Clean Energy Resource Teams

The Clean Energy Resource Teams project is a public-private partnership staffed by: the University of Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, the Green Institute, Southwest Regional Development Commission, The Minnesota Project, and the Minnesota Office of Energy Security. Read on to learn more about each partner and their role in CERTs. Click here to see the CERTs organizational structure.

From left to right, back to front: Chris Gilchrist, Joel Haskard, Carl Samuelson, Rebecca Baumann, Abby Finis, Susan Waughtal, Jeff Vetsch, Angela Headlee, Netty Bair, Nancy Kelly, Michelle Vigen, Kathy Draeger, Molly Thompson, Diana McKeown, Maggie Kozak, Bill Mittlefehldt, Julia Eagles, Kai Bosworth, Patrick Santelli, Dan Thiede, Lissa Pawlisch, Graham

University of Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships

The UMN Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (Regional Partnerships) are citizen-driven university partnerships fostering sustainable development. The Regional Partnerships are based in five regions throughout greater Minnesota and work to foster active citizenship, achieve sustainable development (focusing on natural resources, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, regional food systems, and sustainable tourism), and create a vital relationship between the citizens of the State and their land grant university. The Partnerships are a program of the UMN College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences, UMN Extension, and the “Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station”:http://www.maes.umn.edu. Director: Kathryn Draeger

Melissa Pawlisch is the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) coordinator for the University of Minnesota’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships program. Melissa has spent over 10 years working on energy-related issues. Prior to coming to the University she spent several years working as an environmental consultant with a focus on environmental investigations at large scale power plant facilities. In 2002 she began work with community organizations looking for alternatives to centralized power production. For the past five years Melissa has staffed five of the greater Minnesota CERTs and worked to stimulate clean energy project development by connecting team members with the resources and technical assistance they need to implement community energy projects. She has a Masters degree in Science, Technology and Environmental Policy. Email       More contact info

Joel Haskard is the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) co-coordinator for the University of Minnesota’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships program. Joel has over eleven years experience coordinating and managing community and economic development activities in the U.S. and abroad. He is also a founding board member of the Phillips Community Energy Co-op, an organization increasing energy-conservation services in south Minneapolis; since 1994, co-op members have saved over $168,000 on their electric bills. Email       More contact info

Maggie Kozak is the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) Event Programming Coordinator for the University of Minnesota’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships program. She has worked domestically and internationally on environmental and community development issues. Prior to joining the university, Maggie volunteered with the HIRE MN campaign, promoting the creation of green jobs for low-income minority communities. Outside of the office, Maggie is the Social Chair of the Minnesota Returned Peace Corps Volunteer group. She served in Burkina Faso, West Africa. Email       More contact info

Patrick Santelli is the Project Coordinator for Minnesota Schools Cutting Carbon project. He is currently a student at the Humphrey Institute receiving a Masters in Public Policy with a focus on Energy and Environmental Policy. Patrick has numerous years of experience in organizing young people. Recently he has worked with Wellstone Action as a Campus Camp Trainer to engage young people in politics. Patrick was also a state director for a campaign aimed at getting young people out and voting! In his spare time you can find him (A) running, or (B) chasing after his dog. Email       More contact info

Mollie Thompson is the Assistant Coordinator of the Minnesota Schools Cutting Carbon project. A recent graduate from the University of Minnesota, Mollie holds a degree in Environmental Science, Policy and Management, and a Minor in Sustainability Studies. Mollie has a diverse range of organizing experience with both local and international environmental groups. Her special focus has been on promoting civic and community engagement in and responsibility for the sustainability issues of our time. Notably, Mollie spent time working with two nonprofit organizations in coastal Kenya where she developed programs to encourage sustainable development through micro-lending and community mobilization. She hopes to revisit this work as she pursues a Master’s degree in the coming years. Last summer, she coordinated a six-week program for Norwegian Fulbright Students studying climate change in conjunction with the International Polar Year. Her hobbies include traveling, as well as anything outdoors, active, and/or artistic. She is a native of Wisconsin and loves live music, dogs, and lots and lots of cheese. Email       More contact info

