Board of Directors
Sheril Varghese, Chair
Tennessee Valley Authority
Brenda Brickhouse, Vice Chair EPRI
Ali Ahmed, Treasurer
Green Strategies, LLC
Wayne Williams, Secretary
Workshop Architecture
Becky English, Past Chair
Scout Realtor Group
Matt Brown
Novel Works
Clint Dean
Modus Build
Nastassja Hagan
Baylor School
Michael Ryan
NewTerra Compost
Ricky Supan
Patton, Albertson & Miller, LLC
Ira Weiss
Weiss Associates
Staff
Rick Bowers
Executive Director
A multi-generation Chattanooga native, Rick graduated from The Baylor School and Tulane University. After earning his J.D. from Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Rick remained in Detroit, gaining a vast environmental law background with specific focuses on brownfield redevelopment, site remediation, municipal water treatment, solar and wind permitting, air quality standards and remediation, and public policy at City Council and in the mayor's office.
Prior to becoming the Executive Director at green|spaces, Rick served as the Director of the Office of Energy and Sustainability for the City of Detroit and focused on creating programs that ranged from large-scale planning to community initiatives. During his tenure, he created a Climate Action Plan, initiated the Green Task Force, a curbside recycling program, managed neighborhood urban garden creation with the Greening of Detroit, and created a winterization program to help insulate low-income properties.
For many years, Rick has practiced law focusing on government relations, real estate, estate planning, and contracts. green|spaces attracted him back to Chattanooga because of its focus on environmental well-being, educational outreach, and comprehensive approach to sustainability.
Aside from law and sustainability, Rick has a love for his two French bulldogs, Hugo and Felix, traveling, gardening, cooking, and classic cars with his partner, Dan.
Ella Kliger, EcoDistricts AP
Director of Operations
Chattanooga got her to relocate after multiple trips here for sci-fi conventions and providing fun things to do outside the Convention Center. Ella has spent the past 12 years working as a community catalyst in North Carolina and Tennessee, collaborating with residents to leverage resources.
Ella volunteers as the Field Operations Director for Coming Alongside, an environmental health organization. Founded in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Coming Alongside developed a sensor for measuring formaldehyde in FEMA trailers. She also led a mold remediation project for the EPA in Biloxi. Coming Alongside is currently investigating light pollution issues.
Ella and her honey, Jonathan, volunteer with the Brainerd Community Food Pantry, chat over a dark beer or cider, and solve crossword puzzles in ink.
Wayne Brown, EcoDistricts AP
Director of Development
Wayne is a 30-year veteran of the United States Air Force who has served in the US, Europe, and the Middle East. His last tour of duty in the Middle East afforded him the opportunity to serve in the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, which is the famed unit of the Tuskegee Airmen.
He is a graduate of UTC and Andersonville Theological Seminary. Since retiring from active duty, he has worked with local and state organizations to improve education and increase quality of life for many residents in the Chattanooga area. He was appointed by the Tennessee Commissioner of Education to serve on the Partnership Advisory Board for improving education in several schools in Hamilton County. He also serves on the Tennessee Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3) State Council.
Wayne loves to share his experiences through speaking and writing. He is the author of LISTEN, Wisdom and Wit for the Next Generation, and the co-author of 52 ½ Shades of Brown, the not-so-perfect tales of a picture-perfect marriage. He is married to his best friend and writing coach, Laura R. Brown. They have three adult children and three grandchildren.
Dexter Talley, Certified DET Verifier
Build it Green Program Director
Dexter Talley is an exceptionally dedicated and relentless problem solver who continues to contribute to society by sharing his knowledge and expertise instructing people who are interested in his field of “Going Green” and being Energy Efficient. In 2019 Dexter took his first step in furthering his own knowledge in the green community by enrolling in the BIG program. After graduating the program he decided he wanted to become a mentor within the program to help inner city impoverished youth to be able to be exposed to something he felt would be groundbreaking and useful to their livelihood. The BIG program is customized to assist young adults in making clear choices, having emotional intelligence, believing in their dreams, elevating their work skills, and overall knowledge in basic life skills.
One important training Dexter prides himself of obtaining during his time in the program is his DET Verifier certification where he achieved an impressive perfect score of 100%.
With an exceptional quality in entrepreneurship of over a decade. Dexter has been effective in building ongoing business relationships and partners over the years. It’s safe to say he’s an expert at making something out of nothing and making something.
With the assistance from within the program and green|spaces, Dexter has now become a vital resource and earned his new role as Program Director. He intends to continue supporting program projects and plans that increase intercultural awareness and understanding. Among his colleagues he can be described as a progressive, down-to-earth gentleman that can always be relied upon to offer creative solutions to intricate issues, and deliver impressive results.
He enjoys fishing, hiking, camping, traveling, trying diverse food, fashion, DIY projects.
