Stephen Christensen - Energy Assessor
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.
Email Steve:
[email protected]
Connor Dailey - Energy Coordinator
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.
Email Connor:
[email protected]
Carissa's work focuses on developing and implementing energy related programs as well as managing the City's greenhouse gas metrics. She is passionate about creating equitable programs that not only significantly reduce climate impact, but also increase harmony between people and planet. Prior to joining the City of Ann Arbor, Carissa worked at an architecture and engineering firm where she designed sustainable mechanical systems for buildings and co-led company-wide efforts to increase the use of sustainable design practices. In her free time, Carissa enjoys rock climbing, dancing, playing board games, and eating delicious food with friends.
Email Carissa: [email protected]
Grace Franke - Communications Coordinator
Grace’s focus as Communications Coordinator is on improving the visibility and engagement of A2ZERO by emphasizing A2ZERO’s personal connection with the vibrant community it finds itself in. She created and oversees the implementation of the brand guide and the strategic communication plan for the office. She also manages the Charging Station newsletter, A2ZERO's social media accounts, and all other communications, big and small, for the office. 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.
Email Grace:
[email protected]
Bryce Frohlich - Community Resilience Specialist
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.
Email Bryce:
[email protected]
Will Garcia - Sustainability Coordinator, Circular Economy
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.
Email Will:
[email protected]
Maggie Halpern - Sustainability Coordinator, Engagement
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.
Email Maggie:
[email protected]
Joe Lange - Senior Analyst, Energy
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.
Email Joe:
[email protected]
Jordan Larson - Community Engagement Innovator
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.
Email Jordan:
[email protected]
Azella Markgraf - Sustainability Coordinator, Food
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.
Email Azella:
amarkgraf@a2gov.org
Genevieve Rattray – Sustainability and Innovations Manager
Genevieve is passionate about circular economy practices and policies and in her role focuses on strategy 4 and 5 of the City's A2ZERO Plan. Prior to joining the OSI team, Genevieve focused on reducing the impact of single use plastic through coalition building and community collaboration. She designed and directed environmental conservation programs for the Belle Isle Conservancy, the nonprofit organization supporting Detroit's 982-acre island park on the Detroit River; an international waterway shared by the US and Canada. Genevieve has her Master of Social Work degree with a macro concentration in Innovation in Community, Policy and Leadership (I-CPL) and her Bachelor of Fine Art. Outside of work, she enjoys working in her cut flower garden; hosting gatherings at her home and in her community; the local food scene and restaurants with a sustainable, farm-to-table approach; art exhibitions and openings; her Board service to Global Ties Detroit; and each of Michigan's incredible Great Lakes.
Email Genevieve:
[email protected]
Sean Reynolds – Senior Analyst
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. 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.
Email Sean:
[email protected]
Julie Roth – Energy Manager
Julie Roth is the Energy Manager for the City of Ann Arbor's Office of Sustainability and Innovations. She leads a team whose work focuses on the creation, implementation, and management of programs to facilitate community-wide adoption of solar, building electrification, and energy efficiency; networked geothermal; commercial and residential building benchmarking; and greenhouse gas accounting. 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. In her free time, she loves playing tennis, growing veggies, and hammock time.
Email Julie:
[email protected]
Missy Stults, PhD – Sustainability and Innovations Director
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.
Email Missy:
[email protected]
Jerrell Wylie - Energy Analyst
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
