Team Bios

Chris Moore

Chris Moore is a creative entrepreneur, a catalytic collaborator, and promoter of sustainable philanthropy. His past and current ventures span technology, brewing, historic redevelopment projects, and entertainment.

Growing up in Vicksburg

Chris grew up within and was deeply formed by the small village of Vicksburg, Michigan, twenty minutes south of Kalamazoo. His roots there are deep, as his family has been woven into the fabric of the village since the 1840s. With parents and grandparents who were community leaders, he grew up learning how to serve and contribute to a community. Vicksburg’s small-town values are deeply ingrained in Chris’ imagination and work ethic.

For a century, Vicksburg’s economic engine and cultural hub was a large paper mill, recognized as an industry leader. The Mill shaped the lives of Vicksburg’s residents, with almost every family having a member employed there, and the factory shift whistle marking time in the town and local fields for miles around.

Chris’ grandfather and father worked at The Mill throughout their professional careers, and he often visited them, fascinated by the scale of the colossal operation. While Chris was in college, he worked summers in The Mill.

Jackie M. Koney, Chief Operating Officer

When Chris Moore first approached Jackie Koney about his idea to bring Vicksburg’s old paper mill back to life, she was instantly curious. As a Michigan native, Jackie had only known about the village of Vicksburg and its paper mill on a surface level, but when she paid a lengthy visit in Summer 2015, she knew immediately that this was a project that she could get behind.

In September 2015, Jackie and her husband John Kern permanently moved to Vicksburg to be fully immersed in this project and, most importantly, in the community. With an extensive background working with and volunteering for various nonprofit organizations, Jackie is exceptionally passionate about community building and creating downtown areas where folks want to spend their time. She believes The Mill will be a catalyst for that.

John F. Kern, Director of Creative Programming & Innovation

John Kern, a Michigan native, couldn’t help but be intrigued when Chris Moore first told him about the idea to bring Vicksburg’s old paper mill back to life. Despite his Michigan roots, John still hadn’t known much about the village of Vicksburg or its paper mill, but when he visited in Summer 2015, he knew immediately that he wanted to be a part of this project and help bring Chris Moore’s vision to life.

In September 2015, John and his wife Jackie Koney permanently moved to Vicksburg to be fully immersed in this project and, most importantly, in the community. With an extensive background across several disciplines—primarily education but also audio and video production, marketing promotions, and public speaking—John is the perfect fit to directly engage with the people of Vicksburg and its surrounding communities and generate excitement about restoring The Mill.

Rebecca Luong, Director of Design

Rebecca Luong has over two decades of knowledge in planning, architecture and interior design for experience-focused hospitality destinations. She has directed the design of amenity-rich, luxury, multi-family, residential community projects across the United States, Middle East and Asia. Her projects range from the 61-room LEED Platinum certified Bardessono Hotel in Napa, CA—rated one of the top 10 luxury boutique hotels in the world—to a multi-hectare development of seven man-made islands off the coast of Dubai.  

As part of the Paper City Development team working to bring The Mill at Vicksburg back to life, Rebecca will lead this complex adaptive reuse and renaissance effort as Director of Design. In her role, she will be the liaison between the ownership and consultant teams, tasked with translating the vision of The Mill to and through multiple disciplines.

Taylor Kallio, Content Creator

When Taylor Kallio first stepped foot on The Mill campus in December of 2016, he could already see the potential of what this massive campus could become. An experienced aerial photographer and videographer, Taylor quickly became part of The Mill family and has since devoted much of his time to bringing The Mill’s story to life through images and film.  

Taylor originally began working as a contractor for The Mill where he demonstrated his skills with aerial inspections and short videos. An early fascination with aerial photography and cinematography techniques led Taylor to teach himself many skills. His training, coupled with lots of trial and error, provided the momentum to open his own business, Kalamazoo Aerial Media—later changing the name to Alterra Media. His eye for detail and breathtaking birds-eye perspectives filled this massive revitalization project with a newfound vitality. He has since filmed construction updates, produced documentaries, captured many concerts and events, and so much more.

Project Consultants

Firm: HopkinsBurns Design Studio
Address: 4709 N. Delhi Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Website: hopkinsburns.com
Phone: 734.424.3344

Awards:

• Michigan Capitol Building: 1992 National Preservation Honor Award, National Trust for Historic Preservation, 1996 AIA Honor Award
• Michigan Theater: Award of Merit, Ann Arbor Historic District Commission
• Michigan Stove: 2000 AIA Michigan, 2000 Engineering Society of Detroit, 1998 Michigan Historic Preservation Network
• Principal and co-founder of HopkinsBurns Design Studio, Gene is a nationally recognized leader in historic preservation architecture who has received numerous awards for his contribution to architecture, including the prestigious Gold Medal from AIA Michigan in 2003 and the Gold Medal from AIA Detroit in 2006. Gene has extensive experience in the restoration and rehabilitation of hundreds of structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places. His passion is design that creates livable, inspiring and people-oriented places that embody respect for heritage and community values. Gene is honored to be appointed the Architect of the Michigan State Capital, is past president of the Michigan Architectural Foundation and past president of the American Institute of Architects.
• Principal and co-founder of HopkinsBurns Design Studio, Tamara has over 25 years of leadership and management experience providing design services for a variety of structures (new, existing and historic) and project types, including mixed use, commercial, residential, retail, laboratory renovations, world headquarters facilities, and community master planning. As principal, Tamara ensures the delivery of innovative, sensitive, sustainable and timely design solutions which sensitively weave new places into the context of existing communities. Tamara is past president of AIA Michigan and chairs Ann Arbor’s Design Review Board.

Eugene C. Hopkins, FAIA Tamara Burns, FAIA, LEED AP

Selected Historic Preservation, Mixed Use/Adaptive Reuse Projects:

• Michigan Capitol Welcome Center, Lansing, MI, in progress
• Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, MI, ongoing
• Fishtown, Leland, MI, ongoing
• Edsel and Eleanor Ford House (Master Plan), Detroit, MI, ongoing
• Mustang Lounge, Mackinac Island, MI, 2008
• Meadowbrook Hall, Rochester, MI, 2006
• Chittenden, Eustace-Cole and Agricultural Halls, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, various
• Plainwell Paper Mill (Feasibility Study), Plainwell, MI, 2007*
• Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor, MI, 2001
• Michigan State Capitol Building, Lansing, MI, 1992
• *denotes MSF/MEGA/MEDC funding

Firm: JOHNSON HILL LAND ETHICS STUDIO

Address: 412 Longshore Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105
Website: jhle-studio.com
Phone: 734.668.7416

Principal and co-owner of Johnson Hill Land Ethics Studio, Mark has over 35 years of design, leadership and management experience for a variety of projects including public parks, regional park systems, corporate and municipal campuses, fine arts and environmental education programs, environmental conservation and restoration, and public and private gardens. His passion is the development and articulation of comprehensive plans that are grounded, informed, and ultimately animated by the many relationships between people and landscape. His work has been recognized with numerous awards over the past three decades. Mark has served as president of both the Michigan and North Carolina chapters of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Principal and co-founder of Johnson Hill Land Ethics Studio in 1993, Mark has over 30 years of experience on a wide range of projects. Projects include public parks and trail design, regional park and trail master plans, community visioning and master plans, commercial and residential projects, outdoor art parks, and sculpture gardens. Design priorities start with the careful understanding of the site and the priorities of the client, then working collaboratively to develop innovative design solutions that balance these priorities with the opportunities presented by the site.

Consultant Biographies: Johnson Hill Land Ethics Studio, Mark Robinson, PLA, ALSA, Mark Johnson, PLA, ASLA

Selected Projects:

• Crystal Mountain Resort, Thompsonville, MI, ongoing since 1989*
• Lakeview Orchards, Manistee, MI, 2008
• Michigan State Capitol Site Restoration, 1990-1991
• Fishtown Historic Structures and Landscape, 2011 and 2017
• Frankenmuth Streetscape, Frankenmuth, MI, 1998
• Frankenmuth Insurance, Frankenmuth, MI, 1996 – 2008
• Zendhers Splash Village, Frankenmuth, MI, 2013*
• Kalamazoo Nature Center, Kalamazoo, MI, 2012
• Spring Trail at Mackinac Island, Mackinac Island, MI, 2012
• Boyne City Waterfront, Master Plan, Boyne City, MI, 2006
• Boardman River Valley Master Plan, Traverse City, MI, 2001
• BASF Waterfront Park, Wyandotte, MI, 1992
• Michigan Legacy Art Park, Thompsonville, MI, 2014
• Ann Arbor Farmers Market, Ann Arbor, MI, 2003
• Grand Haven Downtown Vision Plan, Grand Haven, MI, 2004
• Grand Haven Waterfront Public Plaza, Grand Haven, MI, 2014
• Chinook Pier, Grand Haven, MI, 2009
• Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation, Hemlock, MI, 2009*
• *denotes MSF/MEGA/MEDC funding

Firm: BYCE & ASSOCIATES, INC.
Address: 487 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007
Website: byce.com
Phone: 269-381-6170

Consultant Biographies: Byce & Associates

Awards:

• 2016 ALA Silver Medal Design Award: Newell Brands Design Facility
• 2016 AIA Michigan Honor Award: Newell Brands Design Facility
• 2015 AIA Chicago Interior Architecture Award Citation of Merit: Newell Brands Design Facility
• Green Building Institute TWO GREEN GLOBES Certified Building: Newell Brands Design Facility
• Contract Magazine Interiors Awards 2016: Office: Large: Newell Brands Design Facility
• ACEC Engineering Excellence 2014 Award of Merit for Engineering: Bell’s Brewery, Inc. Brewhouse
• ACEC 2016 Honorable Conceptor Award: Bell’s Brewery, Inc. Bio-Energy Facility
• AIA Southwest Michigan Chapter 2013 Design Honor Award: Kalamazoo Nature Center Day Camp
• ACEC/MSPE Engineering Excellence 2008 Award of Merit for Engineering: Radisson Plaza Hotel

With over 35 years of experience, James Escamilla has allowed himself to become instrumental in multiple high‐tech new construction and remolding projects for correctional, governmental, educational, industrial, manufacturing, and healthcare clients. James has been recognized by his peers for his expertise in engineering design and project management and was voted Engineer of the Year in 1991 by the Michigan Society of Engineers. In 2013, he was awarded ASHRAE’s National Distinguished Service Award and in 1989 received ASHRAE’s Professional Award of Excellence.

Brenda Waterman has over 18 years of experience and serves as a Project Coordinator for Byce & Associates, Inc. She has experience from conception to completion of all aspects of a project, including mechanical and electrical in design/build. Brenda has worked on the design for commercial and residential projects. She also has experience in site development, budgeting, scheduling for design and construction, permitting, construction documentation, and shop drawing reviews.

Rick Eshlaman has over 27 years of experience in civil engineering, overseeing projects from conception to completion. He is responsible for all aspects of civil engineering including design, drawings, details and specifications for construction, reports, cost estimates and construction administration. Rick has experience in earthwork calculations, grading plans, erosion and sedimentation control plans, street and parking lot design, stormwater management design, green roofs, bio‐retention areas, and wastewater and water main design. His project experience includes educational, government, commercial, and residential projects.

Glenn Glidden serves as a mechanical engineer, assisting in the planning and designing of mechanical engineering projects. He is responsible for project schedules and timely completion of projects ranging from small, less complex to full scale. Glenn prepares and/or modifies reports, specifications, plans, construction schedules and designs for project. He has experience working with both the private and public sector in commercial, educational, governmental and institutional developments.

