Note: these candidates submitted fuller statements in addition to their statements on the candidate photos page.

Jennifer Schlicht

Thank you for the opportunity to introduce myself! As a born and raised Michigander, advocating and organizing for protections for our water and for our environment is my personal priority. I work at CleanWater Action in Ann Arbor, originally as a field organizer followed by office managing, social media, and communications. I have also dedicated time to local stewardship efforts, completing Michigan Conservation Steward and Master Rain Gardener training. I have both volunteered with and organized conservation, monitoring, education, and cleanup efforts, including with the Huron River Watershed Council (river roundup and educational outreach), Alliance for the Great Lakes Adopt a Beach, and Ann Arbor Adopt a Park.

In my spare time I enjoy hiking, backpacking, and swimming throughout Michigan (currently planning a 100 mile North Country Trail trip), organic and native plant gardening, and tutoring English and aiding a refugee family in navigating their new Washtenaw County home. I also am passionate about protecting and advocating for voting rights in Michigan.

I would welcome the opportunity to enhance and expand the work of the Sierra Club Huron Valley Group and increasing our presence and membership throughout the region. We are fortunate to have wonderful natural resources throughout this region, but unfortunately, as we’ve seen, they cannot be taken for granted. What I love about the Sierra Club is the sheer love of the outdoors we all share – in Michigan and beyond - and a willingness to take action and work to protect that gift for future generations. There is a lot of work to be done, but taking the time to appreciate what it is we’re fighting for is incredibly important. If elected I would work to ensure that balance and preserve what is uniquely wonderful and what is most important to current members while also working to bring programs and outreach across the Huron Valley Group region so others may learn, appreciate, and hopefully be inspired to join us as explorers, advocates, and appreciators of our natural communities.

Dan Ezekiel

Hi, I’m Dan Ezekiel.  Though I am newly active in HVG (since my retirement), I’ve been a member for decades!  I love the Sierra Club, John Muir has always been one of my personal heroes.


I am running for Executive Committee so that I can share my knowledge about, and passions for, environmental education, waste reduction/recycling, open space/farmland preservation, hiking and cycling.


My environmentalist roots run very deep;  as a teenager I graduated from the National Outdoor Leadership School (“Leave No Trace”) twice, once in the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming, once in coastal Alaska.


I graduated from the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources, where I met my wife Tina.  In 1978, while in college, I helped found Recycle Ann Arbor, the first curbside collection of recyclables in the Midwest.  I drove a recycling truck, helped merge RAA with the Ecology Center, and led RAA’s first fundraising campaign. After 40 years, RAA is still going strong (and I am still involved!)


I hold a Masters in Education Leadership from EMU.  I was a science teacher for 33 years, the last 29 at Forsythe Middle School in Ann Arbor.  During that time, I was science department chair, and I led the Forsythe science fair to become the largest in Michigan.  I also led the successful struggle to preserve the Ann Arbor Public Schools’ legendary Environmental Education program when the district tried to eliminate it (for budgetary reasons) in 2001.


Though I am now retired from the Ann Arbor schools, I still serve on two district committees, and I am co-chair of a working group that is developing recommendations to reinvigorate the district’s waste-reduction efforts.   I serve on the committee that is developing recommendations for use of the district’s new Freeman Environmental Learning Center.


Open space preservation is also one of my passions:  I was a founding member of the City of Ann Arbor’s Greenbelt Advisory Commission in 2004, and I served as its chair from 2011-2013.  The Greenbelt has now preserved over 5000 acres of green space near Ann Arbor, mostly farmland.


Since terming out of the Greenbelt Commission, I have served on Washtenaw County’s Parks and Recreation Commission.  There I am able to share my knowledge of open space preservation to help with the county’s Natural Areas Preservation program, which has preserved over 4000 acres of green space.


As part of my service on the Parks and Rec Commission, I serve on a subcommittee that advises about the Border 2 Border bike trail.  That’s appropriate, because I am a dedicated recreational cyclist and cycle commuter, logging 4000+ miles per year!

I cut my teeth in political work by volunteering for Help Abolish Throwaways (the initiative that brought us the Michigan Deposit Container law--the “bottle bill”) in 1976.  Since then I have worked on countless political campaigns.


Politically, I want the Huron Valley Group to focus on the most important environmental issues, which I see as clean air and water, climate change, renewable energy, non-motorized transport, solid waste reduction, elimination of toxic chemicals and plastic residue from our environment, habitat enhancement, and planning sustainable growth for our community.


I hope you will vote for me as a proven, knowledgeable, but still lively environmentalist, who wants to help bring new and fun activities to our chapter!  Please email me at dan.ezekiel24@gmail.com if you have questions or comments.

