Officers
Chair: David Warner, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
David has more than 25 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 20 years, leading 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 been the director of the Technical Information Office and has managed the Information and Outreach Program, the Technical Information Program, and the Stakeholder Partnerships Office. David was vice chair of IREC from 1992 to 2012. 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.
Larry Shirley, Duke University
Larry is Director, Operations and Planning at the Nicholas Institute for Environmental and Policy Solutions, Duke University. From 2009-2012, he was Director of the Green Economy in the NC Department of Commerce. Prior to assuming this position in 2009, Larry directed the State Energy Office for nine years. In late 2000, he 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. Larry is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Secretary: Jane Pulaski, IREC
Jane is responsible for IREC’s communication and outreach through the IREC and Solar Instructor Training Network websites and four newsletters: The IREC Report (formerly the State & Stakeholder Newsletter), the Solar Instructor Training Network (SITN) Quarterly, The Credentialing Chronicle (formerly the ISPQ Insider), and IREC News. Before joining IREC in 1999, Jane was Program Manager for the Renewable Energy Program for SECO (1992-1999), where she planned, implemented and monitored renewable energy projects in Texas. Jane, a voracious consumer of technology, also manages IREC’s social media presence. When she’s not communicating about IREC, she’s working on her Warrior II. Jane lives in Austin.
Treasurer: 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, Inc. (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
Carolyn Appleton, Carolyn M. Appleton, Inc.
With more than 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Carolyn’s mission is to enable nonprofit organizations to attain their fundraising and public relations goals in the most efficient, thoughtful and high quality manner possible. Carolyn is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), and has received awards for excellence for her work with several nonprofit organizations. She has a focus on major gift and special project fundraising, and has been a featured speaker for the Association of Fundraising Professionals (local and state-wide); CharityChannel and Grant Professionals Association (national); Katy Prairie Conservancy and Legacy Land Trust; Keep Texas Beautiful; Nature Conservancy (Board of Governors); NTEN: Nonprofit Technology Network (national); Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi; Texas Historical Commission; Texas Wildlife Association; and the Valley Land Fund. Carolyn is a member of the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, The Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi, and served two consecutive terms on the Texas Environmental Education Partnership Fund Board (appointed by Texas Governor Rick Perry). Carolyn launched a popular fundraising blog in 2011. Carolyn’s corporate website may be found here.
Chris Cook, Solar Grid Storage LLC
Chris is a Principal with Solar Grid Storage LLC a new company focused on placing cost effective battery solutions with solar energy projects and utilizing the batteries to provide grid benefits and services. Formerly he was with the law firm of Keyes & Fox a boutique firm targeting distributed generation and the renewable energy legal and regulatory issues. Previously, Chris was a Managing Director of Sunworks, a startup company to focused on building US based solar PV manufacturing facilities. He was formerly Sr. Vice-President, of Regulatory Affairs for SunEdison, a company he helped found with three others in 2003. As General Counsel at SunEdison, Chris helped write the solar power purchase agreement (PPA) that has become the model contract for the industry. Considered by many to be the leading national expert on net metering, Chris was assistant counsel with the Maryland People’s Counsel and Director of Energy Policy at the Maryland Energy Administration. Chris is a member of the Bar of Maryland and a Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. He holds awards from the Governor of Maryland and the US Department of Energy for outstanding service in the solar energy field.
Brian Gallagher, Brian Gallagher Consulting
Brian is an independent energy consultant who has focused on overcoming barriers to the use of renewableenergy. 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 Judd Hamm, Solar Electric Power Association
Julia is the President and CEO 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.
Ken Jurman
Ken is with the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy where he manages the Division of Energy’s solar and wind power programs. He works closely with state and local economic development agencies to promote the growth of Virginia’s alternative and renewable energy industry, as well as with numerous public, private and non-profit organizations to increase the demand for renewable and innovative energy technologies. Over the past two and a half years, Ken developed and implemented several grant and rebate programs totaling nearly $38 million to support solar and small wind installations throughout the Commonwealth. Through these efforts, Virginia experienced over a seven-fold increase in solar thermal, photovoltaic, and small wind power capacity. Ken currently serves as a government sector representative on the Board for the Small Wind Certification Council. He also serves as staff to the Virginia Offshore Wind Development Authority, which was created through 2010 legislation to facilitate, coordinate, and support development of the offshore wind energy industry and supply chain in Virginia. Ken lives in Rockville, Virginia with his wife and daughter.
Steve 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, clean transportation, green building, and energy efficiency technologies. He has over 18 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.
Karl Rábago, Rábago Energy
Karl has more than 20 years experience in electricity policy and regulation, emerging energy markets development, clean energy technology development, and the implementation of sustainability principles. Karl chairs the board for the Center for Resource Solutions and helped create the “Green-e” Certification program for renewable energy products. His past positions include: Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Energy; Commissioner, Texas Public Utility Commission; Sustainability Leader with NatureWorks, LLC; and Managing Director & Principal, Rocky Mountain Institute. A graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Business Management, Karl is an attorney (University of Texas Law School, J.D. with Honors) with post-doctorate degrees in environmental (LL.M., Pace University School of Law) and military law (LL.M., US Army Judge Advocate General’s School). Karl has taught law at the University of Houston Law Center and the US Military Academy at West Point. A veteran of more than 12 years in the US Army, he served as an Armored Cavalry officer and member of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, and is Airborne and Ranger qualified. Married for more than 33 years to his wife Pam, Karl is the proud father of three grown children and grandfather of Avery Victoria Rábago.
Marc Roper, Tioga Energy
Marc 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.
President, Chief Operating Officer Jane Weissman
Jane Weissman has been the President and Chief Operating Officer of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. since 1994. From 1985 until1991, Jane was the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Photovoltaic Center. She is Vice Chair of the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners and was elected an America Solar Energy Society’s Fellow in 2004. She has been chairing the national Clean Energy Workforce Education Conference since 2006. Jane has been invited by the Congress of the United States to provide expert testimony before the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment to discuss workforce development and training issues. In May 2010, she received the prestigious Charles Greeley Abbot Award from the American Solar Energy Society. And in 2012, Jane received the Renewable Energy World’s Leadership Award in policy. She has published papers and spoken widely on topics in the field of renewable energy, photovoltaics, public policy and credentialing. Jane is based out of Boston, Massachusetts, and is an avid Red Sox fan.
