TGN Leadership
Texas Green Network’s Leadership has a governing Texas Board of Directors with a future goal of local chapters represented by Chapter Presidents on the board.
Texas Board:
Reed Sternberg, Executive Director
Reed is co-founder and “idea guy” behind the Texas Green Network and a passionate organization builder, community builder and environmental advocate. Reed brings a unique background to TGN that includes media, marketing and sales, organizational development and management with a creavite approach that reaches people and builds community. Reed enjoys the water and life in central Austin with his wife Lisa and two children Zac and Lucy.
Paul Severin, Board Secretary, Operations Director
Paul is a life-long Austinite and a graduate of the University of Texas School of Business. He is Co-Founder of the Texas Green Network and serves as the Operations Director. His professional background includes work in sales, marketing, management, consulting and training for the high-tech, alternative energies, and recycling industries. Paul is also an avid bicycler and enjoys sailing on Lake Travis.�
Melanie McAfee, Program Director
Melanie McAfee, Founder and Visionary Artist for Barr Mansion & Artisan Ballroom As business owner of Barr Mansion since 1981, Melanie has been hosting events averaging 20,000 people per year. She has championed organics since the USDA standards were begun in 2002 and became the first certified organic special event venue in the nation in 2007 by Oregon Tilth.
As an Eco entrepreneaur, her green ideology extends well beyond the food offerings. The grounds are also certified organic and the facility achieved Zero Waste and received a City of Austin Environmental award.
Active as a citizen, she has served on the Long Range Solid Waste Task Force, the Capitol Area Council of Governments General Assembly, the Mayor’s Kitchen Cabinet and the Sustainable Food Policy Board.
Her next goal is to create an eco-community at the Barr Mansion location showcasing the new urban organic lifestyle.
Natalie Marquis, Communications Director
Natalie brings a lifelong commitment to the environment and our community. Implementing best practices, evaluating and quantifying savings, creating a financial case for eco-friendly measures, communicating the value and overcoming the obstacles to “greening” business… These are just a few of the skills Natalie brings to our team. Natalie is best known for her work with Habitat Suites and Texas Solar Energy Society and for her leadership of the successful events Renewable Roundup and Cool House Tour.
Gavin Wilson, Board Treasurer
Gavin Wilson has over fifteen years of experience working with nonprofit organizations. During his career, he has served as a Business and Technology Consultant, Project Manager, Loan Originator, Program Manager, and Board Treasurer.
