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SEPA Staff Directory
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Contact SEPAExecutive Office Julia Hamm, President and CEO Staff Bio for Julia Hamm, President and CEO ![]() Julia Hamm is the president and CEO of the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA), a national non-profit that helps its utility members make smart solar decisions. Julia has strong relationships with individuals at utilities and solar companies worldwide, and is knowledgeable about solar programs, policies, barriers, and trends. She is a frequent speaker at regional, national and international conferences and has authored numerous articles on solar trends and utility solar programs. Prior to leading SEPA, Julia worked as a senior associate at ICF International where she supported the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with implementation of its ENERGY STAR program. In 2007 she was named one of the Top 10 Women in Cleantech by earth2tech, and she holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Management from Cornell University. She lives with her husband and children in a PV-powered energy efficient home that is certified by the Arlington County Green Home Choice Program in Northern Virginia. Kate Washburn, Manager of Executive Affairs, 202.559.2038 Staff Bio for Kate Washburn, Manager of Executive Affairs ![]() Kate Washburn assists the Management Team and Board of Directors with communication coordination and project management, as SEPA’s Manager of Executive Affairs. She comes to SEPA after serving on Capitol Hill since 2009, as Scheduler for Congressman Bill Delahunt of Massachusetts and Director of Operations for Congressman Mike Thompson of California. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Boston University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Spanish. Finance & Operations Mark Kimble, Vice President of Finance & Operations, 202.559.2026 Staff Bio for Mark Kimble, Vice President of Finance & Operations ![]() Mark Kimble joined SEPA in 2007 and is responsible for the financial and operational management for the organization. Mark's background includes a wide range of experience in the not-for-profit sector where he served as Vice President for a national arts education association, Director for a national health advocacy organization, and Chief Financial Officer for the National Building Museum in Washington DC. As a manager with a local public accounting firm, he worked with foundations, political action committees, and trade associations providing auditing services, strategic planning advice, and human resource development. A native of Maryland, Mark now calls Washington, DC home and is active in his local neighborhood community and is a member of the Greater Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Society of Association Executives. Frank Grace, Operations Manager, 202.280.1557 Staff Bio for Frank Grace, Operations Manager ![]() Frank Grace graduated from Virginia Tech in 2009 with a major in public relations and minor in political science. Prior to joining SEPA, Frank interned on Capitol Hill for Congressman Connolly's office; he also interned for Senator Whitehouse in 2007 and for Morgan Stanley in 2006.
Kaylan Wedekind, Administrative Associate, 202.595.1146 Staff Bio for Kaylan Wedekind, Administrative Associate ![]() Kaylan Wedekind recently graduated magna cum laude from The University of North Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History with a minor in English. Prior to joining SEPA, she interned with R. Roberts Gallery in Jacksonville, FL. Kaylan assists with the Finance and Operations Department.
Research & Strategy Eran Mahrer, Vice President, Utility Strategy, 202.552.4411 Staff Bio for Eran Mahrer, Vice President, Utility Strategy ![]() Eran Mahrer joined SEPA as Vice President of Utility Strategy in March 2012. In this role, Eran leads SEPA's efforts in engaging utilities to develop best-in-class solar strategies and practices. He works closely with utility leaders, regulators, developers and other key stakeholders to position solar energy as a core resource for utilities. Policy Darren Deffner, Director of Policy, 202.559.2020 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. Utility Programs & Planning John Sterling, Director, Utility Programs & Planning, 202.559.2022 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. Research Mike Taylor, Director of Research, 202.559.2028 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. Becky Campbell, Senior Research Manager, 202.559.2030 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.
Bianca Barth, Research Manager, 202.379.1615 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. Bart Krishnamoorthy, Senior Research Associate, 202.559.1536 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. Raphael Isaac, Research Associate, 202.552.4409 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. Education & Outreach Bob Gibson, Vice President of Market Intelligence, 202.280.1556 Staff Bio for Bob Gibson, Vice President of Market Intelligence ![]() Bob joined SEPA as Vice President of Market Intelligence in September 2010. Bob came to SEPA from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, where he was a senior manager in the Cooperative Research Network, leading NRECA’s analysis of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and business models. Bob also worked at an alternative energy services company, marketing fuel cells, microturbines, photovoltaics and other technologies to electric utilities. One of his key responsibilities while with the Technology Transition Corporation was program management for the Utility Photovoltaic Group. Bob’s diverse background includes work on projects to bring electricity to rural communities in developing countries in Asia and Latin America, as an award-winning magazine and newspaper editor, writer and photographer, and service as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in the West Indies. Communications & Marketing Laurie Ehrlich, Director, Marketing & Strategic Communications, 202.559.2033 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. Emilie Deans, Senior Associate, Marketing Communications, 202.552.4408 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.
Education Cynthia Hunt Jaehne, Education Manager, 202.595.1148 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.
Stephanie Szurek, Manager, Education Events, 202.559.2023 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.
Membership Steven Glover, Director, Member Relations, 202.559.2021 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. Ruth Hupart, Member Relations Manager, 202.559.2032 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. Cara Blumenthal, Membership Associate, 202.595.1147 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.
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