Presenter Information
Courtney Anderson, Vice President/Principal of Woodman Controls Company
Vice President/Principal of Woodman Controls Company. 28 years with Woodman Controls Company
Miranda Andrade, Market Solutions & Education Associate, Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA)
Miranda Andrade is a Market Solutions & Education Associate and assists in program coordination, specifically in collaboration with utility companies and Federal Home Loan Bank. She helps implement programs for low-income homeowners to rehabilitate their homes and receive energy efficiency improvements and services, expanding equitable access to energy efficient technologies.
Prior to joining the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, Miranda worked at Greencorps Chicago assisting in program administration for both their green job training program and summer youth program. She has experience working with environmental non-profits and has a passion for working at the intersection of environmental issues and community health.
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Miranda lives in Chicago and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science from Northwestern University. Outside of work, she enjoys attending concerts, trying new recipes and biking around the city.
Christopher J. Ball, Principal and Lead Strategist, Terenc
Chris Ball is the Principal and Lead Strategist at Terenc, a company focused on helping rural communities improve their energy resilience and efficiency. With extensive experience in the energy sector, Chris has developed strategies and solutions for integrating distributed energy resources, enhancing electric grid resilience, and guiding clients through energy efficiency projects. As an entrepreneur, he has navigated the challenges of starting and growing a business in the energy efficiency industry, drawing on a deep understanding of funding opportunities, regulatory landscapes, and community engagement.
Daniel Bissell, Climate Action Analyst, City of Iowa City, Climate Action Division
Before Daniel became Climate Action Analyst for the City of Iowa City, he enjoyed a 20-year career in public transportation at The University of Iowa Cambus, Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, and the City of Iowa City Transportation Services. Daniel is a graduate of The University of Iowa.
Kyle Brighton, Building Analyst, Building Performance Institute, Franklin Energy
8 years' industry experience, includes 4 years with PSE's HEA Program, in a supervisory capacity
Building Analyst, Building Performance Institute
Successful record in residential energy efficiency and demand response program management, home energy assessments, and staff and trade ally training
Pamela Brookstein, Sustainability Manager, National Association of REALTORS
Pamela Brookstein is the Sustainability Manager for the National Association of REALTORS. In that that role, she manages the Sustainability Program and supports NAR's strategic mission to provide leadership strategies on topics of sustainability that benefit members, REALTOR® associations and communities. Pamela has spent the last decade working with the real estate industry to ensure that high-performing homes are consistently and fairly valued at the time of sale. Additionally, she has valiantly spent the last 30 years making her Chicago-area 110-year-old bungalow energy and water efficient.
Amber Buckingham, Program Manager, IEDA - Iowa Energy Office
Amber Buckingham is a program manager with the Iowa Energy Office, a division of the Iowa Economic Development Authority. She has been with the agency since 2017 and currently manages the Iowa Energy Center Grant Program, which provides funding for projects that aid in the implementation of the Iowa Energy Plan. Previous roles include managing the Energy Efficiency Rebate portfolio for an investor-owned utility and working as an energy efficiency implementation contractor.
Abbie Christophersen, Energy Project Manager, Iowa Economic Development Authority
Abbie Christophersen has been at the Iowa Economic Development Authority since May 2022. The primary focus of her current role is to advance energy security initiatives while administering the State Energy Program Formula and IIJA funds. Previously within the agency, she led a statewide coalition focused on deployment and adoption of alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles while capitalizing on Iowa's resources. In addition to advancing clean transportation, she has assisted the rollout of a statewide pandemic assistance program, two energy efficiency fund programs, and coordinated efforts related to community solar funding. Ms. Christophersen graduated from Coe College’s Biology and Environmental Science programs.
Shane Clyburn, Field manager, Franklin Energy
Shane brings extensive Residential and Multifamily energy efficiency program delivery experience in his role as Field Manager. He also developed and currently manages Franklin Energy's virtual home assessments offering which is being implemented by several major utilities throughout the country. Shane serves as the company trainer that developed and teaches Franklin Energy's internal Residential Auditing course for new energy advisors and also serves as a company trainer on Franklin Energy's Selling Grid Optimization class which is a Building Performance Institute-accredited class providing continuing education units (CEUs).
Kathryn Eggers, Manager, Training and Workforce, Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
As the Manager, Training and Workforce at the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA), Kathryn Eggers coordinates educational initiatives that advance energy efficiency in 13 Midwestern states. This includes training programs for real estate professionals, commercial building operators, build code officials and others whose jobs impact energy use in the built environment. Kathryn has led MEEAs real estate training program since joining the organization in 2021 and during this time she participated in trainings and conferences with real estate professionals in multiple Midwest states including Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota.
