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Jeffrey Barrie | Chief Executive Officer
Jeffrey has devoted his entire 29-year career to advancing sustainability. He began in 1993 after graduating from UCLA with a B.A. Honors degree in Geography and Environmental Studies. Jeffrey steered his love of filmmaking toward the cause of environmental solutions and sustainability, and he produced numerous award-winning shorts and feature documentaries on topics like environmental education (Generation Earth — 1995), the importance of preserving the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (Arctic Quest — 1999), and the benefits of energy efficiency and renewable power (Kilowatt Ours — 2008). He has leveraged the power of effective documentary storytelling combined with grassroots organizing and public strategies to lead to positive changes in the world. Jeffrey has worked for TEC since 2014 and has served as CEO since 2019. |
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John McFadden, PhD | Senior Fellow
With over three and a half decades in conservation, sustainability, environmentalism and non-profit management, John McFadden brings passion and experience to community engagement. From ideation to execution McFadden has led municipalities, organizations and individuals in forest restoration, and environmental education. Connecting with everyone from governors to garden clubs, he has raised over four million dollars towards conservation efforts and lead thousands of volunteers in stream restoration, reforestation, and planting over 700,000 trees. His work has earned four Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards, a Friend of Forestry Award, and the Tennessee River Basin Network’s Science and Management Award. He credits his drive to passion for stewardship of God’s natural resources and his faith in cooperation and collaboration between funders, citizens and professionals across Tennessee. |
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Gwendolyn Blanton | Director of Operations
Note: Gwendolyn serves as TEC's Title VI, and Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator Gwendolyn grew up in Tennessee running through the creeks and backwoods. Her passion for trees, rivers and ecosystems led her to California State University at Sonoma where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Restoration and Planning. Moving home to Tennessee, Gwen worked with Harpeth Conservancy, Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association and others, helping to preserve and improve Tennessee through legislative action, city planning and public involvement. From office management and event planning to on-the-ground river restoration, Gwendolyn is multi-talented, good-natured, and energetic. She loves trees, white water canoeing, and gardening (for pollinators of course!). She also serves on the Board of Directors for the nonprofit, Friends of Harpeth River State Parks in Cheatham County. |
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Maris Masellis | Communications Manager
Maris grew up on the Jersey Shore, developing a love for nature from her mom Lynn, a science teacher and lover of the planet. After graduating from the University of Florida with a BS in Journalism, Maris worked for the local news in West Palm Beach before moving to Tennessee. It was her dream to create music that would inspire others to do good in the world. Soon after, she started a podcast with two friends called Zero Waste Trash Talk to highlight sustainability in Nashville. Maris joined groups like TEC and TWIG, that empowered her to help businesses that she worked at, like Whiskey Kitchen and HOTBOX Fitness, to become more environmentally friendly. In August of 2020, Maris was recognized by Lululemon for her dedication and community leadership and became a brand ambassador. Lululemon helped kickstart her solo podcast, Critical Root Zone, where she believes that, "In order to love the Planet, we must first love each other and in order to love each other, we must first love ourselves." Maris is always actively seeking ways to make an impact and is currently learning how to DJ to spread her message even further. |
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Cynthia Hernandez | Tennessee Tree Program Manager
Cynthia has a passion for sustainability and is dedicated to improving Tennessee’s environment. Cynthia graduated from Volunteer State Community College in 2015 with a focus on Environmental Science. She created the Paris Powers Memorial Arboretum with over 60 species of trees identified and labeled. Cynthia has been coordinating TEC's Tennessee Tree Day events since 2016. During this time nearly 500,000 native trees have been planted statewide. In 2019, Cynthia spearheaded the Tennessee Chestnut Grove Project, planting 5 demonstration chestnut groves in Tennessee State Parks. She currently serves on the Metro Tree Advisory Committee and enjoys educating the public on the value of trees and engaging partners to improve communities and quality of life in Tennessee. |
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Maggie Edwards | Tree Program Program Manager
Growing up in Charleston, South Carolina, Maggie was surrounded by salt marshes and various ecosystems that instilled a love for the environment. Her admiration only deepened when she moved to Middle Tennessee to attend Sewanee: The University of the South. She recently graduated with a B.A. in Environment and Sustainability. She understands the importance of being involved and protecting the natural world that surrounds us and is excited to be a part of the work that Tennessee Environmental Council is doing. |
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Jordan Young | Director of Statewide Field Operations