Michelle Vigen is the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) research assistant. She assists CERTs in a range of projects, from managing their latest Request for Proposals application round and evaluation, to developing systems for capturing organizational metrics and measuring energy savings. With a passion for improving the environment of her local and global community, Michelle has garnered several years working on environmental issues, as a volunteer with the local Sierra Club; as a research intern with Madison, Wisconsin’s Dane County Executive Office; and a student at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey Institute of Public Policy, studying Economic and Environmental Policy. Michelle joined CERTs Fall 2008 as a research assistant with the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs. Her research work in program evaluation and metrics development has earned her the title, “Metrics Diva,” denoting a talent for computing numbers to highlight CERTs impact across the state. Today, her work remains in the realm of program evaluation, but has expanded into program management and development responsibilities, including database and tracking systems development and CERTified Campaign design. In her spare time, Michelle is an avid solo-backpacker and a dedicated supporter of high-quality espresso locations in Minneapolis. Michelle earned her B.A. at Saint Olaf College, Northfield, MN and is currently completing her Masters in Public Policy from the Humphrey Institute of Public Policy. Email       More contact info

Susan Waughtal has served as the Southeast CERTS Coordinator for three years. Prior to coming to CERTS, Susan was the founding Director of RNeighbors, helping neighborhood associations in Rochester, MN, build a stronger, more vibrant community. She has 10 years experience in solid waste and recycling in Southeast Minnesota, where she worked with the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance and was the Director of the Southeast Minnesota Recyclers’ Exchange (SEMREX). Susan and her family operate a small, sustainable farm near Douglas, Minnesota. Email       More contact info

Bill Mittlefehldt joined the NE CERTs team early in 2008. After earning three Master’s degrees, he used that foundation to build an education career connecting kids to their community and connecting the community to its kids. More than three decades were spent building processes to harness the creativity, courage and commitment of students in the Anoka-Hennepin School District. This work brought state and national recognition to community, school and educators. Much of this successful learning was based on designing processes to mentor students in ways that guided service and leadership toward civic goals. In the 1980’s, Mittlefehldt researched and wrote a manuscript on the brain and learning. In the 90’s, he wrote about how to improve learning with partners and community links. Learning through service develops internal assets in the student which can be used to guide the communiity in the 21st century. Much of this experience engaged students in civic and economic development of their community and state. In the summer of 2000, Mittlefehldt and daughter Sarah paddled across the Great Lakes from Duluth to NYC, researching effective community collaboration. The father-daughter journey gathered 22 noteworthy stories that were posed on the school’s website as they paddled to the Sea. He brings this experience and insight to the NE region of Minneosta CERTs. Email       More contact info

Angela Headlee is the Regional Coordinator for The Clean Energy Resource Teams’ Central Region (CERT) and The Central Minnesota Alternative Energy Regional Collaborative (CMAERC), a Region Five Development Commission program developed to foster and stimulate renewable energy and energy efficiency/conservation within the region. Angela has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and Economics with an emphasis in finance. Her economics background, entrepreneurial spirit and passion for sustainability—especially energy conservation—led her to obtaining her Energy Auditor Certificate. As Regional Organizer for the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) and Central Minnesota Alternative Energy Regional Collaborative (CMAERC) Angela works with energy efficiency/conservation and renewable energy community-scale projects. Angela lives by the motto “Make Conservation Your Lifestyle.” Email       More contact info

Jeff Vetsch is the coordinator for the West Central and Southwest CERTs. Prior to coming to CERTs, Jeff worked at Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center in Spicer where he had the opportunity to wear many hats. During his time at Prairie Woods, Jeff’s work involved helping the center towards its goal of becoming a 100% percent renewably fueled campus through the development of wind, solar and biomass projects. He continues to work towards seeing Minnesota’s rural communities develop and retain economic vitality through renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable design. Email       More contact info

