Memphis Brownfield Coalition Summit

Brownfields Section Manager, Division of Land Protection, Remediation Branch | Brownfields Section, Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation

Paula Middlebrooks has been working with communities in Tennessee to find creative solutions for revitalizing contaminated properties for over 20 years. Paula enjoys serving the citizens of Tennessee by working with people to address brownfields in their communities. The intersection of public health, environmental health, and economic development merge in her current role as the Brownfields Program Manager for the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. A native of South Dakota, Paula Middlebrooks earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Dakota Wesleyan University and a Master’s Degree in Environmental Health Policy from the University Of Minnesota, School Of Public Health.

Manager of Brownfield Redevelopment, NJIT TAB 

Alex Milan is the Brownfields Redevelopment Manager at the New Jersey Institute of Technology's Technical Assistance to Brownfield Communities Program (NJIT TAB). She supports communities in the Eastern US, providing free educational forums, resources, and technical assistance for brownfields. Before joining NJIT TAB, Ms. Milan spent 7 years working as a consultant specializing in environmental economics and climate change research and education. Alex holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts from Doshisha University.

Director of Planning and Community Development, City of Memphis and Shelby County Community Redevelopment Agency

As the CRA’s Director of Planning and Community Development, Vivian works on implementing the Uptown Community Plan and returning vacant and blighted properties to productive use – whether that’s quality, affordable housing, businesses that provide services to residents, or community amenities such as parks or gardens. Ekstrom also works with the CRA team and community to integrate environmental sustainability and resilience into projects. This could include enhanced energy efficiency in housing, green infrastructure to help with flooding or pollution, or changes that make it easier to bike and walk.

Ekstrom is a native Memphian and holds a Master’s in City and Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Before her role with the CRA, Ekstrom was a Planner for The City of Raleigh, NC and most recently the Sustainability Manager for Memphis and Shelby County. There she worked with a team to implement critical strategies such as the Memphis Area Climate Action Plan and the Mid-South Regional Resilience Master Plan.

Workforce and Grant Manager, Economic Development Growth Engine (EDGE) for Memphis & Shelby County

Jessica Aytchan, MBA is the Workforce and Grant Manager at the Economic Development Growth Engine (EDGE) for Memphis & Shelby County, where she develops and manages workforce and grant initiatives that strengthen businesses, expand economic opportunity, and support community development. With a background in administration, people and program management, and economic development, she has experience overseeing complex funding programs, building strategic partnerships, and improving processes that maximize organizational impact.

Passionate about creating opportunities that make a lasting difference, Jessica values collaboration, innovation, and continuous growth in both her career and community involvement. 

Director, Advisory Services, Grow America – Brownfields RLF TAB Provider

Patricia “Patty” Santa Cruz, in her capacity as Field Director in Technical Advisory Services (Central Team) with Grow America, assists organizations in community development, primarily with federal programs (where she has 20 years of experience). Her recent clients include Hamilton County, Ohio; DeSoto, Texas; Springfield, Illinois; and Memphis, Tennessee.

She has over 13 years of experience in Community Development Block Grants (CDBGs) through Housing and Urban Development (HUD) departments, and HOME Program funds. Most recently, she oversaw $21 million in San Antonio’s CDBG and HOME funds, and $17 million for the CDBG Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

She has experience in IDIS, environmental reviews, plus Section 3 compliance, eligibility, and administration. She assisted with the City’s $140 million COVID‐19 Emergency Housing Assistance Program. She led the department’s Equity Action Plan, outlining two‐year strategies for advancing racial and economic equity.