Curriculum Vitae

CURRICULUM VITAE Zachary Aaron Mermel 362 Kaiwiki Road

Hilo, HI 96720 (808) 987-1816 zach.mermel@gmail.com

Date of Birth: 5 February, 1983 Location of Birth: Hilo, Hawai’i PROFILE Insightful, results-oriented project planner with a strong interest in empowering people to effect change. Successful experience leading organizations and projects. Skilled facilitator and negotiator.

EDUCATION The Conway School, Conway, MA (June 2011) Master of Arts in Landscape Design Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning and Design Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA (May 2007) Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, minors in Psychology & Ecological Economics GPA: 3.43 Thesis: “Energy Descent Action Plan for the City of Arcata” University of Hawai’i at Hilo, Hilo, HI (Sept 2001 - May 2003) Hilo High School, Hilo, HI (June 2001) AWARDS, CERTIFICATIONS, & AFFILIATIONS Board of Directors, Hawai’i Organic Farming Association (June 2012 - present) Graduate school scholarship, Hawai’i Island Landscape Association (2010) Certificate, International Organic Crop Inspector, IOIA-sanctioned (January 2008) Certificate, Gourmet & Medicinal Mushroom Cultivation, Fungi Perfecti (November 2008) Certificate, BioIntensive Gardening, Ecology Action (November 2008) Certificate, Training for Transition, Transition US (October 2008) Certificate, Advanced Permaculture Design, Permaculture Institute of North America (Sept 2008) Certificate, Permaculture Teacher Training, Bullock Permaculture Institute (August 2008) Certificate, Permaculture Design, Cascadia Permaculture Institute (October 2007) Certificate, Ecovillage Design Education, Lost Valley Educational Center (October 2007) Activist of the Year Award, Humboldt State University (2007) Activist of the Year Award, HSU Residence Halls (2005) Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America, Troop 78, Hilo, HI (2001)

TEACHING EXPERIENCE Office of Continuing Education and Training (OCET), Hawaii Community College, Hilo, Hawai’i Instructor, “Plantation Forestry Technician” certification (8 October thru 20 November 2012) Developed syllabus and overall course structure.

Office of Continuing Education and Training (OCET), Hawaii Community College, Hilo, Hawai’i Instructor, “Edible and Medicinal Mushroom Cultivation” workshops (July, August, and October 2010) Developed syllabus and overall course structure.

Lyon Arboretum, University of Hawai’i–Manoa, Honolulu, Hawai’i Instructor, “Sustainable Landscape Design” workshop (March 2010) Developed syllabus and overall course structure.

Permaculture Design Course, Paoli, Indiana Instructor, “Introduction to Mushroom Cultivation” (June 2009) Developed syllabus and overall course structure.

Green Collar Technologies, Hilo, Hawai’i Instructor, “Ecological Gardening” workshop (November 2008) Developed syllabus and overall course structure.

Green Collar Technologies, Hilo, Hawai’i Instructor, “Introduction to Ecological Design” workshop (June 2008) Developed syllabus and overall course structure.

La’akea Community, Pahoa, Hawai’i Co-instructor, “Introduction to Ecological Design” workshop (March 2008) Co-developed syllabus and overall course structure; publicized for workshop through flyers, radio interviews, and newspaper articles.

Campus Center for Appropriate Technology, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California Instructor, four 1-unit courses on topics related to sustainable living (2006) Courses: Lost Arts of Living, Sustainable Technologies Seminar, Introduction to Ecological Design, and CCAT Design Seminar Co-developed syllabus and overall course structure; coordinated publicity for each course.

PRESENTATIONS & PUBLICATIONS National Momentum Earth Charter Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana (June 2009) Lead Presenter, “The Transition Movement: Solutions for Energy Descent” Explored how proper community design and engagement can help communities become more resilient in the face of peak oil, climate change, and economic crises.

Volcano Community Association, Volcano, Hawai’i Presenter, “Permaculture: Solutions for Energy Descent” (June 2008) Facilitated a community dialogue on how Volcano Village can become more resilient in the face of peak oil, climate change, and economic crises.

PRESENTATIONS & PUBLICATIONS (cont’d.)

“The Campus Center for Appropriate Technology: Home-Scale Action on a California Campus” Zach Mermel and Jeff Adams, The Permaculture Activist magazine, Summer 2008.

