MEEA Board of Directors

Brian T. Castelli brings 30 years of national and international experience in the energy field, including expertise in energy efficiency, renewables, emission reductions, and electricity demand reduction, to the Alliance to Save Energy as Executive Vice President for Programs and Development. Prior to joining the Alliance's senior management team in July 2005, Castelli ran his own energy consulting firm: he was the federal energy liaison for the California Energy Commission; a principal with the Center for Energy and Climate Solutions, a one stop shop helping businesses and states adopt high-level strategies for saving energy and cutting greenhouse gases; and a consultant to the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) where he organized a High Technology Council (comprised of communications and information technology leaders) to advise EPRI's Intelligent Grid program. Appointed by President Clinton, Castelli served as chief of staff to the U.S. Department of Energy's assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy from 1994 to 2001. He managed 550 staff and more than $1 billion in programs and research, development, and deployment initiatives and directed the development and implementation of energy policies and programs. Prior to DOE, Castelli was appointed in 1988 by Gov. Bob Casey to the Pennsylvania Energy Office (PEO), first serving as deputy director for administration and public affairs and then as executive director, through 1994. As executive director he ran the commonwealth's energy policies and programs, managed the state energy office and the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority, and took the lead on responding to energy emergencies. Notably, he developed a revolving loan fund for energy-efficiency measures and a "Green Buildings" program for cutting energy use and costs in all commonwealth-owned or operated buildings, and he drafted legislation for and implemented an alternative fuel program. Castelli holds two degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, a bachelor of science in chemical engineering and an MBA in industrial/environmental management from the university's Wharton School.

Jeanine Penticoff has been with Alliant Energy for more than 12 years. She is currently the Director of Energy Efficiency, Economic Development and Account Management for Alliant Energy, a regulated investor-owned utility holding company providing electric and natural gas service in the states of Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Jeanine is responsible for evaluating and delivering energy efficiency programs, billing options and small renewable products and services to residential, business, commercial, industrial and agriculture customers in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Jeanine also manages the account management team which supports the company's large commercial and industrial customers, and she leads the company's efforts to support economic development initiatives within the Alliant Energy service territory. In addition to serving on the MEEA Board of Directors, Jeanine is a member of Wisconsin's Statewide Energy Efficiency and Renewable Association (SEERA) Board. She is also vice president of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Board serving the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, area. Jeanine holds a B.S. in Communications from Iowa State University.

Greg Lovett is responsible for development, implementation and promotion of electric and natural gas energy efficiency and demand response programs for commercial, industrial and residential customers at Ameren, the largest electric utility in Missouri and second-largest in Illinois. He also is on the board of directors for the Association of Professional Energy Consultants, Energy Education Council and St. Louis Earth Day.

Jon Williams is responsible for the design, implementation and evaluation of energy efficiency and peak demand reduction programs for AEP Ohio's 1.5 million customers. He has 29 years of experience working with customers on energy-related issues, including energy efficiency, demand response and power quality. Williams previously managed customer services operations in Eastern and Western Ohio for AEP Ohio, and before that oversaw customer services operations in the Virginia area for Appalachian Power.

Mr. Romine is currently serving as Manager, Energy Optimization and manages the development and roll out of energy efficiency programs for MichCon and Detroit Edison. Prior to being appointed to this role he served as Manager, Group Performance in Detroit Edison's Distribution Operations organization. In addition he has held other leadership roles at DTE on the Enterprise Performance Management and the DTE2 teams. Before joining DTE Energy, Mr. Romine held leadership positions at Enigma and KPMG Consulting, and was Manufacturing Engineer at Nordyne, Inc. Mr. Romine has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Washington University, St. Louis, a BA in Physics from William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri and an MBA from Olin School of Business, Washington University.

Tim Duff is general manager of energy efficiency and smart grid regulation and collaboration for Duke Energy’s U.S. Franchised Electric and Gas organization. He is responsible for the development of strategies and policies related to energy efficiency, smart grid and all other retail services. In addition, Tim serves as director of Duke Energy’s Commercial Associates Program, a leadership development program designed for MBA graduates. He was named to his current position in January 2010.
Previously, Tim served as managing director of federal regulatory policy, a position he held since the merger between Duke Energy and Cinergy in 2006. In this role, he was responsible for developing and advocating Duke Energy’s policy positions with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

John Cuttica became the acting director of the Energy Resources Center (ERC) in December 2008 and the director in November 2009. As director, his responsibilities include program development, strategic planning, operation, and financial stability of the ERC, which is based out of the College of Engineering at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He also expanded the Industrial Energy Efficiency Program to include a student based facility assessment program and a regional energy solutions activity. In addition, Cuttica established the Biofuels thrust, which focuses on corn ethanol facilities and the Midwest Clean Energy Application center.

