Leon Todd graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) School of Education-Cultural Foundation with a MS in 1972. He received an MBA from the UWM School of Business Administration in 1969 and also acquired a BA in Latin & Greek Classic Studies at Northwestern Lutheran College in 1965. After serving 5 years as Director of Sales and Marketing for Rexnord’s Data Systems Division, in May of 1987, Leon became a Managing Partner with Strategic Technologies Consulting, located in Milwaukee, and is presently Director of Strategic Planning, Marketing and Public Relations for the firm. In 1975, Leon was elected to the MPS Board of School Directors, held a citywide seat, and served until 1981. He was a candidate for state superintendent in 1977 and was re-elected to a MPS district seat (District 3) in 1994 and again in 1995.
Former Director Todd has long recognized that public school education has been the route to the middle class for African American children. He is a frequent guest lecturer, op-ed columnist, and panel speaker on a wide variety of issues related to public school education, school choice, and charter schools.
Jon Bales was raised in Milwaukee, attended Bay View High School, and graduated from UWM in 1966 with a degree in Botany. He served with the U.S. Navy as a flight instructor in basic jet training and as an aircraft carrier pilot flying A-6 Intruders in the Mediterranean Sea. In the 1990s he served as Commissioner for the Housing Authority in the City of Milwaukee. Jon recently sold his successful coffee plantation and trout farm in Costa Rica to focus on creating the Urban Aquaculture Center.
Will Allen grew up on a Maryland farm, played professional basketball, and joined the corporate world before returning to his roots of farming in the Milwaukee area. He founded the non-profit Growing Power, and To date he has taught farming and food processing to thousands of students and helped launch dozens of urban gardens, some in the poorest counties in the U.S. His interest in raising fish with plants, and his interest in seeing large-scale urban food production led to his serving on the UAC board.
Tim Vargo is the Research Coordinator for the Urban Ecology Center in Milwaukee. He advises, coordinates, and promotes research on a small urban forest in the densely-populated neighborhood around the Center. As an ornithologist, he carries out research in monitoring birds using physiology as an indicator of stopover habitat quality. Tim has a Master’s in Ornithology from Cornell University.
Allen Washatko is co-founder & principal of The Kubala Washatko Architects, bringing a wealth of design & construction experience to the Urban Aquaculture Center. Allen has a Masters of Architecture from the University of Illinois, and is professionally registered in ten states. He is a lecturer and Adjunct Assistant Professor at UWM-School of Architecture & Urban Planning. The Kubala Washatko Architects has recently received an award for the top LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification by the US Green Building Council for the Aldo Leopold Legacy Center in Baraboo, Wisconsin.
Mike Hoyng earned a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from the University of Cincinnati and his MBA from the Loyola University of Chicago. Mr. Hoyng is LEED and Wastecap certified. He is one of only three Certified Construction Managers (CCM) in Wisconsin. Mike has always held an interest in the outdoors and has hiked and climbed around the world. He has been a scoutmaster for over 10 years with the boy scouts and is a member of the Sierra Club.
Tim McCollow is a commodities trader and energy consultant. Tim has a BS in Zoology, a Minor in Environmental Studies and completed coursework towards an MS in Energy Analysis & Policy. He spent 24 years at WE Energies as an expert in natural gas purchasing, hedging and state policy. He has had a lifelong interest in the health of the Great Lakes and oceans, especially as it relates to fish depletion issues and the well being of the world’s coral reefs.
Lori Servi has been a business coach to the Urban Aquaculture Center through the Milwaukee Urban League and the Urban Entrepreneur Partnership. She holds a Master’s Degree from the UWM School of Business in Nonprofit Management and Leadership. She is a CPA and served in the Peace Corps in the Ukraine as an instructor in business leadership.
Jenelle Elder-Green has served on numerous boards including the Milwaukee County Historical Society. She has served as deputy superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools and been a community activist during all of her adult life. When she heard about the Urban Aquaculture Center, she was eager to join the board and head up the Public Relations Committee.
