Tacumba Turner Tacumba went to Slippery Rock University to study Environmental Studies for 2 years. After his sophomore year, he decided to decompress and explore other interests. That led him to the S.C.A., where he worked in Hazelwood as a Community Crew leader. He then studied Philosophy, World Religions and African American History at CCAC's North Campus. He also enrolled in the Bidwell Training Center's Horticulture Technology Program. He will graduate in Fall 2016, and will join GTECH full-time upon graduation! Tacumba…Read More
Lisa Freeman Manchester Growing Together Farm Lisa is the Founder and CEO of the Manchester Growing Together Farm, which she began in 2011. A former GTECH Ambassador, Lisa attended the University of Pittsburgh for both her undergraduate and graduate studies, and she holds dual master's degrees in Social Work and Public Administration. But her real love is playing in the dirt. GTECH mentored my love of playing in the dirt and encouraged those 'seeds' to bloom. The initial garden that GTECH supported…Read More
Angela Williams Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy I am a Northsider and alum of GTECH's ReClaim Northside Ambassador Program. In my role with the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy I administer grants and am active in several community groups on the Northside. Perry South has many older residents who remember the neighborhood 40 years ago and want to see positive change in regards to vacant land and disengaged adults and youth. They are frustrated with the current climate and uncertain about what to do to solve current social…Read More
Justin Weaver Airport Office Park I am a current real estate advisor and an inspiring entrepreneur! My interests are social enterprises, real estate development and the environment. I care deeply about leaving the world better than we found it and helping as many people as I can. When I'm not working I can be found exploring the great outdoors, training for my next endurance challenge or just hanging out with friends!Read More
Quincy Swatson The Door Campaign Quincy Kofi Swatson is an altruistic non-profit entrepreneur and champion of social good. A Pittsburgh native, he is founding Executive Directer or The Door Campaign and father of Quincy Kason Swatson.Read More
Zaheen Hussain Sustainability Coordinator for Millvale, PA -Forward the community-wide food, water, energy, air quality, mobility, and equity related sustainability goals of the Millvale EcoDistrict Pivot Plan -Expand a broad-based coalition helping to lead implementation of Millvale’s EcoDistrict plan -Engage public officials to increase depth of sustainability planning and program implementation -Work collaboratively to expand an engaged and informed citizen-base that is able to provide informed feedback as participants of a community development process -Partner with key organizations to broaden impact of…Read More
Jeff Honnold ClearMind Consulting Jeff Honnold works to create data-rich solutions in a variety of business contexts as a Principal at ClearMind Consulting in Pittsburgh. Prior to ClearMind he was a Partner at SiteSquad. Jeff has a bachelor's degree in multi/interdisciplinary studies from the University of Chicago.Read More
ClearMind Consulting Grounded began working with ClearMind Consulting in 2015 to assist us with administering our servers and working toward better integration of our databases. ClearMind Consulting is a Cloud and Data-focused programming company, based in Pittsburgh, PA. Originally focused on web programming, server administration, and database integrations, ClearMind now implements data-rich solutions in a variety of business contexts.Read More
Kevin Gieder Kevin joined Grounded in November 2011 as a result of our participation in “The Environmental Finance Collaborative”, a pilot program that will provide four environmental organizations with high level strategic and operational financial expertise via a shared Chief Financial Officer. Our partners in this initiative are Tree Pittsburgh, Construction Junction, and Nine Mile Run Watershed Association. Kevin will be responsible for providing operational financial expertise and oversight, budgeting and business planning, support for the Finance Committee of the Board and…Read More
Lydia Kramer Lydia brings to GTECH a bachelor's degree in Natural Resources from Michigan State University. She is excited to be able to blend her science background with community development by improving land use practices and creating community assets on vacant lots. Throughout college, she worked for an infectious disease laboratory studying vector borne disease, specifically Lyme Disease. As a lab and field technician, she assisted with all aspects of the study from data management to mammal trapping. After college, Lydia completed an AmeriCorps term working for the Ingham County Land Bank's…Read More
Gavin White Gavin grew up in Mars but is now thoroughly a Pittsburgher, graduating from the University of Pittsburgh with degrees in History and Architecture. He comes to GTECH by way of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and splits his time between the two organizations. Prior to working for the Parks, he designed sets for film, installations, performances and other events in collaboration with artists from all over the world. He is generally interested in spaces and places: How do they define us?…Read More
Walt Yager ReClaim McKeesport Ambassador What would you like others to know about your neighborhood? "Its gloried past as a foundation and stepping stone to return its image of pride, moral values, hard work and accomplishments." ABOUT ME. My hometown is McKeesport and I have lived there my whole life. I am married and have three grandchildren. Currently I do consulting and volunteer work for nonprofits in the area. I believe the biggest challenge that McKeesport faces is the blight, erosion, and loss…Read More