James Escamilla PE, NCEES President/CEO/Principal in Charge/Quality Control, Brenda Waterman, Project Coordinator, Rick Eshlaman, PE/Senior Civil Engineer, Glenn Glidden, PE, NCEES, CPMP, LEED AP BD+C, GGP/Senior Mechanical Engineer

Selected Projects:

• Bell’s Brewery, Galesburg, MI, Expansion & Renovation, 2014
• Bell’s Brewery, Kalamazoo, MI, Pub and Tavern Expansion, 2010 and 2015
• Upper Hand Brewery, Escanaba, MI, 2015
• Stormcloud Brewery, Frankfort, MI, New Production Facility, 2017
• Newell Brands, Kalamazoo, MI, 2014*
• The Exchange Building, Kalamazoo, MI, Est. 2019*
• Prairie Gardens Senior Housing Development, Kalamazoo, MI, 2016**
• Imperial Beverage, Portage, MI, Building Renovation, Cooler Expansion, 2016
• Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, Read Field House, 2017
• Kalamazoo Nature Center, Day Camp Facilities, 2013
• Portage Public Schools, Portage, MI, Northern High School Renovation and Expansion 2011
• Air Zoo, Kalamazoo, MI, Design/Build Collaboration of Museum, 2009
• Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport, Kalamazoo, MI, New Terminal, 2011
• Kalamazoo County Jail and Sheriff’s Office, Kalamazoo, MI, 2014
• *denotes MSF/MEGA/MEDC funding
• **denotes MSHDA funding

Firm: BAZZANI
Address: 959 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids MI, 49506
Website: bazzani.com
Phone: 616.774.2002

Consultant Biographies: Bazzani

Awards:

• 2015/6- Bazzani achieves “Best for the World” for two years in a row by B Lab.
• 2014- Bazzani Building Company achieves B Corporation Designation at 147 points
• 2011- Establishment of the Guy Bazzani Local Legacy Award by Local First
• 2009- Clean Corporate Citizen Award – Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
• 2008- Business Review Regional Thought Leader
• 2008- LEED for Homes, Innovative Project Recognition, USGBC National Award
• 2008- AIA Grand Valley Honor Award, Sustainable Design, Hispanic Center of West Michigan
• 2007- State of Michigan Historic Preservation Award, Hispanic Center of West Michigan
• 2006- State of Michigan, Department of Energy, Home Energy Star Grant Award
• 2005- State of Michigan, Department of Environmental Quality, Clean Michigan Initiative
• 2004- State of Michigan, Cool City Catalyst Project Designation
• 2003- Grand Valley Metro Council, Blueprint Award for Neighborhood Revitalization
• 2003- West Michigan Environmental Action Council, Sustainable Business Award
• 2003- Grand Rapids Historic Preservation, Outstanding Historic Preservation Award
• 2002- Grand Rapids Neighborhood Business Award, Best Reuse of a Building

Guy Bazzani leads West Michigan with his expertise in sustainable business practices through his firm’s
architectural design, construction, and real estate services. With more than 30 years of experience in commercial and residential development, Guy manages a team of experienced professionals committed to innovative solutions in green building technologies, historic preservation and urban revitalization.
Peter joined Bazzani as a private consultant providing front-end project planning, scope
development, and budget management. He has a particular focus on developing the client’s
business case for their real estate needs to match business drivers with construction project scope, cost and schedule.

Guy Bazzani, CEO, GRI, LEED AP, Peter Skornia, LEED AP

Selected Adapted Reuse Projects:

• Fairmount Square, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2005
• The Kingsley, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2017
• Wesner, Owosso, Michigan, 2014
• The Weathy Street Animal Hospital, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2016
• The Lebowsky Center, Owosso, Michigan, 2012
• The Winchester, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009
• Cook Library, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2008
• Hispanic Center of Western Michigan, 2006
• 1144-1146 Wealthy Street, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2006
• Station C Building, Grand Rapids, MI, 2005
• One Trick Pony Restaurant, Grand Rapids, MI, 1996

Firm: PHILLIPS ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING SERVICES, INC.
Address: 84757 28th Street, Lawton, MI 49065
Website: phillipsenv.com
Phone: 269.624.4211
Principal and owner of Phillips Environmental Consulting Services, Inc., Lisa has over 32 years of consulting, technical, and management experience related to hundreds of projects. Lisa is an expert in contaminant hydrogeology, hydrogeologic investigations, feasibility studies, remedial action plans, treatment system operation and maintenance, environmental site assessments, due care planning, and brownfield redevelopment. As Chair of the Van Buren County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, her experience has helped to facilitate numerous redevelopment projects, including the development of policy and guidelines, and visioning sessions for addressing brownfields throughout the county. As a consultant, she has experience in assisting developers with a wide variety of brownfield redevelopment projects that include former paper mills and other former industrial sites.

