Speaker and Chair Biographies

Len Anastasi, owns the EXO-TEC companies, that manufactures and markets specialty construction products. He also performs consulting services on building enclosures. Len has performed inspections and repairs on over 300 buildings.

Leo Bedard is a retired Supervisor of Construction Trades at Upper Cape Technical High School, the first technical school in Massachusetts to implement renewable energy curricula. He also chairs the Clean Energy Tech School Task Force, which boasts participation of more than 25 MA vocational schools.

Clifton Below, Commissioner of the Public Utilities Commission of New Hampshire, also serves as the Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, Inc. and as a Vice Chair of the Energy Resources & Environment Committee of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC).  He recently served onf the NH Climate Change Policy Task Force and formerly was a state legistlator for 12 years, a commercial real estate developer and manager and a partner in a sustainable energy business called Retrofit Associates.

Greg Bergmiller serves as LEED specialist and expert in sustainability for projectsacross the firm's market sectors, working closely with design teams to identify and meet high performance goals, most significantly with respect to siting, water use, energy consumption, building materials and indoor air quality. He also oversees construction administration to ensure that the process, as well as the final product, is environmentally sensitive and uses resources efficiently. He hasconducted numerous training programs in sustainability for in-house staff as well as local, regional and national organizations. He has been involved in 13 LEED projects totaling more than one million SF, and an additional one million SF of other sustainable projects. He was a leading member of the SLAM team on the first project in Connecticut to achieve LEED Silver certification.

Nils Bolgen Nils Bolgen is a Program Manager at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.  He manages the Massachusetts Green Power Partnership and other initiatives that support the financing of commercial power projects.  He also serves as MTC’s technical manager for the Community Wind Collaborative.  Prior to joining MTC, Nils worked extensively on the Massachusetts RPS regulation while at the Division of Energy Resources.

Deerin Babb-Brott  Assistant Secretary for Ocean and Coastal Zone Management and Director, Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management.  Deerin Babb-Brott has 18 years of experience in the environmental field, with a focus on coastal management issues and environmental impact review. As Assistant Secretary in the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, he is managing the development of an ocean management plan for Massachusetts waters, under the Oceans Act of 2008.

Michael Bruss, President of Bruss Construction of Bradford, NH, has over 30 years of extensive experience in green building technologies. In 2003 he constructed the First LEED Gold Certified Structure in the Northeast and in 2008 constructed the First LEED Platinum Certified residential project in New Hampshire.

Marybeth Campbell serves as the Public Education Manager for MTC. She oversees the K-12 and Public Awareness Initiatives, which fund organizations to increase awareness among teachers, students and the public about the benefits of clean energy.    Prior to joining MTC, Marybeth worked for the Massachusetts House of Representatives as a senior research analyst for the Joint Committee on Energy.

Polly Carpenter is a practicing Architect and Design Educator in the Boston Area. She is the Associate Program Director and a Master Teacher for Learning By Design in Massachusetts, a children’s design education program of the Boston Society of Architects.

Jean Carroon is the Principal for Preservation at Goody Clancy, a Boston design firm of 100 architects, planners, urban designers and conservators.  Nationally recognized for her achievements in the field of sustainable design for historic buildings, she is a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation Sustainability Coalition, Boston Mayor Menino's Green Building Task Force, and one of the founders of the Technical Committee on Sustainable Preservation with the Association of Preservation Technology. She is the author of Sustainable Preservation; Greening Existing Buildings, which is being published in 2009 by John Wiley & Sons. Her current projects include renovations for the General Services Administration, Harvard University and the University of Michigan.

Larry Chretien is executive director of the nonprofit Energy Consumers Alliance of New England, which is known as Mass Energy in Massachusetts and People's Power & Light in Rhode Island. The organization which is 26 years old, has a mission to make energy more affordable and environmentally sustainable. Larry has been director for 9 years and before that was energy director for Quincy Community Action Programs in Quincy, Massachusetts. He has a bachelor's degree in resource management and a master's degree in economic policy. Larry also served on the Quincy City Council for four two-year terms.

