Board of Directors

Jane WeissmanExecutive Director: Jane Weissman

Jane Weissman has been the Executive Director of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council since 1994. She is Vice Chair of the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners, a Board member of the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation and was elected an ASES Fellow in 2004.  In 2010, Jane was the recipient of the American Solar Energy Society’s prestigious Charles Greeley Abbot Award, presented each year to the person who has made a significant contribution to ASES or to the field of solar energy.  Jane currently serves on the Solar Today Magazine Advisory Council and was the Chair of the Policy & Marketing Technical Committee for both the 2008 and 2009 National Solar Energy Conferences. From 1985 until 1991, she was the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Photovoltaic Center. Jane is a life-time member of ASES, a member of the Solar Energy Business Association of New England, a member of the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, and a member of Green Energy Ohio. She has attended ANSI-sponsored training workshops on standards development and she regularly participates in national certification conferences.  She has published papers and spoken widely on topics in the field of renewable energy, photovoltaics, certification, quality assessment and public policy.  Jane is based in Boston, Massachusetts and is an avid Red Sox fan.

Officers

Ken JurmanChair: Ken Jurman, Virginia Dept. of Mines, Minerals and Energy

Ken Jurman is with the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy where he manages the Division of Energy’s renewable energy programs. He works closely with state and local economic development agencies to promote the growth of alternative and renewable energy manufacturing, as well as with numerous public, private and non-profit organizations to increase the demand for, and use of, renewable and innovative energy technologies.  Ken currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, the Small Wind Certification Council, and as Board alternate for the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation. He is a member of the American Solar Energy Society, and helped in the formation of the Virginia Wind Energy Collaborative — a coalition of public, private and non-profit entities created to promote the balanced development of wind energy in Virginia. Ken enjoys cycling, running, and other outdoor activities, as well as woodworking. He lives in Rockville, Virginia with his wife, Laura, and their eight-year-old daughter, Anna Claire.

David WarnerVice Chair: David Warner, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

David Warner has more than 23 years experience creating and managing technical information, communications, and outreach activities on energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. He has worked at NREL for more than 17 years, and has been the Director of the Technical Communications Office for 6 years. In this role, he has led the development of hundreds of products and activities to meet the communications needs of NREL’s offices and programs and the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.  While at NREL, David has also been the manager of the Information and Outreach Program, the Technical Information Program, and the Stakeholder Partnerships Office. David has been vice chair of IREC since 1992.  He was instrumental in reviving the solar energy trade association in Colorado, and served as the executive director of the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association from 1988 to 1993.

Jane PulaskiSecretary: Jane Pulaski, IREC

Jane, an independent contractor with IREC since 1999, delivers a wide range of web-based communication services for IREC’s National Outreach initiative.   She is editor of IREC’s State & Stakeholder Newsletter, a bi-monthly enewsletter containing the latest news about IREC members and other renewable energy stakeholders.  Jane tracks analytics for IREC’s website, and maintains IREC’s presence on several social networking sites.   Jane supported IREC in the national Solar Means Safety educational campaign (2002-2003), the Neighborhood Power: Building Communities with Solar Energy Workshop-In-A-Box (2000), and the Going Solar Model Education Kit (1999-2000).  She also developed the Wind Energy: Powering Our Homes, Businesses and Communities Workshop-In-A-Box for the Western Area Power Administration (2002, 2005).  She supported NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Technologies Program Technical and Marketing Support with a variety of marketing and outreach products including podcasts, vodcasts, quarterly newsletters, and website design.  Prior to joining IREC, Jane was Program Manager for the Renewable Energy Program for the Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) where she planned, implemented and monitored renewable energy projects in Texas.  She has been IREC’s Secretary since 2002.  Jane received her B.A. in Education (English Concentration) from UT/Austin in 1971.  She lives in Austin.

