ASPI Team
Board of Directors
Board President Timi Reedy
Board President: Timi Reedy
Timi Reedy is an herbalist and mycologist with undergraduate and graduate degrees from Eastern Kentucky University. She has volunteered with ASPI since the 1990s, and in 1996, she helped conduct an ASPI video oral history project gathering stories from Appalachian people over 65 and their memories of the forest and how it has changed in their lifetimes. She currently serves as ASPI Board President and Service-Learning Coordinator for hosting university students for “alternative break” visits to the region. She assists with fundraising and daily operations as ASPI currently has no paid full-time executive director. Since 2019, she has led substantial physical repairs and upgrades to the Mt. Vernon and Rockcastle River demonstration sites, including roof repairs, solar expansions, EV charging station installations, and grounds reclamation.
As the infrastructure is more stable ASPI is moving more toward increasing programming, and the last three years have saw an increase of collaborations with the local and regional community.
Timi Reedy is an herbalist and mycologist with undergraduate and graduate degrees from Eastern Kentucky University. She has volunteered with ASPI since the 1990s, and in 1996, she helped conduct an ASPI video oral history project gathering stories from Appalachian people over 65 and their memories of the forest and how it has changed in their lifetimes. She currently serves as ASPI Board President and Service-Learning Coordinator for hosting university students for “alternative break” visits to the region. She assists with fundraising and daily operations as ASPI currently has no paid full-time executive director. Since 2019, she has led substantial physical repairs and upgrades to the Mt. Vernon and Rockcastle River demonstration sites, including roof repairs, solar expansions, EV charging station installations, and grounds reclamation.
As the infrastructure is more stable ASPI is moving more toward increasing programming, and the last three years have saw an increase of collaborations with the local and regional community.
Board Secretary Harrison Reedy
Board Secretary: Harrison Reedy
Harrison Reedy is an attorney with undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Kentucky and Lincoln Memorial University. Born and raised in Southeastern Kentucky, he has a deep-rooted passion for the unique culture and history of the region and Appalachia as a whole. Recently elected Secretary of the Board of Appalachia – Science in the Public Interest, Harrison is committed to bridging legal frameworks with scientific initiatives in ways that support ASPI’s mission and the communities it serves. Through this interdisciplinary approach, Harrison aims to enhance sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and community engagement throughout Appalachia.
Harrison Reedy is an attorney with undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Kentucky and Lincoln Memorial University. Born and raised in Southeastern Kentucky, he has a deep-rooted passion for the unique culture and history of the region and Appalachia as a whole. Recently elected Secretary of the Board of Appalachia – Science in the Public Interest, Harrison is committed to bridging legal frameworks with scientific initiatives in ways that support ASPI’s mission and the communities it serves. Through this interdisciplinary approach, Harrison aims to enhance sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and community engagement throughout Appalachia.
Board Members James Robinson & Holly Chiantaretto
Board Members: James Robinson & Holly Chiantaretto
James Robinson is a native born resident of Climax Kentucky. He has deep family roots in Rockcastle County and surrounding counties. He received his education from Rockcastle County High School and Somerset Community College. James has engaged in a variety of types of work over the years. He has worked in auto body repair and management in that field. He worked repairing and building Harley Davidsons and other motorsports vehicles. James has worked in the construction industry building and remodeling. He currently is a full time farmer, and manager of the farm, in Climax Kentucky on Hallow Springs Farm, where he runs a cow calf operation and organic produce gardens. James and his co-farmer Holly have five children and one granddaughter together.
Holly Chiantaretto has been a resident of Kentucky for over 20 years. She received a Bachelors in History and a Masters in History Education from Eastern Kentucky University. Holly currently works for Rockcastle County High School as a teacher, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture as a contracted organic farm inspector, the Organic Association of Kentucky as an organic transition trainer, and the Rockcastle Farmers Market as a market manager. Holly also administers the Rockcastle Growers Cooperative, a local agricultural non profit. She works and manages the family farm in Climax Kentucky with her co-farmer James, where they raised their five children and one granddaughter together.
