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Staff Bio for Darren Deffner, Director of Policy

Darren Deffner is SEPA's Director of Policy. In this role, Darren leads SEPA’s efforts to monitor and analyze proposed and current federal and state policies to ensure that the organization’s members understand the potential impacts to their businesses.  He provides members with timely information on state solar policy trends and the impact of those trends on solar markets and utility operations.  Darren will also serve as a valuable resource for utility members who have questions about policy issues specific to their own companies.

Prior to joining SEPA, Darren served as the Manager of Environmental and Federal Affairs at Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) where he was responsible for leading and coordinating energy and environmental policy development on renewable energies, smart grid and transmission issues. Prior to this position, Darren helped foster community engagements and partnerships with elected officials, business associations, environmental organizations and community groups for PG&E in Silicon Valley. Darren has also served as an aide to several U.S. Representatives as well as Chief of Staff to San Jose Councilmember Ken Yeager.

Staff Bio for John Sterling, Director, Utility Programs & Planning

John Sterling joined SEPA as Director of Utility Programs and Planning in March 2013.  In this role, John is responsible for helping SEPA members develop strategic and operational plans for programs, products, and services that will drive the integration of solar resources into utility resource portfolios and business operations. Prior to joining SEPA, John spent 11 years with Arizona Public Service.  During this time, John focused on utility regulation, power procurement, demand response and smart grid program development, and long-term resource planning issues.  John has both a BS in Finance and an MBA from Arizona State University.

Staff Bio for Mike Taylor, Director of Research

Mike Taylor is SEPA’s Director of Research and leads the department’s efforts to provide data and analysis on utilities and solar market development to SEPA staff, members and external stakeholders. Prior to joining SEPA in 2006, Mike spent seven years with the Minnesota Department of Commerce State Energy Office specializing in renewable energy policy and program development, including energy efficiency, solar, wind, biomass, biofuels, climate change, and utility regulation. While working for the energy office, he received over $1 million in utility funding to develop and operate Minnesota’s first statewide PV incentive program. Mike holds a Master’s in Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy from the U. of Minnesota and a Bachelor’s in Environmental Biology from St. Mary's University of Minnesota.

Staff Bio for Becky Campbell, Senior Research Manager

Becky Campbell joined SEPA in 2010, where she is working as SEPA’s Research Manager. Becky formerly worked for the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority where she designed and managed the Pennsylvania Sunshine Program, a $100 million rebate program for residential and small commercial solar projects. She holds her Bachelors in Environmental Systems Engineering from Penn State University and her Masters in Environmental Engineering from Michigan Technological University. Becky is a licensed Professional Engineer in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Staff Bio for Bianca Barth, Research Manager

Bianca Barth began working with SEPA in 2009, where she serves as a Research Manager. In that role she supports the department’s efforts to provide data and analysis on utilities and solar market development to SEPA staff, members and external stakeholders. Her main focus is on Utility Solar Business Models and related policies and regulations. Prior to joining SEPA, she worked as a Policy Officer at the World Future Council in Hamburg, Germany, where she dealt with climate and renewable energy policy issues on an international level. In that capacity, she closely collaborated with SEPA organizing the Solar Fact Finding Missions to Germany and Spain. Before, she worked in different research projects at the Environmental Policy Research Centre in Berlin dealing with climate policies and providing policy advice on ecological industrial policy to the German Ministry of the Environment. She holds a Masters in Political Science from the Free University in Berlin, Germany.

Staff Bio for Bart Krishnamoorthy, Senior Research Associate

Bart Krishnamoorthy joined SEPA at the beginning of 2010. He holds a Bachelors degree in Environmental Science at Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts and a Masters degree in Energy and Earth Resources at the University of Texas at Austin. Bart's interest in solar energy started when he interned and later worked for a solar electric design and installation company based in Austin, Texas. Working within the sales and marketing departments, he was able to gain valuable insight in small scale PV installations and PV rebate programs. He has also conducted research on concentrated solar power in the Middle East for his Masters thesis.