Jennifer SzaroTreasurer: Jennifer Szaro, Orlando Utilities Commission

As Renewable Energy Manager, Jennifer oversees the development and implementation of renewable energy and alternative fuel programs as well as corporate sustainability for OUC. Prior to her present position, Jennifer was employed as a Senior Energy Analyst for the Florida Solar Energy Center for nearly nine years, where her research focused on photovoltaics, distributed generation, biomass energy and green power marketing. She also managed Florida’s Million Solar Roofs Partnership, the SunSmart Schools Program and the Florida Photovoltaic Rebate Pilot Program. She has been a board member of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) since 2002 and currently serves as Treasurer for the organization.  Jennifer also serves as Secretary and board member for the Florida Renewable Energy Association (FREA), and holds a position on the Board of the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA).  Jennifer received her BS Degrees in Environmental Science and Chemistry from Florida International University in 1997 and completed her Master’s Degree in Business Administration the University of Central Florida in 2006.

Board Members

Vicki ColelloVicki Colello, NYSERDA

Vicki is a Project Manager with the NYS Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA), where she works in the Residential Efficiency and Affordability Program on energy efficiency and renewable energy workforce development, along with other areas. Prior to working with NYSERDA, Vicki was an independent consultant working with the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) for ten years, and she was formerly a policy analyst with the NYS Energy Office, working in energy efficiency and solar energy.

Chris CookChris Cook, SunWorks

Chris Cook is a Managing Director of SunWorks a new company focused on building local solar manufacturing facilities to support utility solar deployment. He was formerly Sr. Vice-President, Regulatory Affairs and New Markets for SunEdison, a Company he helped found with three others in 2003 and with whom he continues to consult.  In his role at SunEdison, Mr. Cook worked with utility regulators, state and federal policy makers and electric utilities to create new and expanded opportunities for solar energy.  He has helped establish solar programs in many of the leading states.  Prior to joining SunEdison, he was a Principal with E3 Energy Services, an energy consulting firm he founded in 1998.  There Mr. Cook assisted numerous local governments dealing with electric restructuring and focused on developing  small generator interconnection and net metering standards for the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). On behalf of IREC, Mr. Cook was lead representative of the small generator coalition in the proposed standardized interconnection rulemaking before the FERC leading to Orders 2006 et. seq. Mr. Cook was assistant counsel with the utility consumer advocate in Maryland and prior to that was a distribution engineer with the Virginia Power Company.  Mr. Cook is a member of the Bar of Maryland and a Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

Brian Gallagher

Brian Gallagher, Brian Gallagher Consulting

Brian Gallagher is an independent energy consultant who has focused on overcoming barriers to the use of renewable energy. He is currently assisting the District of Columbia in developing their Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU) and has been instrumental in the development of the Delaware SEU a state‐chartered entity charged with offering ‘one‐stop shopping’ for sustainable energy services, including renewable energy, energy efficiency, and affordable energy services for low income families. As the Delaware Energy Office’s representative before the state’s Public Service Commission, Brian has successfully advocated for the removal of barriers to the use of renewable energy in such areas as interconnection standards, net metering, revenue decoupling, standby charges, and integrated resource planning. He has authored several net metering and renewable portfolio standards laws as well as the regulations to implement those laws.  Working on energy policy for over 15 years, Brian spent seven of those years with Delaware’s public utilities consumer advocate. He received a Masters in Energy and Environmental Policy from the University of Delaware.  Brian also runs a small charitable organization that provides grants to schools for the installation of solar energy on school facilities.

Julia Hamm

Julia Judd Hamm, Solar Electric Power Association

Julia Hamm is the executive director of the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA), a national membership organization that facilitates solutions for utility use and integration of solar electric power. 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 as well as utility solar programs. Julia is also the chair of Solar Power International, the largest solar event in the US.  Prior to SEPA, she worked as a senior associate at ICF International, a leading consulting firm in the areas of energy and environment, 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. Julia holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Management from Cornell University. She lives in an energy efficient, PV powered home that is part of the Green Home Choice program in Arlington, VA.

Steve KallandSteve Kalland, North Carolina Solar Center

Steve is currently the Director of the North Carolina Solar Center at NC State University in Raleigh, NC where he works to develop new programs in renewable energy, alternative transportation technologies, green building, and energy efficiency technologies.  He has over 17 years of experience in energy policy, including time as the Director for Government Relations and Grid-Tied Markets at Xantrex Technology Inc. and as the Director of State Programs and Policy at the national Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).  Steve has been an IREC board member since 2001, and is also on the boards of the NC Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA) and the NC GreenPower organization.  He is a past board member of the US Combined Heat and Power Association (USCHPA).  Steve is the proud father of two boys and a girl and lives with his wife, Tricia, in Cary, NC.