James L. Christo is Program Director, Green Buildings and Infrastructure, for the Renewable Energy Trust of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.  He is responsible for building relationships with the Trust’s green building partners, and for contributing to the development, management, and implementation of related activities. Jim graduated from Brown University with a B.S. degree in Engineering, and from Clark University with a Master’s degree in Business Administration.

A principal founder of NEEP, Sue Coakley has served as Executive Director and a member of the Board of Directors since 1996. The focus of her work at NEP is the development of regional strategies to increase energy efficiency in homes, buildings and industry. Previously, Ms. Coakley was the staff lead on energy efficiency policy at the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities.

Moshe Cohen is President of The Negotiating Table, a firm that provides mediation services to people in conflict, as well as negotiation and conflict management training. He brings a combination of facilitation, mediation, conflict management, and teaching skills to the meetings he facilitates. Moshe holds a Bachelors degree from Cornell in Physics, a Masters in Electrical Engineering from McGill University, and a Masters in Business Administration from the Boston University Graduate School of Management.

Mary Jo Connelly, CLU's Research Director, has conducted research on economic development and jobs for the past ten years, previously at the Labor Resource Center, UMass Boston.

Fara Courtney has 20 years experience in coastal/ocean planning, public policy and consensus-building and is currently supporting development of the US Offshore Wind Collaborative.

Tom Davies is Director of Design & Construction at Amherst College, overseeing a wide range of architectural and engineering projects, from utility infrastructure to historic renovation.  Tom’s background includes engineering, architecture, construction management and facilities strategy consulting. His degrees are in architecture and engineering from UPenn and MIT.

Paul DeCotis is Deputy Secretary for Energy in NY Governor Patterson’s office.  Paul previously was Director of Energy Analysis for NYSERDA where he oversaw state energy forecasting and planning, energy policy analysis and development, legislative analysis, and corporate strategic planning.

Lise Dondy is the president of the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF), which was created by the state legislature in 2000 to promote, develop and invest in clean energy sources for the benefit of Connecticut ratepayers.  She joined CCEF in 2004 as its chief operating officer and was named president of the fund in 2006.  Lise has been responsible for launching many of CCEF’s key initiatives, including solar incentive programs for residents.  Previously Lise had been managing director, investments, for Connecticut Innovations, the quasi-public authority that administers the fund. 

Lisa Drake is Natural Resources Senior Manager at Stonyfield Farm, the leading organic yogurt manufacturer.  Lisa leads the company’s initiatives in energy and climate change, solid waste, recycling, wastewater, and related communications.  Prior to Stonyfield Farm, Lisa managed economic development programs for the State of New Jersey and was a project manager and licensed professional engineer for Camp Dresser & McKee and Barr Engineering.  She has BS and MS degrees from Tufts University in Civil & Environmental Engineering.

James Dunn is the Chief Technology Officer of the Center for Technology Commercialization, in Westborough, MA. and past Director of NASA's NE Technology Transfer Center.  He is active in alternative energy including fuel cells, hydrogen, renewable energy, energy storage, and hybrid electric vehicles.  Jim developed the Monte Carlo Hybrid Rallye for NESEA’s Tour de Sol, and speaks weekly on This New Car, a talk show on WICN, 90.5 FM.

Rebecca Eaton oversees all aspects of NABCEP’s operations and strategic planning.  She is responsible for budgets, program development, marketing, and coordinating a board of renewable energy stakeholders to advance NABCEP’s credibility and prominence in the renewable energy industry. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Michigan State University and a Master of Environmental Management and Policy from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Luke Falk is a Project Manager for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). In this capacity he manages NYSERDA’s Multifamily Performance Program and its Green Affordable Housing Program. He is the Conference Chair of BuildingEnergy09.

Nathan Gauthier is assistant director of the Harvard Office for Sustainability, the group leading Harvard’s sustainability efforts.  Nathan also offers green building consulting services and teaches on the subject.  He is a member of many local and national volunteer committees.

Scott Greenbaum has a BS from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Marine Engineering and MS from NYU in Energy Technologies.  Thirty (30) years experience in the reduction industry as a consulting engineer, ESCO provider, property management, and construction contractor.

