Jamin leads business development efforts at Sunkeeper Solar. Prior to co-founding Sunkeeper Solar, Jamin led the On-Site Generation division at Bright Power and directed all aspects of consulting, engineering, project management, procurement and permitting for all distributed generation projects. Growing up in Brooklyn and spending many years working locally Jamin has an in-depth understanding of permitting and working in New York City. Jamin has a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Lehigh University.

Ed is passionate about driving transformative policy change in our industry -- especially aorund the critical issues of Interconnection and Land Use. Serving as RWE Clean Energy's VP of Policy Development and Distributed Government Relations, Ed has been active in Interconnection proceedings across the nation over the last number of years, advocating for common-sense reforms that will enable a high-DER, high-decarbonization future. After a 15 year career in the Energy Services sector, primarily with Constellation Energy, Ed joined Clean Energy Collective in 2019, moving over to ConEd CEB when the Clean Energy Businesses purchased CEC's operating assets along with its Development team. With the combination of the CEB and RWE into RWE Clean Energy, Ed now leads a team that is responsible for Distributed energy policy with a Community Solar focus and RWE's Policy Development. A committed urbanist (in addition to a climate activist), Ed lives in Hamilton Heights in Harlem with his partner Abby and their terrorist mini-dachshund, Otto.

Gay Canough (PhD, particle physics, U of Notre Dame, 1988) has been working in the solar energy field since 1993, installing mostly photovoltaic systems. She founded Extraterrestrial Materials, Inc. (ETM Solar Works) in 1988, doing design work on small spacecraft such as the Lunar Prospector (which went to the Moon in 1998). Since 1993, ETM has installed over 3 megawatts of solar electric systems. ETM also installs small wind, air-source heat pumps, and battery backups.

In 2000, she began instructing electricians and other interested people in how to install photovoltaic (PV) systems. Since then, she has run the PV Installer’s course over 250 times. The course has been offered in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. In early 2020, the course was made into an online class via University of Buffalo and www.Coursera.org.

In the fall of 2003, she received certification as a PV installer from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (www.NABCEP.org). Gay is a founding member of the New York Solar Energy Industries Association (NYSEIA).

Kathryn Chelminski is the Director of Policy and Strategy at Ameresco. Ameresco is a leading independent provider of comprehensive services, energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions for businesses and organizations throughout North America and Europe with extensive experience in developing solar and energy storage projects. Kathryn holds a PhD in International Relations/Political Science from the Graduate Institute, Geneva, and has nearly a decade of experience in energy and environmental policy spanning industry, academia, and international organizations.

Annika Colston is President and Founder at AC Power, LLC. She has been developing alternative energy projects for two decades and has experience across all aspects of project development. Annika founded AC Power in 2016 to transform previously disturbed sites, such as landfills and mines, into solar projects that generate long-term revenue and complementary benefits. She and her team have developed complex projects in the northeast and mid-Atlantic with a strong presence in New Jersey.

Prior to AC Power, Annika was Vice President at PV Navigator where she originated and developed over 50 MW of solar projects on landfills and brownfields. From 2011 to 2014, she was President of C2i Methane where she developed and sold a portfolio of landfill gas to energy projects. Annika's work experience includes entities that were market leaders such as E+Co, which invested seed capital in sustainable development projects in Africa using innovative investment structures; EcoSecurities, a first-of-its-kind company marketing Kyoto Protocol projects globally; and Blue Source, the largest carbon credit portfolio in the United States.

Allison Considine (she/her) is a Senior Campaign Representative for NY with Sierra Club's Beyond Coal Campaign. She leads statewide strategies for a just and equitable transition to a 100% fossil-fuel-free electric sector. She previously worked as the NY Campaign Representative for the Sierra Club’s Clean Transportation for All campaign, advancing transportation electrification and public transit. Prior to joining Sierra Club, she worked as a union organizer with National Nurses United, supporting nurses across the country in forming unions at their workplaces. She holds a B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University, and calls NYC home.

Kat is Director of Interconnection Policy for Borrego—a solar and storage developer specializing in distribution generation and utility scale projects across the United States. Kat advocates for improved interconnection processes and policies that enable and unlock renewable energy development and has a keen interest in ensuring that we are proactively planning for infrastructure needs at the transmission and distribution level that will integrate renewable resources. Prior to her role at Borrego Kat worked at the northeast utility, National Grid, for over a decade and specialized in transmission interconnection and services.

