Nina McCoy is chair of Martin County Concerned Citizens, which has been working since 2017 to attain safe, reliable and affordable drinking water for their community, She is also part of a regional group for drinking water issues called East Kentucky Water Network. In 2022 she was appointed to the Martin County Water District Board of Commissioners. McCoy is a retired high school Biology teacher who spent many years as the environmental club sponsor working to inspire a future generation of responsible stewards of our home. She has served on the EPA’s NEJAC since 2022.

Mary Cromer (She/Her/Hers) is an environmental justice attorney working in Central Appalachia’s coalfield region. Mary represents individuals and community groups in Central Appalachia on a variety of environmental justice issues stemming from the region’s century of dependence on coal mining and other resource extraction. Mary represents clients suffering damage and pollution from nearby mining, clients whose property rights are infringed by mining companies, and communities whose water and sewer systems are failing after decades of disinvestment.

ACLC works at the intersection of environmental justice and workers’ rights in Appalachia. In addition to Mary’s environmental justice representation, ACLC represents coal miners in whistleblower protection cases and federal black lung cases.

The issues facing ACLC’s clients are systemic and far too common in Central Appalachia. ACLC’s policy team, of which Mary is a part, advocates for changes to address the legacy costs of coal mining in the region and ensure the region’s transition away from coal is just and equitable.

Amy has been with Bluegrass Greensource since the beginning. She started at its inception and became Executive Director in 2006. She has a background in environmental education and a degree in Natural Resource Conservation and Management, but spends most of her days on program development and people/money management. Though she misses being in actual contact with the environment, she has come to enjoy managing the great staff and working with our community partners. When not at work, Amy likes to play nature hunter with her two daughters at their home near the Kentucky River Palisades. Contact Amy with questions about Bluegrass Greensource’s administration and program development.

Rachel is our Business Outreach Coordinator. She is a graduate of Tufts University with an M.S. in Sustainable Water Management. Rachel has previously worked within Kentucky communities while receiving her B.S. at Centre College in Danville and completing a summer internship with Kentucky Waterways Alliance in Louisville. A Georgia native, Rachel has recently made her way back to the Bluegrass to pursue a career in the environmental nonprofit sector. In her free time, Rachel enjoys pickleball, hiking, and listening to live music.

Tresine Logsdon spearheads the SEE KY program in Fayette County Public Schools and supports school-based, student-driven sustainability and energy efficiency projects by working closely with teachers, principals, students and community partners.  She has over 20 years of classroom teaching experience, most recently at Henry Clay High School teaching AP Environmental Science and Biology.  Tresine is married to Matthew Logsdon, a Language Arts teacher at Henry Clay High School, and they have two daughters.

Sustainability and environmental education have been Tresine’s passion since beginning her teaching career.  She is inspired everyday by FCPS teacher leadership and students’ inherent enthusiasm for sustainability, innovative school improvement project ideas, and voracious desire to learn and do more.

Ryan Lark is a sustainability professional currently serving as the University of Kentucky’s Zero-Waste Specialist Sr. At this position, Lark oversees UK Recycling, including all operations, education, and outreach, as well as leads the university’s efforts towards becoming a zero-waste campus. Lark’s scope encompass all waste diversion efforts within the university’s campus, Healthcare, Dining, and Athletics.

Tyler McDaniel is the Environmental Health Program Coordinator with Blueprint Kentucky (formerly CEDIK). He works with communities by providing technical assistance and best practices for communities to identify, work with, and transform their local environmental impacts.

Using his tools as a filmmaker, photographer, and public historian he has explored the ways that cultural and community identity are constructed through place and storytelling. His interests extend to historic preservation and design of the built environment. Holding a BA in Media Production from Morehead State University and a Masters in Heritage Studies and Public History from the University of Minnesota, he has explored cultural oddities and socio-political systems through both rural and urban lenses. As a certified yoga teacher and regular practitioner, he incorporates mindful practice that centers duality in all of his work. Additionally, he serves on the steering committee of the Kentucky Rural-Urban Exchange.

Valerie Friedmann, AICP, is an urban planner who specializes in the relationship between policy, parks, and greenspace. She is the Associate Director of Policy and Public Affairs for the 10-Minute Walk program at the Trust for Public Land, a nonprofit dedicated to creating parks and protecting land for communities. In this role, she collaborates with local governments and community partners to develop and implement innovative strategies that advance equitable access to the outdoors.