Jonathan Guerster is CEO and co-founder of Groom Energy Solutions, a commercial renewable and energy efficiency services company.  Prior to co-founding Groom Energy Solutions, Jonathan was a general partner at Charles River Ventures, a leading early stage venture capital firm with $2.1 billion under management.  He has earned an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Duke University.

Lew Harriman is Director of Research & Consulting at Mason-Grant. His 32-year career has focused on humidity and moisture control. Lew was also the lead author for the recently-published book: The ASHRAE Guide for Buildings in Hot & Humid Climates.

Loie Hayes is Coordinator of Boston Climate Action Network (BostonCAN) and has been leading Low Carbon Living home energy use reduction groups in Dorchester, Roxbury, and Jamaica Plain since 2007.

Dale Hedman Director of Project Development.    Dale evaluates project proposals involving commercially available fuel cell, solar, biomass, landfill gas and wind equipment technologies and determines what financial and/or technical support the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund may be able to offer to make the projects economically viable. Previously, he was with US Energy Biogas Corporation, Yankee Energy Services Company's Energy Division and the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. Dale holds a master's degree in business administration from Xavier University and a bachelor's degree from Ohio Wesleyan University.

Kathleen Hervol is a Project manager with the consulting firm of Beals and Thomas, Inc. in Southborough, MA where she recently obtained a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission  permit for the small hydroelectric facility at Alternatives Unlimited in Whitinsville, MA.  Ms. Hervol has significant experience in the Massachusetts regulatory process for wastewater systems and has successfully guided clients through myriad complexities in this area. 

Paul J. Hibbard was appointed Chairman of the Department of Public Utilities by Governor Deval Patrick in April, 2007.  Immediately prior to rejoining the DPU as Chairman, Mr. Hibbard was a Vice President at Analysis Group, Inc., consulting on energy and environmental strategy, economics, and policy.  Paul previously worked for the DPU during the 1990s on integrated resource management, environmental, and industry restructuring policy, and later for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection on Clean Air Act compliance, power industry emission control requirements, and cap-and-trade program allowance allocation policies.

Attorney Anne-Marie Hyland is a Principal with the law firm of Kopelman and Paige, P.C. in Boston, MA.  She has over twenty years of experience representing cities, towns and other public agencies in procurement and contract law. Since the deregulation of the electric utility industry in Massachusetts, she has assisted various communities in procuring electric energy supply contracts, energy management audits and services and recently assisted the City of Newburyport in the procurement process for a power purchase agreement involving the installation of photovoltaic solar panels on municipal buildings, one of the first such projects under the Commonwealth’s Green Communities Act. 

Jim Jacobs joined New Jersey SHARES, Inc. (NJ SHARES) as its Executive Director in July 2003. NJ SHARES provides relief to individuals and families who are not eligible for other types of public assistance. Prior to joining NJ SHARES, Jim had 34 years of experience with the KeySpan Corporation, managing their energy funds, consumer protection and low-income programs. Jim is Vice Chair of the National Fuel Funds Network and Treasurer of the National Low Income Energy Consortium. Jim has provided testimony to Congressional Committees regarding LIHEAP funding as well as other low-income initiatives. In June 2003, Mr. Jacob received the Sister Patricia Kelley Achievement Award from the National Fuel Fund Network. The Sister Pat Kelley Award recognizes individual achievement on behalf of low-income families and is the National Fuel Funds Network’s highest honor.

Maria Karpman is the president of Karpman Consulting. She has been working in the field of energy efficiency for over fifteen years, and was involved in a wide range of design, research, and software development projects. She has led the development of Simulation Guidelines for applying ASHRAE 90.1 Appendix G modeling protocol to multi-family buildings. The Guidelines are endorsed by EPA for the EnergyStar ® Multifamily Program, and are adopted by USGBC Mid-rise Multifamily Pilot. She performs regular Appendix G trainings at NYSERDA Multifamily Performance Program Orientations, and held multiple private and public trainings for Appendix G modeling in eQUEST.