Staff Bio for Raphael Isaac, Research Associate

Raphael Isaac joined SEPA in February, 2012. He received a B.A. from Johns Hopkins University and a Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.) from Rutgers University’s Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. Previous to his time at SEPA, Raphael performed research, writing, and analysis as it relates to solar energy policy, as well as a broad array of topics relating to transportation policy, including the energy/environmental impacts of transportation systems. He currently serves on several committees whose work relates to energy/environment topics, including the Air and Climate Public Affairs Committee (ACPAC) of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

Staff Bio for Laurie Ehrlich, Director, Marketing & Strategic Communications

Laurie Ehrlich joined SEPA in 2010 as a Marketing Communications Manager. She is responsible for building print and e-marketing communications programs that will increase membership, drive use of SEPA’s products and services, and enhance overall brand awareness of the organization. Laurie has 10 years of marketing experience, including four years as a Program & Conference Manager for a New York City publishing firm and two years as a Marketing Manager for the American Advertising Federation (AAF). She holds a MBA with a concentration in Communications & Media Management from Fordham University and graduated from the University of Maryland-College Park, with a BS in Marketing and International Business.

Staff Bio for Emilie Deans, Senior Associate, Marketing Communications

Emilie Deans is responsible for assisting with SEPA’s marketing activities. She works with the Director of Marketing and Strategic Communications to develop cohesive e-marketing strategies and assists with the upkeep of the SEPA website. Emilie graduated from the George Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. Prior to joining SEPA, Emilie worked on the Federal Education Budget Project at the New America Foundation.

Staff Bio for Cynthia Hunt Jaehne, Education Manager

Cynthia Hunt Jaehne has more than 10 years experience managing utility-scale solar studies and initiatives for a number of clients both in the US and internationally. She is familiar with the various solar technologies and their use in large-scale projects. In addition, her knowledge of the barriers and policies relating to successful and sustainable deployment and utilization of these technologies informs her role as SEPA’s Education Manager. Prior to joining SEPA, Cynthia was a Project Manager for Morse Associates in Washington, DC. She has a B.A. in Political Science from the University of South Carolina.

Staff Bio for Stephanie Szurek, Manager, Education Events

Stephanie Szurek is responsible for managing the logistics of various SEPA educational programs and webinars. Prior to joining SEPA in 2011, she worked at the University of Minnesota’s Institute on the Environment, where she managed public events, including the Institute's annual renewable energy conference. She attended Missouri State University in Springfield, and has Bachelor’s degrees in Entertainment Management and Spanish.  

Staff Bio for Steven Glover, Director, Member Relations

Steven joined SEPA in 2013. As Director of Member Relations he leads SEPA’s membership operations, working closely with members to ensure they receive the greatest value from membership, while also communicating SEPA’s value to prospective members. Prior to SEPA, Steven served concurrently as Director, Membership Retention and Outreach for the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Secretariat Director for the Forum for International Association Executives (FIRAE). Steven brings more than 15 years of membership, marketing, and globalization experience to SEPA. A graduate of Towson University, he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and political science.

Staff Bio for Ruth Hupart, Member Relations Manager

Ruth Hupart joined SEPA in 2013. As Member Relations Manager, she develops engagement strategies and ensures that member requests for support and information receive responsive attention from the appropriate subject matter experts. She also manages external outreach programs, including the annual utility Awards Program. Prior to joining SEPA, Ruth served as Deputy Chief of Staff and energy advisor to U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett. She also held the position of Interim Sustainability Manager at Dartmouth College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in environmental studies.

Staff Bio for Cara Blumenthal, Membership Associate

Cara Blumenthal joined the SEPA team in 2010. Cara manages the membership database and assists with membership recruitment and retention. Before joining SEPA, Cara held a variety of internships in the fields of clean energy, sustainable business and green building. She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing.