STAFF
Henry Johnson
Program Director, Chicago Department of Transportation and Greencorps Chicago
Henry Johnson Program Director for Greencorps Chicago oversees the contractual agreements, deliverables, strategic planning, and program goals between managing partners WRD and GET solutions and the City of Chicago through the Department of Transportation. He enjoys listening to music and traveling in his spare time. Henry’s main goal is to help individuals create an appetite for growth and development personally and professionally which will support empowerment and sustainability living
Andy Johnson
Program Director, WRD Environmental and Greencorps Chicago
Andy Johnson, Program Director, is WRD’s lead for Greencorps Chicago. Andy has been working on the Greencorps program since 2005 and is responsible for all of WRD’s commitments to the Chicago Department of Transportation for the program. His primary role is to manage the budget, partner relationships, and overall quality of the program. He enjoys seeing the success participants achieve during the program, spending time outdoors, and watching English soccer.
Curtis McKinney
Project Coordinator, Chicago Department of Transportation and Greencorps Chicago
Curtis Mckinney is a Project Coordinator for the City of Chicago Department of Transportation/Greencorps Chicago. Curtis works with the Program Director to ensure that the Grant Agreement between the City of Chicago and WRD Environmental is being fulfilled. He is a lifelong resident of Chicago who enjoys sports, traveling and spending time with his family.
Silas Kachman
Project Manager, WRD Environmental and Greencorps Chicago
Silas Kachman, a Project Manager at Greencorps Chicago, provides technical field support, organizational logistics, and training expertise. Silas’ diverse journey in the green industry started in 2013, and he has since worked in sustainable agriculture, outdoor education, conservation, wildland firefighting, and arboriculture. Silas finds fulfillment in the synthesized confrontation of social and environmental issues and is keen to pursue solutions with Greencorps Chicago.
Brad Lathrop
Training Manager, WRD Environmental and Greencorps Chicago
Brad Lathrop is a Project Supervisor at Greencorps Chicago. He provides technical assistance to crews and helps trainees develop skills in natural resource management. Brad has extensive experience in chainsaw operation, prescribed fire, federal disaster response, trail work and invasive species management. Before joining Greencorps, he managed natural resource crews for the Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa. Brad is thrilled to have the opportunity to mentor trainees who are beginning their journeys in the conservation field.
Jermaine Redmond
Project & Placement Supervisor, WRD Environmental and Greencorps Chicago
Jermaine Redmond is a strong and professional Supervisor where he helps lead the day-to-day operations. Jermaine is experienced in Pesticide Application, Wilderness Prescription Burning, and 10-Hour OSHA training. Jermaine began training in the field of Ecological Restoration in 2014 when he started at Greencorps Chicago. He joined Applied Ecological Services in 2015 as a Restoration Field Crew Member on the Jackson Park Restoration project, eventually becoming Construction Supervisor in 2016. Jermaine is excited to share the knowledge he has gained from working in the industry with the crews he supervises this year.
Angela Rodgers
Project Supervisor, WRD Environmental and Greencorps Chicago
Angela Rodgers is a 2016 Greencorps graduate who came back as an Advanced Crew member for that winter. She has experience leading crews on City Colleges of Chicago landscaping projects, construction projects with Chicago Park District and restoration projects with the Forest Preserves of Cook County.
Tavaras Short
Shop Supervisor, WRD Environmental and Greencorps Chicago
Tavaras Short is the Shop Supervisor at Greencorps Chicago overseeing our daily operations. Tavaras came through Greencorps as a Crew Member in 2010 and transitioned to Crew Supervisor in 2011. By 2014, Tavaras was promoted to Operations Coordinator. In 2018, Tavaras moved on to a company called Cardno as Field Tech Supervisor. In 2019, Tavaras returned to Greencorps using his knowledge and skills to help new trainees excel.
Ruben Nicolaescu
Project Supervisor, WRD Environmental
I was raised in Chicago and acquired a deep love for the lakes, rivers and forest Preserves surrounding the city. Much of my free time is spent kayaking and hiking these beautiful spaces. I have a Native permaculture which I’m constantly upgrading and learning from. My journey into conservation began with Friends of the Forest Preserves which taught me the ins and outs of restoration. I was able to apply this knowledge during my time with the Chicago Botanic Garden as well as restoring vacant lots into flower farms. Nature provides me an infinite amount of inspiration. I want to be a bridge for others to access it.
Mike Hendricks
Project Supervisor, WRD Environmental
Mike Hendricks is a dedicated and certified professional with extensive experience in regional restoration, urban forestry, and landscape enhancement. He started working in the industry in 2016 as a crew member for the Greencorps Chicago program. From there he moved on the be a crew member at Applied Ecological services, and from there, he moved on to be a crew supervisor at Greencorps ,where he held that position for multiple years. Currently, he serves as a Project Supervisor for the Greencorps Chicago program. His hands-on management style is complemented by strong communication skills and a commitment to continuous learning. He is eager to contribute his expertise in creating and maintaining natural spaces that enrich community environments and promote sustainability.
Sarah Anderson
Youth Program Manager, WRD Environmental and GCYP
Sarah Anderson, Youth Program Manager, is dedicated to nurturing youth empowerment and identity development through experiential learning at Greencorps. Prior to joining Greencorps in 2023, she spent 12 years leading environmental education initiatives at the Nature Museum. At Greencorps, she focuses on creating inclusive, culturally sustaining learning environments where youth and staff are empowered to thrive and deepen their connection to both nature and community.
Simone Bullen
Assistant Youth Program Manager, WRD Environmental and GCYP
Simone is the Assistant Youth Program Manager for the Greencorps Chicago. Simone has worn many hats within the program, having previously served as an Instructor, Assistant Program Manager, and Program Manager across six seasons since first coming to Greencorps in 2014. Her diverse experience includes managing an Urban Agriculture Apprenticeship Program and Garden Education Programs for four years in Rogers Park. With a passion for hands-on agricultural and environmental education, Simone is committed to ensuring that GCYP participants have an enriching, impactful, and memorable experience.