Glen KizerGlen Kizer, Foundation for Environmental Education

A native Ohioan, Glen spent four years practicing law in the Office of the Ohio Attorney General, and 10 in private practice.  Since 1993, he’s been the President of the Foundation for Environmental Education, a non-profit that develops educational programs that describe the ways in which electricity is produced and how energy is used by local communities.  Glen has been an IREC board member since 2006.

Marc RoperMarc Roper, Tioga Energy

Marc Roper has nearly two decades of experience in the renewable energy industry. He currently serves as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Tioga Energy, a solar PA provider based in California. Prior to joining Tioga, Marc led the sales, marketing, and external affairs for Turner Renewable Energy, a leading US solar power systems integrator (acquired by First Solar in 2007). Prior to that, he was vice president and board member for photovoltaic manufacturer SCHOTT Solar, responsible for the company’s sales and marketing activities and turnkey projects operations in North and South America.  Marc also managed residential market development for photovoltaic manufacturer AstroPower (now a part of GE Energy), and headed up renewable energy programs for the State of Colorado’s energy office. Marc received a Masters of Civil Engineering with focus on renewable energy and building systems design, a BS in Engineering Physics, and a BA in Music from the University of Colorado in Boulder, CO.

Larry SherwoodLarry Sherwood, Sherwood Associates

Larry Sherwood is President of Sherwood Associates, a renewable energy consulting firm. Larry has nearly 30 years of experience in the renewable energy field. He is Project Administrator for the Solar America Board for Codes and Standards, Executive Director of the Small Wind Certification Council, author of the IREC Report, U.S. Solar Market Trends 2009, and Editor of the IREC Small Wind Newsletter.  Previously, Larry served as Executive Director of the American Solar Energy Society and Executive Director of the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College and lives in Boulder, Colorado with his wife, Janet and daughter, Morgan.

Larry ShirleyLarry Shirley, N.C. Dept. of Commerce

Larry Shirley serves as the Director of the Green Economy in the NC Department of Commerce.  In this capacity, he is working to advance products, technologies and industries that are environmentally sustainable on behalf of the State of North Carolina, including solar, wind and biomass resources.  Prior to assuming this position in 2009, Mr. Shirley directed the State Energy Office for nine years, the lead state agency for energy efficiency, renewable energy and alternative fuel programs and resources serving the residential, commercial, industrial, government, and transportation sectors.  In response to the state’s budget crisis, the State Energy Office began a comprehensive initiative to reduce energy use in state facilities and public universities in 2002, entitled the Utility Savings Initiative for State Facilities.  In 2003, the State Energy Office received the Outstanding Award for Program Excellence from the National Association of Chief State Administrators for its work with state facilities.  In 2007, the State Energy Office was awarded the Regional Innovation Award for the Utility Savings Initiative by the Council of State Governments.  Energy savings attributable to this program exceeded $158 million in 2008.

Prior to assuming this position in late 2000, Mr. Shirley served for 13 years as the Executive Director of the NC Solar Center at NC State University.  While there, he was elected as Chairman of the American Solar Energy Society in 1996-97.  Previous to his work at the Solar Center, he served as the Assistant Director of the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation in Winston-Salem and founded the Nonprofit Energy Management Program for the Advanced Energy Corporation.  He also served as Director of Field Operations for the Center for Renewable Resources in Washington, DC.  Mr. Shirley is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Jack Werner

As Executive Director of the Institute for Sustainable Power (ISP), Jack directs the coordination, development, and administration of the ISPQ International Standard, which sets the bar for the accreditation of training programs and the certification of trainers in the energy field.  Jack is also a Senior Fellow of the Climate Institute and Senior Associate of The Stella Group, Ltd.  He recently served as Director of the District of Columbia State Energy Office, and was Director of Energy, Environment and Sustainable Programs for Public Technology, Inc. (PTI).  Jack worked with PTI’s membership of city and county governments and oversaw the annual selection and implementation of  municipal energy, environment, transportation, and integrated sustainable community projects.  He has an MPA from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, and a B.A. from the University of Nevada Las Vegas.  Jack is a Qualified Assessor/Auditor for the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and registered IREC ISPQ Auditor.