Before joining TPL, Valerie served as a Senior Planner for the City of Lexington, KY, and has also worked as an Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture at Auburn University. Valerie holds a Master of Landscape Architecture and a BS in Landscape Design from the University of Tennessee.

Jeff started his career with Smurfit WestRock in 1991 where he held several positions on the mill and converting side of the business. Jeff joined Smurfit WestRock’s recycling division in 2008 where he ran several recycling plants in Indianapolis, In., Chattanooga, Tn., Huntsville, Al., and Columbus, Oh. Jeff oversaw the building of several Single stream MRF’s while with the company.
In 2014 Jeff joined Pratt Industries as the Midwest Mill Buyer & Operations Manager. He oversaw the sourcing of 50,000 tons a month of fiber for both Valparaiso, In & Wapakoneta, Oh. Paper mills. He also managed 3 recycling plants and all mill fiber operations.
In 2020 Jeff joined Rumpke as Senior Vice President of Recycling & Sustainability where he oversees the Recycling line of business and 14 recycling plants.
Jeff graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with a degree in Business Managment.

Steve is the Branch Manager of Strategic Planning in KYTC’s Central Office. In this role he oversees a variety of activities, including Corridor Planning/Scoping, MPO Coordination, and other Statewide Planning initiatives – including the “Get There Together” Statewide Long Range Plan update and the “Linking Kentucky” Corridor, Interstate, and Parkway Plans. He serves on a variety of KYTC Research and implementation Committees and is a representative for Kentucky to the AASHTO Committee on Planning, a member of the TRB Standing Committee on Public Engagement, and represents the US State DOTs as a member of the PIARC (World Road Association) Committee on Rural Roads. Steve lives in Lexington with his wife Katie, where he can always be found cheering as his beloved Purdue Boilermakers, Chicago Cubs, and Racing Louisville FC.

Rick Skinner has been a lifetime resident of Kentucky. Rick grew up and currently lives in Grant County, Kentucky. Rick is a business owner and the former Mayor of Williamstown, Kentucky. Rick is very involved in the community as a member of many clubs and organizations and his volunteerism within Grant County. Rick strives to improve every aspect of the City of Williamstown including facilities, environment, transportation, public spaces, economic development, historic preservation, health and quality of life for all residents, employees and visitors. He focuses on ways of providing more active living opportunities to families of the community, such as more sidewalks providing connectivity, expansion of current park amenities and the planning for future parks. Rick demonstrates the value of health not only as a professional but also in his personal life.

Steve is a licensed engineer and a certified educator with 20 years of experience. He serves as project manager and design engineer on a variety of projects for both public and private sector clientele. His stormwater experience includes community-wide stormwater master planning initiatives, development of calibrated modeling tools that inform capital improvement plan development, development of urban collection and conveyance systems, green infrastructure selection and implementation, stream bank stabilization designs, and regulatory and permitting assistance. For the Town Branch Commons project, Steve served as the lead stormwater engineer.

Jessica has over 20 years of experience working with top names in the distilled spirits industry, specializing in TTB, Customs, FDA, and other government regulations. She is an expert in setting up and utilizing Foreign Trade Zones and Customs Bonded Warehouses. Currently, she serves as the Compliance Officer for Workwell Industries, a nonprofit organization, and owns BlueKey Solutions, a compliance consulting firm.

While new to Smurfit Westrock & to the industry, my passion for sustainability & recycling has grown immensely. I aim to increase material recovery & promote sustainable practices by building strong partnerships, helping businesses optimize their current recycling programs & constantly seeking out new opportunities. I am excited & eager to continue learning & making a positive impact on the community.

General Manager of the Louisville, KY MRF. Accountable for meeting production initiatives, ensuring workplace safety, and managing the plant budget, all while leading a diverse team to achieve growth and internalized talent.

As a Senior Manager on the LEED for Cities team at the U.S. Green Building Council, David works directly with over 100 local governments to use data to benchmark sustainability and drive progress. Through developing relationships and training staff on the LEED for Cities framework David assists local leaders to create stakeholder coalitions, prioritize sustainability actions, and build essential cross-departmental relationships to achieve LEED certification. David also provides the local governments’
perspective to product developers, to ensure the rating system’s evolution meets the needs of cities and pushes them to meet their sustainability goals.