The Green Institute

The Green Institute is committed to sustaining the environment and our communities through practical innovation. The Green Institute was formed as the positive vision of an environmental justice effort to stop a garbage transfer station in the Phillips neighborhood of South Minneapolis. Now active across the region and state, The Green Institute leads community-based initiatives to develop on-the-ground solutions to environmental problems. The Green Institute programs include the ReUse Center and the Community Energy Program, which is in large part Metro CERT. The CERT will help connect, provide support for, and increase the effectiveness of local efforts to conduct community energy planning and implement community-scale energy efficiency and clean energy projects. Director: Jamie Heipel

Diana McKeown is the Metro CERTs Network coordinator for The Green Institute. Prior to joining the CERTs team, Diana worked for over 14 years at Clean Water Action where she gained experience with media work, grassroots organizing, campaign planning, lobbying, and fundraising. Diana has experience building strategic campaigns and coalitions. Diana holds a B.S. in Environmental Studies from the University of Minnesota. Email       More contact info

Julia Eagles is the Metro CERT Community Organizer. Julia comes to the Green Institute from its colleague organization, the Philips Community Energy Cooperative (PCEC)—a Metro CERT affiliate—and has extraordinary community organizing skills and experience. Her organizing has been focused on community energy for the past three years. Email       More contact info

Carl Samuelson is the Metro CERT Saint Paul Organizer. Carl joins Metro CERT upon the completion of Green Corps’ one year-long training fellowship in environmental organizing. Over the course of the year, Carl ran environmental campaigns in North Carolina, New York, and Minnesota. Carl also has experience organizing in the faith community in Minnesota. He has a B.S. in Political Science from St. Olaf College. Email       More contact info

Nancy Kelly is the Community Energy Project Manager. She has over twenty years of experience on both small and large scale energy projects, including the Riverside Power Plant where she was employed by Xcel Energy to oversee plant upgrades and improvements in environmental health and safety. Nancy holds an M.S. in Industrial Hygiene from the University of Minnesota and a B.S in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is a licensed professional engineer and Certified Energy Manager. Email       More contact info

Southwest Regional Development Commission

The Southwest Regional Development Commission provides professional expertise and leadership to enhance regional opportunities. The Southwest Regional Development Commission (SRDC) is a nine county planning and development agency providing services to local units of government, non-profit agencies, and various individuals and groups both public and private sectors throughout the region. Membership is comprised of 36 representatives of townships, cities, counties, school boards and public interest groups. The SRDC provides a forum for the discussion and resolution of issues common to the area. The following are program areas in which the Commission is presently involved: Development Services, Community Driven Planning, Management and Policy Administration, Strategic Planning, Agency and Legislative Advocacy, Capital Resource Development, Transportation, Area Agency on Aging , Infrastructure and Solid Waste. The SRDC coordinates the SW CERT. Director: Jay Trusty

Annette Bair is Physical Development Director of the Southwest Regional Development Commission. She grew up in Nebraska, attending high school in Lincoln. She has an Undergraduate degree in Geography with a special emphasis in urban studies, and a Master’s Degree in Community and Regional Planning from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Following her college education, she began to work for the Southwest Regional Development Commission as a planner in September 1986. The Physical Development Planning position has included work in assisting local units of government in Transportation, Land Use, Solid Waste Management Planning, Environmental, and Energy planning. Currently, her work focuses on Transportation and Renewable Energy planning issues. The Transportation planning objective is to coordinate with the Minnesota Department of Transportation in the planning and development of a comprehensive transportation system in SW Minnesota. She serves as staff to the SRDC Transportation Committee, technical staff to Area Transportation Partnerships 7 and 8, and provides technical assistance to local units of government. She has served as the MRDO Transportation Planners co-chair, and has been on various state plan advisory committees. Energy Planning currently involves two major work areas: staff to the 17 county Rural Minnesota Energy Board and the Southwest Clean Energy Resource Team (CERTs) Coordinator. The 17 County Energy Board formed to provide policy guidance on issues surrounding energy development in rural Minnesota. The SW CERTs has developed a strategic vision and renewable energy and conservation plan, reflecting a mix of energy sources, such as biomass, solar, hydrogen, and wind. The plan laid groundwork for funding and implementing renewable energy projects that meet regional needs. Email       More contact info

