Mike Ortosky is a registered Landscape Architect and a Licensed Soil Scientist. He is a graduate of NC State University and holds a Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture. Mike helped found Soil and Environmental Consultants, PA in 1988, a consulting firm dealing with landscape restoration, storm water issues, wetlands, soil, onsite wastewater treatment, endangered species and environmental assessment.

Susan Hickman has a BFA in Art. She has an AAS in architecture. Her experience includes managing a non-profit art gallery, coordinating production for a designer clothing company, restoration work on the Pullen Park Carousel, and many years making art. She has studied fibers at Penland School of Crafts and Green Building design at the Yestermorrow School in Vermont.

Hank Wall has a BA in Psychology from UNC-Charlotte. He taught in the public schools while renovating an older home near Charlotte. His first renovation led to a career in carpentry and contracting. He was on staff at the Yestermorrow School in Vermont for several years where he learned about solar homes and energy efficiency. He served on the board of the NC Sustainable Energy Association and helped organize Earth Day 2000.