Contact SEPA

Staff Bio for Mike Taylor, Director of Research

Mike Taylor provides technical research, information and support on solar markets, programs, projects, and technologies to SEPA members. Prior to joining SEPA, Mike spent seven years with the Minnesota Department of Commerce specializing in clean energy policy and program development, including energy efficiency, solar, wind, biomass, biofuels, climate change, and utility regulation. In 2002 he received funding to develop and operate the Minnesota Solar Electric Rebate Program, a statewide PV incentive program for consumers. Mike holds a Master in Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy from the U. of Minnesota and a Bachelor in Environmental Biology from St. Mary's University of Minnesota.

Staff Bio for Becky Campbell, 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. Bianca most recently 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 Berlin.

Staff Bio for Bart Krishnamoorthy, 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 Michelle Allgauer, CAE, CMM, CMP, Director of Education

Michelle is responsible for the assessment, development and implementation of SEPA’s educational programs. She brings more than twenty years of valuable experience within the meetings industry, with a strong focus on conference and program management. She received a BS and minor in Business from Ithaca College. Michelle has earned the following certifications: Certified Meeting Professional (CMP); Global Certification in Meeting Management (CMM), Business of Meetings Certification (BOM) and Certified Association Executive (CAE). She also served as the 2010-2011 Chapter President for the Meeting Professionals International Potomac Chapter, which represents over a 1,000 meeting professionals in the Washington D.C. area.

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, Senior Education Associate

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 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 Emily Easley, Director of Member Relations

Emily Easley joined SEPA in 2005. She is responsible for leading SEPA’s membership acquisition and retention activities, as well as overseeing SEPA’s member programs, including sponsorship opportunities. While at SEPA, Emily has been responsible for education programs, overseeing the Solar Power International event, and leading SEPA’s membership activities. Before joining SEPA, Emily worked in membership at the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) where she managed membership and assisted in advocacy efforts. With almost a decade of experience in the solar industry, Emily works daily to help identify new ways to engage SEPA’s unique utility solar community and add value to the membership. Emily earned her Bachelors in Science from Vanderbilt University focusing on Organizational Dynamics and participated in the American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) internship program.

Staff Bio for Jessica Sliva, Senior Associate, Member Relations

Jessica Sliva joined the SEPA team in 2008. She manages the scholarship and awards programs, serves as the primary liaison for the Utility Solar Interest Groups and sponsorship programs, and assists the Director of Member Relations with all other member programs. Her interest in the renewable energy industry peaked after participating in a variety of conferences focused on global warming and alternative energy solutions Jessica earned her Bachelor’s of Science at East Carolina University, with a major in Geography and minor in Coastal Studies.

Staff Bio for Cara Blumenthal, Membership Associate

Cara Blumenthal recently graduated from the University of Maryland where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing. Prior to joining SEPA, Cara held a variety of internships in the fields of clean energy, sustainable business and green building. She works with the membership team, primarily assisting the Director of Member Relations.

Staff Bio for Laurie Ehrlich, Senior Manager, Marketing 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 and drive use of SEPA’s products and services. Laurie has nine 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, Communications Associate

Emilie Deans is responsible for assisting with SEPA’s marketing activities. She works with the Senior Manager of Marketing 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 Tom Nicholas, Regional Director (Central US)

Mr. Nicholas serves as SEPA's regional director for the Central US, working with IOU’s, Municipal, and Rural Coop electric utilities in 19 states, providing them with non biased information on solar electric and is located in his regional office in Valparaiso, IN. He has more than 20 years of executive level experience in the electric utility industry. Mr. Nicholas worked for two utilities starting with Public Service Indiana, now Duke Energy Indiana, working in Engineering, moving into the Operations area, field District Manager, and Corporate Industrial Marketing and Economic Development, before joining Northern Indiana Public Service in the Corporate Marketing and Sales Manager roles, including both the regulated and unregulated sides of NISOURCE in Indiana. While working in the utilities Mr. Nicholas served and chaired various EPRI committees. He also served as the Chairman of the Edison Electric Institute’s Commercial/Industrial Committee Competition and Revenue Enhancement as well as a member of the National Accounts Steering Group. He was a member of the American Gas Association’s Industrial Business Unite and was a Founding Member of the Industrial Gas Technology Commercialization Center. After leaving the utilities Mr. Nicholas served as the Regional Operations Manager in the central US with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). Mr. Nicholas is often found speaking at numerous conferences both nationally and internationally. In 2009, he was appointed as an alternate Board Member, of NAPBCEP, the National Board of the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Tom has a Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering Technology degree from Purdue University and completed the Executive Management Program from Indiana University School of Business.

Staff Bio for Kim Kiener, Regional Director (Western US)

Kim Kiener serves as SEPA's regional director for the Western US. She brings over 25 years experience in the electric utility industry in the areas of renewable resource portfolios, short and long term strategic planning, green house gas regulation, integrated resource planning, resource adequacy, FERC open access polices, and transmission planning, siting and certificate approval. Her focus has been on state and federal energy regulatory and policy implementation, and legislative issues for both public power and investor owned sectors. Kim has worked for both public power and investor owned utilities as well as doing stints with both a consumer advocate agency and a public service board.

Staff Bio for Sandra Burton, Regional Director (Eastern US)

Sandra Burton serves as SEPA's regional director for the Eastern U.S. Ms. Burton is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) with over 15 years experience in the development, implementation and management of energy efficiency and renewable energy programs both in the U.S. and abroad. Her background stretches from Sandia National Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Energy to the electric utility industry. Most recently, Sandra was the Managing Director of Utility Programs at SunEdison where she led the team that developed solar energy solutions for U.S. electric utilities. Before joining the SunEdison team, Ms. Burton served as the Principal Deputy Assistant with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, where she developed and launched Delaware's award winning Energy An$wers program. Ms. Burton has a B.S. in economics from the University of Utah, attended graduate school in applied economics at American University, Washington, D.C., and has an MBA from the University of Delaware.

Staff Bio for Ryan Schoenike, Utility Outreach Manager

Ryan Schoenike joined SEPA in 2010 as its Utility Outreach Manager. Most recently, Ryan worked with NRECA, Touchstone Energy as an associate in Commercial & Industrial Business Development. Ryan graduated from American University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and International Studies.