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Who We Are

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Stephen Ritz

STEPHEN RITZ FOUNDER

Stephen Ritz is the Founder of Green Bronx Machine and self-proclaimed CEO – Chief Eternal Optimist – of Bronx County. With 20+ years of experience as an educator and administrator, Stephen believes that students shouldn’t have to leave their community to live, learn, and earn in a better one. Stephen has spent most of his professional life helping move generations of students into spheres of personal and academic successes they have never imagined. While reclaiming and rebuilding the Bronx, Stephen’s extended student and community family have grown more than 165,000 pounds of vegetables while generating extraordinary academic performance and living wage jobs. Believing that we are limited only by our own imaginations and that we are ALL Amer-I-Cans, Stephen is excited to lead Green Bronx Machine to achieve even more at the National Health, Wellness and Learning Center at CS 55. Stephen loves people, purpose and possibilities. He wakes up everyday excited to go to school, teach students, and build programs that will impact the lives of those he cares about for years to come. He wears a big hat, spiffy bow-tie and perpetually says, “Si se puede!”

His favorite vegetables are bok choy and arugula.

Lizette Ritz

LIZETTE B. RITZ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Lizette is the Executive Director of Green Bronx Machine. She is a people person and outcome driven; her expertise lies in seeing the potential in people and projects aligned to policy and procedure. Her corporate background lends well to the mission and vision of Green Bronx Machine and she provides organizational expertise and behind the scenes guidance, as well as on the ground and in the field support at all levels. Beyond spearheading educational initiatives and inspiring healthy living, Lizette is personally focussed upon poverty alleviation, workforce development, job creation and feeding hungry people. She takes it upon herself to see that food is grown and that people are fed. Keeping the machine running and well oiled, Lizette is known as “La Flor de Nuestra Jardin” and she is the driving force behind the weekly deliveries of locally grown food to people in need as well as the backbone of the extended Ritz Family and entire GBM Team.

Her favorite vegetables are radicchio and beets.

Michaela Ritz

MICHAELA RITZ VOLUNTEER

Michaela has been involved with GBM from its inception and has grown to develop a passion for helping communities through the melding of environmental justice and stewardship. Michaela has had the honor of growing up with many of the students that have come through the program and has seen their development and personal successes firsthand. She refers to these students as her “extended family” and she feels proud to know that they consider themselves to be part of the GBM family as well. Michaela’s role within the organization has varied from planting and harvesting produce, to maintaining growing technologies, to photo documentation of GBM’s work. In 2014, Michaela was the recipient of The Root’s 2014 Young Futurist Award. She is a proud graduate of Skidmore, where she studied Geoscience and Environmental Studies in addition to being a member of the Crew Team – having learned to row on the Bronx River. Michaela’s interests include reading, drawing, finding new music, and being outdoors. She looks forward to continuing helping local communities in harmony with improving the environment.

Her favorite vegetable is kale.

Ms. Amy Guerrero

MS. AMY GUERRERO
SUMMER PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Ms. Amy is one of our own locally grown Bronx heroes. She started with us as an Summer Youth Employment Program employee, graduated to Ladders for Leaders, and now works with us to coordinate summer programming. Both a scholar and an athlete – she leads our women by example – and also loves to farm, cook and eat healthy. Ms. Amy maintains a 3.7 GPA and aspires to be one of NYC’s Finest – she is one of ours already and we could not be more proud.

Her favorite vegetable is cauliflower.

Mr-Jeff-Fruit-Man

MR. JEFF FRUIT MAN

Local, local, local – Mr. Jeff is a parent, grandparent, and community resident. Each and every day he delivers over 1,400 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables to our students in class and to families surrounding the school. Because he lives local, he sees the children within the school and in the community creating a culture of care, respect and accountability, and he is loved. Mr. Jeff works with Green Bronx Machine in addition to serving as the President of PTA, a member of the School Leadership Team, a server in the cafe, a support staff for teachers, and as a mentor for parents.

His favorite vegetable is broccoli, but he loves being called “Fruit Man.”

Cory Gamble

CORY GAMBLE FARM TECHNICIAN

Cory has been with Green Bronx Machine since before there was a Green Bronx Machine. A student with Mr. Ritz since 2004, he developed a love for fish tanks and plants – even managing retail facilities and owning his own business. From the Bronx, Cory was the first in his family to graduate high school and attend college. Cory presently works with Gotham Greens and helps Green Bronx Machine with farm maintenance, fish tank maintenance and serves by the power of example for our Bronx students.

His favorite vegetable is green cabbage.

Mr. Chef Jesse teaches knife skills

JESSE MCELWAIN CONSULTANT

Mr. Chef Jesse is our green-fingered, impact-oriented, purpose-driven millennial, with a flare for cooking! He teaches our students culinary arts twice weekly, and adapts and develops student-approved recipes for the classroom. Mr. Chef Jesse is also the keeper of our digital domain.

His favorite vegetable is artichoke.