Kate Daniel is a Senior Development and Policy Analyst at Catalyze, an innovative energy services partner and independent power producer (IPP) accelerating the transition to the renewable energy economy by creating new profit opportunities for commercial and industrial real estate owners. Catalyze has one operating community solar project and a robust pipeline of projects in development in New York, ranging from rooftops in the New York City metro region to ground mount community solar upstate.

Kate has been working on clean energy policy for nearly a decade. Prior to Catalyze, she was a Consultant with Sustainable Energy Advantage where she worked on policy and market analyses of New York's renewable energy sector. She previously was at the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center as part of the team that ran the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE). Kate has a B.A. from Tufts University and a Masters of Public Policy from UC Berkeley.

Zack Dufresne is the executive director of NYSEIA, with a background in renewable energy policy & market analysis and trade association management. Prior to joining NYSEIA, Zack performed in-depth clean energy policy analysis and contributed to energy market forecasting for distributed energy resources in various states across the Northeast U.S. as Principal Analyst at Sustainable Energy Advantage, LLC (SEA). He also brings expertise from his role as Director of Membership Services at the Alliance for Clean Energy New York (ACE NY), where he worked extensively with renewable energy developers and environmental advocates to track and shape policy to support the rapid growth of renewable energy in New York State.

Zack has a B.A. in Political Science from University at Albany with a minor in Sustainability and is pursuing a M.P.A. in Environmental Policy at Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy

Stephen is a Senior Account Executive for Sustainable Infrastructure at Johnson Controls. Johnson Controls is a multinational energy services company (ESCO). Stephen and his team are focusing on the commercial, municipal and K-12 educational markets in NY State and beyond. Most of these projects include solar installations with about 50MW completed or under development on Long Island alone. He began his career in the financial services industry working for several NYSE member firms including his own as a member of the NY Stock Exchange serving institutional and professional traders. In 2009 he founded
Bethpage Solar. He then worked with SUNation Energy and was Director of Business Development at Sunrise Power Solutions prior to joining the team at Johnson Controls. He is also certified as a NY State School District Business Leader (SDBL). These unique skills enable him to lead the team at Johnson as one of the largest installers of solar in school districts throughout NY State utilizing energy performance contracts. He has been an associate and member of NYSEIA’s LISSA since 2007 and currently serves as a member of the executive committee strongly advocating for solar on behalf of all the Long Island members for the last several years. In addition, he is an Adjunct Business Instructor at SUNY Suffolk. He holds a BS in Business Management and Marketing from Cornell University and an MS in Educational Leadership from LI University.

David Gahl is SEIA’s Senior Director of State Policy, East where he works on regulatory and legislative matters in Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York and provides senior-level oversight on important cross-cutting solar policy issues across the Eastern states.

Prior to joining SEIA, David worked at the Pace Energy and Climate Center at Pace University’s Law School, where he was deeply involved in New York’s Reforming the Energy Vision effort. Prior to Pace, David held various positions at Environmental Advocates of New York, New York State’s leading environmental advocacy organization. In these roles, he managed aspects of the organization’s policy analysis, advocacy and communications work.

David lives outside Albany, New York with his wife and two daughters.

Reid Garton is the President & CEO of NY State Solar, and a proud member of NYSEIA's board of directors, where he currently serves as the organization's VP of Residential Solar. NY State Solar is a solar developer that specializes in the sale, design, and installation of customized residential and commercial photovoltaic systems. NY State Solar has over 225 employees across eight locations in New York City, Long Island and New Jersey.

Through his work with NYSEIA, Reid's extensive experience within the solar industry works to advance further adoption of green technology on both local and regional scales. Reid's knowledge of the renewable energy sector regularly helps educate those outside the industry on the long-term financial and environmental benefits of choosing eco-friendly energy options for New York State.

Before joining NY State Solar, Reid served as the founder of a series of successful telecom and internet service companies. Reid is actively involved in several real estate businesses.

Matt Hankey is the Co-Founder, President & CEO of New Energy Equity, LLC. Under Matt’s leadership, New Energy Equity has installed more than 250 renewable energy installations in 13 different states, totaling more than $500,000,000 in total transactional value and was ranked by Solar Power World in 2019 as the 36th largest solar company in the United States and has been ranked as one of Inc. Magazine’s Fastest-Growing Companies in both 2019 and 2020. Before he co-founded New Energy Equity, Matt held senior management positions with two Mid-Atlantic renewable energy companies where he was responsible for the management of the development and implementation of renewable energy projects within each company’s footprint. Prior to entering the renewable energy industry in 2010, Matt worked in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and corporate finance with M&T Investment Banking Group in Baltimore, MD where he assisted in the execution of multiple corporate finance transactions totaling over $430 million in enterprise value. He received his B.S. in Finance, Magna Cum Laude, from Ohio State University.