Gregory Ehrendreich, Senior Analyst, MEEA
Gregory Ehrendreich is MEEA's policy team’s Senior Analyst. He uses data and analysis to support MEEA's policy activities. Greg is MEEA’s state policy lead for Indiana and Ohio and works in the focus areas of Integrated Resource Planning, cost effectiveness testing and regulatory tracking. Greg’s early career ran the gamut from graduate study in cartilage biochemistry, to retail and service industry work, and then to labor organizing and activism. Directly prior to joining MEEA, Greg returned to graduate school to study sustainable business. Greg holds a BS in Biochemistry with a minor in Environmental Studies from Beloit College. He earned an MS in Environmental Management from the IIT-Stuart School of Business. He joined MEEA in 2006.
Jeff Geerts, Energy Team, Iowa Economic Development Authority
Jeff Geerts is a member of the Energy Team at the Iowa Economic Development Authority where he manages the Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant program. In addition, he oversees implementation of the Iowa Green Streets Criteria to support development of high-performance housing and community facility projects. Jeff also supports IEDA’s disaster resilience and disaster recovery project management efforts as well as Downtown Assessments and creative placemaking with the Iowa Downtown Resource Center. Jeff might be best described as a chief collaboration officer or the person that connects the dots to take projects from vision to reality.
Jeff has a Bachelor of Science degree in management science and statistics from St. Ambrose University and master’s degree in public administration from Drake University.
Sapna Gheewala-Dowla, Associate Vice President of Policy and Research, Alliance to Save Energy
Sapna Gheewala-Dowla joined the Alliance to Save Energy as the Director of Policy in June 2023. Sapna helps to lead the development, execution, and evaluation of the Alliance’s policy work, including managing members of the policy team, conducting analysis and advocacy, and working closely with associate members, external stakeholders, and others to effectively achieve the organization’s policy objectives. She forwards the organization’s work by cultivating relationships with key congressional committees and staff. She also leads and manages issues related to the built environment, including managing the organization’s Building Policy Committee and supporting the Responsible Energy Codes Alliance (RECA).
Before joining the Alliance, she worked at the American Gas Association (AGA) where she provided analytical and policy support on energy efficiency and low-carbon resources to strengthen the role of natural gas in sustainable energy. Sapna also led the Gas Energy Efficiency Roundtable series, facilitating information exchange between program administrators and natural gas utilities. Before AGA, Sapna served as a Science, Technology, and Policy Fellow at the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. She worked with various entities, including cities, wastewater facilities, and K-12 school districts, to promote energy efficiency and resilience through DOE initiatives.
Sapna holds an M.S. in Energy Policy and Climate from Johns Hopkins University and a B.S. in Environmental Science and Technology from the University of Maryland.
James C Green, President & CEO, Axiom Energy Group
James C. Green graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and a minor in Philosophy, followed by a law degree from Marquette University. He has worked in law firms and private sector manufacturing companies managing complex litigation and corporate matters on a domestic and international basis. Currently he serves as President & CEO of Axiom Energy Group headquartered in East Troy, Wisconsin.
Steve Guyer, Energy Policy Counsel, Iowa Environmental Council
Steve Guyer is IEC's Energy Policy Counsel, bringing years of experience and leadership in the energy field. Since 2008 Steve has owned and led GWA International, a solar installation company based in Altoona that has designed and installed solar systems on the federal courthouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa DNR facilities, and homes and businesses. Prior to operating his own company, Steve held several key environmental positions with Iowa utilities, analyzing environmental laws and impacts, providing counsel on environmental compliance, conducted due diligence, and other critical environmental duties.
Steve is an Iowa native and holds a J.D. from the University of Iowa, a B.A. in Physics from the University of Northern Iowa, and an A.A. in Electronics Engineering from Hawkeye Institute of Technology in Waterloo.
Megan Hill, Climate Action Engagement Specialist, City of Iowa City, Climate Action Division
Megan Hill works for the City of Iowa City as the Engagement Specialist in the Climate Action and Outreach division. Megan earned a BA in Environmental Policy and Planning and a Sustainability Certificate from the University of Iowa. Her current projects include planning the City’s annual Climate Fest, recruiting and training volunteers for events such as the annual Neighborhood Energy Blitz, and coordinating marketing and outreach efforts related to Climate Action initiatives. Megan is one of the site supervisors for the City’s AmeriCorps team and was previously an AmeriCorps member for four terms. She is passionate about environmental justice, climate action, and community engagement.