Jordan recently graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in geology and environmental sustainability and technology. His lifelong passion for the outdoors and interest in environmental sustainability is what drove him back to school after working in residential construction. His hobbies include mountain biking, fishing, backpacking and kayaking. He was drawn to Tennessee Environmental Council because of this organization's dedication to making a positive impact on the environment. |
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Allyson Davenport Perrigan | Statewide Engagement Coordinator
Growing up in the valley of the Smoky Mountains, Allyson has a deeply rooted love for the environment. While actively learning, she is continuously seeking adventure for all that mother nature has to offer. Allyson is an alumni of Carson Newman University and Middle Tennessee State University, receiving a B.S in Geology and a minor in Environmental Sustainability and Technology. She is dedicated to bringing her passion for nature to the community of Tennesseans, and sharing the importance of conservation and continuous care for the environment. |
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Monika G. Pretz, PhD | Staff Biologist & Pollinator Program Leader
Monika graduated with a Master of Science degree in Biology and Teaching in Budapest, Hungary and gained her PhD at the University of Groningen, in the Netherlands. She worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the Hungarian Academy of Science in Budapest, Hungary, and at the Washington University in St. Louis, MO. Monika had a passion for biology and conservation from an early age and considers conservationist Gerrald Durrell as her biggest role model and inspiration. Her passion for education and conservation included projects such as teaching Track and Field to blind children, working as an HIV educator for the Hungarian HIV+ Children Foundation and volunteering at Duke University Lemur Center in Durham North Carolina. Monika loves oil painting, hiking, canoeing with family and friends and gardening |
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Bryn Beauchamp | Field Event Coordinator
Raised just outside of Nashville, Bryn is passionate about protecting wildlife habitat from fragmentation and biodiversity loss in Middle Tennessee. She graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from Belmont University in 2014 and ran a personal assisting business until 2020. She is currently pursuing a second bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources with an emphasis in Fish & Wildlife Conservation at Oregon State University. She is a TN Naturalist, native plant gardener, dog lover, tree lover, and board member for The Habitat Connection. |
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Abby Schneider | Recycle Tennessee Program Director
Abby graduated from Belmont University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, and studied Fashion Design & Merchandising at O’More College of Design. She has spent the last 10 years as a music industry professional, all the while serving her community by honoring her true passion, sustainability and recycling. Abby founded Simplify Nashville in 2017, a social media page specializing in sustainability education and outreach. She has participated in volunteer work with reuse organizations, presented recycling initiatives and recruitment plans to local and state elected representatives, founded and operated a consignment clothing business focusing on reuse and encouraging secondhand shopping, and has been involved with a number of eco-friendly programs for the past decade. She is a member of TWIG (Tennessee Women in Green), and TRC (Tennessee Recycling Coalition). Abby couldn’t be happier to fulfill her calling as Recycling Education & Outreach Manager at Tennessee Environmental Council. |
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Ginger Reasonover | Recycling Roundup Assistant
Ginger has a passion for environmental education and action. With an undergraduate degree in Organizational Leadership and a master’s in education from Lipscomb, Ginger spent 25 years teaching hands-on, interactive science to elementary students in grades PK-4 th . She is the co-founder of a nationally acclaimed Green Team who won three. Governor’s Environmental Stewardships Awards, and national awards for their study of, and action in, energy awareness. She initiated a can and bottle recycling program at school, successfully diverted 100s of tons of waste through recycling drives and special events and led her school to be designated a US Department of Education Green School, only one of two in Tennessee. The recycling program, along with gardens, and waterways programs, also served as a mentor for schools from across the United States and as far away as Japan. She is a National Geographic Certified Educator and certified as a North American Association of Environmental Educators (NAAEE) Guidelines Train-the-Trainer. As a recipient of multiple awards, both individually, and with the Green Team, Ginger is most proud of hearing parents say: “My child won’t let me throw anything away.” In her position as Recycling Roundup Assistant, Ginger brings her experience in recycling and service action attitude with her to Tennessee Environmental Council. |
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Rebekah Garrett | Recycle Tennessee Program Coordinator