Doreen M. Harris is president and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), a public benefit corporation that advances innovative energy solutions to improve New York State’s economy and environment.

Ms. Harris has held public and private sector leadership roles advancing clean energy projects and engineering companies for more than 20 years. During her 10 years of public service, she has held executive, technical, and policy positions at NYSERDA, most recently as the Vice President of Large-Scale Renewables. While at NYSERDA, she has overseen the State’s nation-leading advancement of renewable resources under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act and Clean Energy Standard. Ms. Harris also spearheaded the strategic development of New York’s offshore wind resource, including the execution of the State’s offshore wind master plan. She was also instrumental in advancing and implementing the Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act, which will modernize the siting of large-scale renewable energy projects across New York.

Before embarking on a career in public service, Ms. Harris spent more than a decade in the energy sector, serving in management and engineering roles. She began her career at Alcoa Advanced Technologies and Optimization Technologies in engineering roles associated with consulting and project management. Prior to joining NYSERDA, she served as Project Director for Global Water Technologies, Inc., where she led a multi-year initiative to develop and commercialize energy savings and water treatment technologies.

She currently serves on the boards of the Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center, Alliance to Save Energy, Clean Energy States Alliance, National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium, NY CREATES, NY BEST, and is a member of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network Leadership Council. Ms. Harris earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Rochester
and a Master of Business Administration from the University at Albany.

Cara earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science before starting her own importing business. Cara relocated to the East Coast and pursued her passion and began working in the green industry. She was at the forefront of the electric vehicle industry and successfully built a loyal following an impressive referral network. Cara was eventually recruited to Astrum Solar and as a Solar Consultant before being promoted to Sales Manager of NY. Most recently, she worked as a consultant in NY for a Commercial-Industrial Energy Efficiency Company working with local utilities as a Program Expediter. She proudly serves on the Town of Chatham’s Climate Smart Committee, the Columbia County Environmental Management Council, Rotary Club, and the local chapter of Citizen’s Climate Lobby.

Jason Kaplan is the COO and General Counsel at PowerMarket, an industry-leading community solar management company based in New York. Jason has been key to PowerMarket's growth, now managing over 450 MW of community solar across 9 states. He also leads PowerMarket's enterprise acquisition solutions, bringing Fortune 100 businesses, academic institutions, and affordable housing providers to its portfolio of community solar projects.

Previously, Jason was the General Counsel and Head of Policy at United Wind, where he led all legal and advocacy work related to United Wind's distributed wind energy business including corporate governance and lobbying, as well as overseeing $200M+ raised in project and corporate finance from global energy corporates like Statoil, Total, and TEPCO.

Jason graduated from Vermont Law School, cum laude with a joint degree in law and masters in environmental law and policy, and Colgate University, cum laude B.A. Geology.

Steve Kasselman is the CEO & Founder of Kasselman Solar and a 4th Generation Electrical Contractor. In addition to Kasselman Solar, Mr. Kasselman serves as The Strategic Risk Management Officer at Kasselman Electric. As a 4th generation Electrical Contractor, Steve is most focused on the advancement of renewable and sustainable technologies and advancing their feasibility at scale to disrupt and simplify energy use, deployment, and generation across multiple industries in the United States.

Prior to founding Kasselman Solar, Steve began his career in the financial industry serving under his Mentor, Bert Trombley, at both Smith Barney and Morgan Stanley before transitioning to a private equity fund. Steve quickly developed concerns about the sustainability of the global financial system created the desire to find ways to enact change at more meaningful and tangible ways. Steve found fulfillment and his passion within Kasselman Electric, serving a series of roles before being promoted to Chief Risk Management Officer.

Mr. Kasselman founded Kasselman Solar to create a dedicated team of industry leading professionals to expressly focus on emerging solar and storage technology as well as financial models that would create an immediate impact to families, businesses, and government. Kasselman Solar has successfully designed, installed, commissioned, and service over 2,000 Solar energy and storage systems throughout NYS.