Keyta Young-Price
Build It Green Program Manager
Keyta is the Program Manager for our Build It Green program, and her role consists of assisting our BIG members with life skills, helping to create a path toward success, and managing social services within the program.
A Chattanooga native, Keyta graduated from Brainerd High School. She then went on to graduate from MTSU with a degree in Social Work. Motivated by her passion to serve others, Keyta has worked in social services for the last 15 years. She has worked for The State of Tennessee Department of Human Services, The Chattanooga Housing Authority Family Self-Sufficiency Program, and, most recently, The Salvation Army as the Program Director.
Keyta and her husband have two children and a chihuahua named Boss (because he is). On the weekends, Keyta still devotes her time to the community – whether it’s volunteering at church, teaching self-sufficiency to the homeless, or helping people find stable housing. Other than giving back to her community, Keyta’s second passion is exploring Chattanooga’s parks and downtown area. Her third passion? Italian food.
Francine Baggi
Director of Sustainable Events
Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, Francine has been a dedicated advocate for multilingual communication, fostering connections for individuals of all ages. With a background in teaching English as a second language for three years in South America, she furthered her career upon arriving in Chattanooga. Serving as the director of the YMCA Bilingual Learning Center, Francine played a pivotal role in breaking down linguistic and cultural barriers within the community.
Now, with the support of green|spaces, Francine is eager to channel her passion for transcending race and ethnicity into an eco-conscious mission. As green|spaces' Director of Sustainable Events, her goal is to bring people from diverse backgrounds together in eco-friendly events. With a passion for making the world a better and greener place since she was 5, she weaves sustainability into every detail, one event at a time.
Beyond work, Francine explores cold climates and mountains with her husband, Hez. Back home, she's the pantry rearrangement pro and a culinary enthusiast. Plus, she can't resist a good journey through the realms of Middle-Earth, courtesy of J. R. R. Tolkien's masterful storytelling.
Elizabeth Robinson
Director of Communications and Engagement
Born and raised in Chattanooga, Elizabeth graduated from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and a Graphic Design certification from Emory University. Involved in many different service organizations from a young age, Elizabeth has a heart for serving the Chattanooga community. She has spent the last 12 years working for a number of impactful local non-profit organizations including Chambliss Center for Children, Partnership for Families, Children and Adults, and Baylor School where she helped plan, coordinate, and execute countless community engagement events.
As the Director of Communications and Engagement, Elizabeth is in charge of all social media accounts, newsletters, press releases, coordinating with media outlets, and all graphic design. Also, she can be found collaborating with our Director of Development on our signature events: The Green Prix, Lunch and Learns, and Green Drinks.
Outside of work, you can find Elizabeth hanging out with her husband, Rob, and their three children. Traveling to a new place is always an adventure for her, whether it's one hour away or halfway around the world. Along with traveling, Elizabeth loves to spend time with family, friends, their dog, Yeti, and watch Wheel of Fortune (which she records and secretly hopes to get on the show one day).
Brice Breakey
Green Prix Manager
Brice Breakey brings a diverse background to the role of Green Prix Manager, drawing from his experience in professional gaming and coaching within the esports industry. Notably, he has had the privilege of managing events of significance, such as the Serena Williams Event, showcasing a knack for curating and delivering exceptional experiences.
While still on his learning journey, Brice expresses a genuine interest in sustainability. Currently furthering his education at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, he combines his computer-savvy skills with an emerging passion for sustainability, aligning with green|spaces' vision.
A self-proclaimed “Middle-Earth Nerd,” The Lord of the Rings trilogy are his books of choice. His sport of choice? Soccer.
Brice looks forward to contributing meaningfully to the Green Prix initiatives and aims to play a role in broader sustainability projects within the organization.
BOARD COMMITTEES
Green Communities
Ricky Supan, Paul Beckmann
Empower
Oliver Richmond, Jazmine LeBlanc, Heather Jones, Jeremiah Renolds, Jessica Cliche, Joan Brown, Francine Baggi
Green Building
Becky English*, Wayne Williams, Paul Beckmann, Clint Dean, Rick Bowers, Ella Kliger
Green Business
Ali Ahmed, Kevin Christopher*, Matt Brown, Nastassja Hagan, Wayne Brown
Build it green
Clint Dean, Rick Bowers, Keyta Young-Price, Dexter Talley
Green Prix
Becky English, Mike Breakey, Andrew Hardy, Brice Breakey, Elizabeth Robinson
Strategic partnership
Becky English*, Kristy Graves, Lex Ryan, Sheril Varghese, Wayne Brown, Elizabeth Robinson
Finance
Brenda Brickhouse*, Ali Ahmed, Paul Beckmann, Becky English, Ira Weiss, Rick Bowers, Ella Kliger