC develops public policy, educates elected officials and the public, and provides training and support to member organizations.

SUBSCRIBE

OFFICERS

Chairperson
Chris Graham,
Michigan Natural Areas Council

Vice Chair
Vicki Levengood,
National Environmental Trust

Vice Chair
Terry Miller,
Lone Tree Council

Treasurer
Tom Leonard,
West Michigan Environmental Action Council

Secretary
Brian Imus,
PIRGIM

MEC STAFF

President
Lana Pollack

Policy Director
James Clift

Associate Director
Patrick Diehl

Land Programs Director
Conan Smith

Special Projects Coodinator
Brad Garmon

Office Manager
Judy Bearup

Member Services Director
Michele Scarborough

Policy Specialist
David Gard

Policy Advisor
Dave Dempsey

Environmental Campaign Coordinator
Wendi Tilden

ECCO Field Director
Stephanie Anderson

Land Programs Assistant
Ben Stupka

MER Design & Layout
Rose Homa

MEC is proud to be incubator for environmental movers and shakers

Many people are familiar with the following quotation, attributed to noted anthropologist Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Mead, who promoted the environmentally-friendly concept of interconnection of all aspects of life, could have been talking about the Michigan Environmental Council. MEC's group of thoughtful staffers continues to work to change the world for the better while addressing a number of personnel developments in 2004.

In addition to Dave Dempsey stepping down as a full-time employee (see related article), we said goodbye to Conan Smith, our land programs director since 2000, who recently became head of the Michigan Suburbs Alliance, a new organization seeking to elevate regional cooperation in southeast Michigan. While we'll certainly miss Conan's extraordinary intellect and energy, we know he'll build an important array of new environmental supporters in the communities he serves.

Fortunately, MEC has great bench strength. Brad Garmon, our exceptionally capable transportation and land use policy specialist, succeeded Conan as land programs director. A geologist and writer by education and an outdoorsman by spirit, Brad did not miss a beat in advancing our active land use agenda. And we are lucky that Ben Stupka, who had been assisting Brad and Conan on a part-time basis, joined our program as a full-time land programs specialist.

We were pleased to welcome Stephanie Anderson to our crew this past spring. Stephanie-the field director for the Beldon Fund-supported Environmental Communications and Community Organizing (ECCO) project-brings years of experience, considerable confidence and an infectious enthusiasm for grassroots organizing. A graduate of Texas Christian University, Stephanie spent five years as a U.S. Army officer. Stephanie enjoys politics, plays softball, practices yoga, camps, hikes, and loves art and music.

Andy Draheim came on board last month as MEC's first full-time, professional development director. A Michigan native, Andy brings development expertise, experience in nonprofit management and organizational skills to MEC, as well as a love of cycling and MSU sports. While Pat Diehl, our associate director since 1996, will continue to direct our growing grants program and serve as chief proposal writer, Andy will focus on major gifts and advance our ambitious endowment campaign. Andy and his family-which includes wife Shanna, a Michigan Department of Environmental Quality employee, 5-year-old son Joe, and 14-month-old twin daughters Abbie and Jillian-relocated from San Francisco to East Lansing.

Amber Shinn, who provided fundraising support to Lana Pollack as a development specialist, accepted an offer from Pace & Partners, a Lansing-based public relations firm, and bid us adieu this past June.

Jenny Paul is MEC's Computer and Grants Assistant, working with Michele Scarborough on the office's computer needs and helping Pat Diehl with grant-related work. A 2004 graduate of MSU with a degree in social relations, Jenny grew up in Traverse City and loves the outdoors, especially being around water. She studied in Japan in 2002, and her degree included a specialization in Asian studies. When not working hard at MEC, Jenny tends bar at Beggar's Banquet, a popular East Lansing restaurant.

Elizabeth Fedorchuk joined us earlier this year as a part-time Outreach Assistant after a career in publications and information technology communications at the University of Michigan and MSU. Eli serves on the board of the East Lansing Food Co-Operative and also edits the Mid-Michigan Environmental Action Council's newsletter. She and her husband Matt love exploring Michigan's beaches and nature trails with their two young children.

Dusty Myers joined the staff in August to work with Energy Policy Specialist David Gard and support MEC's energy program. Dusty earned a Bachelor's degree in international studies from MSU, where he is currently studying anthropology as a second-year graduate student. A former substitute teacher at Cherokee Middle School in Madison, Wisconsin, Dusty joined the Peace Corps in 1998 and served until 2000 as a forestry manager in Ghana, West Africa.

Although technically he came on board in late 2003, Andre Sanford, MEC's Office Specialist, also deserves mention. Andre handles data entry duties, maintains office files, processes correspondence, provides support to Office Manager Judy Bearup, and participates in special projects. A father of three, Andre served in the U.S. Navy, attended Davenport University, worked as a mortgage loan specialist and a customer service professional, and enjoys sports and the outdoors.

"I believe these changes reflect the remarkable talent that has gathered at MEC and the dynamic character of our personal lives," said MEC President Lana Pollack. "I'm proud that MEC has such exceptionally capable and dedicated staff and that we continue to attract new talent while serving as an incubator for future leaders-all marks of a vital, healthy and achievement-oriented workplace."