Kris Schoenow, Executive Director

Kris Schoenow is the Executive Director of the Bureau of Community Action and Economic Opportunity in the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, administering the Community Services Block Grant, the Weatherization Assistance Program, the Low-Income Home Water Assistance Program and the Michigan Energy Assistance Program.  She is a Certified Community Action Professional (CCAP) and serves as an elected Co-Chair of the National DATA Taskforce.   She is the recipient of two State of Michigan Governor’s awards, the Governor’s Good Governance Leadership Award for her leadership in Community Action and the Governor’s Good Governance Teamwork Award for her work in assisting in the Flint Water Crisis.  She previously worked as the Director of Administration at the Ruth Mott Foundation and as the Technology Coordinator at Saginaw Valley State University.  She has over twenty years in data management experience including designing and developing custom technology tools.

Schoenow believes that together we can achieve our community’s best solutions and outcomes.  Her most noteworthy accomplishments are in empowering people through collaboration, mentoring, and working on difficult problems together.  She is committed to strengthening the Community Action Network by sharing best practices, providing accurate and reliable data, and developing thriving communities for everyone.  Schoenow is proud of the work the network engages in and she is committed to helping people find a path to success. 

Maddy Kamalay, Weatherization Assistance Program Manager

Maddy Kamalay serves as the Weatherization Assistance Program Manager at the Bureau of Community Action and Economic Opportunity in the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Her responsibilities include overseeing the statewide Weatherization Assistance Program, and managing state staff who oversee policy, training, technical assistance and monitoring for the state program. To complete these responsibilities, Maddy is involved in all levels of the Weatherization Assistance Program. Maddy has served in this role and as the Weatherization Specialist since March 2018 and has worked in the Community Action network and other similar human service nonprofits since 2011. She holds her BA in Physics and French Language and Literature from Kalamazoo College. She is passionate about energy efficiency and anti-poverty programs and works in her role at the State to implement them in a responsive and versatile way to ensure their effectiveness.

In her personal life, Maddy and her husband Ben own a native plant nursery. With a similar mission to her work in decarbonizing the built environment, Maddy works to help others understand how incorporating native plants at home can help make the Earth a livable place for future generations.  She is also the mother of a former preemie and NICU graduate and supports other NICU parents during and after their NICU journey.

September Ward, Admissions Training Specialist/Registrar

September is the Admissions Training Specialist of Student Services within the Michigan Training and Educational Center (MiTEC). She manages the student services team to coordinate student registration, training coordination, special training requests, and marketing for the Training Center. September received her Community Action Professional Certification (CCAP) in 2016 and has over 15 years of experience working within the Community Action Agency network. September’s experience has equipped her to support the Weatherization Network in completing their strategic goals.

Alex Archambeault, Weatherization Coordinator

Alex Archambeault is a Weatherization Coordinator for the Bureau of Community Action and Economic Development (BCAEO). Alex is a part of the Student Services unit for the Michigan Training & Education Center (MiTEC) team. Alex comes to the MiTEC team with multiple years of experience with the housing sciences and administrative skills. Alex has worked for private businesses, the Mid-Michigan District Health Department, and the State of Michigan Healthy Homes Section. Alex’s Healthcare Administration degree helps the MiTEC and BCAEO team achieve their strategic goals.

Cassie Hoffman, Student Services Program Assistant

Cassie Hoffman is a Student Services Program Assistant for the Michigan Training & Education Center (MiTEC). Cassie comes to MiTEC with a background in administration, sales, and recruitment. She earned her BS in Business Administration from Ferris State University. She previously worked as a Program Assistant where she conducted research about workplace diversity within utility and communication industries. With this research she assisted in creating The Diversity Toolkit in partnership with the National Utilities Diversity Council (NUDC).

AnnMarie Moore, Weatherization Program Assistant

AnnMarie Moore is a Weatherization Program Assistant for the Michigan Training & Education Center (MiTEC). AnnMarie comes to MiTEC with a background in administration, education, and management. She earned her BS in Marketing from Baker College. She previously worked as a High School Special Education teacher.

Instructors

Gary Warsecke, Weatherization Technical Instructor

Gary Warsecke is a Weatherization Technical Instructor with the Michigan Training & Education Center (MiTEC). Gary comes to MiTEC with over 15 years of experience in Michigan’s Weatherization Assistance Program; from Retrofit Installer, business owner, to Associate Director of Weatherization at a Michigan Community Action Agency. Gary is a BPI certified QCI, Energy Auditor, Building Analyst, Building Envelope Professional, and qualified Proctor. His background and experience provide in-depth insight into the various housing stock found in Michigan.

Ron Meints, Mechanical Technical Instructor

Ron Meints is a Mechanical Technical Instructor for the Michigan training & Education Center (MiTEC). Ron is a licensed Michigan Mechanical Contractor with over 35 years of experience in various capacities of HVAC/R – Technical Trainer, Service Technician, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), Commercial and Residential VRF, an OEM Factory Product Specialist, Mini-Split Heat Pump Systems, and is EPA certified.

Casey Ray, Weatherization Technical Instructor

Casey Ray has been a licensed builder and energy auditor in the field for the last 15 years, increasing energy efficiency of buildings, while improving the safety and health of occupants. In addition to working for several corporate energy audit firms, Casey founded and ran his own company COR Enterprises, since 2011. This endeavor has included managing and training employees, developing training manuals and individual project management.

Casey is BPI (Building Professional Institute) Certified, a LEED AP (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional) and has extensive experience in weatherization. His education background includes a Bachelors in Construction Management from Michigan State University and an Associates in Architecture from Baker College. Additionally, he authored “The Attic Air Seal Manual” to enhance quality work practices, in 2011. This document is freely available across the industry.

Matthew Odette, Weatherization Technical Monitor/Instructor

Matt Odette is a Weatherization Technical Monitor with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Community Action and Economic Opportunity (MDHHS-BCAEO). Matt comes to MiTEC with over 20 years of experience in Michigan’s Weatherization Assistance Program: from a local Community Action Agency in the network. Matt is a certified BPI Energy Auditor, Quality Assurance Inspector, Multi Family Auditor, Healthy Homes Evaluator, and licensed builder in the state of Michigan. His background and experience provide in-depth insight into the various housing stock found in Michigan.