Staff

John A. Kinch Ph.D., Executive Director

John Kinch has a 25-year history in green causes. He spent a decade in marketing, communications and fundraising with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) at their international headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, and with the Michigan Chapter. Among his duties at TNC, he helped create strategic global conservation campaigns involving international governments, federal agencies, private businesses funders and partner nonprofits.

John Kinch directed the marketing communications at both the University of Michigan and the Land Policy Institute at Michigan State University and developed a green investing venture for a finance technology company.

An occasional adjunct professor at Michigan State University, he teaches courses in community service and professional writing around the issue of sustainability. John Kinch has a Ph.D. from MSU with a dissertation on the "the cyclical reinvention of the American Environmental Movement." A former reporter and practicing freelance journalist, he is published widely, including a book, and articles for wire services and The New York Times, among others

John Kinch has been a nonprofit volunteer for numerous groups, including the IT Zone, New Enterprise at Work, West Michigan Environmental Action Council and US Green Building Council. Before becoming the Executive Director of Michigan Energy Options, he served on the Board of Directors.

Becky Jo Farrington, Environmental Education Manager

Becky Jo Farrington joined the Michigan Energy Options staff in December of 2008 and has settled right in. She runs educational programs relating to energy and environmental sustainability, leads tours of the Michigan Energy Options demonstration house, and manages our educational displays and garden.

Becky Jo Farrington received a BS degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Management from Michigan State University in 2002. She has worked for the past 7 years as a community organizer, field director, and program coordinator focused on environmental issues. During this time, she has organized and educated thousands of citizens around campaigns to protect our water, air and other natural resources.   Becky Jo Farrington also enjoys writing, and has been published in the Environmental Journalism magazine at Michigan State University.  She is a Lansing resident and is actively involved in making her community a more sustainable place to live.

Bruce Wheaton, Residential & Commercial Programs Manager

Bruce Wheaton has 25 years experience in residential and commercial architectural design and building construction, that includes eight years of specializing in educational facilities design. He has been a LEED Accredited Professional since 2001 through the US Green Building Council (USGBC), and will be working to align Michigan Energy Option’s facility operations with the integrated principals of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system.

Prior to joining Michigan Energy Options in June of 2009, Bruce Wheaton gained training and experience in sustainable design through attendance at regional workshops and national conferences.  He has participated in the Central Michigan Sustainable Business Forum and the USGBC Education sub-committee, and served as adjunct faculty in the Architectural Studies Program at Lansing Community College.  He contributed to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother House Renovation Project's sustainable design charrette.

Bruce Wheaton will be overseeing the commercial and residential energy programs at our organization. He will be collaborating with local and regional organizations to bring new programming development and resources to the region.

Jim Eaton, Energy Specialist

Jim Eaton joined the MEO team in October of 2009 and provides home assessment services and educational programming to our income-qualified clients.  He also assists with our northern Michigan operations, quality control for programs, customer service, program design and implementation.

Jim Eaton has a BS in Environmental Economics and holds the special distinction of having personally designed one of the very first degrees of its kind from the University of Minnesota.  As a builder he incorporated sustainable building practices such as recycled materials, locally produced lumber and post consumer waste into the design features of his alternative homes and building projects.  In 1998 he completed a straw baled home for himself in Wisconsin with an R-value for the walls of around 44!  He hopes to complete a similar project in the Upper Peninsula in the near future.  Jim Eaton is a licensed contractor with over 20 years of diverse building experience.

TJ Brown, Programs Coordinator

TJ Brown is a licensed builder, is the Programs Coordinator out of our Marquette office. TJ Brown received a B.S. degree in Environmental Science which led him to the 2006 Biofuels Community Education Project. Joining the Michigan Energy Options team, TJ Brown has added 15 years of building experience to the residential and commercial energy audit programs. As a HERS certified rater, he conducts energy audits and assessments to promote Energy Star home construction and finance opportunities. TJ Brown presents energy efficiency and renewable energy workshops in classrooms, public events and trade shows. Utilizing his experience as an alpine ski coach for over 14 years, he aspires to help teachers bring applied learning to public education.

Sin Christian, Energy Specialist

Sin Christian has been with Michigan Energy Options since 1988. She has performed thousands of energy audits for the organization, the Education Action Center, Detroit Edison, Volt Energy Systems, and Consumers Power Company. She has also been a member of the Lansing Energy Action Network steering committee. Sin Christian has formal training as a residential energy auditor and eight years of construction experience.

Henry Love, Finance & Administrative Manager

Henry Love manages the financial and administrative functions of Michigan Energy Options.  Henry Love is responsible for budgeting, bookkeeping, fiscal planning and reporting, funding development, and human resource administration.  he contributes to grant planning, writing and reporting as well.

Henry Love is a 2007 graduate of Central Michigan University, with a BA in entrepreneurial business and finance and a 2010 MBA graduate of the University of Phoenix.  Henry has worked as a non-profit financial manager since 2007 and joined Michigan Energy Options in 2009.  Henry believes in fiscal transparency in the non-profit sector and is dedicated to maintaining the ethical standards that make social enterprise a rewarding career.

Matt Anderson, Office Assistant

Matt Anderson has a BA in English from Hope College. He manages Michigan Energy Options' library, databases and acts as our recycling coordinator. Matt Anderson also serves as a library assistant at the East Lansing Public Library. He has volunteered for The Recyclers of Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton Counties and earned Recycler of the Year Award in 1993.