Richard Komp, Ph.D. is the author of Practical Photovoltaics and has been working on solar cells since 1960. He has taught numerous courses and workshops on solar energy all over the world including at the University Nacional de Ingenieria in Nicaragua, the National Institute of Engineering in Mysore, India and College of the Atlantic in Maine.

Richard Lawrence has been involved with renewable energy education and workforce training on Cape Cod since 2002. Working with the CIREC, Self-Reliance, and Cape Cod Community College he has presented at numerous conferences, public events, and practitioner training sessions related to all forms of renewable energy. He holds a Master's of Science in Education from Lesley University and is currently the Clean Energy Program Coordinator at CCCC.

Dr. Steven Letendre is Associate Professor of Environment & Management Studies. His research involves economic analysis of emerging environmental technologies and development of policies to promote a sustainable energy future. He has also investigated alternative transportation and been involved with others in technical requirements and benefits of integrating hybrid electric vehicles with the utility grid.

Paul Lipke, is President of Room to Manuever, and Senior Advisor for Energy and Buildings for Health Care Without Harm.  He co-founded Sustainable Step New England, co-created Practice Greenhealth's Healthcare Clean Energy Exchange, and has co--taught with internationally known teamwork expert Dr. Susan Wheelan. He completed the nation's first-ever research project on green teamwork in high performance design and construction, and provides teamwork guidance to complex projects such as hospitals. He is widely known for his interactive teaching of green teamwork, sustainable practices and strategic questioning.

As the U.S. Services Director for ICLEI USA, Kim Lundgren oversees all of the membership services and the regional offices. In this capacity, Kim establishes service standards and protocols, creates new membership engagement opportunities, and facilitates the growth of ICLEI's Regional Office Model.

Dave Madigan, PE, LEED AP is a Vice President and Principal with van Zelm Engineers located in Farmington, CT.  Dave is a graduate of Villanova University and holds a Masters in Building Energy Systems from the University of Colorado.  Over the past 20+ years, his engineering work has been focused heavily on energy conservation and sustainable design principles.  Some of his areas of specialty are college and university campus development, high performance laboratory facility design, and cogeneration systems.  Dave is a frequent speaker on sustainable topics to industry groups such as ERAPPA, NNECERAPPA, APPA, NESEA, Lab Wize, and Labs 21. 

Dale McCormick has been Director of MaineHousing, an independent state agency that works on housing finance to benefit Maine’s to over 90,000 Maine low and moderate-income households annually. Previously, Dale was the Maine State Treasurer in Maine and a State Senator. Dale has been a journey level carpenter for 30 years, and started and ran her own construction and design firm, later writing two books about her experiences.

John Miller is the founding Director of the Marine Renewable Energy Center (MREC) at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.  John has 25 years of experience in technology commercialization in a variety of businesses including Polaroid and GTE, has been President of two companies, and led a startup, Micro Magnetics, that transitioned an advanced materials sensor from university demonstration to Beta ready tool in 11 months.

Virginio Mendonca’s profession is as a diesel mechanic who teaches workshops on modifying diesel vehicles to run on straight vegetable oil, he has taught many solar workshops, including  ones on solar cookers and photovoltaics.  He has partnered with Richard Komp numerous times teaching the hands-on photovoltaics and PV-thermal hybrtid workshops. 

Bridgett Neely is currently Vice President of Energy Efficiency at the New York City Economic Development  Corporation (NYCEDC). She is part of NYCEDC’s  Energy Policy Department, which serves as the main advisor on energy issues to the Mayor and the rest of City government.  The Vice President for Energy Efficiency is charged with driving private-sector energy efficiency initiatives as defined in PlaNYC 2030, the City’s long-term, sustainability plan.  Key responsibilities include: coordinating efforts with local utilities and the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) to implement energy efficiency programs tailored to the needs of NYC residents and businesses.

Raphael Negron has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and an M.S. in Environmental Engineering from the Newark College of Engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology.  Twenty (20) experience in the energy reduction industry.

