Staff
Emily Niehaus - Executive Director Emily
Niehaus is the Founder and now Executive Director of Community
Rebuilds. Emily grew up in Ohio, moved to Prescott, Arizona for
undergraduate studies, and received a Master’s Degree in Applied
Sociology at Clemson University in 2002. Emily’s background in banking,
interest in creating affordable housing, and affection for natural
building came together as she founded Community Rebuilds in 2007. Since
then, Emily has worked diligently to build all the puzzle pieces that
make up the organization: builders, students, program participants,
funding, etc. “It’s not my organization any more,” states Emily with a
smile. She is proud of all the support and dedication she has received
in the creation of Community Rebuilds.
Affiliated Contractor Ben Byrd Construction
Site Supervisor/Instructor Eric Plourde
Instructor/Builder Kelly Mathews
Board of Directors
Colleen Jarrett
Colleen is a new addition to the Community Rebuilds board, but she is no stranger the organization! Colleen and her husband, Sasha, were the very first homeowners to work with CR. Their home was completed in December of 2010 and they have enjoyed settling into their happy, healthy home. Colleen has been interested in natural building long before Community Rebuilds and knows first hand the importance of creating affordable housing in Moab. Her interest and experience make her a wonderful addition to our organization.
Delite Primus
"I’ve been on the Community Rebuilds board since I
moved to Moab in 2008. My working career so far has given me experience
in fundraising, volunteer management, education and nonprofit
management for various nonprofits. Currently, I work at the Youth
Garden Project and serve as the President of the Community Rebuilds
board. Growing up in the cornfields of Iowa, I’ve found a second home
and a second family in the red rocks of Moab. I'm honored to play a role
in an organization that offers education, affordable housing
opportunities, and strengthens the community."Drake Taylor "Before moving to Moab, I was
involved in the traditional construction trade, off and on, since I was
an adolescent. I thought this was the only way to build. Upon arrival
in Moab I started to hear phrases like natural building, earth plaster,
mass versus insulation, house site selection, solar gain, etc... Out of
interest I visited a few houses built in non-traditional ways, and took
part in a few workshops. These building techniques seemed so simple
but yet so intelligent that I had to have a go at it. With help from
friends and hired help, my wife, my kids, and I built a straw bale
home. There is no going back to the modern traditional ways for us.
And then to think that Community Rebuilds can take these ideas even
further and help create affordable housing in Moab and educate students
on sustainable building practices; what a concept!"
Michelle Wiley "My name is Michelle Wiley and I have been a CR board member since July
2010. I am co-owner and project manager for a pedestrian-centered, green
neighborhood in Moab called Mulberry Grove. I enjoy collaborating with
Community Rebuilds to create affordable housing in my community. I enjoy
earth plastering, gardening, running and spanking my cats. I am
currently building a straw bale home for myself in Mulberry Grove."
Gabriel Woytek Gabriel is a young professional community member involved in a
variety of community activity, including the Grand County School
District, Arches Education Center, Moab Community Theater, Moab
Community Radio, and the Moab Valley Multicultural Center, where he
works primarily with the town's immigrant community as the non-profit's
Language Program Coordinator. Gabriel himself lives in a pre-1976
trailer and knows firsthand the affordable housing crisis that exists in
our community. His involvement on the CR board is aligned with his
priorities to foster healthy, happy, and educated families in our area.
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