Tim J Hood, Professional Educator,
Tim Hood is a professional educator and past coach with over 29 years of experience working with students, staff and Iowa communities. He has experience with successful bond referendums, building renovations and new construction. As a school superintendent, Tim provided crucial input on the creation of the Building Operator Pathway (BOP) and had two staff members and one student go through the pilot BOP program. Tim currently represents schools in Iowa Congressional District 3 on the EAIS Board of Directors.
Joe Hurla, President, ROI Energy
Joe Hurla is the President of ROI Energy, a regional leader in connecting utility customers with available financial incentives that enable them to upgrade their energy efficiency and building environments. He leads an outstanding team that provides technical expertise, project management, and financial solutions that benefit both building owners and utility providers. Joe received his Bachelor of Science from Kansas State University and Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Kansas.
Jason Jeunnette, Technical Manager, DesignLights Consortium
Jason joined the DLC in early 2022 as Technical Manager of Building Integration, a position in which he enjoys exchanging ideas and perspectives with the full gamut of lighting industry stakeholders. “Every time I speak to someone,” he says, “I come away from the conversation with new thoughts and ideas that make the programs I am working on better.” Jason came to the DLC with 25 years of lighting industry experience, most recently as director of lighting at a sales agency focused on the distributor and contractor markets. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatrical Lighting from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and a Master of Fine Arts in Architectural Lighting from Parsons The New School for Design, Jason spent 20 years as an architectural and theatrical lighting designer in New York City, focusing on lighting controls. He is Lighting Certified, a member of the Illuminating Engineering Society of Chicago, and looks forward to the halloween puppet show he and his wife put on every year with their three boys.
Tarunkumar Vinod Jotwani, Energy Consultant, Willdan
Tarunkumar Vinod Jotwani, EIT, LEED® AP BD+C, Energy Consultant at Willdan, provides energy design assistance consulting for new construction and renovation projects, leveraging tools such as NEO (Net Energy Optimizer) to perform energy simulation analysis. He advises clients and colleagues on technical systems to guide teams towards energy conservation and decarbonization decisions. He is a member of ASHRAE. He received his Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University and Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering from Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, India.
Joel Logan, Senior Program Manager, Willdan
Joel Logan, PE, is a program manager with Willdan, a nationwide engineering and energy company helping communities transition to clean energy and a sustainable future. He works with architects, engineers, and building owners to design and operate high performance buildings. Mr. Logan received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in mechanical engineering from Iowa State University.
Jason MacDuff, President, Iowa Energy Fund
Jason MacDuff has 27+ years of leadership experience in the financial services industry, starting as a teller and ultimately becoming bank president. He most recently led a successful start-up bank originating over a thousand solar loans to homeowners, non-profits, businesses and farms across five Midwestern states.
Tamara Marcus, Clean Energy Districts of Iowa
Dr. Tamara Marcus (they/she) is a community builder and healer based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They believe in the power of the people and find creative solutions and cultivate innovative methods to build community power to address issues that disproportionately affect marginalized peoples. Dr. Marcus is also a climate scientist whose research has explored the impact of warming in the Arctic and exploring the ways Indigenous voices can be put at the forefront of research and climate adaptation strategies. Dr. Marcus launched Empowered Solutions Collective in 2023, a small-business aimed at helping non-profits, local governments, and other small businesses engage in equity-centered sustainability work.
Previously, Dr. Marcus has served as the first-ever Linn County Sustainability Director, building out the first and only sustainability department in all of Iowa’s 99 counties. She co-founded the Advocates for Social Justice in 2020, an organization that promotes and works towards meaningful police reform in the community of Cedar Rapids. Additionally, they are a former Fulbright scholar, working with community groups in the Himalaya to support the creation of local environmental policy. In the present and future, Dr. Marcus plans to find more ways to collectively create and resist towards a more just space and time for all.
Dan Nickey, Associate Director, Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC), University of Northern Iowa
Dan Nickey is the Associate Director at the Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC) located at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. Mr. Nickey received a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from Wesley College and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Drake University. Mr. Nickey joined the IWRC in November of 1994.
Rob Novak, President, Home Star Iowa
Rob Novak is a veteran and expert in home energy efficiency with 15 years of experience. As the President of Home Star Iowa, Rob leads initiatives to enhance residential energy performance across eastern Iowa. Certified as a BPI trainer since 2009, he has conducted nationwide training sessions in home energy audits.
