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Meet the OSI team!
A lifelong Ann Arbor resident, Julius has worked for the City of Ann Arbor for over five years in the role of Application Specialist. Julius has a master's degree in Engineering Management from Eastern Michigan University. His work in the Office of Sustainability and Innovations centers around technical problem solving, enhancing efficiency, and data management. He is thrilled to be a member of an enthusiastic group working toward the causes of sustainability and equity. Julius enjoys spending time paddle boarding on the river, playing board games, keeping bees, and causing mischief with his two daughters in his spare time.Email Julius: [email protected]
Simi recently finished graduate school at the University of Michigan, where he studied Sustainable Systems and Space Systems Engineering. As a Fellow with OSI, he worked on various projects including the A2ZERO Plan and EV charging within Ann Arbor. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time in Ann Arbor's Parks, hiking, playing guitar, and ice hockey.
Steve has 23 years of experience in residential sustainable construction, covering both single- and multi-family dwellings. He has worked as a construction coordinator, home energy educator, trainer, inspector, auditor, program manager, and consultant throughout Southeast Michigan. He is a resident of Ann Arbor and enjoys birdwatching and relaxing at home with his family. Steve is a RESNET HERS Rater, BPI Energy Auditor, PHIUS Verifier, and holds LEED AP - Homes and Green Associate credentials. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology and a Juris Doctor, both from Wayne State University.
Connor is a native of Chelsea, Michigan and has lived in Ann Arbor since 2018. He focuses on energy programs in the Office of Sustainability and Innovations. Prior to joining the Office of Sustainability and Innovations, Connor worked in the City’s Parks and Recreation Services and has a background in the food service and event industries. Connor has a BA in International Relations from Grand Valley State University. In his free time, he enjoys cycling and disc golfing when not cooking and baking.
Grace’s focus as Communications Coordinator is on improving the visibility and engagement of the Office of Sustainability and Innovations by emphasizing OSI’s personal connection with the vibrant community it finds itself in. She is currently writing the brand guide and the strategic communication plan for the office and will oversee their implementations. In both her personal and work life she prioritizes equity, inclusion, and sustainability, and actively seeks out opportunities to leave the world better than how she found it. She received her BA in Strategic Communications and Visual Design Communication from Kansas State University and is fluent in French. Grace delights in spending time with her partner, going hiking, and reading Agatha Christie. Grace is incredibly excited to be a part of the team!
Bryce focuses on resilience building initiatives and programs within the Office of Sustainability and Innovations and Ann Arbor’s Emergency Management Department. A graduate of the University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS), he is passionate about co-development when it comes to implementing solutions to addressing how our communities respond to different shocks and stressors. Bryce has a background in non-profit management, community engagement, and outdoor education, and is a former high school social studies teacher. Originally from Florida, Bryce enjoys exploring the old growth forests of Michigan and the shores of the Great Lakes. In his spare time, he enjoys camping, climbing, gardening, spending time outside, and playing with his dog, Portia.
Will is excited to serve the Ann Arbor community as a member of the OSI team, focusing on circular economy programs and initiatives. He has a B.S. degree in Community Development from Central Michigan University and a professional background in public sector hazardous materials management. Outside of work, he can be found spending time with his family (including three adorable cats), watching copious amounts of basketball, and honing his craft as a home cook.
Sheronda is a native of Detroit. Her focus as a Management Assistant is to put her administrative skills to work by assisting OSI in carrying out the City’s A2ZERO goals. She is a graduate of Central Michigan University, where she studied Economics, and Pistis School of Ministry. Sheronda has over six years of experience in public service administration and a background in teaching. Her dual goal is to help others in reaching their full potential and assist in creating a healthy and clean environment. Sheronda enjoys spending time with her husband and family, serving in church, teaching, traveling, roller skating, and drinking Starbucks coffee!
Maggie is the program director for the Ann Arbor Climate Corps, the City's 10-member AmeriCorps program. The Climate Corps will help implement the A2ZERO Plan through community outreach and education, supporting various neighborhood-focused decarbonization and resilience-building initiatives. Maggie grew up in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia and has lived in Ann Arbor since 2011. She has a BA in Art History from Sewanee and an MS in Environmental Science from the University of Michigan. Prior to joining OSI her work focused on sustainable food systems, working on small and large farms, in commercial food production, in the specialty beverage industry, in restaurant management, and as a local food advocate. Her passions for the arts and the environment are combined in her hobbies as a “serial crafter” and work with the nonprofit Fibershed to revitalize sustainable fiber production in the US.
