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Our Staff & Board of Directors

Staff

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Michael Brown

Executive Director

Michael Brown is the Executive Director of Sustaining Way with its flagship demonstration site, Annie’s House, located in historic Nicholtown. A native of Spartanburg, Michael holds a B.A. in Political Science from Alabama A&M University, an M.P.A. from The Ohio State University, and a J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law. Michael served 12 years as the District One Representative for Spartanburg County Council, was the first African American Vice-Chair and chaired the Public Safety and Judiciary Committee and was a long serving member of the Economic Development Committee having worked directly to establish 20k jobs and delivering more than $8 billion of development. Among many community service roles, he has served on the South Carolina Bar Board of Governors, serves as President of the Spartanburg NAACP, is an alumnus of the Liberty Fellowship and is an Aspen Global Leadership Fellow. A trained apiarist certified in Sustainable Agriculture and Permaculture, Michael serves on the Boards of Directors for the South Carolina Food Policy Council and the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, respectively. He works daily to combat the reality of food deserts in communities throughout the state. As a recognized environmental justice advocate, Michael champions sustainable approaches in community resiliency through energy policy reforms, implementation of efficient energy alternatives in low income communities, affordable housing innovation and transformative healthy lifestyle practices. Michael’s passion about helping to “heal the land” propelled him to start in 2019 a regenerative urban farm, Roots of Life. Contact Michael via email at michael.brown@sustainingway.com

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Rick Joye

Operations Director

Rick is the Founder and Interim Operations Director of Sustaining Way. Rick received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering and later an MBA from Clemson University.

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Oscar Bennett

Engagement Coordinator

Oscar Bennett is the Engagement Coordinator at Sustaining Way. He graduated from Coastal Carolina University with a B.A. in Political Science and a Minor in Middle East studies. He was raised to know that service to your fellow neighbor is one of the greatest duties a person can undertake in your life. Oscar wants to uplift others to become more educated, healthier, and self-sufficient in their lives. Through a sustainable lifestyle and a helping hand, he believes the Nicholtown community can achieve those goals.
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Michelle Desmarais

Sustainability Education Specialist

Michelle Desmarais is a certified Special Education and Elementary Education teacher and has earned a BA in Mathematics. She has a Masters of the Environment specializing in Sustainability Planning and Management. Michelle is a passionate community builder dedicated to connecting people and sharing resources and knowledge. She works with professional networks, including conservation and social enterprises, to catalyze their efforts to make the world a better place. A savvy steward of the earth, Michelle is continuously learning how to care for people and the planet. As a dedicated athlete, she champions diversity and inclusion on the trails, as well as, best practices for sustainable outdoor recreation.

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Chasity Taylor

Assistant Development Coordinator

Chasity Taylor is the Assistant Development Coordinator at Sustaining Way. She graduated from Clemson University with a B.A. in Sociology and a Minor in English. She is passionate about sustainable living and social justice, and wants to serve and support the Nicholtown community in living healthier, more sustainable lives.

Board of Directors

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Sylvia Palmer

Board Chair

Sylvia is native a Greenvillian and long-term resident of Nicholtown. She was the first African-American Earth and Life Sciences teacher at Greenville Middle School serving 30 years from 1967-1997. Later she served for ten years as the Office Manager of the Greenville County Education Association. Now retired, Sylvia continues to serve the community as the President of the Nicholtown Neighborhood Association, and board member of Genesis Homes along with many other volunteer activities focused on the betterment of the Nicholtown Community.
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Jennifer Derryberry

Treasurer

Jennifer is responsible for Community Works’ monthly financial statements, cash management projections, the annual budget, management of funder relationships, financial projects, grant compliance, and coordination with auditors. Prior to joining Community Works in 2012, she worked as an accountant for a small CPA firm and a senior accountant for a LIHTC real estate developer. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Accounting from Columbia College and is pursuing her Master’s in Business Administration from Clemson University.
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Elizabeth Gilman

Secretary

Since her earliest memories of walking on the beach in Australia, Liz has always been in love with the outdoors. She is a passionate flyfisher and enjoys all things outside. Liz is a graduate from Clemson’s school of Business & Behavioral Sciences, where she studied Management Info Systems and Nonprofit Leadership, and currently serves as a licensed Scrum Master at EP+Co where she helps manage their Creative Technology Team. In the past she has served in a variety of roles in the nonprofit world, focusing on health and wellness, environmental activism, equality for all people, and animal protection. She is currently pursuing her graduate degree from Clemson and is serving on the Board for Sustaining Way.
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Margaret Stephens

Board Member

Margaret Stephens is a registered Nurse with accreditation in Faith Community Nursing and the director of Faith & Neighborhood Relations at LiveWell Greenville. In addition to serving as facilitator for the at Worship workgroup and the Hispanic Cohort, Margaret has provided technical assistance to more than 23 houses of worship in creating policy, systems and environmental change in Greenville County. She has 20+ years of nonprofit experience in faith communities, especially within neighborhoods that have had less than equitable opportunities. Margaret developed the Abundant Living Program, a successful Parish Nurse Model for Baptist Easley Hospital under The Duke Endowment grant, with more than 200 faith communities across seven states. She serves on the Community Advisory Board of USC’s Prevention Research Center and the Executive Board of Sustaining Way.
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Gary Davis

Board Member

Gary Davis is a partner at Nachman Norwood & Parrott, and has worked in the financial advisory industry for twenty three years. Before that he worked with an international manufacturing company traveling extensively in Europe. He serves on the Green Ribbon Committee for Mobility for the City of Greenville. His interests include sustainability, solar energy, organic gardening, hiking, bird watching, running, travel and flying. Four years ago he set an aviation world record for altitude with an electric powered ultralight.
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Mike Murrell

Board Member

Mike brings a unique mix of business development expertise, a passion for equity and cultural sensitivity, and a love of community to his board role. Mike earned his BA in Economics from Furman University, and went on to become a successful computer programmer, and eventually a vice president of sales for an international software company. His efforts at Sustaining Way are geared towards leveraging his skills and passion to grow corporate fund-raising while supporting the board as it adapts its governance and policies to keep pace with the organization’s growth.
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Jervelle Fort

Board Member

Jervelle Fort serves as a Health Educator for the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC).  In this role, she provides technical assistance and resources to communities in Laurens and Greenville Counties to help community members create Healthy Eating and Active Living (HEAL) policies, systems and environmental changes.  She holds both a Bachelor's Degree in Community Health, and a Master's Degree in Public Health, as well as a Certified Health Education Specialist certification, and a Child Passenger Safety certification.  Jervelle has a passion for service as she sits on numerous boards, and actively participates in numerous organizations, most notably serving as the Secretary for the Greenville Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the Secretary for the South Carolina Public Health Association, and Church Clerk, Trustee, and Health Ministry Chair for Springfield Baptist Church.

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Chris Sermons

Board Member

Chris is the founding farmer of Bio-Way Farm in Ware Shoals, SC. Founded in 2004, Bio-Way Farm was one of the first private certified organic farms in South Carolina. He is also a founding member of Slow Food Upstate’s Earth Market and was named Carolina Farm Stewardship Association’s Farmer of the Year in 2016. Chris’ goal is to create a community that is able to provide safe, healthy and nutritious foods for all.

Apply to be on Sustaining Way’s Governance Committees!

Do you believe in Sustaining Way’s mission and vision? Do you think you can help us realize our goals? If yes, please apply to serve on one of our governance committees. Our Nominating Committee regularly reviews applications and will be back in touch.

Online Application
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