Click through the slideshow above to see our board members in action.
Board Members
Ryan Bresette, Board Chair
Ryan is currently Assistant Controller for Kansas City Power & Light. Ryan has worked for the last 5 years in the energy sector. Prior to joining the utility industry, Ryan held various finance and accounting roles in the Kansas City area. His interests are in creating long-term sustainable strategies and developing tomorrow’s leaders. Ryan is actively involved in youth activities with his children, including coaching sports and Boy Scouts. As an Eagle Scout, Ryan has always given his time and talent in serving others. Ryan started volunteering as a young adult with the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Ryan earned a BSBA in Accounting from Rockhurst University and is a Certified Public Accountant. Ryan recently completed his MBA at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Tim Burkhalter
Tim is a Project Manager with Burns & McDonnell’s Energy Services Group and is a licensed Professional Engineer. In his role, Tim concentrates on execution and delivery of facility energy conservation projects. Responsible for marketing and execution of projects throughout the Midwest, Tim focuses on reduction of utility expenditures and the associated environmental footprint of facilities. Areas of specialty include program management of preliminary feasibility studies, Investment Grade Audits, conceptual design and design-build execution of facility energy projects for municipal and Higher Education clients. Tim holds a BS from the University of Missouri Columbia in Mechanical Engineering.
TJ Dixon
TJ is a husband and a father of five children first and foremost. He is an employee of Harley-Davidson Motor Company where he serves as International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Steward for the Dyna Assembly Process Area, as well as a member of the Diversity Council, Mean Green Recycling Team (sustainability council), and the Harley-Davidson Foundation Charitable Contributions Committee. Recently TJ proposed using land at the Harley-Davidson plant to grow food for Harvesters. As the owner/operator of Five a Day Farm, TJ cares for an apple orchard, blackberry grove, honey bees and chickens and conducts workshops on his own rain barrel design. TJ is currently pursuing a business degree from Park University. TJ has a passion to leave the Earth in a better place than he found it and lives by the moto: “If each of us would use all the resources we have at hand not only to sustain ourselves, but to help others, the world would be a better place."
Troy Nash, JD
Troy is currently Vice President – Director of Public Sector Consulting for Zimmer Real Estate Services. Prior to joining Zimmer, Troy served Kansas City as a member of the City Council from 1999 – 2007. Troy was recently appointed by the governor to the Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC); serves as Vice-Chair of the Board of the American Jazz Museum; and is Chairman, Board of Trustees, People to People International. Troy has received numerous awards including the National Lawyer’s Guild Social and Economic Justice Award and the E.A. Freeman Living Legends Award. Troy holds a Juris Doctor and an MBA from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and is a Ph.D. candidate in Economics.
Rachel T. Norton
Rachel works for Tetra Tech as the Marketing Coordinator for the Central Region. In addition to serving on the Green Works board, Rachel is a tireless volunteer and mentor for one of our students. Rachel serves on the board of the Friends of the River Kansas City. Rachel holds a BA in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of Kansas.
Mario Ramirez
Mario is a graduate of the ECOS program, and the first graduate to serve on the board of Green Works. While participating in ECOS, Mario completed successful summer internships with Habitat Restore, KCMO Parks and Rec, and the KCMO Water Department. Mario's efforts on behalf of the environment were recognized in 2009 by the state of Missouri. Mario graduated in May 2010 from DeLaSalle High School and is now a student at Maple Woods Community College where he is studying environmental science. Mario is an advocate in his community for clean water and native plants and believes that educating young people about the environment is the best way to achieve change.
Rusty Smith
Rusty is currently the Vice President/Portfolio Manager for Trademark Merchant Energy. Rusty brings to Green Works 13 years of experience doing business in the energy sector, with a recent emphasis on energy efficiency through demand sided management. Rusty is a veteran of education-based volunteerism through organizations such as Amigos de las Americas, and Junior Achievement. Rusty earned a BS in Marine Transportation from Texas A&M, and an MBA from the University of Chicago.
Advisory Board Members
Green Works also has an advisory board of educators who assist with program design and student issues.
Rochelle Owens
Rochelle began her career as a high school science instructor, and worked with Kate for two years when the ECOS program was piloted at DeLaSalle Education Center. Rochelle now works as an after-school site coordinator for LINC. Rochelle has a BA in Education and lives in the Green Impact Zone.