Paul Schueller is the founder of Franklin Energy, a consulting firm specializing in the implementation of energy efficiency programs for utility and state administrative clients. He has also designed demand-side management and market transformation programs for utility and government agency clients in the commercial, industrial, residential and low-income sectors. Prior to starting Franklin Energy, Paul was responsible for the start-up of a successful energy services company.

Agnes Mrozowski is the assistant deputy director of State Energy Office for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Mrozowski joined DCEO in 2009, and before that spent more than seven years working for JP Morgan Chase as vice president, focusing on consumer and business lending, investments and compliance operations.

Lisa Wood launched the Institute for Electric Efficiency after more than two decades of directing studies and consulting with electric utilities on retail customer issues. Wood has written numerous articles and is a frequent speaker on energy efficiency, smart pricing, and demand response issues in the electric power industry. She also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University.

Mr. Sirkin has over 25 years of management experience in business and government. At JACO Environmental, Mr. Sirkin serves as the Program Development Director. He has overseen the growth of JACO's energy efficiency appliance recycling programs across the Midwest and the Eastern Seaboard. JACO Environmental, Inc. is committed to protecting the environment and preserving the earth's valuable resources through responsible appliance recycling.
Mr. Sirkin was previously the program Development Director at Ecos Consulting. There, he assisted in designing and launching multi-utility, region-wide programs, including a residential lighting project, an innovative industrial efficiency program, the residential portfolio for the new Energy Trust of Oregon as well as a successful national initiative to improve the energy efficiency of desktop computers (80PLUS). Prior to Ecos Consulting, Mr. Sirkin was CEO of a contract research service serving the energy efficiency and sustainability needs of major firms like H-P, NIKE, Portland General Electric and well as major developers, architects and contractors.
Sam Sirkin served as Deputy Director of the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department from 1997-2000 and before that spent 15 years working on urban water pollution control programs in the US and Europe. His knowledge of state and local government, statewide and regional efficiency initiatives across sectors and long service as a MEEA board member make him a valuable to resource to MEEA and its mission.

Charles Budd, Senior Principal Consultant at KEMA, Inc., has extensive regulatory and demand side management experience covering the entire DSM cycle beginning with program planning and continuing through evaluation. He has provided expert testimony on matters involving DSM cost recovery and determination of utility performance incentives, as well as demand-side planning, utility cost of service, rate design, and fuel clauses. Charles successfully managed the development and operations of over $100 million of energy efficiency and load response programs at two major utilities. His project management experience includes the planning, staffing and start-up of gas and electric energy efficiency programs, load management programs, real-time pricing programs, as well as managing other complex projects at utilities including implementation of gas choice and waste recycling initiatives.
Mr. Budd's consulting work at KEMA has included energy efficiency planning and program design for several electric utilities, best practices research for energy efficiency and demand response programs, and policy analysis regarding DSM cost recovery and utility performance incentives. Mr. Budd is currently KEMA's operations manager for the implementation of Commonwealth Edison's energy efficiency programs for business. Mr. Budd has a BS in Business Economics and Public Policy from Indiana University and a MBA in Marketing from Michigan State University. He has held positions in several community organizations and industry associations, including two terms on the board of the Association of Energy Services Professionals.

Barry Young has more than 20 years of experience in the lighting and electrical industry. As MaxLite's C&I utility program coordinator, Young works with major U.S. utilities on rebate and incentive programs and assists in the specification of lighting products which help projects meet ASHRAE and IES standards, local energy codes and LEED certification.

Jan Patrick has served in the State of Michigan energy efficiency and renewable energy office for 28 yrs. in several capacities. Currently, she oversees public buildings, transportation and biomass energy/biofuels programs and a staff of six professionals. She's been the co-administrator of the SEP/Formula Grant for the past 10 years; was appointed as the Energy Use Reduction Coordinator for the department and, most recently, assumed responsibility for the state's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program for state government and non-entitlement communities. In addition, Jan represented the Midwest Region on the National Association of State Energy Officials Board of Directors from 2006-2008 and has led several regional initiatives on energy performance contracting. Jan has been a long-term supporter of regional collaboration on a several issues, including biofuels infrastructure, biomass CHP and building technology applications. Jan earned a bachelors degree and teaching certificate from Central Michigan University, and a master's degree from Michigan State University with post graduate study in Public Administration.