The Minnesota Project

The Minnesota Project champions the sustainable production and equitable distribution of energy and food in communities across Minnesota. For thirty years The Minnesota Project has fostered local empowerment, bridged diverse interests, encouraged shared values, and initiated working dialogues that create positive action and policy. As the CERTs communications hub, The Minnesota Project facilitates communication, develops and maintains the Web site and newsletters, coordinates statewide conferences, and performs statewide media and communications. Director: Rebecca Baumann

Dan Thiede is the Clean Energy Program Coordinator at The Minnesota Project, where he has worked since May of 2007. Dan’s main focus is coordinating all communications for the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs). Dan helped develop and manages the CERTs website (www.mncerts.org), the Minnesota Schools Cutting Carbon website (www.schoolscuttingcarbon.org) and the REDI Resource online directory (www.rediresources.org). Dan works to ensure that the groups and projects he works for look and sound fantastic, whether writing, editing, and formatting case studies, fact sheets, reports and other written materials; creating presentations or other multimedia; or managing social media activities on blogs, Facebook, and Twitter, among others. Dan also creates, conducts, and tracks email marketing campaigns; coordinates media outreach; and builds and maintains relationships with members of the media. Dan was responsible for planning the CERTs 2009 Conference in St. Cloud, MN and will be involved in future biennial conferences, as well. Dan also plans, publicizes, and runs webinars on various topics, coordinating local viewing sites across the country; and speaks at events about energy efficiency and renewable energy issues. Dan has undergraduate degrees from the University of St. Thomas in geography and English writing, as well as a minor in environmental studies. When not in the office, he is likely on his bicycle or digging in the garden. Email       More contact info

Ryan Stockwell joined the Minnesota Project in October of 2008 and is currently the Director of Energy and Agriculture. He is experienced in state and national energy policy, and plans to explore the potentials of wind energy and storage technology, biomass energy production, energy efficiency and public policies. Prior to joining the Minnesota Project Ryan worked as a regional organizer for the Western Organization of Resource Councils in Billings, Montana where he worked with organizations in western states on coal and climate change issues and developed collaborations with organizations across the United States on energy and environmental issues. Ryan also conducted research and organizing on coal use and its heavy costs on society. While earning his Ph.D. in History from the University of Missouri, Ryan taught at the university and also worked as a policy analyst on energy, agricultural, and environmental issues in the Missouri House of Representatives. Ryan has an M.A. in History from Miami University and a B.A. in Social Change and Development from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Ryan grew up on a dairy and beef cattle farm in central Wisconsin where he learned early on humanity’s dependence on a healthy environment. His desire for vibrant and sustainable rural communities developed as he saw first hand hundreds of farm families having to involuntarily leave agriculture while rural lands struggled to maintain their natural health. In his free time Ryan enjoys spending time with his family, woodworking, watching the Packers, and drinking good coffee while reading all types of non-fiction and learning about the world. Email       More contact info

Office of Energy Security, Minnesota Department of Commerce

The State Energy Office works to promote and advance energy efficiency and renewable energy to Minnesota consumers, businesses and policymakers through educational outreach and technical assistance, targeted financial incentives, and demonstrations of market-ready new technologies. The office also is responsible for the state utility-funded Conservation Improvement Program and administers the low-income Weatherization program. Much of the SEO’s work is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy State Energy Program. Director: Janet Streff

Chris Gilchrist
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