Charlie Niebling is General Manager with New England Wood Pellet LLC, the largest manufacturer of wood pellets in the northeastern U.S. He has 25 years experience in forestry, conservation and renewable energy policy, and holds forestry degrees from UVM (BS) and Penn State (MS). 

Sam Nutter

James Petersen is founder of Petersen Engineering, a mechanical engineering firm. James received degrees in engineering and philosophy from the University of New Hampshire. His firm designs mechanical systems for buildings that are energy efficient, healthy, comfortable, simple and durable. 

Beth Piggush Associate- Education and Outreach, Connecticut Clean Energy Fund.  Beth supports voluntary market initiatives and educates the public about the benefits of clean energy. She manages the CCEF formal education initiatives and informal museum-based initiatives. Previously, Beth worked for the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters as the education director.

Practicing in Portland and Boston, architect Richard Renner has designed residential, institutional, commercial, and exhibit projects. His firm, Richard Renner|Architects, specializes in environmentally responsible design. Two recent residential projects, in Freeport and Portland, Maine, received LEED-Home Platinum ratings.

Wilson Rickerson is President of Rickerson Energy Strategies, LLC, a Boston-based consulting firm focusing on renewable energy policy/markets. He assists state/municipal governments with policy development as well as consults to businesses. His recent work includes a study for the Heinrich Boell Foundation, on renewable electricity and renewable heating and cooling policies. He is also the solar program coordinator for the City of Boston.

Joel M. Rinebold is the Director of the Energy Initiatives for the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. (CCAT). Mr. Rinebold has extensive experience with energy and infrastructure planning and the development of renewable and advanced energy technologies, including fuel cells and hydrogen technology.

Audrey Schulman is a founder of the Home Energy Efficiency Team. HEET organizes weatherization parties at neighborhood homes.  By teaching volunteers how to increase efficiency, we fight climate change and increase community.  After the work there is live music and food.

Michael Silberman is a founding partner of EchoDitto (www.echoditto.com), a leading internet strategy firm dedicated to building vibrant communities online and empowering people through the creative use of emerging technologies.  EchoDitto works with its clients to leverage social media and connected technologies as a vehicle for affecting positive social and environmental change.  Recent work includes exciting projects with the William J. Clinton Foundation, Seventh Generation, and the 1Sky Campaign.

Scott Self serves as Director of Global Energy Management for Thermo Fisher Scientific.  Prior to this role, Scott worked for TAC Building Automation, Halliburton, and, most recently, NexRev, serving as a Vice President overseeing business development, strategy and business integration for their energy management and building performance groups.  He is a graduate of Texas Tech University, where he earned a B.S in mechanical engineering.  Scott is also an AEE Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and Business Energy Professional (BEP).

Shawn Shaw is an Energy Engineer with the Cadmus Group, Inc.  Mr. Shaw has done extensive work with small wind energy systems in the northeastern US, including site assessment, design review, post installation inspections, energy production modeling, and support for the programs of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, NYSERDA, and Connecticut Clean Energy Fund.  Shawn received his B.S. degree in Applied Physics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, with a concentration in renewable energy systems.

Larry Sherwood is a consultant with nearly 30 years of experience in the renewable energy field. He is the author of the IREC Report, U.S. Solar Market Trends 2007. Previously, Mr. Sherwood served as Executive Director of both ASES and NESEA.

John Snell has worked on buildings for 45+ years. Since 1983, when he first used thermography, he has trained thousands of people to use this remarkable technology. He is active professionally, has authored many papers and serves on several professional standards committees. John is a graduate of Michigan State University.

Ernie Sota has been at the forefront of designing and building high performance affordable housing in the Pittsburgh region for many years.  His sustainable designs have attracted regional and national attention, and his knowledge of the nuts and bolts of good buildings is virtually without peer.

and consulting services, home energy ratings, LEED for Homes Rating, coordination, and NAHB Green Building Verifier services. Kevin’s current projects include homes based on his unique Building in Nature's Image ecological standards, a holistic deconstruction & workforce development initiative, a NYSERDA-funded redesign of affordable building projects, and several

LEED coordination and consulting projects.