Peak Oil Task Force, Arcata, California Presenter, “Permaculture: Solutions for Energy Descent” (March 2008) Discussed how ecological design principles can help communities become more resilient in the face of peak oil, climate change, and economic crises.

DESIGN & PLANNING EXPERIENCE Resilience Assessment for DLNR DOFAW Makiki Baseyard, Honolulu, Hawaii. (October 2012) Planner In conjunction with Helber, Hastert & Fee Planners, compiled a report for DLNR’s Makiki Baseyard in Honolulu, offering recommendations for coping with unforeseen disturbances in the realms of energy, water, and waste.

Land Reuse Study, Yankee Rowe Nuclear Power Plant. Rowe, MA. (Spring 2011 graduate project) Planner As part of a three-person team, worked with the Town of Rowe to explore land reuse possibilities on the Yankee Rowe site Conducted analyses on site context, soils, vegetation, slopes, drainage, access and circulation, views, and legal restrictions Compiled case studies of reuse undertaken by other decommissioned nuclear power plants in the US Co-facilitated a public meeting to help the citizens of Rowe explore land reuse possibilities on the Yankee Rowe site Open Space and Recreation Plan, Shirley, Massachusetts. (Winter 2011 graduate project) Planner As part of a three-person team, worked with the Town of Shirley to update the town’s official plan for conserving recreational and open spaces Co-facilitated two public meetings, conducted a town-wide survey, and compiled case studies relevant to land conservation in Shirley That’s-A-Plenty Farm, Hadley, Massachusetts. (Fall 2010 graduate project) Lead Designer Surveyed a three-acre farm site; hand-drafted a base map; conducted analyses on site context, soils, vegetation, slopes, drainage, access and circulation, views, and legal restrictions.

Offered sustainable design recommendations that integrated a productive U-pick orchard with fertility crops, other food crops, and a one-acre pollinator habitat.

Peak Oil Action Plan for City of Arcata. Arcata, CA. (Spring 2007 undergraduate thesis project) Planner Explored ways Arcata can prepare for the decline in world petroleum production, through analysis of water, solid waste, compostable waste, energy, timber, and agriculture resources in Humboldt County

RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL & ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE Roth Ecological Design LLC Ecological Designer (January 2012 - present) Ecological land planner and consultant to farms, businesses, and residences throughout the Hawai’ian Islands Regenerative Design Group LLC, Greenfield, Massachusetts Field Projects Specialist (August - November 2011) Assisted with the installation and maintenance of new and existing ecological landscape designs Zach Mermel LLC Ecological Designer (January 2008 - August 2010) Ecological land planner and consultant to farms, businesses, and residences across Hawai’i Island Hawai’i Organic Farmers Association, Hilo, Hawai’i Organic Crop Inspector (July 2008 - August 2010) Performed organic crop inspections on farms throughout Hawai’i Island. Assessed growing practices, fertility management, pest control, and record keeping on each farm Renaissance Farm and Permaculture Center, Bloomington, Indiana Farm Apprentice (December 2008 - June 2009) Assisted with the initial design & installation of the suburban farm of (master Permaculture designers) Peter Bane & Keith Johnson in Indiana. Projects included planting bed layout, creation of a crop rotation & fertility plan, seed starting, seed saving, insect and weed management, fertilizing, harvesting, grafting, pruning, air layering, and beekeeping.

Training for Transition workshop, Bloomington, Indiana Co-organizer (April 2009) Organized a training to equip participants with skills to make their communities more resilient in the face of peak oil, climate change, and economic crises Hawai’i County Resource Center, County of Hawai’i, Hilo, Hawai’i Special Projects Contractor (January - August 2008) Handout: “Agricultural Learning Opportunities on Hawai’i Island” PowerPoint presentation: “Emerge and See: Preparing Hawai’i Island for a Future of Uncertainties” Research project: “How Sustainability is being defined on Hawai’i Island” Educational sheet: “Where you Stay” Ahupua’a Quiz Feasibility Study: “Ecological Footprint of Hawai’i Island’s Residents” Exos Design Group LLC, Hawi, Hawai’i Island Field Projects Specialist (January - February 2008) Assisted with installation of a diversified farm in Hawi, designed using ecological principles Humboldt State University, Arcata, California Lead Organizer (May 2007) Coordinated the planting of 50 native trees throughout the HSU campus.

RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL & ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE (cont’d.)

Campus Recycling Program, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA Compost Director (January - May 2007) Supervised four student employees Coordinated a campus-wide paper towel waste audit Directed a food waste audit of the University cafeteria Organized the 9th annual Compost Festival Presented a program on food waste biodigester possibilities to HSU administrators Sustainability Coordinator Search Team, Plant Operations, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA Lead Member (April 2006 - May 2007) Successfully led a team of students in advocating for a Sustainability Coordinator position at HSU Worked closely with HSU staff & administrators to assemble the job description, advertise position, and interview applicants Campus Center for Appropriate Technology (CCAT), Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA Co-Director (January - December 2006) Managed non-profit with two other co-directors and 17 student employees Co-wrote and co-managed the organization’s $300,000 budget Co-facilitated a 10-year strategic planning and visioning session Worked closely with HSU administrators to relocate, redesign, and remodel the CCAT facility Coordinated sustainability-related tours and presentations Organized 3 large events on campus: CCAT Week, May Day Festival, & Campus Sustainability Day Facilitated four 1-unit classes through CCAT Co-organizer of 1st annual “250-mile Potluck”, a community-wide gathering around food grown within 250 miles of Arcata, CA Academic Intensive Living Area, HSU Residence Halls, Arcata, CA Resident Advisor (August 2004 - May 2005) Organized extracurricular programming for residents Empowered residents to develop leadership abilities Created end-of-semester Dumpster Diversion Program for reusable / recyclable items Successfully mediated more than seven conflicts Department of Environmental Management, County of Hawai’i, Hilo, Hawai’i Intern (June 2004 - August 2004) Conducted social research on how to increase recycling rates among Downtown Hilo businesses Compiled and disseminated survey, and synthesized results (85% response rate) Green Campus Program, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA Project Coordinator (April - October 2004) Organized educational programs, presentations, and energy audits to reduce energy use in the residence halls and other buildings across campus Assisted with analysis and assessment of all existing transfer stations on Hawai’i Island Researched paint recycling possibilities on Hawai’i Island

RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL & ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE (cont’d.)

Department of Environmental Management, County of Hawai’i, Hilo, Hawai’i Intern (May - August 2004; December 2003 - January 2004) Conducted a survey (80% response rate) of Downtown Hilo businesses to assess level of interest in a county-sponsored recycling program HSU Clubs Coalition, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA Co-Founder (2003) Organized the creation of a bi-weekly assembly of representatives from more than 50 campus clubs to collaborate on environmental, social, and economic sustainability issues Environmental Committee, University of Hawai’i at Hilo, Hilo, HI Founder (2002 - 2003) Re-instituted campus-wide recycling at UHH Organized “Malama UHH” work days Residence Halls Association, University of Hawai’i at Hilo, Hilo, HI Vice President (2002 - 2003) Initiated recycling and compost operations throughout all residence halls Break Thru Adventures, University of Hawai’i at Hilo, Hilo, HI Team Leader (2002 - 2003) Organized environmental service learning trips to Maui, Kaua’i, and Kaho’olawe LIFE EXPERIENCES Bicycled 500 miles along the Pacific Coast (September 2007) Hiked 2300 miles of Pacific Crest Trail (Summer 2007) Hiked the 211-mile John Muir Trail (July 2004) Visited France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland and Germany (June 2002) PERTINENT SKILLS Punctual, with excellent work habits Adept in networking and outreach Skilled communicator Excellent group facilitator Trained in conflict resolution Systems thinker Avid learner Competent with Microsoft Office suite, Experienced in proper dispersal of grant monies Adobe Creative Suite 5, AutoCAD, & ArcGIS 10

PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES Mr. Paul Cawood Hellmund, ASLA Program Director and Core Faculty Member Conway School of Landscape Design P.O. Box 179 332 South Deerfield Road Conway, MA 01341-0179 (413) 369-4044 hellmund@csld.edu Mr. Graceson Ghen Sustainability Center Coordinator Hawaii Community College Office of Continuing Education and Training 200 West Kawili St Hilo, HI 96720 (808) 934-2780 graceson@hawaii.edu Mr. Alexander Frost County Sustainability Coordinator (previous) Hawaii County Department of Research and Development 25 Aupuni Street, Room 1301, Hilo, HI 96720 (808) 936-0614 alexrijirofrost@gmail.com