Rebekah was raised in the rolling hills of Middle Tennessee and comes from a long line of agricultural farmers. Growing up, she gained a deep appreciation for the environment and a passion to protect our ecosystem through upholding a sustainable co-habitant lifestyle. While pursuing her degree at Austin Peay State University in Business Management, Rebekah aided the elderly community by providing pollinator friendly landscaping, weekly recycling pickups, and compost initiatives to further the pursuit of the environmentally conscious collective. In her role of Recycle Tennessee Program Coordinator, Rebekah is enthusiastic to bring her past skills and experiences to support the Tennessee Environmental Council’s mission of cultivating a circular economy that encourages thriving habitats and climate balance. |
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Camila Palmer | Recycling Roundup Program Assistant
Camila is an Environmental Manager born and raised in Bogota, Colombia. There, she co-founded "Sembrando Ambiente'', a non-profit organization focused on Environmental Education, solid waste, and ecotourism. Their main goal was raising environmental awareness in the community, allowing them to explore the territories of the region, get to know their rich biodiversity & promote participation spaces. She also participated in carrying out investigations about the negative effects of neonicotinoid pesticides, and how these chemicals affect bees, their performance, metabolic rate, and the increase of CCD (Colony Collapse Disorder) Later on, in 2018, she moved to San Francisco, CA., as an exchange student, where she acquired tools and knowledge for Green & Sustainable Travel. Mila is the founder of CalmArte, an organization that showcases the beauty of indigenous jewelry and American traditions. In her free time, she loves capturing the beauty of nature through photography and enjoys exploring thrift stores, practicing holistic therapies and spirituality, traveling, hiking, and learning about different cultures. As a new member of TEC, Mila is beyond excited to join the team, and hopes to bring about her fresh perspective as an immigrant and Latina woman. She believes that spirituality, culture, the environment, and progress are all interconnected, and she looks forward to contributing to TEC's mission through a holistic approach of problem-solving. |
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Nicolas Ritchie | Watershed Support Specialist
Nick is a Spring 2024 Intern. He grew up in middle Tennessee, and after a childhood spent outdoors, determined that a life and career spent outside was the path forward. After enlisting in the Air National Guard and then going to college, he is now working on an Environmental Science degree at MTSU, and is excited to be a part of and contribute to the legacy that TEC has built. |
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Ryan Scott | TEC Videographer
Ryan Scott is a videographer and student of Environmental Science at Belmont University. He is passionate about environmentalism and works to use filmmaking and photography to educate others about sustainability, ecology, and environmental conservation - the same role he hopes to fill at TEC. |
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Elliot Payne | Intern
Elliot is a summer 2023 intern. He graduated from Tennessee Tech University with a degree in Environmental Sustainability Studies in Spring 2023. Growing up overseas and experiencing a variety of environments and climates has led him to want to play a part in protecting our environment for the future. He is also a photographer who loves spending hours in Tennessee’s natural areas, taking photos of the beautiful environment. He is proud to be working with TEC because of what the organization has done and continues to do when it comes to protecting our own backyard here in Tennessee. |
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Claire Cooper | Spring 2024 Policy Intern
She is a lifelong resident of Tennessee and is currently pursuing a degree in Environmental Science at Middle Tennessee State University. Before transferring to MTSU, she received an A.S. in History from Columbia State Community College. Claire enjoys a variety of environmental activities such as planting pollinator gardens, foraging, fossil hunting, and invasive species removal. She is passionate about preserving the diverse ecosystem of Tennessee with the Tennessee Environmental Council. |
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Anna Sawyer | 2024 Pollinator Program Intern
Anna Sawyer was raised in the dry heat of Phoenix, Arizona. She developed an appreciation for nature and its various ecosystems while serving overseas with her family throughout her childhood to early adulthood. She is fascinated with the wonders of creation and its resilience! With a recent B.S. in Biology from Lipscomb University, she currently serves as the Nature Discovery Program Educator at Warner Parks. She utilizes her passion for protecting and preserving the natural integrity of earth to educate the youth at Metro Parks Community Centers. She hopes to learn more about the native plants in Tennessee by creating pollinator gardens and building a community of other people who want to contribute to the stewardship of this biosphere we call home. |
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Evan Crowe | 2024 Pollinator Program Intern
Evan is an upcoming senior at the university of Tennessee at chattanooga. He is pursuing a degree in environmental science with an interest in wildlife biology. Evan enjoys learning about the various ecosystems and the interconnected nature of the wild world. He loves spending time outdoors whether that’s hiking, camping, or most often, climbing. He is very excited to aid our local ecosystems with the pollinator gardens and those critters that call it home. |
Tennessee Environmental Council does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in its hiring, programs, or activities. To file a discrimination complaint, contact Gwendolyn Blanton at [email protected] or call 615-248-6500.