Casey Kirkpatrick is the New York Director of Reliability and Research & Development with National Grid. He received a BS in English from the United States Naval Academy, an MS in Power Systems Management from the Worcester Polytechnical Institute, and a Graduate Certificate in the Business of Energy from Clarkson University. He is currently working on his MBA with Clarkson University. He began his career as a Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy in Newport, RI and Jacksonville, FL. He joined National Grid in 2005 as an Operations Engineer in Brockton, MA. He worked in the Electrical Distribution Design department in Massachusetts and New York. He served as a manager in the Retail Connections Engineering and Distribution Planning and Asset Management departments based in Albany, NY, and then served as the National Grid New York Distributed Generation Ombudsperson. He began his most recent assignment as the New York Director of Reliability and Research & Development in April of 2021.

Matt Kozey is Director for Community-Scale Markets at Cypress Creek Renewables, a privately held solar and solar + storage developer. He is an attorney by training, with over a decade of experience at the intersection of the energy business and public policy, including over six years at a utility, as well as direct lobbying for solar energy policy priorities in state houses and at state commissions.

Steve Littlewood is the Director of Solar Acquisitions at UGE. Steve has over 12 years of experience developing, acquiring, and financing solar projects throughout the United States. Before joining UGE in 2021, Steve was Director of Business Development at Nautilus Solar Energy, where he was responsible for acquisitions of development stage DG projects since 2015. Prior to Nautilus, Steve was the Director of East Coast Sales at Hanwha (now Q Cells). Steve earned his bachelor’s degree in business management from Widener University.

T.R. is the CEO and Co Founder of Brooklyn SolarWorks and Brooklyn Solar Canopy Company. He has helped build a unique urban solar company focused on flat roof installations in NYC. Prior to Brooklyn SolarWorks T.R. was the Senior Regional Sales Manager for Sunrun and helped build Sunruns direct to consumer presence in the Northeast. T.R. Began is solar career by co founding AD Energy, a residential solar financing company. T.R. holds. BS in Geology and Environmental Studies from Ohio Wesleyan University and MBA in E-business from Maastricht School of Management.

Brian Madigan is a Project Manager on the Development Team at Renewable Properties and resides in Portland, Maine. Brian’s responsibilities include managing early, mid, and late-stage entitlement / permitting for community solar projects across the US, with an emphasis on project development in New York, New England, and California. From February 2020 to present, Brian has entitled more than 20MW of community solar across New York State – with projects ranging in location from the western and upstate regions through to the North Country. With a professional background in urban and environmental planning, Brian is an AICP Planner with 13 years of experience in the energy & environment industry. Brian obtained his AICP certification in 2011 and holds a BA in Geography from Sonoma State University and a Master of Community Planning and Development from the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Maine.

Patrick McClellan is policy director for the New York League of Conservation Voters, where he has worked on clean air and water, renewable energy, and climate change policy since 2017. Prior to joining NYLCV, Patrick worked on central staff for the New York City Council, where he focused on climate issues. He has a BA in politics from NYU and an MPA in public policy analysis from NYU Wagner. He lives In Brooklyn with his wife and two sons.

Michael Mollin is responsible for seeking new opportunities for Community Power Partners, LLC. This includes sourcing potential projects as well as sourcing the purchasers of power in the form of either ESCOs, Community based groups or individual subscribers for the community solar business. Mr Mollin spent the prior eight years as the Director of Business Development for MEMO-Sunshine, LLC, one of the leading solar developers in the New York Tri-State region. Previously, Mr. Mollin worked at several Wall Street investment firms, including Smith Barney, Lehman Brothers, UBS and Tradition Energy (or a predecessor firm to some of the foregoing). Mr. Mollin has extensive practical experience in renewable energy project financing, structuring, permitting and construction. Mr. Mollin holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Ithaca College, School of Communications (1989).

Daniel Montante is President and co-founder of Montante Solar. A nine-year veteran of the renewable energy industry, Mr. Montante has overseen the company’s rapid growth, solidifying its position as a key player in the New York solar market. He is responsible for overseeing company operations and providing a clear strategic direction. Mr. Montante has assembled a top tier team of engineering, construction and finance professionals that have built some of the most noteworthy solar projects in New York. His strong managerial and financial modeling skills have played a large role in the company’s success.

Prior to founding Montante Solar, Mr. Montante worked at DuPont for ten years in a number of finance and business development roles. In the latter part of his tenure at DuPont, Mr. Montante was based in Shanghai as Director of Mergers & Acquisitions - Greater China. In this capacity, he managed all acquisition and divestiture activities, which entailed acquisition search, joint venture restructuring, due diligence, term sheet negotiation and deal execution. It was during this time that Mr. Montante served as a Core Team Member for DuPont’s thin film solar module venture based in Hong Kong.

