Partners and Staff
The Clean Energy Resource Teams project is a public-private partnership staffed by: the University of Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, Eureka Recycling, Southwest Regional Development Commission, The Minnesota Project, and the Minnesota Division of Energy Resources. Read on to learn more about each partner and their role in CERTs. Click here to see the CERTs organizational structure.
University of Minnesota Extension |
 The mission of University of Minnesota Extension is making a difference by connecting community needs and University resources to address critical issues in Minnesota. Extension is a 100-year-old partnership between the University and federal, state and county governments—providing scientific knowledge and expertise to the public. The University of Minnesota is one of the nation’s more than 100 land grant colleges and universities with a mission to engage in teaching, research and extension. Through Extension, land grant institutions “extend” their resources to address critical public issues through non-formal, non-credit education. Extension faculty and staff live and work across the state, in regional and county offices, University campuses, and research and outreach centers. |
University of Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships |
 The University of Minnesota’s Regional Sustainable Development 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. Director: Kathryn Draeger |
 Melissa Pawlisch is the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) Director for the University of Minnesota’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships program and Extension. Melissa has spent over 15 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 eight 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-Director for the University of Minnesota’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships program and Extension. From 2009-2011, the CERTs program has helped Minnesotans save over 78 billion BTUs of energy—enough to heat 400 Minnesota homes for a year—and CERT seed grants have supported over 180 new and existing employment opportunities. Joel has over twelve years experience coordinating and managing community and economic development activities in the U.S. and abroad. Email More contact info |
 Dan Thiede is the CERTs Communications Coordinator with the University of Minnesota’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships. Dan manages the CERTs website and the Clean Energy Project Builder online directory. Dan works to ensure that CERTs and related projects 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, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Dan creates, conducts, and tracks email marketing campaigns; coordinates media outreach; and builds and maintains relationships with members of the media. Dan heads up the planning of the CERTs Biennial Conference—learn more about last year’s CERTs 2011 event. 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 |
 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. Maggie is the former Social Chair of the Minnesota Returned Peace Corps Volunteer group. She served in Burkina Faso, West Africa.Email More contact info |
 Michelle Vigen is the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) Campaign and Metrics Coordinator for the University of Minnesota’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships. She assists CERTs in program design, managing CERTs Seed Grants, and tracking organizational metrics. In the spring of 2011, Michelle was awarded a Bush Foundation Leadership Fellowship supporting further exploration of community-based social marketing as a way to empower the energy and sustainability work of Minnesota communities. Michelle earned her Master’s Degree from the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Policy in Economic and Environmental Policy. Her research focused on community development around sustainable agricultural practices in Andean Peru. In her spare time, Michelle enjoys biking around Minneapolis and backpacking on the Superior Hiking Trail.Email More contact info |
 Bill Mittlefehldt joined the NE CERTs team early in 2008. He is the Northeast CERT Coordinator for the University of Minnesota’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships program. 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. Working with education, business, and civic leaders on CERTs projects has recently pushed Bill to expand his skillset in video and audio editing—important tools for amplifying our message in this critical time.Email More contact info |
 Angela Headlee is the Central CERT Coordinator for the University of Minnesota’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships program 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. In cooperation with the Clean Energy Resource Teams Angela is also the Energy Consultant for the HUD Regional Sustainable Communities Planning Grant for the Resilient Region of Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd, Wadena, and Cass Counties. 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 West Central CERT Coordinator for the University of Minnesota’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships program. During his time with CERTs, Jeff has connected with thousands of people across the region through speaking engagements, dozens of community events and newsletters. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies and Information Media and has completed the Energy Resource Advisor Certification. Prior to coming to CERTs, Jeff worked at Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center where he helped the campus towards its goal of becoming a 100% renewably fueled through the development of wind, solar and biomass projects. He enjoys helping Minnesota’s rural communities stay vital and resilient through the development of local energy sources, energy conservation, and planning for 21st century challenges.Email More contact info |
 Susan Waughtal is a Southeast CERT Coordinator with the University of Minnesota’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships program. 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 of 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 husband operate Squash Blossom Farm, a small sustainable farm near Rochester, Minnesota. The farm recently installed solar PV panels on the barn roof and now gets most of its electricity from the sun.Email More contact info |
