View EcoChallenges, EcoSolutions and Become a Member

About EcoApprentice

EcoApprentice launched as a business in 2011. Users post EcoChallenges, which are sustainability focused questions they are currently facing. Examples include how to reduce, reuse, or recycle something. The community responds with suggestions or EcoSolutions. Members of EcoApprentice represent a wide range of businesses, nonprofit organizations, and individuals. They like to think outside of the box to meet our global challenges. Become a Member and change your world, one solution at a time!

Our People

Richard Halpern, Founder

Richard A passion for the environment, combined with a belief in the value of career based learning, led Richard to develop EcoApprentice. He brings an optimism that young people can collaborate with older generations to solve problems facing our planet. His goal is to create an online community where businesses seeking sustainable solutions can connect with local individuals who have great ideas to share.

Richard has over 20 years experience providing counseling and vocational rehabilitation to students and injured workers. Most recently, he worked in public education as a School Counselor in rural Washington state. He graduated with High Honors from the University of Montana, earning a Masters in Guidance and Counseling.

His travels have taken him on treks into Nepal, New Zealand, Thailand and Europe. Through it all is a love for the outdoors — kiteboarding, windsurfing and skiing are healthy addictions. He makes his home in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge, where he and his children have hiked just about every trail.

Lisa Williams, Marketing

Lisa Lisa is President of MEDIA Forte Marketing. She has worked in online marketing for 13 years. Her clients/projects include Avery Dennison, HP, Hitchsource and Successworks. She serves as the Marketing/Membership Chair for SEMpdx Board of Directors. Williams also speaks on the topic of online and search marketing for Search Marketing Expo (SMX and SMX Advanced), Online Marketing Summit, Software Association of Oregon and Search Engine Strategies (SES).

Our Advisory Board

Keely Killpack, PhD, CEO Killpack Group (Chair)

Keelykillpack Dr. Killpack received her Ph.D. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology as well as her M.S. in Organizational Psychology. She is passionate about transforming the world's marketplace into sustainable operations that will significantly reduce the demand for energy and pollutants to our planet. Keely has global consulting experience across many industries including with leading companies in Consulting, Health Care, High Technology, Insurance, Non-Profits and Travel. She advises businesses on how to attract new consumers and employees through a green-centric corporate strategy at http://www.killpackgroup.com.

Ken Whiteman, Founder, Green Ventures/GreenShipping

Kenwhiteman Ken is the founder and CEO of GreenShipping.com, a carbon accounting software firm specializing in the measurement, analysis, and reduction of supply chain transportation emissions. Prior to GreenShipping, Ken was the President and Founder of HitchSource.com, which has grown into a multi-million dollar ecommerce business over the past five years. Ken holds degrees in Physics and Electrical Engineering from Colorado College and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Brian Ruder, Portland State University

Brian earned his MS in mathematics from Kansas State University. He spent 17 years at Visa International where among other things he managed the Visa clearing and settlement system, a number of its risk management systems and worked in member marketing. He has been active in the Portland entrepreneurial community for the last eight years and is on the Board of two companies. He currently teaches in the Portland State University School of Business.

Amy Rosenberg, PR Specialist, Rosenberg Marketing

Amyrosenberg Amy has guided a wide range of clients — from caterers and real estate developers to technology and nonprofit groups. Holding a B.A. from the University of Oregon, Amy is a member of the St. Mary’s Academy Alumnae Council, has served on the Marketing Committee for the Portland Marathon and actively participates in the Portland chapter of Public Relations Society of America. http://www.rosenbergmarketing.com

John Metta, Data Analyst and Programmer

Johnmetta John is a writer, hydrologist, and programmer. He has Masters Degrees in engineering and water resources geography and over 20 years of experience in programming and web application development. He has worked with the Oregon DEQ, The Forest Service, and The Army Corps of Engineers. He specializes in software development for the scientific community and is always on the lookout for interesting projects and collaborations. http://johnmetta.com

Become a Member Free

If you'd like to post an EcoChallenge or a comment, become a member today. It's free!

Search EcoCategories by clicking on icons:

Buy Green - Seek out organic foods or products made with non-toxic ingredients.
Carbon Offsets - Any action to reduce (or offset) greenhouse gas emissions.
Green Shipping - Use reusable/recycled packaging. Use a green shipping company or method.
Light Less - Choose energy efficient light bulbs and machinery. Redesign to let in natural light to consume less electricity.
Recycle - Convert used materials into new products. Figure out what you can recycle and where.
Reduce Waste - Anticipate a way to prevent waste before it happens.
Reuse - Lengthen the life of a product or material before it is recycled or disposed.
Think Local - Buy locally and support prosperity in your community.

What are the Eco Icons? For any EcoChallenge, choose one or more icons that best reflects the category of sustainability that is helped by an EcoSolution. If an EcoSolution results in a new way to recycle something, choose the Recycle Icon; if an EcoSolution results in less waste production, choose the Reduce Waste Icon. A new water conservation method may represent multiple icons. You decide! If your EcoChallenge does not fall under any of the Icons, please let us know so we can create a new one! Scroll over each Eco Icon for a definition.