VICE CHAIR

Jeremy worked in government at the Erie County Department of Health and nonprofits spanning over 20 years. He began at BEST in 2011. When not working he spends his free time with his wife Carrie and three children: Olivia- 16, Emily- 14, and Miles- 12, coaching cross country and track, volunteering as a school board member, and as an active real estate agent.

DIRECTOR

John is currently the new Business Development Officer for Flagship Community Bank, a Division of Clarion County Community Bank serving the expanding Erie Market. He is in his tenth year working with the Erie Downtown Partnership and its Board of Directors as they work to revitalize downtown Erie. He is the proud father of two young adult children.

DIRECTOR

Colleen is a business and tax attorney at Knox Law with a passion for Erie, PA and equitable community progress.

DIRECTOR

Erin is the Neighborhood Planner for the City of Erie where she assists with implementation of the City’s Comprehensive Plan on neighborhood level projects. She assisted in the feasibility study process to launch Groundwork Erie and is excited to support their mission as a board member.

DIRECTOR

Caspar holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Grove City College in Grove City, Pennsylvania. Caspar also serves as a board member on the Erie County Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities Advisory Board, the Erie Neighborhood Growth Partnership, and is a 2012 graduate of Leadership Erie. Caspar and her family reside in Erie’s ‘Our West Bayfront’ neighborhood.

DIRECTOR

Pastor Darrell K. Cook is the visionary Founder and Executive Director of The Empowered Life Community Development Corp. A revered spiritual leader, community strategist, and advocate for urban congregations, Pastor Cook brings over 15 years of experience to his role. Known for his dynamic approach to societal improvement and individual empowerment, his influence stretches far beyond the sanctuary. As a musician, author, and content creator, he is dedicated to inspiring people to lead their best lives through unwavering faith and steadfast commitment to community development.

SECRETARY

Anna joined Our West Bayfront, a nonprofit neighborhood revitalization organization that serves the neighborhoods west of Erie’s downtown, in 2017 as the organization’s first executive director, and is responsible for carrying out its mission of enhancing the quality of life for the 12,000 residents who live in this historic and diverse community.

DIRECTOR

Doreen Petri is a retired teacher who taught science classes at the high school and college levels for more than 40 years. She currently is the project director of Erie Farm to School managing 14 school gardens in Erie's Public Schools and related educational programming.

DIRECTOR

Krystal Robinson is the owner of Taste & See Fruit & Veggie Bar. She is originally from Pittsburgh, PA, a graduate of Clarion University (Communication Major), and has resided in Erie Pa since 2010. She has a high school aged daughter who attends Collegiate Academy. She loves to travel, laugh, read, scrapbook magazines. She loves to think outside of norms, sees no limitations, and can often be described as strategic, and bold.

CHAIR OF BOARD

Connie founded Black and Green out of her own relationship with our Mother Earth. Rich Black soil is the foundation of life on our Green planet; absorbing the entire spectrum of sunlight and returning a rich, abundant home for all beings. As she interacts with worms, mycelium, and microbes, her love for and curiosity about the world around her grows deeper and deeper. She is inspired to share eco-friendly skills with those who want to learn and have fun!

DIRECTOR

Kristen Marie Weeks is a dedicated advocate for food justice/land sovereignty and an urban farmer who transforms urban spaces into thriving gardens for the most food insecure in our community. She is deeply committed to her community in Erie, particularly the Eastside, and is a passionate advocate for sustainable food production, herbalism, childbirth support, foraging wild foods, and community education while also being a loving mother to two children.