 Joe Gransee-Bowman is a Southeast CERT Coordinator with the University of Minnesota’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships program. Outside his work with SE CERTs, Joe provides energy performance auditing and weatherization services, as well design development consulting for residential living systems, integrating year round food production, Certified Passive House™ planning, and effective use of renewable energy. He has 15 years of combined experience in energy auditing, weatherization, renewable energy site assessment, sustainable farming, integrated systems design work, education and outreach around these topic areas, and program development. Joe has an M.S. in Architecture Sustainable Design Track, from the University of Minnesota, is a Certified Passive House™ Consultant and a Certified BPI Building Analyst & Envelope Professional, and earned a Permaculture Design Certificate. Email More contact info |
 Chris May is the Northwest CERT Coordinator for the University of Minnesota’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships program. He and his wife Linda bought a fishing resort in Northwestern Minnesota and moved here from Nebraska in the spring of 2003. Chris was born and raised in the Los Angeles area where he received an associates degree in business from Santa Ana College. Prior to moving to Minnesota, Chris worked for a large commercial heating, air, and mechanical contractor in Nebraska for 21 years as the warehouse manager. Chris has long had an interest in community and environmental issues on a personal level, volunteering as a coach for youth sports and working with the Nebraska raptor recovery program. After attending the CERTs Conference in 2009, Chris became more actively involved with CERTs by volunteering as a steering committee member for the Northwest region. Since the resort that Chris owns is a seasonal operation, he is able to devote part of his off-season time spreading the word about CERTs to local community leaders. This is an outstanding group of people to work with and I am very fortunate to be a part of the team.Email More contact info |
Eureka Recycling |
 Eureka Recycling houses and supports Metro CERT. Eureka Recycling is the only organization in Minnesota that specializes in zero waste. The organization’s services, programs, and policy work present solutions to the social, environmental, and health problems caused by wasting. A nonprofit organization based in the Twin Cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Eureka Recycling’s mission is to demonstrate that waste is preventable, not inevitable. Because this mission is realized by any person or group that chooses to prevent waste, Eureka Recycling provides opportunities for everyone to experience firsthand that waste can be prevented. Perhaps most well-known for its $9 million annual recycling operations, Eureka Recycling has provided curbside and apartment recycling services, education, and advocacy since 2001. Eureka Recycling has a wide range of initiatives designed to prevent the needless wasting of our discards through reuse, recycling, composting, waste reduction, producer responsibility and more. These initiatives provide over 100 jobs for individuals who demonstrate this mission every day in the work that they do. Director: Tim Brownell |
 Diana McKeown is the Metro CERT Director at Eureka Recycling. 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 Organizer at Eureka Recycling. Prior to joining CERTs, Julia worked for three years with the Philips Community Energy Cooperative (PCEC)—a former Metro CERT affiliate—where she gained significant community organizing and program management skills and experience. Her work with CERTs has included supporting the Metro seed grants, coordinating Metro CERT communications, and providing resources for energy efficiency projects in rental and multi-family housing. She currently spends much of her work time assisting local unit of government with energy efficiency initiatives—especially finding technical assistance and financing, and documenting projects. In her free time she enjoys biking, gardening, travel, and organizing nerdy get-togethers related to young adult fantasy novels. Julia holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Macalester College.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 19 county Rural Minnesota Energy Board and the Southwest Clean Energy Resource Team (CERTs) Coordinator. The 19 County Joint Powers 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: David Glenn |
 Jake Fischer serves as the Clean Energy Program Manager at the Minnesota Project. Jake has focused his practical and academic endeavors around gaining experience in the areas of renewable energy development and community ownership. At the Minnesota Project, Jake continues his work in these areas, while facilitating rural economic growth and stability. Jake also contributes his farm energy efficiency expertise to the Clean Energy Resource Teams. Jake grew up on his family’s farm in South Dakota, where he learned the value of hard work and ingenuity. Jake also observed a rural community’s need for sustainability and hopes to work toward this important goal. Jake has a J.D. and B.S. from the University of Minnesota and is admitted to the Minnesota State Bar. Jake enjoys sports of all kinds, the Golden Gophers, and listening to music new and old. Email More contact info |
Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources |
 The Division of Energy Resources 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 their work is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy State Energy Program. Director: Janet Streff |
 Abby Finis is the Energy Program Specialist with the Division of Energy Resources at the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Abby primarily works with local governments on energy efficiency projects including PBEEEP and GreenStep Cities. She received her Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning with a focus in energy and sustainability from the Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota. Email More contact info |
Minnesota GreenCorps, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency |
 Launched in 2009, Minnesota GreenCorps is a statewide initiative to help preserve and protect Minnesota’s environment while training a new generation of environmental professionals. This program places AmeriCorps members with local governments, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations around Minnesota, where they will serve for 11 months on focused environmental projects. The program is coordinated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Minnesota GreenCorps is an AmeriCorps program. Funding is provided through a grant from ServeMinnesota and the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). |
 Sarah Steinman is the GreenCorps member serving for one year with CERTs. She focuses on utilizing and implementing energy benchmarking tools in schools, residences, and public buildings. Sarah has experience working with a variety of communities on grassroots projects, and she recently graduated from the University of Minnesota where she focused on Sustainability Studies. Email More contact info |
Clean Energy Resource Teams