James Robinson is a native born resident of Climax Kentucky. He has deep family roots in Rockcastle County and surrounding counties. He received his education from Rockcastle County High School and Somerset Community College. James has engaged in a variety of types of work over the years. He has worked in auto body repair and management in that field. He worked repairing and building Harley Davidsons and other motorsports vehicles. James has worked in the construction industry building and remodeling. He currently is a full time farmer, and manager of the farm, in Climax Kentucky on Hallow Springs Farm, where he runs a cow calf operation and organic produce gardens. James and his co-farmer Holly have five children and one granddaughter together.
Holly Chiantaretto has been a resident of Kentucky for over 20 years. She received a Bachelors in History and a Masters in History Education from Eastern Kentucky University. Holly currently works for Rockcastle County High School as a teacher, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture as a contracted organic farm inspector, the Organic Association of Kentucky as an organic transition trainer, and the Rockcastle Farmers Market as a market manager. Holly also administers the Rockcastle Growers Cooperative, a local agricultural non profit. She works and manages the family farm in Climax Kentucky with her co-farmer James, where they raised their five children and one granddaughter together.
Board Member William Reedy
Board Member: William Reedy
William Reedy is a dynamic senior manager with extensive experience in project development, operations management, and continuous improvement across the agricultural, municipal, and distillery sectors. Currently serving as Vice President of Project Development at Stircor Services Inc., he leads engineering teams in designing and implementing advanced drying and gasification systems, with a focus on carbon credit analysis and sustainable project execution. Previously, William managed large-scale green infrastructure projects at ARCO/Murray, overseeing the conversion of industrial waste streams into valuable products like biogas and sustainable aviation fuel. At AppHarvest, he was instrumental as an early team member, driving procedural standards, major capital projects, and continuous improvement initiatives. William holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics from the University of Kentucky and is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt. His leadership is marked by a commitment to operational excellence, innovation, and environmental stewardship. William looks forward to providing his vast insight toward the betterment of ASPI.
William Reedy is a dynamic senior manager with extensive experience in project development, operations management, and continuous improvement across the agricultural, municipal, and distillery sectors. Currently serving as Vice President of Project Development at Stircor Services Inc., he leads engineering teams in designing and implementing advanced drying and gasification systems, with a focus on carbon credit analysis and sustainable project execution. Previously, William managed large-scale green infrastructure projects at ARCO/Murray, overseeing the conversion of industrial waste streams into valuable products like biogas and sustainable aviation fuel. At AppHarvest, he was instrumental as an early team member, driving procedural standards, major capital projects, and continuous improvement initiatives. William holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics from the University of Kentucky and is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt. His leadership is marked by a commitment to operational excellence, innovation, and environmental stewardship. William looks forward to providing his vast insight toward the betterment of ASPI.
Board Member Julie Guthrie
Board Member: Julie Guthrie
As a Title I Building Coordinator, Interventionist, and Middle School Science Teacher, Julie wears many hats, and occasionally a lab coat. With over seventeen years in education, she has dedicated her career to ensuring that all students, regardless of background, have access to high-quality learning experiences that spark curiosity and build confidence.
Passionate about equity in education, sustainability, and the power of collaborative problem-solving, she thrives in environments where ideas are shared freely, challenges are met with creativity, and success is measured by meaningful growth. Whether facilitating small group interventions, organizing Title I programming, or launching rockets with seventh graders, her mission remains the same: fostering a space where students and staff alike feel empowered, supported, and inspired. She believes learning should be joyful—and yes, sometimes a little messy. That’s where the real magic happens. With this approach to learning and growth guiding her life goals, Julie believes that her work will plug into ASPI’s mission perfectly, creating a diverse and balanced community where everyone can thrive.
As a Title I Building Coordinator, Interventionist, and Middle School Science Teacher, Julie wears many hats, and occasionally a lab coat. With over seventeen years in education, she has dedicated her career to ensuring that all students, regardless of background, have access to high-quality learning experiences that spark curiosity and build confidence.
Passionate about equity in education, sustainability, and the power of collaborative problem-solving, she thrives in environments where ideas are shared freely, challenges are met with creativity, and success is measured by meaningful growth. Whether facilitating small group interventions, organizing Title I programming, or launching rockets with seventh graders, her mission remains the same: fostering a space where students and staff alike feel empowered, supported, and inspired. She believes learning should be joyful—and yes, sometimes a little messy. That’s where the real magic happens. With this approach to learning and growth guiding her life goals, Julie believes that her work will plug into ASPI’s mission perfectly, creating a diverse and balanced community where everyone can thrive.