Mr. Montante holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Skidmore College and a Master of Business Administration from Wake Forest University. He is a member of the New York Solar Energy Industries Association and is on the Board of Directors for the Arts Services Initiative of Western New York.

Kaitlin Kelly O'Neill is the Northeast Regional Director for the Coalition for Community Solar Access. Prior to joining CCSA, Kaitlin worked for the MA Department of Energy Resource in their Renewables Division, managing the solar incentive programs for the state. She also worked for the MA Legislature in the state Senate as a legislative aide for many years. She received her B.A. in English from the University of Connecticut and her M.A. from Tufts University in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning.

Dennis Phayre is a C&I corporate solar developer with PowerFlex, LLC., a subsidiary EDF Renewables North America (EDFR). Prior to joining the PowerFlex team, Dennis was a founding member of EnterSolar, a leading corporate onsite solar developer headquartered in NYC. EDFR completed its acquisition of EnterSolar in January 2021. Dennis has over 15 years of experience in the New York C&I market.

Dennis’s work also includes policy development, often in cooperation with NYSEIA, SEIA, and NY-BEST. Through his policy efforts Dennis, seeks to better understand and shape the complex markets into which he sells. He has served as a “Collaborator” on the PSC’s original VDER proceedings and continues to serve as a member of its Interconnection Policy Working Group (IPWG) today.

While his work focuses largely on onsite solar projects from 1 MW AC to 5 MW AC, including rooftop, ground, carports, storage, and EVSE, Dennis has also developed many MWs of RNM/CDG projects across New York State.

Michelle Piasecki is a Partner with Harris Beach. She focuses her practice on energy and environmental law, with a particular emphasis on renewable generation and emerging technologies. Michelle represents renewable developers in all aspects of project development and siting, including navigating the regulatory process under Article 10 of the New York Public Service Law and the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). Michelle also counsels clients through the interconnection process with local distribution utilities and the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO).

In the environmental arena, Michelle represents corporate and individual clients on a wide range of matters involving permitting, regulatory compliance, civil and administrative enforcement, and dispute resolution. Her environmental permitting and regulatory compliance experience spans issues involving air emissions, wastewater and stormwater discharges, wetlands, zoning and land use matters, and the Mined Land Reclamation Law.

Patrick Robbins is the Coordinator of the New York Energy Democracy Alliance. Prior to his work at the New York Energy Democracy Alliance, he was the Co-Director of Sane Energy Project, and has worked for over 10 years at the intersection of communications, energy policy, and grassroots organizing, in positions that ranged from digital organizer for 350.org to communications strategist for a Showtime series about the climate crisis.

Patrick holds an MA in Climate and Society from Columbia University. He currently is a fellow at the Climate and Community Project and the Jain Family Institute. Patrick was born and raised in Brooklyn.

Peter is an associate with Foley Hoag. Peter concentrates his practice in energy law, with a focus on renewable generation, energy storage and sustainable development. Peter has a deep understanding of the risks and opportunities associated with project development, regularly advising clients in the energy sector at every stage of a project's lifecycle, from initial conception to successful litigation. His practice includes drafting and negotiating project agreements for solar, wind, and energy storage projects, including power purchase and other offtake agreements, community solar management and subscription agreements, and energy storage service agreements. He also conducts regulatory and interconnection due diligence in relation to solar, wind, and energy storage project sales and acquisitions, including analysis of relevant wholesale and retail market tariffs. He advocates in state and federal court, and has drafted multiple petitions, comments, and advocacy letters to public utility commissions and public authorities on renewable energy and transmission policy matters.

Stephan Roundtree, Jr. is the Northeast Director for Vote Solar, where he works to promote ambitious and socially just solar policy in New England and New York. He is also a proud member of NYSEIA's board, where he has served the organization since 2020. Prior to joining Vote Solar, Stephan worked as an advocate and community lawyer with WE ACT for Environmental Justice in Harlem, NYC. There, he fought for more inclusive solar and energy efficiency policies in Albany and at City Hall. Stephan also co-designed a first-in-the-nation solarize campaign for a dense urban community in Northern Manhattan, and negotiated construction and local hiring contracts for the project based on community values and input.

Originally from the Town of Dunstable, Massachusetts, Stephan holds a B.A. in History from Boston College, a J.D. from Northeastern School of Law, and a Master's in Environmental Policy from Vermont Law School. In his spare time Stephan enjoys sailing, skiing, and social distancing on his bike, though his passion for energy justice is equaled only by his love of birdwatching and Boston sports.