Joe focuses on the design, implementation, and development of various residential energy-related programs in the Office of Sustainability and Innovations, and is the staff liaison to the Energy Commission. Prior to joining the City, Joe worked with scientists, local governments, and wildlife managers across Indiana to prepare for environmental change. Joe has a Masters in Environmental Science and an MPA from Indiana University, and a BA in Environmental Policy from Michigan State. In his free time, he enjoys wildlife watching, hiking, and spending time with his cats.
Jordan’s work builds community capacity, engagement, and action around A2ZERO initiatives and goals. Prior to joining the Office of Sustainability and Innovations, Jordan attended the University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability to pursue his Masters in Environmental Justice and Geospatial Data Science, focusing his research and studies on urban climate justice and education for climate change leadership. His prior work experience includes municipal climate action planning, community stakeholder engagement, supporting and liaising with community equity advisory groups, facilitation, youth climate justice leadership education, and community organizing. In his free time, Jordan loves to sing with his community A Cappella group, ride his bike, cook, and create collage art.
Azella's work focuses on programs and initiatives that advance a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable community food system in Ann Arbor. A native of Central Ohio, Azella has a professional background in regenerative agriculture, farmers market and nonprofit management, and food justice advocacy. She received a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Studies and Anthropology from Davidson College, where she focused her research on understanding how local communities imagine, interpret, and respond to the climate crisis. Azella describes herself as a passionate lover of all things fresh and delicious and sees the growing and sharing of food as an opportunity to foster meaningful connections between people, food, and land. Outside of work, Azella can be found gardening, rock climbing, camping, exploring local restaurants, or spending time with her pet hedgehog, Tofu.
Sean oversees work on various circular economy and community resilience programs and initiatives, including sustainable food programs, reuse systems, air quality monitoring, the Pollinator-Aware Yard Care program, and the 10,000 Trees Initiative - a program aimed at getting trees planted on private property. Sean is also the staff liaison to the Environmental Commission. He has prior urban forestry experience through Casey Trees, a non-profit in Washington, D.C., and has an M.S. degree in Forestry from Auburn University. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, reading, cooking, and spending time with his cats.
Julie's work focuses on the creation, implementation, and management of programs to facilitate community-wide adoption of solar, building electrification, and energy efficiency. She has been recognized as a Crain's Detroit 2023 Leader in Energy, and has received awards from the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association and the Sierra Club for her work on renewables. She has lived in Ann Arbor since 1994 and is a passionate green energy advocate, community organizer, educator, and liaison between the technical sector and the community. In her free time, she loves playing tennis, growing veggies, and hammock time.
Dr. Missy Stults works with all city operations, residents, businesses, the University of Michigan, nonprofits, and others to make Ann Arbor one of the most sustainable and equitable cities in America. Prior to joining the City, Missy worked with local governments and indigenous communities around the nation to advance their climate and sustainability goals, including during her time as the Climate Director at ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability and as a consultant to philanthropic organizations. Missy has a PhD in urban resilience from the University of Michigan, a Masters in Climate and Society from Columbia University, and undergraduate degrees in Marine Biology and Environmental Science from the University of New England.
Jennifer has a background in marketing, market research, and nonprofit project management. Upon joining the OSI team, Jennifer’s primary focus was the development and implementation of the Aging in Place Efficiently program, pairing energy retrofits with mobility and safety improvements in the homes of income qualified older adults. Jennifer supports the A2ZERO Community Collaborators network, helping to elevate and unlock the potential that organizations bring to the community through their own sustainability work. Jennifer also manages two of OSI’s large, public-facing events – A2ZERO Week and Green Fair. These events are designed to connect the public to organizations working on sustainability through experiential education, direct participation, and engagement. In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys teaching fine art and environmental education to bring people closer to the natural world while also building their personal capacity and skills.
Homegrown in Detroit, Jerrell will perform home energy assessments and be front-facing with community outreach to provide education and resources to the community to help reach the City’s A2ZERO goals. He has over six years of experience in the energy industry that includes completing energy assessments in residential homes and small businesses. Jerrell has worked on the Energy Efficiency Assistance Program with DTE and the Helping Neighbors Program with Consumer’s Energy, which help qualified low-income families receive a free home energy assessment, installation of free energy saving products, and education on reducing energy in their homes for long term savings. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, going to live sporting events, and trying new foods.
Email Jerrell: jwylie@a2gov.org
Thea focuses on the design, implementation, and development of energy-related programs in the Office of Sustainability and Innovations. They work to develop our community’s greenhouse gas inventory to inform data-driven programs to reduce our community’s emissions. Thea has a BS in Chemical Engineering from Case Western Reserve. After growing up in Ann Arbor with a passion for climate action, they're happy to be helping their community on the pathway towards carbon neutrality. They enjoy climbing, cycling, yoga, and exploring the great outdoors while practicing leave no trace principles.
Email Thea: [email protected]
