Advancing Sustainable Communities Heartland was formed in 1997 as a volunteer effort to affect positive change in the Renewal Communities of San Diego County. Since that time, the organization has expanded with additional offices in Los Angeles, San Diego, Brawley, California and Sitka, Alaska. Heartland has served over 2,248 people. In October of 2007, the agency’s sister organization, UnitedGREEN was founded to support the agency’s green initiatives and green education events such as the 2008 Architecture 2030 Conference, co-sponsored by UCSD. In October of 2008, UnitedGREEN orchestrated a Green Economy Event at UCSD. Heartland presented courses in productivity, communication, organizational finance, and business incubation at this conference and at other conferences and community workshops since the UCSD meetings. Heartland’s commitment to the community is exemplified by the agency’s huge disaster relief effort after the 2003 San Diego Wildfires. After the 2007 San Diego Wildfires, UnitedGREEN assisted fire survivors in rebuilding green. Heartland’s Project Renaissance has provided public art for schools and communities, also showcasing artworks by fire survivors. Heartland currently runs seven projects. Under the dba UnitedGREEN, Heartland is directing Rebuilding Green, which will employ 16 people. The GreenSmart Training, Service and Eco-Industrial centers in Barrio Logan, Southeast San Diego, and Otay Mesa will be extensions of this program. In addition, our Apple Valley location will provide instruction in building information management, as well as wind, solar energy and weatherization. This location will also include a commercial vertical organic urban farm. In cooperation with JPMorgan Chase, Heartland will weatherize and solarize homes that have been repossessed, making them available to low-income families. Heartland collaborates with 85 community partners including major educational institutions and school districts, the San Diego Imperial Counties Labor Council and Employee Rights Center, construction trade unions, corporate partners such as JPMorgan Chase Bank and Toyota of El Cajon, California Center for Sustainable Energy, SDG&E, environmental and solar enterprises, San Diego Workforce Partnership and many others. Heartland Coalition serves the low-income residents of California, Nevada, Arizona, and Alaska with projects in the areas of career and community development, housing and healthcare. Heartland Coalition cares about environmental protection and clean energy solutions creating a greener and more sustainable society. Heartland Coalition helps to assist with disaster relief, education and the public arts.About Heartland Coalition
Advancing Communities
Greener Future
Disaster Relief & Cultural Awareness
Our Team
Board Members
Mark Hanson, Ph.D., President and Executive Director
Jackie Hanson, Director, Project Renaissance
Alisi Matale, Director, Heartland Los Angeles
Dan Ortiz, Political Affairs Coordinator
Ramiro Sandoval, CFO, Treasurer
Kyle Shull, Director, Heartland Alaska
Staff Contact List
Mark Hanson, Ph.D., President, Executive Director
Phone: (619) 261 7180
markhanson@heartlandcln.org
Ramiro Sandoval, CFO
ramsand@cox.net
Dustin Johnson, COO
Mercedes Perez, Sustainable Housing Transaction Coordinator
mercedes@heartlandsustainablehousing.org
Gabriel Sarrano, Housing Counselor
gserrano624@yahoo.com
Walt Meyer, Communications Director
WMeyer516@aol.com
Genny Crane, Business Manager
amyevans@heartlandsustainablehousing.org
Rebecca Mendoza, Clinic Operations Liaison
msrebeccamendoza@gmail.com
Advisory Board
Jim Bell, Director, Heartland Foundation Research Center/Ecological Life Systems Institute, GreenSMART Focus Group Coordinator, Central San Diego/City
Greg Chick, Project GreenSMART Focus Group Coordinator, North County Inland
Amy Evans, Community Clinic Business Manager
Nathan Feinstein, Director, Project HealthWORK
Ignacio Jimenez, Sustainability Director
Tony Lazarus, Project GreenSMART Focus Group Coordinator, North County/Coastal
Rebecca Mendoza, Human Resources Coordinator
Gerri Pennerman, Director, Mikey’s Feed the People
Alan Ridley, Project GreenSMART Focus Group Coordinator, South Bay
Rebecca Rivera, Coordinator for Mikey’s Feed the People
Robin Shull, Educational Director for Heartland Alaska
Diane Slater, Housing Counselor, Heartland Alaska
Leon Thompson, Project GreenSMART Focus Group Coordinator, East County
Wade Vernon, Green Technology Advisor
Scott Whitley, Project GreenSMART Contractor