Erica Stephan is the Communications Officer on Carbon Markets in the Global Issues Group at the British Embassy in Washington, DC.

Marc Sternick is the Vice President and Senior Project Architect at Dietz & Company Architects in Springfield, MA and oversees the firm’s green building efforts. He has studied energy efficient building techniques since 1978 and regularly lectures and conducts workshops on designing energy efficient buildings.

Missy Stults, works to help New England and Mid-Atlantic municipalities achieve greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Missy also assists in the development of ICLEI’s adaptation program and leads a number of programs focused on providing tangible implementation assistance to municipalities on emission reduction strategies.

Aaron Tanaka is director of Boston Worker’s Alliance, a Roxbury-based community organization led by

unemployed and underemployed residents fighting for employment rights. He has been very involved in the Green Tech program at Roxbury Community College.

Jeremy Toal, AIA, LEED AP is a Project Manager at Dietz & Company Architects in Springfield, MA. He has been studying sustainable architecture and construction techniques for more than 15 years. Formerly he was principal of Turtle Island Design that specialized in designing green buildings.

Fritz Troller  brings over 20 years of Senior Management experience in Industrial and Electrical distribution markets. At Groom Energy Solutions, Fritz is responsible for all Marketing activities including marketing communications and product management. Fritz has a Bachelor of Arts from Miami University (of Ohio), in Marketing with an emphasis in Finance.

Dr. Jerry Ventre is an engineering consultant for the Interstate Renewable Energy Council specializing in system design, product certification and workforce development. He was the immediate past Director of the Photovoltaics and Distributed Generation Division of the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), and has over thirty-five years of experience in various aspects of engineering, including research, development, design and systems analysis.

Guy Warner was trained as an economist and worked for 7 years with Price-Waterhouse before founding Pareto Energy. He has worked on more than 100 energy projects and provided financial/strategic advice to numerous utilities. Since 1995, he has concentrated on developing over 25 efficiency, renewable energy and on-site power projects.

Ellen Watts is a principal and co-founder of Architerra Inc., a Boston architectural and planning firm founded specifically to advance sustainable design.  A majority of the firm’s clients are educational institutions.  The Garthwaite Center for the Cambridge School of Weston was named a 2008 AIA/COTE Top 10 Green Building.  The firm has recently completed new green buildings for the University of New Hampshire, Stonyfield Farm, and Brooks School, and sustainable master plans for several college and universities as well as independent schools.   Architerra is a research-based practice.  In 2004, the firm won an inaugural research grant by the Boston Society of Architects to study the state of sustainability in higher education.  Watts was the principal investigator for this widely published study which was updated in 2006.  Architerra is also active in positions of industry leadership.  Watts served as president of New England Women in Real Estate, and currently chairs the largest working group of the Massachusetts Governors’ Zero Net Energy Building Task Force.

Scotland Willis operates Biosphere Management Consulting and is a Senior Partner at The Lyceum Group, in Boston. He co-chairs Urban-Massachusetts-Green-Alliance for green jobs and is founder and developer of the Green Constitution.

Alex Wilson is founder and president of BuildingGreen, LLC, the Brattleboro, Vermont-based publisher of Environmental Building News. He has written about energy, building technology, and the environment for more than 30 years.

Jeff Wootan is President of SunBeam Energy, LLC of Falmouth, MA. He has over thirty years of experience in the solar industry. He is currently working on bringing new technologies in the waste to energy industry as well as helping municipalities with financing of renewable energies. SunBeam is also currently financing a solar fund in France to start up their renewable industry.

Michael Wright manages the NSF Fueling the Future Center for Chemical Innovation at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.  This renewable energy research center concentrates on improving the efficiency of fuel cells and photovoltaics through advances in proton and electron transfer.

William Zoeller is a Senior Architect and researcher with Steven Winter Associates, Inc. (SWA). He has over 25 years experience in building design, construction, renovation, post-construction evaluations, tech-transfer and training, and building materials product development. Zoeller has specialized expertise in panelized and industrialized practices; residential design to resist natural hazards; and energy-efficient and sustainable building practices.