Staff
Calendar Guru Mark Spencer
Simple Lifestyles Calendar Guru: Mark Spencer
Mark is ASPI's long-time graphic artist, media producer, and Simple Lifestyle Calendar author and designer. Mark is one of six kids and was born in upstate New York. He's widely traveled, including a stint at Mother Teresa's hospitals in India, a cross-country bicycle trip, and a through-hike of the Appalachian Trail. Mark arrived from Herron School of Art and Design as an intern at ASPI in 1986, and with a few breaks for biking, nesting, and trekking in between, has been here since. Through the years Mark has worked on many important ASPI projects including the design of ASPI and project logos, audio and video recording for oral history projects, and the Earth Healing TV shows. He previously lived in the Solar House and enjoys hiking, reading, and collecting all sorts of crazy stuff for "found object" art projects. But your cards and letters with calendar kudos and suggestions still do the most to light up his eyes. Mark also helped conduct ASPI's "Creative Aging & Lifelong Learning" interview project funded by an Arts Access Assistance Grant from the Kentucky Arts Council and National Endowment for the Arts.
Mark is ASPI's long-time graphic artist, media producer, and Simple Lifestyle Calendar author and designer. Mark is one of six kids and was born in upstate New York. He's widely traveled, including a stint at Mother Teresa's hospitals in India, a cross-country bicycle trip, and a through-hike of the Appalachian Trail. Mark arrived from Herron School of Art and Design as an intern at ASPI in 1986, and with a few breaks for biking, nesting, and trekking in between, has been here since. Through the years Mark has worked on many important ASPI projects including the design of ASPI and project logos, audio and video recording for oral history projects, and the Earth Healing TV shows. He previously lived in the Solar House and enjoys hiking, reading, and collecting all sorts of crazy stuff for "found object" art projects. But your cards and letters with calendar kudos and suggestions still do the most to light up his eyes. Mark also helped conduct ASPI's "Creative Aging & Lifelong Learning" interview project funded by an Arts Access Assistance Grant from the Kentucky Arts Council and National Endowment for the Arts.
ASPI Wilderness Site Caretakers: River & Loki
Interns
Summer 2025 ASPI Intern: Blayne Schwarz
Blayne joins Appalachia Science in the Public Interest as a part of the University of Notre Dame's Social Concern Summer Fellowship. She is a rising junior studying Chemical Engineering, with minors in Engineering Corporate Practice and Catholic Social Tradition. Originally from Oklahoma City, OK, she is getting her fair share of farm work once a day each week (despite being a city slicker). Blayne's program involves 8 weeks of support and service, culminating with a presentation on a question she's asked and answered during her time here. She has enjoyed learning about the inner workings of small community non-profits like ASPI, how they maximize their outreach, and how they support their communities in diverse and deeply impactful ways. She's also really enjoyed getting outside, going on hikes, spending cool evenings at events in nearby Berea, saying hello to all her favorite people at the Rockcastle Farmer's market, and just exploring the central KY area (pictured here is her at the Gorge). Previously, Blayne visited ASPI in October 2024 with the Notre Dame service learning cohort. We are so glad she decided to come back and assist us!
Blayne joins Appalachia Science in the Public Interest as a part of the University of Notre Dame's Social Concern Summer Fellowship. She is a rising junior studying Chemical Engineering, with minors in Engineering Corporate Practice and Catholic Social Tradition. Originally from Oklahoma City, OK, she is getting her fair share of farm work once a day each week (despite being a city slicker). Blayne's program involves 8 weeks of support and service, culminating with a presentation on a question she's asked and answered during her time here. She has enjoyed learning about the inner workings of small community non-profits like ASPI, how they maximize their outreach, and how they support their communities in diverse and deeply impactful ways. She's also really enjoyed getting outside, going on hikes, spending cool evenings at events in nearby Berea, saying hello to all her favorite people at the Rockcastle Farmer's market, and just exploring the central KY area (pictured here is her at the Gorge). Previously, Blayne visited ASPI in October 2024 with the Notre Dame service learning cohort. We are so glad she decided to come back and assist us!