OUR STORY
WHY GREEN RIVER?
We’d like to think we chose this location, but really this place chose us. Epicenter’s founders were invited to work in Green River as AmeriCorps volunteers. They stayed because they fell in love with the place, the people, and the opportunities. Epicenter's work and ethic reaches far beyond Green River, Utah, but it remains our home
and headquarters.
Why do we do this work?
We’re here to celebrate this place, and alongside the community, work incrementally and intentionally to identify and build on our town’s assets. We’re continually building on what we do and redefining how we do it. We work on multiple scales to achieve our goals—from nation-wide knowledge building all the way down to the construction details on a single-family house.
OUR WORK
Rural & Proud Since 2009
Since Epicenter’s humble beginnings, we’ve maintained a holistic approach to our work which we believe to be critical to our success. Our process combines art, design, and unconventional thinking to achieve with our community things many thought impossible with limited resources.
OUR GOALS
Build local leadership
within town.
Increase local
housing options.
Increase town vibrancy and beautify the built environment.
Ensure organizational
resiliency.
Develop Epicenter as a model for other rural communities.
OUR TEAM
MARIA
SYKES
Co-Founder
& Executive Director
After graduating from Auburn University’s School of Architecture, Maria (she/her) moved to Green River to co-found Epicenter in 2009. Maria has been working in rural investment for over a decade, and the work has been honored many times, including by the Utah Governor. She loves swimming in the Green, talking on her front porch, and visiting other rural towns. As director, Maria leads with a contagious passion for rural places.
Email Maria here.
KENNY
FALLON JR
Specialist & Canal Commons Project Manager
Raised throughout the South, Kenny (he/him) got fired up about affordable housing while designing and building a 20K Home at Auburn University’s Rural Studio. Since graduating he’s explored natural building at Community Rebuilds, project development at an AEC consulting firm, and publishing at The Last Straw Journal. Kenny’s excited about outsider art environments, reading by the Book Cliffs, and building the world we want to live in.
Email Kenny here.
ZOE
GARDNER
Specialist & Pearl Baker Park Project Manager
Zoe (she/her) grew up where three rivers meet in scenic Rome, Georgia and graduated from Auburn University’s School of Architecture. She recently relocated to Green River and is excited to create public spaces for gathering and nurturing community. Zoe also designs and edits The Last Straw Journal. She loves exploring new landscapes, learning about the natural world, and giving her friends hand-poked tattoos.
Email Zoe here.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Bryan Brooks - Board Chair
Portland, OR
Todd Erlandson, AIA - Vice Chair
Los Angeles, CA
Alyssa Kreikemeier, PhD - Secretary
Santa Fe, NM
Tracy Dutson - Treasurer
Rockville, UT
Lindsey Briceno, AIA
Denver, CO
Erika Lynne Hanson
Phoenix, AZ
Kayce May-Riches
Green River, UT
Elpitha Tsoutsounakis
Salt Lake City, UT
ADVISORS
Jason Wheeler, AIA
ASSIST Inc., Salt Lake City, UT
Nicholas Berger
Rocky Mountain CRC
Ren Hatt, JD
Green River, UT
Jarod Hamm
Nashville, TN