Diane Munns is the vice president of Regulatory Relations and Energy Efficiency for MidAmerican Energy Company in Des Moines, Iowa. Previously she was the executive director of Retail Energy Services for Edison Electric Institute (EEI), the trade association for the nation's investor-owned utilities in Washington D.C. In that post, she was responsible for the EEI's efforts on energy efficiency and worked to establish the Institute for Electric Efficiency, funded by the Edison Foundation. Munns was a member of the Iowa Utilities Board from 1999-2006 and served as its chairman for four years. While a member of the Iowa Utilities Board, she served two years as the president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC). She focused on the role of regulation in efficiency during her tenure as NAUC president and, along with Jim Rogers of Duke Energy, became the first co-chair of the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency. Munns was recipient of the Public Service Leadership Award from the U.S. Energy Association and Johnson Controls at its 17th Annual Energy Efficiency Forum in 2006. She was awarded the MEEA Inspiring Efficiency Leadership Award that same year.

bio pending

Mark Kuntz has more than 20 years of experience in the utility and HVAC industries. He has served as vice president and general manager of Exelon (Unicom) Distributed Energy as well as director of national accounts for Lennox Industries. Mark is a professional engineer licensed by the State of California and a LEED Accredited Professional. He currently resides in Chicago.

As a Managing Director in the Energy practice, Randy Gunn is a leading expert in energy efficiency program development and evaluation. Mr. Gunn has over 25 years of experience in the development, implementation, and evaluation of utility energy service programs. Mr. Gunn has considerable experience with energy efficiency planning studies and market assessments, and often leads projects in this practice area. In addition, he is currently Project Director for evaluation studies for ComEd's energy efficiency and demand response programs, as well as for similar projects for AEP Ohio and Integrys/People's Gas. He has provided expert testimony in energy efficiency regulatory proceedings in several jurisdictions. Before joining NCI, Mr. Gunn was a Principal and founder of Summit Blue Consulting. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, and is a frequent speaker at energy services conferences and seminars.

Amy Kurt joined the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) as Director of Government Affairs in October 2009. She represents the state agency in all legislative matters and communicates OCC policies and positions on utility issues and pending legislation. Prior to joining the agency, Mrs. Kurt was program director and acting state director for Environment Ohio, which she helped launch in 2006. At Environment Ohio, she worked to advance energy efficiency and renewable energy programs and policies throughout the state. Mrs. Kurt has worked in development and policy positions for several other non-profit organizations in Ohio and around the country. Mrs. Kurt received a Bachelor of Arts in Earth and Environmental Sciences from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn.

Patrick Michalkiewicz is responsible for the development, management and implementation of the energy efficiency programs for Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas (IL). Patrick has more than 29 years of natural gas and electric utility experience, and is a member of the Chicago Region Initiative for Better Buildings, the Chicago Retrofit Steering Committee and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Lauren Casentini, President and CEO of Resource Solutions Group, brings over 20 years of experience in energy policy and partnership development, strategic program design, market transformation, and program management. As a trusted advisor and industry leader, she has provided guidance and facilitated collaboration among utilities, retailers, manufacturers, non-governmental organizations, policy makers and regulatory actors at national, state, and local levels. 

In 2006, Ms. Casentini co-founded Resource Solutions Group (RSG), now a nationally-recognized leader in energy and water efficiency program design, implementation, and management, market development, and technical services.  With offices in California and Illinois, RSG provides consulting services in residential, commercial, and industrial markets throughout the United States. The company was named to the 2011 Inc. 500 list of America's fastest-growing private companies, and has been nominated and received a number of awards for its customer service, client collaboration, and program delivery.  RSG also became the first Energy Efficiency Partner member of the Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) trade association.

Prior to founding RSG, Ms. Casentini held leadership positions in private consulting and utility companies, where she managed key projects including statewide energy and water efficiency policy development and market transformation programs.  She is a founding member and current Vice-Chair of the California Energy Efficiency Industry Council (CEEIC), and has previously served on the U.S. Department of Energy's National Appliance Advisory Committee.  Ms. Casentini looks forward to bringing her vast experience with both energy policy and practical implementation to help support MEEA, its members, and its mission.

Karen has been with Xcel Energy for over 10 years involved in energy efficiency primarily through marketing and product management. For the past six years, she has been responsible for energy-efficiency program strategy and achievement, as well as related regulatory compliance, for programs targeted at business customers. She currently leads marketing and program management efforts in Minnesota, Colorado, and New Mexico. In 2008, areas under her responsibility saved 419 GWh and 470,000 Dth with combined budgets of over $45.0 million. From 1998 to 2000, she managed one of the largest business energy efficiency programs for Northern States Power Company and was involved in conservation program design. After the merger that created Xcel Energy in August of 2000, she moved to the Segment Marketing group to help lead focused marketing efforts, including entering deregulated markets. She became the manager of Business Marketing in early 2003 and remains responsible for strategic market planning and program results for commercial customers. Prior to her career in energy efficiency, Karen held a variety of marketing positions in the retail, transportation, and franchise management industries. Karen earned her BBA degree in Marketing from The University of Michigan and her MBA degree, also in Marketing, from the University of Minnesota. Her interests in family, fishing, and outdoor activities align well with her career initiatives to encourage utility customers to lower their energy use and environmental impacts.