Below are the Board, Staff, Key Volunteers, and Residents that make everything at MUD happen!

MUD BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The MUD Board is comprised of a variety of Missoulians, with a range of experience, knowledge and skills. MUD's board is a working board, actively involved with site maintenance, MUD programs, events, fundraising, and marketing. We greatly appreciate the time and effort our board members contribute to MUD and it's programs.

MUD BOARD POSITIONS OPEN!

Lindsey Aull, Board Secretary, Celebration, Demonstration and Re-Development committees
Lindsey is currently completing a degree in Environmental Studies at the University of Montana after taking an extended break to work on local farms. After apprenticing with Lifeline Produce in the Bitterroot Valley, Lindsey worked for growers in the West and Midwest before returning to Missoula in 2010. Lindsey loves the active learning environment created by MUD and excited be a part of it. She has a passion for all things hand-made, hand-cranked and old.

Lauren Caldwell, Board President, Executive/Personnel committee chair, Finance & Fundraising and Celebration committees
After receiving her BA in Ecology and Botany from the University of Montana, Missoula, Lauren went on to get her Masters in Social Work (focusing on Community Organizing and Social Policy) to bridge the gap between what is considered good for the environment and what is good for individuals and communities. She has worked on issues from Grizzly Bear recovery to local food systems, but her main career these days is in politics. She originally became involved with MUD peripherally - attending workshops and visiting the site - when she was in the Wilderness and Civilization program in her undergraduate years, but became a full- fledged board member in the fall of 2007 because she thinks the organization is in the perfect position to demonstrate how having a high quality of life and living economically can also mean living more sustainably and more communally.

Laura Churchman, Celebration committee chair and Finance & Fundraising committee
Before succumbing to the seven-year itch of the ad agency life and becoming a freelance copywriter, Laura Churchman worked at Spiker Communications in Missoula for two years. Since 2007, Laura has worked as a part-time Technical Writer at the University of Montana Technical Assistance and Training Center within Continuing Education, providing technical support to the Montana Tobacco Use Prevention Program and the Forest Service Northern Region University. Laura is using her marketing background to help MUD grow its membership and extend its outreach to continue promoting sustainable living techniques to the Missoula community. She also enjoys camping, hiking, fly fishing and an occasional ungraceful run down a mountainside with a snowboard strapped to her feet. Laura is also challenging herself with gardening and home improvement efforts inspired by MUD.

Beth Hayes, Education and Finance & Fundraising committees 

 Beth was born and raised in north-central Montana and moved to Missoula to attend the University of Montana. After completing a history degree, Beth left Missoula briefly to travel the world, but returned to attend the University of Montana School of Law. After graduating law school in 2009, Beth completed an Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Legal Fellowship with Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA). Beth is now a staff attorney with MLSA, where she enjoys providing advice, brief services and legal representation to low-income Montanans in civil legal matters.

Beth is excited to be part of MUD because of its positive approach to living that she believes is accessible to Missoulians of all backgrounds.
In her spare time, she enjoys reading, observing politics from afar, cooking, watching her garden grow and wants to learn to knit.

Brandon Jackson, Demonstration committee chair and Finance & Fundraising committee
Brandon moved to Missoula in 2001 to begin graduate school. Since Missoula is the largest city he has ever lived in he joined MUD as a member in 2002 to find a smaller community within the city. After eight years of graduate school to receive a M.S. and Ph.D. in Organismal Biology and Ecology from the University of Montana, Brandon finally found the time to join the MUD Board of Directors. Brandon is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the University studying the evolution and aerodynamics of bird flight, but enjoys spending the rest of his time on fishing from his raft, sliding down local slopes, and building and riding a number of bicycles.

Matt Jones, Finance & Fundraising committee chair & Education committee Matt grew up in the California Bay Area and attended UC Santa Barbara earning a BA in Philosophy of Ethics and Public Policy. After years of traveling, teaching, surfing and snowboarding, he came to Missoula to attend UM, earned a masters degree in Resource Conservation and currently works as an Ecology/Climate Scientist at the University. Although his research examines the large scale effects societies have on our climate and vegetation, he believes that the solutions to these negative effects start on a local community level and sees MUD as an organization leading the way in promoting and demonstrating these local solutions. He was drawn to MUD by its mission of urban sustainability, resource sharing and the do-it-yourself encouragement offered by the Tool Library and Workshops. He hopes that as a member of the MUD board he can help promote sustainable practices and encourage others that simple solutions can have global impacts.

Anne Little, Board Vice President, Education committee chair, and Celebration committee 

Anne was raised in Seattle and earned a degree in Textiles from the University of Washington in 1977. She owned and operated custom upholstery businesses in the Seattle area for over 30 years. She's enjoyed working with and for various cooperatives and most recently organized and helped build a 27-unit cohousing project near downtown Seattle. Anne and her husband, Pat, escaped from Seattle in early 2009 and came to Missoula to enjoy living closer to nature. She currently volunteers with several non-profits and is turning her lawn into a sustainable urban garden. She enjoys biking, hiking, bird-watching, and cooking. She believes MUD's sustainable urban living message must reach and help everyone from the trailer parks along Russell to the custom homes along the Rattlesnake. 