Vince Caruso

As a longtime member of the Sierra Club and longtime active in the Huron Valley Group (SCHVG), I hope to continue as a current Executive Committee to assist the wonderful people who belong to the Sierra Club both locally, statewide and nationally to make Ann Arbor, Michigan and the US a healthy and prosperous place to live and work with a strong interest in improving our environment. 

• I am a founding (1998) member and current coordinating member of the Allen’s Creek Watershed Group (ACWG.ORG) and, founding (2006) and Board Member of the Coalition for the Remediation of Dioxane (CARD) a citizen state, county and city government coalition grou and a long time camper, hiker, canoer and biker in Maine, Illinois, Ohio and Michigan.
• My wife and I were involved in working with the SCHVG on the petition for Gelman EPA Superfund. 
• Moved to Ann Arbor with my wife Rita, a U of M Professor of Toxicology, in 1987 and have two children born in Ann Arbor. Both attended public schools and are UM grads. 
• I have done neurobehavioral and environmental research in neurobehavioral toxicology on health effects of low-level lead exposure in children publishing and presenting in international meetings. 
• Independent software developer and scientific hardware development.
• Designer, builder general contractor and various tradesperson working on our energy efficient passive solar Ann Arbor home. 
• Active Sierra Club HVG member and longtime member of the Sierra Club in Ohio and Michigan. 
• Active member of the Ann Arbor Save Our Parks Group, Allen's Creek Greenway citizens effort, Glendale Action to Save the Orchard Group, Libary Lot Park group, various local bicycling groups. 
• I have served on many city/county task forces or Citizen Advisory Committees (CAC) including the recent AC Greenway Master Plan, Stormwater Level of Service Review,  Ann Arbor Green Streets Policy Water Committee of the Environmental Commission, Footer Disconnect Reevaluation Task Force, City Wide Stormwater Study CAC, Liberty St. Improvement CAC which started the city on a new Road Diet and Crosswalk Refuse Island usage path. 
• I volunteered for over 20 years on many city and county progressive campaigns for elected office and ballot initiatives.

I hope to continue working with our current great Executive Committee Nancy Shiffler (chair), James D'Amour (Vice Chair), Ed Steinman, Ginny Maturen, Kim Schlegel and Rita Mitchell.

Nancy Shiffler

Sierra Club offices held: Current chair of the Huron Valley Group Executive Committee; emeritus member of the state Chapter Executive Committee

As a member since 1981, I have found that the uniqueness of the Sierra Club flows from participation at the grassroots:

• The heart of the club is its volunteers. The club provides a place for members to grow and be effective as activists.
• By working together and supporting each other in our environomental work, we understand we are not alone in the battles we fight and we can reach out to others in their fights.
• The Sierra Club is a democratic organization; it is both the right and the responsibility of its members to become involved in its governance.

We are facing any number of important environmental issues in our three-county area -- public transit,factory farms, water quality, pollution, energy (renewables and efficiency, oil and gas drilling, pipelines),the protection of parks and natural areas – and across the state and nation. The Sierra Club has been a strong independent voice on these issues. Our capacity to act on them is bounded only by the willingness of our members to become involved. As a member of our Executive Committee I will help to continue our work on these important issues and I invite all our members to join us in that work.


Rita Mitchell

HVG Leadership: Committees:

• Executive
• Political
• Conservation
• Speaker Coordinator 2008

Current Actions:

• Co-Founder Bee Safe Ann Arbor
• Michigan Chapter Pollinator Protection Program
• HVG Representative on A2 Greenway Master Planning, Active member since 1987

I am pleased to have served with member volunteers and Sierra Club leaders in Lenawee, Monroe, and Washtenaw counties, which comprise the Huron Valley Group. As a member of the Executive Committee I have participated in decisions to work with other local entities to address the 1,4-dioxane pollution of underground water in Ann Arbor, to protect park land, and to support habitat for pollinators and migrating birds. I serve on both the Political and Executive Committees, and participate in decisions to endorse environmentally oriented candidates for office.

Our state’s fresh water quality is a top priority for me. As a member, I have attended meetings and spoken out in support of shutting down the 65 year old Line 5 pipeline, located in the heart of the Great Lakes in the Straits of Mackinac. I will continue to join with those working to stop the ongoing release of PFAS chemicals into our lakes and streams, and to support remediation.

As Huron Valley Group Speaker Coordinator, I have had the opportunity to recruit experts on topics that cover the range of Sierra Club goals to explore, enjoy, and protect the planet. I am continually inspired and learn from each presenter.

My personal goal is to continue to take action along with others to support clean air, water, and land for all in Michigan. I ask for your member-vote to continue in a leadership role on the Executive Committee of the Huron Valley Group.

Amanda Sweetman

As a native of the west side of Michigan, I have been a lifelong advocate for the protection of our great lakes and the people of our state. My passion stems from childhood summers spent skipping rocks and building forts along the shores of Lake Michigan; from summers spent at the University of Michigan Biological Station teaching students about fishes; and, from a professional perspective of working to restore Lake Erie wetlands. I believe that this passion and my experiences with both local ecology and organic farming make me a strong addition to the board.

