Staff
Paul Schechter | Executive Director
Paul is an environmental justice entrepreneur who has developed numerous community-focused projects. He received an undergraduate degree in Computer Engineering from UW-Madison in 2004 and a masters in Sustainable Energy Systems from the University of Edinburgh in 2007.
Abby Davidson | Director of Operations
Abby has over a decade of experience in the building products industry, and holds degrees in Civil & Environmental Engineering from UW-Madison and Architecture from Madison College. She is a longtime advocate of cooperative housing and is the current president of the Madison Area Cooperative Housing Alliance (MACHA). Some of her other passions in life include bike touring and aerial dance.
Board of Directors
Mitch Brey | President
Mitch Brey is a nonprofit professional and sustainability advocate with experience in disability services, clean energy, and community organizing. He worked with Focus on Energy providing residential energy assessments, helping households identify efficiency improvements. He later served as a campaign director with RePower Madison, leading community engagement efforts to give residents a stronger voice in local renewable energy planning. Currently at Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Vision Impaired, Mitch supports daily operations, IT, and advocacy. He is especially interested in the intersection of sustainability and affordable housing. In his free time, he enjoys running, gardening, and exploring local events with his family.
Helen Pan | Co-Treasurer
Helen has an interest in issues that impact seniors, including housing, nutrition and wellness. She is a Housing Advisory Committee member of Dane County’s Regional Housing Strategy Program. She is active in the Affordable Housing Action Alliance. In addition, she is on the board of Area Agency for Aging and is a member of its Nutrition and Wellness Committee. Helen received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Stony Brook University in New York; she is retired. She currently lives at the Arboretum Cohousing in Madison and is on its Budget Committee.
Norman Bair | Co-Treasurer
Norman lives in Madison and currently volunteers on projects related to energy efficiency and net zero. He has expertise with heating systems and residential weatherization. He worked for 40 years developing, managing, and improving state energy programs in Alaska and Wisconsin. He enjoys biking and choral singing. He is on the board of a campership fund to help people attend Christian Science camps and each Spring helps at one camp to prepare it for the summer.
Ash Rogers | Secretary
Ash Rogers is a student at Madison College and soon UW-Madison, and pursuing neuroscience and public policy. She's worked as a student representative on the college senate, karate instructor, and as a writing center tutor and director. She loves public speaking, playing video games, and hanging out with friends. Further, she grew up in the country, so she adores gardening, hiking, and botany.
Michael Greif | Director
Michael is a Legal Fellow with Midwest Environmental Advocates, a nonprofit law center based in Madison, WI, where his work focuses on helping communities facing a variety of environmental challenges. Michael grew up in northeast Wisconsin and is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.
Charles Siford IV | Director
Charles is an MBA candidate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison studying Real Estate Private Equity and Affordable Housing and is currently diving deeper into where these two areas intersect. With extensive real estate experience in acquisitions, dispositions and development coupled with his background in urban planning, he brings strategic insight to urban investment, sustainable initiatives and community impact development. Originally from Cleveland, OH, Charles is passionate about urban farming, Cleveland sports and Rugby - currently serving as the Graduate Assistant to the University's Rugby team with aspirations to be a head coach some day.
Board of Advisors
Joseph Shumow
Reinhart Law
John Young
Accipiter Properties
Allison Dungan
Nathan Noordhoek
Liz Schnee