Nathan McLeod, Demonstration and Celebration committees 

After graduating from Virginia Tech with a degree in Landscape Architecture Nathan packed up his car with his "toys" and headed west.  He spent a few years living and playing on the Colorado plateau in Arizona.  He worked at the Arboretum at Flagstaff where he learned about native plants and gardening in the arid west.  Nathan left Arizona in search of a different culture, and a bit more water.  His travels lead him to Central America and eventually Puerto Rico, where he learned Spanish, and how to garden in the tropics.  Ready for some seasonal change, in 2010 Nathan felt the call of Montana and headed to Missoula.  He currently works as a Landscape Designer, and is passionate about gardening using native and edible plants.  Since first arriving in Missoula Nathan has volunteered at MUD and loves helping to teach people about gardening, and sustainable living.

Kaylan Minor, Education and Celebration committees

Kaylan is a third-year law student at the University of Montana School of Law.  In May 2012, Kaylan will graduate with a J.D. and a certificate in American Indian Law.  She graduated with a B.S. in Resource Conservation from the University of Montana College of Forestry and Conservation in 2005.
After receiving her undergraduate degree, Kaylan worked for the U.S.F.S. and the N.P.S. as a wild land firefighter and helirappeller.  Her work in the fire world reinforced her passion for energy and natural resource policy.   Kaylan also served with AmeriCorps and as an AmeriCorps*VISTA.  Her three years of work with AmeriCorps included  working with Montana Legal Services Association, Montana Conservation Corps, and Montana Campus Compact.
In her spare time, Kaylan volunteers for Missoula area legal nonprofit organizations that focus on access to justice for all  Montanans, low income housing, and family law issues.   She has served on the Missoula Urban Demonstration Project (MUD) Board of Directors for the past two and a half years.  Through her work with MUD, Kaylan exercises her passion for sustainable, do-it-yourself living; backyard food production; and building strong communities.  Kaylan's personal interests include keeping her two dogs healthy and happy; spending time outdoors playing sports and recreating; riding motorcycles; learning to knit; and pursuing perfection in all the domestic arts.


John Rettenmayer, Board Treasurer, Executive/Personnel, Finance & Fundraising, and Re-Development committees
John Rettenmayer grew up in Illinois. Following a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from U. of Illinois, he earned an MBA and PhD in business administration from UCLA. He lived independently and sustainably aboard his sailboat while cruising for a year, and enjoys photography and singing barbershop harmony. He's involved with MUD because he thinks sustainability and housing affordability must be accomplished at the grass roots level while being encouraged and supported at the policy level.

Tim Skufca, Re-Development committee chair and Demonstration committee
Tim graduated in 1981 from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a Bachelors of Environmental Design with an emphasis on urban planning and community development. Tim joined MUD in 1999 and has served on the MUD Board since 2003 where he feels he can help further Missoula's steps toward responsible living practices.

MUD STAFF AND MAJOR VOLUNTEERS

Without the dedicated efforts of our Tool Librarians, office assistants, program coordinators and VISTAs, MUD would not be able to provide you the high quality services you expect. We'd like you to recognize the following individuals, so you can help us appreciate them as much as we do.

Christopher Preston
Tool Librarian (since 2004)
Christopher Preston has a certification in Small Engine for the Mechanic I, has completed the Missoula County Extension Service Master Gardener course, has a PhD in philosophy, and is a former Alaskan fishing deckhand. He has been one of the tool librarians at MUD for years! MUD is one of the best organizations in town for the grass-roots, low-tech, hands-on, community-building work that he enjoys.

Jake Hansen
Tool Librarian emeritus (2007-2011)
Jake Hansen's creative writing master's degree makes him the least educated tool librarian currently on staff. He loves Missoula and the Northside and feels lucky to work with one of Missoula's crown-jewel organizations. He is excited about keeping the tool library organized and adding to our inventory. Suggest a needed tool today! Jake says, "contrary to official company policy, gifts of food and drink delivered during tool library shifts will allow you to reserve lawnmowers, rototillers, and tile saws."







Yvonne Sorovacu
Tool Librarian (since 2007)
Yvonne Sorovacu is a transplant from the Southeast, has a bachelor’s in Biology, and is currently working on a master’s in Environmental Studies at UM. She used to run an independent book lending library and event space in her former collective house, where she labored in love to restore/repair the 106-year old Victorian-era townhouse (with some low-tech modifications) and grow a glut of delicious organic veggies. She’s excited to meet local folks, load them up with tools, and hear about all the projects that the Tool Library’s equipment makes possible.

Mike Manhardt
Tool Librarian (since 9. 2009)
Mike came from the Minneapolis, MN area in 2009, and is currently in the University of MT MBA program, enjoying local outdoor recreation opportunities to the max, and teaching himself fly fishing in his free time. He has a background in engineering with Polaris Industries, Harley Davidson, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Mostly self taught, he started working on engines when I was about 12 years old, when I bought my first ATV that didn't run. Mike says, “I guess that was what led me to MUD. I saw this as a chance to use that knowledge to do good, which really puts a smile on my face. I like to help others and like to teach, so I hope to be able to do both at MUD.”