My work at Great Lakes Commission and the USGS Great Lakes Science Center deepened my dedication to preserving the health of our Great Lakes and fresh water resources. Not only do I
have a deep understanding of the local ecosystems, but I am also knowledgeable about the politics surrounding this resource. I believe my background and professional connections would add value to the board around our needed work on Line 5 and upcoming Great Lakes advocacy.

As the Farm Manager at St Joes Hospital, I have the privilege of working with local farmers, doctors, and educators to grow a healthy community through education, relationships, and food. This position has greatly expanded my knowledge and participation in the local organic farm community. I'm very excited to bring more resources and my knowledge of local organic farming and CSAs to the Huron Valley Sierra Club's work on this critical issue in our community.

My purpose in life is to connect people to where they live so they will work to conserve it. I started by advocating for the Great Lakes and I've found myself in a place where I can talk to people about conserving their own health, the health of their local environment, and the health of their local economy by buying local food. I look forward to sharing my skills and passion with HVG.

Stephen Colby Brown

I’ve become increasingly active during the past 2 years, both in the HVG and other environmental defense organizations:

1. Co-Chairing the HVG Conservation Committee, and invited to attend the ExComm meetings for the past 6 months.
2. I’ve participated in 3 Citizen Lobby Days in Lansing and am ready now to become a Lead Lobbyist for the next event.
3. Participating as I can in Crossroads Group outings and meetings. Commented at Livingston County Board Meetings.
4. Volunteered with the Ann Arbor Energy Commission Community Solar subcommittee, personally evaluating several options.
5. Appointed to the Ann Arbor Environmental Commission on August 9, 2018. Drafted a resolution that was approved and will be submitted to City Council.
6. Monitoring Renewable Energy, Greenhouse Gas reduction, and Solid Waste issues for HVG
7. A member of the Michigan Sierra Club Chapter PFAS Taskforce, where my Chemistry and Biochemistry experience is useful.
8. Volunteering with Citizens Climate Lobby, obtaining letters of support and actively recruiting Congressman Mike Bishop to the Climate Solutions Caucus
9. Participating regularly in NAP service projects and organized a group clearing invasive shrubs at a prime wetland in Livingston County.

Ed Steinman

Most of my entire volunteer life of many years (31 years with the Sierra Club) has been working to protect the natural world. One way has been by working every day with the very dedicated Sierra Club staff and volunteers on statewide problems as well as problems in the The Huron Valley Group (HVG) area (Lenawee, Monroe and Washtenaw counties). This includes being very active in politics. I’ve also spent some time with Michigan United (miunited.org) in Detroit working on environmental justice issues.

These are some of the problems in the HVG area:

• CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations i.e. “factory farms”) are a public health hazard, an environmental disaster and are extremely inhumane. I have worked with researchers, DEQ staff and others as a Lighthawk pilot and in other ways for at least 10 years trying to control this problem. There are nearly 300 CAFOs in Michigan -- many are in the HVG area.
• The Great Lakes, 1/5 of the world’s fresh water, are under immediate threat of pollution from oil and gas drilling and tar sands oil transport via pipelines, ships and trucks. Many pipelines run through the counties HVG covers and more are being built. I’ve helped with public education about this enormous threat.
• Nuclear power plants and nuclear waste dumps ring the Great Lakes, polluting water and killing aquatic life not to mention the threat of nuclear waste. The Fermi power plants are extremely costly and have had frequent maintenance problems. I have helped with public education about nuclear power threats.
• In Ann Arbor in particular, which used to be a environmental leader but is no longer, parks and sensitive areas are under threat from development while citizens are excluded from the conversation. Non-motorized transportation is very poorly provided for. There has been little to no leaderships to address the dioxane and PFAS threats, to building a strong solar program or to provide a bold pathway to renewable energy. More City Council members are needed who respond to these problems and provide the leadership to strongly move these initiatives forward. I and others have worked hard and long towards that goal.

Awards received:

National Sierra Club award:

• Digital Excellence Award, 2016 (with 15 others, for helping with development of Sierra Club website software)

Michigan Chapter awards:

• Digital Excellence Award, 2010 - as Chapter webmaster
• Michigan Chapter Chair’s Award, 2010 - for support of the Chapter

Huron Valley Group awards:

• Rachel Carson Communications Award, 2006 (with 3 others) and 2009
• Conservation Activist Award, 2007
• Democracy in Action Award, 2006 (with 4 others)
• Conservation Accomplishment Award, 2003 (with 16 others)
• Care and Feeding Award, 2013 (with 5 others) and 2009

There are so many serious problems that there is no choice but to continue to work on solutions. It is great to work with dedicated and effective Sierra Club leaders and volunteers, which makes the work rewarding and even fun.