About The ReUse People of America

Prior to founding TRP in 1995, Ted was managing partner with an investment banking firm that provided financial services to young technology companies. Now, in addition to guiding TRP's national expansion program, he consults with private companies and government bodies on a variety of demolition and waste diversion projects. A graduate of Ohio State University and a licensed demolition contractor, Ted served three terms as board president of I Love a Clean San Diego and is an advisor to Urban Habitat Chicago.

Bay Area native Sal Vaccaro is a graduate of Santa Clara University and played professional baseball for three years before embarking on a business career. He is currently president of Synergy Environmental, Inc., the most experienced asbestos, lead and mold abatement contractor in Northern California. A TRP board member for over five years, Sal is a member of WESTCON Professional Organization, NARI, National Lead Council, and Environmental Information Association.

Shay is an engineer and construction professional with 20 years experience in government contracting. As president of DTC Engineers and Constructors, he has led the design and construction of government projects in 26 states, Puerto Rico, Central America, Asia, and the Middle East for the U.S. departments of defense and homeland security. He holds degrees in engineering and business administration from Vanderbilt University and sits on the boards of several nonprofits. He has authored publications on government contracting, sustainable design and construction, and youth mentoring.

Carl founded Wholesale Lumber Associates in 1990 to distribute affordable new and used building materials to lumber yards in low-to-moderate income areas of Baja California. As a former contractor, realtor, housing rehabber, construction lender, L.A. Community Design Center and San Diego/Tijuana Habitat for Humanity board member, Carl knows the value that TRP materials contribute to affordable construction and micro-enterprise in Baja California. Carl earned his undergraduate degree at USC and an MBA at UCLA Anderson School.

David has enjoyed an entrepreneurial career spanning 40 years. He successfully launched three hi-tech manufacturing companies and, in addition to sitting on the board of The ReUse People, has been an officer and director at the San Diego World Trade Association, Computer Electronics Marketing Association and a founding member of the MIT Enterprise Forum, San Diego Chapter. He is the owner and president of The Crellen Company, an Internet development firm.

Jeff had his first experiences with architecture as a child and spent many years behind the hammer during adolescence, gaining knowledge of real world field conditions. He is the owner and lead architect of Jeannette Architects, Inc, located in Long Beach California and specializing in custom residential homes that preserve the delicate balance between the built structure and its impact on the environment. Jeff received his architectural degree from the University of Arizona.

Charles has been in the construction business since 1972 and owns Dura Construction Company, which specializes in site-improvement construction—everything from simple home improvement projects to sophisticated underground work. The company also sells pavers, bricks, mulch, sand, gravel and other hardscape supplies. Charles is board president of ReCONNstruction Center, a nonprofit used building-material outlet in New Britain. He holds an associates degree in civil engineering from Hartford State Technical College and numerous professional licenses. On a personal note, a major portion of his own home is built from used building materials.

Arthur, a Certified Green Building Professional, joined TRP in 2005 and is the Los Angeles Regional Manager, serving Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties and parts of the California Central Coast. Prior to working with TRP, Arthur was director of a national fundraising center representing environmental and political organizations, including the Natural Resources Defense Council and Greenpeace. Arthur’s background is in marketing and advertising, including years spent with several major international ad agencies.

Prior to joining TRP in 2005, Cheryl was assistant manager for a custom cabinet manufacturing facility in San Diego. Before that, she was a bank operations manager for 16 years on Orcas Island in Washington, and worked in the fishing industry for 12 years. Cheryl's knowledge of construction along with her business acumen has reestablished the TRP reputation in San Diego as the organization of choice for deconstruction and building-materials salvage.

Before joining TRP in 2007, Ken had accumulated over 25 years experience in real estate management and development. With very few exceptions, all of his developments were renovations and restorations in Chicago and Chicago's North Shore area. From single family houses to commercial properties, Ken renovated, restored and created adaptive reuse solutions to old structures. Hence, the move to TRP was a natural progression. He holds a BA from Southern Illinois University and an MBA from Northwestern University.

Mark began doing carpentry work while still in high school and continued working in construction while earning an industrial technology degree from Truman State University. Positions since college have included architectural draftsman for a facility engineering department, project manager for a developer/home builder, and salesman for a general contractor. In 2001, Mark started his own homebuilding business in Overland Park, Kansas. In 2007, he joined Habitat ReStore Kansas City as the deconstruction services manager. It was through this partnership that Mark became part of the TRP team.

Shannon started her career in the Army, where she was first introduced to warehousing, although the warehouses were really bunkers that contained chemical and nuclear weapons. From the military, she moved into retailing, bravely jumping feet first into a toy department for a major retailer during the holiday season. Since then, Shannon has worked in a number of retail, manufacturing, and consulting operations—in accounting, administration, IT and management roles. She is pursuing a bachelor's degree in computer science.