Matt Delaney
Tool Librarian (since 1. 2011)
Matt is currently a student of the University of Montana majoring in Natural Resource Conservation with an emphasis on Wildland Fire Ecology/Management and Ecological Restoration. His interests range from historical restoration to snowboarding and hiking. He began volunteering at MUD in 2010 as outlet from academic life, and became a resident and tool librarian in January 2011.

Ann Quirk
MTCC AmeriCorps*VISTA member
MUD Programs (since 11. 2010)

Ann grew up in Columbia, Missouri, where she enjoyed horseback riding, playing and listening to music, and volunteering with a number of community organizations. She attended Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana where she majored in Biology and a minored in Art History. She spent the fall semester of her junior year on an interdisciplinary program in Tanzania. Ann studied subjects ranging from the Ecology and Behavior of African Animals to Cultures of Tanzania, Human Demography and Sustainability, and intensive study and applied use of Kiswahili. She lived with a number of families throughout the country including Mgeta in the Uluguru Mountains and the small Maasai village of Loibersoit in Northern Tanzania. While in Mgeta she observed, worked with, and learned from local farmers as they put into practice farming techniques keyed to the problems of raising crops more sustainably on the area’s extremely steep slopes. Living with these families taught her about the complexities of conservation and the practical differences that seemingly small changes can make in enabling people to continue to live and farm on their homeland in more environmentally sustainable ways. She looks forward to working with MUD as it continues to expand this idea out to the Missoula community.

Randall Orton
Administrative Assistant (since 8.2009)
I grew up in San Diego and always loved to fish. I became a vocational nurse, and have had many jobs, from plumber to federal fire fighter. I am a people person, and was part owner in Linda's Donut Shop for 10 years - the best donuts in Pacific Beach, CA. I've lived in Missoula for seven years, and I'm glad to be part of the MUD Project.

Anna Semple
Youth Education Program Coordinator emeritus (since 9.2009)
After graduating with degrees in Ecology and Music Performance from the University of Montana, Anna has worked both in the schools and at camps to teach environmental education and sustainable living classes to children and adults. As a Peace Corps Volunteer in Paraguay she worked to train local teachers and park rangers as university certified naturalists. She also worked directly with children in the area by organizing and leading day camps, teaching classes in the schools, providing a weekly radio show, and heading up a group of young explorers. Back in the states, Anna has worked both as a field biologist and elementary educator, designing and implementing children’s activities in Missoula. She came to MUD as a Campus Corps Team Leader AmeriCorps in Missoula, MT, and is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Intercultural Youth and Family Development at the University of Montana.

Rhian Clark

Youth Education Program Coordinator (since 2011)
Rhian Clark joins MUD as the Sustainability Literacy Intern, working closely with the Youth Education program as a Campus Corps volunteer. She hails from the East Coast, originating in Pennsylvania, then Massachusetts, and completed her undergraduate education with an English degree at a small liberal arts college in Maryland. She is currently enrolled at the University of Montana pursuing secondary teaching licensure and a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Rhian looks forward to spreading the message of sustainability within the Missoula community and beyond.

Monica Kronenwetter

Youth Education Program Volunteer (since 11. 2010)

Monica grew up in Oshkosh, WI and is a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She received her undergraduate degree in Business Operations and Environmental Studies. She spends her summers working as a Park Ranger Naturalist in Glacier National Park and is currently serving as a Campus Corps volunteer with MUD's Youth Education Program. She is excited to help expand the Youth Education Program and to teach Missoula's youth about the benefits and joy of living sustainably.

MUD RESIDENTS

Hannah Rose Baker

MUD Resident (since 1. 2011)

Contrary to popular belief, Hannah Rose Baker did not spring fully formed from the bed of a 1993 Nissan pickup truck, but rather arrived on MUD’s doorstep in a UPS package postmarked Äänekoski, Finland. She currently works for the Montana Justice Foundation as an Americorps VISTA. She is a southern Appalachian style fiddle player and consummate roaster of root vegetables. Her favorite part of living at MUD so far is trying to convince the chickens that it is fun to cuddle and she is looking forward to getting to know the MUD community.

Erin Barstow

MUD Resident (since 1. 2011)

Erin is currently a resident of the 633 house and fully embraces the 17 wall colors and communal living style of MUD. Although born and raised in New England, the mountain views and diversity in outdoor recreation might keep her in Montana for a while. With a bachelor's degree in Brain and Cognitive Sciences and minors in Anthropology and Spanish from the University of Rochester, Erin recently moved to Montana for an AmeriCorps VISTA position at the GUTS! program of the YWCA. Erin is excited to explore the people and scenery of Missoula and to delve into the sustainable practices and mission of MUD.

Christopher Preston
Tool Librarian (since 2004)
Christopher Preston has a certification in Small Engine for the Mechanic I, has completed the Missoula County Extension Service Master Gardener course, has a PhD in philosophy, and is a former Alaskan fishing deckhand. He has been one of the tool librarians at MUD for years! MUD is one of the best organizations in town for the grass-roots, low-tech, hands-on, community-building work that he enjoys.