In alphabetical order …

Gary Craft - Principal, Craft Consulting Group

Gary Craft has broad experience in business planning, market research, economic development, real estate development, and strategic planning. Gary has worked with entrepreneurs and early-stage companies, public agencies, academic institutions, and corporations. He has conducted studies of local economies and analyzed emerging industry clusters. He has led the planning and development of a number of business incubators. Most recently, Gary served as the Executive Director of a technology business incubator where he assisted entrepreneurs start and launch new business ventures. He has taught courses on Entrepreneurship and New Venture Management at Diablo Valley College. Gary holds a Master’s degree in Planning from the University of Oregon. He is a member of the American Marketing Association, National Association for Business Economics, California Association of Local Economic Development (CALED), and the National Business Incubation Association. Gary is active in community affairs and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Contra Costa Council, of which he is past president and co-chair of its economic development task force; co-founder of Diablo Venture Alliance; founder and former board member of the John Marsh Historic Trust; and the Vice Chair of the Diablo Valley College Foundation.

Heather and Ryan Hopkins – Sustainable Design Specialists

Ryan and Heather spend the great majority of their life focusing on how they can change the world. With an idealistic mind and heart, their business has grown from their living room scratch paper to what it is today.

Heather is an accomplished real estate adviser and avid sustainability and economics nut. She offers her expertise in neighborhood analysis, ensuring that each property’s potential is tapped. Both radical and cheeky, Heather is a born leader, using her contagious charisma to delve into her clients needs on a personal level. Try not to smile while talking with her; impossible!

Ryan, an architectural designer and contractor, loves to find the hidden beauty in the unsung gems of each neighborhood. He has an undying love for simple yet effective design and an equal affinity for “”keeping things light.”” To say he adds comic relief to the team would be an understatement!

Heather and Ryan combine their expertise in design, construction, sustainability and real estate to better their community, one home at a time. They offer cash for ugly houses and turn them into “green”” homes that owners can be proud to live in at every price point!

Tina Neuhausel – President, Sustainable Contra Costa

Tina has over a decade of experience helping to advance sustainable technologies and encouraging a more sustainable society. She served for over three years as the Outreach Director for Sustainable San Mateo County. Previous to that, she was Owner of Next Generation Energy Network consulting with governments and businesses on renewable energy projects and policies, and sustainable building and business practices. Tina served as Policy Aide to, then, Santa Clara County Supervisor Jim Beall (current State Assembly Member) focusing energy, work-force development, transportation, and land-use issues. She created Santa Clara County Fuel Cell Advancement Initiative. Tina has eight years executive management experience in the hotel industry. She now heads the Board of Sustainable Contra Costa and is spearheading SCOCO’s efforts to become an effective leader in the county’s sustainability movement. Tina holds an Master of Public Administration from San Francisco State University and a B.A. in Sociology from Sonoma State University.

Mark Westwind – Principal, Westwind Associates

Mark Westwind has over 30 years professional and technical experience working with businesses, community agencies and non-profit organization. He was the founding Director of the Contra Costa Software Business Incubator, founding Associate Director of John F. Kennedy University’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Resident Mentor for JFK University’s Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership. He is the co-author with Dr. Tapan Munroe (former Chief Economist for PG&E) of “”What Makes Silicon Valley Tick?””, a highly praised analysis of the Silicon Valley’s innovation ecosystem. He is currently an adjunct instructor with JFK University’s MBA Program. Mark is also the founder/co-founder of over a dozen community organizations including several community gardens and farmers markets. Mark holds a Master of Public Administration from Cal. State University East Bay, a B.A. in Environmental Studies from UC Berkeley and a Certificate in Entrepreneurship from John F. Kennedy University. He is an advisor for Sustainable Contra Costa and President of Earth Team, an East Bay youth organization.

Oren Wool - Principal, 108 Technologies

Oren is a project manager and consultant with extensive online community skills working to  promote regional sustainability by connecting the economic viability of localization, biodiversity, and social equity. Operations experience in international supply chain logistics, fair trade manufacturing and organic agriculture; now researching convening sciences and civic innovation. He implements solutions that improve organizational communication and support brand messaging. With his work Oren promotes ideas, policies, companies and products that prosper from sustainable development and foster social equity. Recent clients include organizations focused on food safety, organic agriculture, herbal supplements, fair trade, biodiversity and healthy lifestyles. Oren is the Executive Director of Sustainable North Bay and Co-Founder/Managing Director of the Sustainable Enterprise Conference of Sonoma County.