
Erick Shambarger, Director
Erick Shambarger is the Director of Environmental Sustainability at the City of Milwaukee, where he leads the Environmental Collaboration Office (ECO). ECO was created by Mayor Tom Barrett to develop practical solutions that benefit Milwaukee’s environment and economy. Mr. Shambarger developed the Milwaukee Energy Efficiency (Me2) program and PACE financing program. He developed Milwaukee Better Buildings Challenge program, chaired the City’s Energy Reduction Team to reduce energy use across City operations, and promotes innovative storm water management practices and green infrastructure. He oversees implementation of ECO programs and the ReFresh Milwaukee sustainability plan. He also leads ECO's involvement in national and global partnerships. Prior to his current role, he served as Deputy Director of ECO for 5 years, and as City Economist in the Budget and Management Division before that. He holds a Masters of Public Affairs degree from the University of Wisconsin and certificates in Water Technology and Energy Analysis and Policy.

Pamela Ritger de la Rosa, Environmental Sustainability Program Manager
Pam leads efforts to reduce energy use in City of Milwaukee-owned buildings, administers the PACE program, and supports the Better Building Challenge, among other efforts to advance building energy efficiency and sustainability. She also works on expanding the electric vehicle charging network in the City of Milwaukee and advancing the transition of municipal fleets to electric and other low emissions vehicles. As a member of the City-County Task Force on Climate and Economic Equity since 2019, Pam looks forward to helping implement many recommendations of the Milwaukee Climate and Equity Plan in this role. Pam is joining ECO after more than 8 years with Clean Wisconsin, the state’s oldest and largest environmental non-profit advocacy organization, where she held the title of Milwaukee Program Director and Staff Attorney. Pam is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School and the La Follette School of Public Affairs, and completed a certificate in Energy Analysis and Policy from the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at UW-Madison. Pam is also on the Advisory Board of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association and is an active member of the Wisconsin Hispanic Lawyers Association.

Alexis Laverdiere, Environmental Sustainability Program Coordinator
Alexis Laverdiere coordinates the Milwaukee Energy Efficiency Program and oversees ECO's communication efforts. Previously, she served as Communication Coordinator for Mayor Cavalier Johnson and former Mayor Tom Barrett where she coordinated daily virtual and in-person media events, press materials, social media, web content, and community outreach. Alexis earned her master's degree in Corporate Communication and bachelor's degree in Public Relations from Marquette University. She is currently working toward a master's degree in Sustainability Leadership from Arizona State University. Alexis serves on the Marketing Committee for Lakeshore State Park and as Marketing & Communications Chair for the City of Milwaukee's Career Development Employee Resource Group.

Deneine Powell, FUSE Corps Executive Fellow
Deneine Powell is engaging the public on the forthcoming Climate and Equity Plan and supporting its adoption through the City's Common Council and County Board. Working with local partners, she will conduct community engagement and implement priority recommendations from the Climate and Equity Plan. Deneine believes that communities need to adopt a human-centered approach to safeguard the rights of vulnerable people and to share the benefits and burdens of the climate crisis equitably. Prior to joining FUSE, Deneine was the National Director of Path to Positive Communities—a program of ecoAmerica. In this capacity, she provided training, capacity building, program support, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities for local and regional leaders to elevate the benefits that climate solutions bring people and their communities. She inspires civic leaders and residents to support solutions at local, regional, and national levels. Deneine also served as the Executive Director for Groundwork Milwaukee, an organization devoted to transforming the natural and built environment of low-resource communities—working at the intersection of the environment, equity, and civic engagement. Deneine holds a MS in Organizational Leadership from Marian University, and a BA from the University of Minnesota.
James Jedibudiah, AmeriCorps Member serving as an ECO Sustainability Ambassador
James Jedibudiah is a UW-Madison graduate with a degree in Conservation Biology, a certificate in Environmental Studies, and a focus on Sustainable Business Practices. In addition, he is also certified as a Green Associate with the US Green Building Council, and a member of The Natural Step. James’ previous work experience includes the title of Corporate Sustainability Coordinator for Ovations Premium Services at the NBA arena in Portland, Oregon, where he played a role in helping that facility achieve L.E.E.D. Gold EB certification, and implement the first public composting program in a major sports venue. He recently held the role of Healthcare Sustainability Specialist with Stericycle, Inc, working with 54 hospitals in 4 states on developing sustainability goals and educating staff on compliant waste disposal. James comes to ECO via his first year of membership with AmeriCorps and will be assisting the Plastic Free Milwaukee, the Water Centric City Initiative, and supporting ECO’s climate and equity work.
Past ECO Newsletters