David has been working with local communities for several years. Prior to joining USGBC, he was with STAR Communities, where he worked with cities, towns, and counties to ensure that communities had the tools and resources needed to create a more sustainable future.

In practice, David deeply engages his client base to identify how his organization can offer solutions to their pressing needs. He excels at developing relationships and taking a collaborative approach to tackle complex problems. By using data, building capacity, and making connections he works with stakeholders to meet goals.

David lives in Louisville, KY with his wife and kids and spends as much time outdoors hiking, biking, and exploring as he can. He received his Master’s of Urban and Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Anthropology and Environmental Studies from Centre College.

As a career employee of the Energy and Environment Cabinet, Paulette Akers has worked in the Department of Natural Resources and the Department for Environmental Protection for more than twenty years. Currently, Paulette serves as the Gulf Hypoxia Program Engagement Coordinator in the Division of Water and works to support activities occurring in nutrient priority watersheds and develop new tools and partnerships to support nutrient reduction in those areas and across the Commonwealth. She works specifically in areas such as wastewater treatment plant nutrient optimization, agriculture and with partners in Tennessee. Previously, she served 5 years as the Director of the Division of Conservation and 2 years as the Director of the Division of Compliance Assistance. Her early career was with the Division of Water in the Water Quality and Watershed Management Branches. Paulette is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University where she earned a BS degree in Biology and an MS degree in Applied Ecology. Paulette lives in Woodford County with her husband and dog Grizzle. They have two adult kids.

Morgan Hooper is a senior at the University of Kentucky majoring in Environmental and Sustainability Studies with a minor in Digital Media and Design. Although she has always had a passion for the outdoors, she began to consider a career in sustainability as an assistant teacher in a nature-based preschool in her hometown of Duluth, Minnesota. There, she fell in love with connecting people to nature through storytelling, education, and community outreach. In her free time, you will find her drinking matcha, playing cards, and curating the perfect playlist for every situation.

Emily is a junior at the University of Kentucky studying Public Policy and Environmental and Sustainability Studies on the pre-law track. As a native Lexingtonian, Emily found her passion in serving her community and the environment through various Kentucky-oriented roles. Interning for the Division of Air Quality at the State and volunteering in civic engagement events within Fayette County, Emily continues to pursue Kentucky’s well-being. In her free time, she enjoys cycle class, movie nights with her roommates, and cheering on the Cats whenever possible!

My name is Campbell Fann, and I am a junior at Henry Clay High School. I joined Bluegrass Youth Sustainability Council (BYSC) in my freshman year, served as chair for the Community Engagement & Education Committee as a sophomore, and currently serve as one of two Co-Facilitators. Outside of BYSC, I am in Cross Country and play violin in the HCHS Orchestra. In college, I plan to pursue engineering, specifically as it relates to environmental justice.

As the Solid Waste Coordinator for Franklin County, Ally manages resident trash, recycling, and composting services.

Leading the charge for reducing single-use plastics takes creativity and tenacity: Ally wrote an ordinance in 2024 proposing the elimination of all single-use plastics in Frankfort, and recently developed the “Plastic Free Franklin County” initiative for local businesses.

Outside of waste management, Ally is a distance runner, advocates for walkable spaces through WalkBike Frankfort, and believes that true environmentalism is intersectional and begins with equitable access to resources for all.

Brian has a Ph.D. in Biology from Florida State University and has worked in academia for some 20 years as an aquatic ecologist. At Kentucky Division of Water, Brian brings a whole-systems approach to his position as a Basin and Nonpoint Source Stormwater Coordinator, working with the stakeholders, scientists, volunteers, government entities, and communities, to improve and care for Kentucky waterways. Also, as an avid whitewater kayaker that spends almost every weekend traveling around the southeast to experience some of the most incredible rivers, Brian takes on this role as a personal mission to give back to the environments that have given him so much. In so many ways, rivers are life.

I am a retired Professor of Psychology from Eastern Kentucky University. For several years I have been involved in community organizations and networks that focus on environmental justice, energy resilience, and climate change. With Kentuckians for the Commonwealth and Kentuckians for Energy Democracy I have worked on community engagement with the Public Service Commission to advocate for an energy system that protects health, climate, energy affordability and equitable access to distributed solar and energy efficiency programs. With the Bluegrass Climate Action Team I have worked on climate outreach and advocacy with particular interest in local governmental actions that address climate change in ways that recognize the interconnection of climate with other areas of city concern, such as housing, energy affordability, jobs, and quality of life.