Jason Prochaska, President, Sitler LED Supplies
President of Sitler's LED Supplies. Sitler's is a family own specialty lighting company founded in 1977. Sitler's focuses on LED Lighting. We provide site energy audits, design, fixture specification, rebate processes and help with installation through our electrician partners. Sitler's has offices in Washington, Iowa, Des Moines and Omaha.
Abigail Schmidt, Engineer, Michaels Energy
Abbey Schmidt, P.E. is an engineer at Michaels Energy and has 6 years of engineering experience. She provides custom efficiency program support, measurement and verification, and energy audits for commercial and industrial energy efficiency programs. She also performs field investigations, data acquisition, and data analysis to support research and evaluation. Abbey holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Jacob W. Serfling, Director of Policy & Projects, Midwest Building Decarbonization Coalition
Jacob is the Director of Policy and Projects at the Midwest Building Decarbonization Coalition, leading a wide variety of working groups, educational offerings, and member-driven decarbonization projects. Prior to joining Midwest BDC he worked for over a decade in the fields of commercial building energy efficiency and MEP design. Jacob hold a degre in Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State University and has previously served as the Vice-Chair of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Iowa Market Leadership Advisory Board, Getting to Zero Forum programming committee member, City of Des Moines Energy Benchmarking Task Force member, and the Iowa Association for Energy Efficiency’s planning committee.
Cody Smith, Senior Policy Advocate, Iowa Environmental Council
Cody Smith is a climate policy professional with substantive experience in the energy, agriculture, and water sectors. Earning a Bachelor of Science from Iowa State University in agricultural communications and political science and a Master of Public Affairs in natural resources and climate change policy from Indiana University, Smith has spent much of his professional career advising local, state, federal, and foreign governments on adopting policies that build climate resilience. Growing up on a farm in the rural Midwest, Smith brings an authentic perspective to the pursuit of a climate resilient future for Iowa.
Stephanie Weisenbach, Program Manager
Program Manager for Iowa Grid Resilience Fund
Julie Weisshaar, Executive Director, Energy Association of Iowa Schools
Julie’s work experience in the Iowa education world collided with the energy world while working at the Iowa Office of Energy Independence. Since then, she has been on the adventure of creating and guiding the nonprofit Energy Association of Iowa Schools to provide energy management, radon reduction, and facility management support to help school districts save budget dollars and lives. She is a true Iowan, growing up in Cedar Rapids, residing in Creston, earning her bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa, and earning her master’s degree from Iowa State University. Julie’s current favorite quote to help her stay grounded is from Caitlin Clark, “Just be where your feet are.”
Wesley Whited, Principal Consultant - Program Design, DNV
Wesley Whited is a Principal Consultant and Director of Program Design at DNV. Mr. Whited leads a cross-functional team of engineers & consultants who design utility clean-tech programs around internet-enabled technologies. Mr. Whited is a recognized thought-leader in the field of Networked Lighting and IoT technologies and sits on technical committees for the Design Lights Consortium (DLC), and ANSI. He has published three papers in academic journals and has presented on behalf of DNV at multiple conferences, frequently speaking about integrating customer devices onto the electric grid to build Virtual Power Plants. He holds a BA from West Virginia University (WVU) and an MBA from Capital University. He lives outside Asheville, NC with his wife and two dogs.
Andrew G. Wiegand, P.E., LEED AP, Programs Engineering Lead, Michaels Energy
Andrew G. Wiegand, P.E., LEED AP, is Programs Engineering Lead for Michaels Energy. He has 15 years of engineering experience and is a registered mechanical engineer in Wisconsin and Iowa. He is Michaels’ lead engineer for multiple programs. As the lead engineer for our program implementation department, he is also tasked with launches of all significant programs. In addition, Andrew provides support for custom efficiency programs, large C&I programs, and measurement and verification for seven different Utilities around the US.
He conducts energy audits and investment-grade energy analyses for large C&I end users. He performs field investigations, data acquisition with permanent and temporary equipment, data analysis, and energy model calibration to support research and impact evaluation. Andrew holds a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Southern Illinois, and he studied Nuclear Engineering at the Naval Nuclear Power School in Goose Creek, South Carolina
Ryan Young, Project Manager, State of Iowa Energy Office at the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA)
Ryan Young is a project manager with the State of Iowa Energy Office at the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA). He joined IEDA in November 2016 and is responsible for Iowa Energy Plan implementation. He manages a federal energy grant program that has funds available for innovative and transformative energy projects that complement the Iowa Energy Plan. Ryan will also be the program manager of the new Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund. His work has focused on energy storage, hydrogen, and a wide variety of other energy projects and technologies.