Consultant Biography: PHILLIPS ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING SERVICES, INC., Lisa K. J. Phillips, CGWP

Selected Brownfield Projects:

• 400 Bryant Street Redevelopment, Kalamazoo, MI, approval pending*
• PS383, LLC Mixed Use Redevelopment, Kalamazoo, MI, 2017*
• 216/220 WM, LLC Mixed Use Redevelopment, Kalamazoo, MI 2017*
• RAI Jets, Portage, MI, 2017
• GTW Depot, LLC, Kalamazoo, MI 2016*
• Black River Enterprises, LLC/Paw Paw Brewery, Brownfield Redevelopment, Paw Paw, MI, 2015-ongoing
• Hometown Pharmacy, 212/214 S. State Street, Gobles, MI 2013
• Hometown Pharmacy, 3 W. Monroe, Bangor, MI, 2009
• Kalwards, LLC, 211 E. Water Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 2006
• United Building, LLC, 202/242 E. Kalamazoo Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 2005
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Great Lakes Heritage & Maritime
• Visitors Center (Former Fletcher Paper Co.), Alpena, MI, 2004
• *denotes MSF/MEGA/MEDC funding

Firm: CENTURYPACIFIC, LLLP
Address: 1201 Third Avenue, Suite 1680, Seattle, WA 98101
Website: centurypacificlp.com
Phone: 206.757.8890

Michael has been a principal at CenturyPacific since 2008, providing expertise in real estate advisory and brokerage to an array of clients ranging from public and private companies to government agencies, non-profits, trusts, and families. Michael crafts durable solutions to complex real estate challenges and is a trusted client advisor and skilled advocate—facilitating transactions totaling over $1b in value across a variety of product types, geographic markets and scales.

Consultant Biography: CENTURYPACIFIC, LLLP, Michael Finch, Vice President

Selected Projects:

• Brownfield Projects – Various: CenturyPacific has worked with a number of industries facing a variety of environmental issues, including the creation of reuse strategies for over a dozen former oil refineries (US, Wales) and a large-scale remediation and real estate redevelopment of former BP refineries at Casper, WY and Kansas City, MO. CenturyPacific has worked on pulp and saw mills, coal gasification plants, wood treating sites, petroleum tank farms, rail yards, chemical plants, landfills, auto salvage facilities, a steel rolling mill and former commercial laundry facilities.
• Pacific Hospital Preservation & Development Authority – Seattle: CenturyPacific is realestate advisor to the Pacific Hospital Preservation & Development Authority (PHPDA), owner of the 9-acre historic Pacific Tower campus on Seattle’s Beacon Hill (originally a U.S. public hospital and more recently the former Amazon.com headquarters). CenturyPacific has provided real estate asset management and brokerage expertise to the PHPDA since 2012, including lease restructuring, office and medical leasing, leasehold acquisition, and development ground leasing.
• Idaho Board of Land Commissioners – Idaho: CenturyPacific was competitively selected by the Idaho Board of Land Commissioners (“Land Board”) to serve as the Land Board’s commercial real estate advisor. Assignments for the Land Board have included the formal evaluation and analysis of over two dozen properties, oversight of strategic asset divestiture, and future planning related to transitional lands. In our third year as an advisor to the Land Board, CenturyPacific continues to work with the Idaho Department of Lands to strategically evaluate and positioning commercial properties under Land Board control.
• Seattle Times Company – Washington State: CenturyPacific has served as real estate advisor and broker to the Blethen family, owners of Seattle Times, since 1987. During this time, we have managed over $200 million in real estate transactions for the company including the sale of over twelve acres in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood, acquisition and development of several hundred thousand square feet in Bothell, and leases for the Seattle Times corporate headquarters and various operating companies in Seattle, Kent and Issaquah.
• Old Stove Brewing Company – Various: CenturyPacific serves as real estate advisor to OldStove Brewing Co. and related entities including leasing brokerage, and real estate investment brokerage, asset management and development planning for projects in Washington and Michigan.