Chrissie Balding, Environmental Initiatives Specialist, has worked for Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government’s Division of Environmental Services since 2018. During this time, she was worked for both the Public Information and Engagement section, and, more recently, the Sustainability section. She has extensive experience developing, implementing and managing outreach strategies, including collaborating with external partners and measuring results using key performance indicators. Chrissie has successfully organized and managed projects using the connected collaborative events model. She has researched, recommended and implemented initiatives to support LFUCG’s goals.

Vanessa Logan is a dedicated leader, community advocate, and lifelong champion for equity and environmental justice. Born and raised in Paris, Kentucky, she graduated from Bourbon County High School before moving to Chicago, Illinois, where she built a successful career in finance. After retiring from Wilson Sporting Goods, she returned to her roots in Paris, bringing with her a wealth of experience and a passion for uplifting her community.
For over 30 years, Vanessa has volunteered with the John C. Vaughn Scholarship Fund in Maywood, Illinois, helping young women gain access to scholarships, etiquette training, and leadership development.
Now, as President of the Paris Westside Neighborhood Association, she is leading efforts to address long-standing environmental and social injustices. The association has achieved historic milestones, including:
• Securing 3.5 million dollars to relocate a waste transfer station that had impacted the predominantly African American neighborhood since 1965.
• Advocating for new parks, walking trails, and community spaces to enhance the quality of life for residents.
• Collaborating with community members to gather signed letters of support, helping the City of Paris qualify for crucial grant funding to improve infrastructure and public resources.
Beyond her work with the association, Vanessa is an influential voice in local governance, serving as:
• Co-chair of the Housing, Safety, and Infrastructure Committee
• A board member of the Bourbon County Joint Code Enforcement Board
• A board member of the Paris Housing Authority
Her guiding principle is simple yet powerful: “Treat people as you would like to be treated.” She believes in listening to the community’s needs and taking action to create lasting change. Whether advocating for environmental justice, mentoring future leaders, or firing up the grill for a family BBQ, Vanessa brings warmth, dedication, and tenacity to everything she does.

Jamie Miller is an experienced Public Servant who serves as the City Manager of Paris, KY. She joined the Paris team in June 2022. Before serving Paris, Mrs. Miller worked for a City on the East Coast of Florida with approximately 64,000 residents and 500 employees. Mrs. Miller has a master’s degree from the University of Central Florida in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Her background prior to the field of City Management was in the field of Human Resources. She holds the Professional of Human Resources designation from SHRM and is a Certified Labor Relations Professional. In 2022, she was awarded Outstanding Women in Government Award from Volusia League of Cities. She serves on the Kentucky City and County City Managers Association Legislative Committee and Advocacy Ad Hoc Committee. She is an Executive Board member for the Kentucky Municipal Energy Association and a Board of Trustees member for Bourbon Community Hospital.
She believes in the power of collaboration and partnerships and has enjoyed working with the community to further the relocation of the waste transfer station and the future redevelopment of that site.

Victoria Klaus is originally from Recife, Brazil. She moved to the U.S. when she was 10 and has lived in TX since. She got her B.S. in chemical engineering at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR. During her undergraduate studies she participated in a summer research program (NSF-REU) at the University of Kentucky (UK) where she developed nanofiltration membranes for water purification. She then returned to UK where she received her Ph.D. in chemical engineering working under the advisory of Dr. J. Zach Hilt and focused on the remediation of PFAS in the water and the GI Tract through size-controlled polymeric enterosorbents. She is excited to be a part of the James B. Beam Institute family and work with craft distillers on sustainability! She enjoys spending time with her friends and family outside of lab, baking and taking pictures, as well as exploring new places and trying new foods.

Dr. David Long is an Associate Professor of STEM Education at Morehead State University. Long’s primary research interest is the ethnographic documentation and analysis of science learning at the social intersection of differing ideological, economic, and moral projects. He focuses on perennial problem of U.S. science education and communication, including the cognitive, social, and philosophical dimensions of student and teacher understanding of evolution, climate change science, and genetic engineering. His main emphasis is how political and religious ideology mediates science education understanding and implementation in schools, universities, and in the civic discourse.

As an artist / architect Clive builds relationships upon a foundation of trust. He uses music and the composition of building materials to turn our collective thoughts toward acceptance, inclusion, and planetary stewardship.