Qualifications of Principals
Robyn du Pré, Executive Director, RE Sources for Sustainable Communities
Founding Member, Center for Local Self Reliance
As Executive Director of RE Sources, Ms du Pré is responsible for overseeing the entire range of RE Sources' outreach and education as well as operations at the RE Stores. This includes contract negotiations, marketing the organization's programs and personnel management. Ms du Pré is an excellent advocate, strategic thinker and organizer. She holds a B.S. in environmental science and an M.A. in political science and environmental policy. Nearly 20 years experience in the field of environmental education and advocacy has prepared Ms du Pré for her role as facilitator, mentor and director. Her work experience includes land conservation, marine affairs, interest-based negotiation and consensus process, public advocacy and campaign development, coordinating a large field school, as well as teaching university level writing, science, and natural history courses in classroom and field settings. Ms du Pre is a South neighborhood resident.
Mary Mullen, South Neighborhood Association,
Founding Member, Center for Local Self Reliance
Mary Mullen is a resident of the South Neighborhood and served on the South Neighborhood Association board for 2 years from spring ’06 to spring ’08. She was successfully awarded a Small and Simple Grant from the City of Bellingham for the sprucing up of the Fairhaven Rose Garden in 2008. She holds a B.S. in biology with emphasis on plant ecology and works as a massage practitioner. She is an avid gardener in her spare time.
Alison Kutz-Troutman, Co-owner, Cascade Cuts wholesale nursery
Founding Member, Center for Local Self Reliance
Alison Kutz-Troutman is a South Neighborhood resident and has been a co-owner/operator of a Bellingham based wholesale nursery for 27 years. Her horticultural experiences range from in propagation, production and marketing. In greenhouse production Alison has worked with a wide variety of herbs, perennials and annual plants, all from a unique, holistic management perspective. Her work in more sustainable practices with organic soils, pest management and compost teas have led her to start Sound Horticulture 9 years ago, in response to industry needs for support in this arena. In addition to research, teaching and training on these topics, she now works with a network of leaders in the sustainability movement to improve farming practices and natural solutions to the challenges that growers are faced with. From a more urban perspective, Alison works with Lawn and Land Care Professionals around the country to develop best management practices to reduce chemical inputs and build soil and plant health. Seminars and trainings that she gives range from working with composts and compost teas, to managing "farmscape" biology and putting beneficial insects to work in a variety of settings.
Steve Wilson, South Neighborhood Association
Founding Member, Center for Local Self Reliance
Steve is a founding member of the South Neighborhood Association and served as its first president from 2004-2008. He is currently the association secretary. Along with his wife Kathie, they operate Childlife Montessori School at their home on Old Samish Rd. since 1981. Steve has served on the Mayor’s Neighborhood Advisory Commission the past four years representing the South neighborhood. Steve’s commitment and enthusiasm for neighborhood activism helped to form the Coalition of Southside Neighborhoods involving representatives from South, South Hill, Happy Valley, Edgemoor and Fairhaven in 2005. Steve has served on numerous boards of directors and is most proud of his involvement with the Whatcom Soccer Commission during the early 1990’s when the Northwest Soccer Park was getting developed.
Dennis L. Horton
Founding Member,Center for Local Self Reliance
Dennis was the founding President of the “Columbus Santa Maria” a 501c3. His responsibilities included; successful application for the not-for-profit status, setting up the board of directors, volunteer program, operations, successful grant writing, fundraising, and serious wooden ship maintenance for over 8 years. Dennis was also the founding President of “The Warehouse District” and formed an advisory board in cooperation with the City of Columbus Planning and Development Department for short and long term guidance of growth in the district. (6 years) Dennis served the Central Ohio Council of “Boy Scouts of America” on its finance committee, property committee and program committee, (15 years) receiving a Silver Beaver Award, and George Meany Scouting Award for Community Service. Dennis was a commercial general contractor for 20 years and President and CEO of Corporate Construction Services, Inc. He served as a City Councilor for 7 years and its president for 4 years in the capacity of chairing the finance committee, and liaison for acquisition of “The Galbreath Community Center”. Dennis has an extensive background in grant writing and administering.
Marinus VandeKamp, Landmark Enterprises Inc.
Founding Member, Center for Local Self Reliance
Marinus has been a local designer/contractor for over 20 years. Among Marinus’ many accomplishments is his work with Bellingham CoHousing. Marinus was a founding member of this group and was instrumental in leading the construction of their Donovan Street development in the 1990s. He is most proud of his advocacy and successful restoration of the 1891 building which became the Commons House at this site.