David co-founded EmPower Solar in 2003 to make solar energy the dominant energy source in New York and beyond. This vision continues to drive every action the company takes. EmPower Solar installs home and commercial solar power and battery systems for bill reduction, back-up power and income generation.

David is the board Chairman of the New York State Solar Energy Industry Association (NYSEIA), Vice-Chair of the Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) Distributed Generation Division, and Board Member of the Long Island Association and Vice Chair of its Energy Committee and board member of Vision Long Island.

He has a Master of Science in Energy Management from the New York Institute of Technology, where he received the Faculty Award for outstanding achievement. David co-led the 2005 US Department of Energy Solar Decathlon solar-hydrogen zero energy home project. He has a BA in Economics from the University of Vermont, where he received the Freeman Saltus Award in Economics. David was a North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Photovoltaic Installer. David started his career as an Institutional Equity Advisor at Merrill Lynch where he sold Japanese equities to large US based investors.

David lives in Long Island City with his wife, Cristina Zancani, a sustainable architect and Urban Designer, and their young son.

Kevin co-founded GreenSpark Solar in 2002 and assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in 2008. Under his leadership, GreenSpark became the 11th fastest-growing business in Rochester in 2015, and
reached the top spot on the Rochester Chamber of Commerce's Fastest Growing Companies list in 2017 and 2023.

Kevin's industry involvement extends to his position on the board of NYSEIA (New York Solar Energy Industries Association), advocating for sustainable growth of solar energy across New York State.
Additionally, he serves on the board of the Amicus Solar Cooperative, a member-owner purchasing cooperative of over 70 independent, values-driven solar energy companies represented in all 50 states, US
territories, and Canada.

Recognized locally, statewide, and nationally for his contributions to the distributed solar & wind industry, Kevin boasts over 1 GW of renewable energy installations across the country. His accolades range
from the inaugural recipient of the Community Wind Innovator Award in 2011 to being named Business Person of the Year in 2022. Kevin's commitment to policy advocacy and championing the interests of
small and mid-sized solar and wind businesses is evident in these accomplishments.

Kevin's dedication to renewable energy is matched by his commitment to fostering a positive workplace culture, with GreenSpark consistently named a Rochester Top Workplace. He continues to drive meaningful
work within the solar industry, making a tangible difference for our communities and the environment.

Brandon Smithwood is the Senior Director of Policy at Dimension Renewable Energy, a national developer of solar and energy storage projects. Prior to joining Dimension, Brandon worked in solar trade associations, first as the California Director for the Solar Energy Industries Association and then as the Policy Director for the Coalition for Community Solar Access. Brandon’s previous energy policy work included managing state policy work for the non-profit Ceres and federal policy work for Westborough-based energy efficiency program administrator Conservation Services Group.

Brandon has a master’s degree from The Fletcher School at Tufts University and a bachelor’s degree from Colby College. Brandon began his career as a corps member of Teach for America where he taught fifth grade in New Mexico.

Katie Soscia is director of business development for Montante Solar and a veteran of the solar industry. In her role at Montante, Soscia leads customer engagement, champions new market segments, RFP response, and contract negotiation. She also supports project development including project due diligence, permitting, incentives, and the site plan approval process. Soscia has also originated solar fields on behalf of Montante Solar—finding green space and negotiating land leases with the intent of siting large-scale solar.

Prior to joining the Montante team, Soscia was project manager of more than 8 MW of commercial and large-scale solar arrays, managing the job from start to finish.

Daniel A. Spitzer is a Partner at the law firm of Hodgson Russ LLP. He is the Renewable Energy Practices Leader and a member of the Cleantech Practice, Green Building Practice, Land Use & Economic Development Practice, and Real Property Tax Assessment & Eminent Domain Practice. Dan concentrates his practice on environmental law, renewable energy, sustainable development, land use law, municipal law, real property taxation, and real estate development. His practice involves numerous renewable energy projects, including representing municipalities, developers, land owners, and financing entities. His work, from project inception through successful litigation, includes some of the largest wind farms in the eastern United States, multiple utility and small-scale solar projects, and landfill gas-to-energy, biomass, storage, transmission, and energy efficiency projects.

A primary part of Dan’s work focuses on National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) review and compliance with federal and state environmental statutes. His work includes environmental assessments for large-scale telecommunications projects and power generation projects. He counsels agencies and private clients on compliance with historic preservation laws, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and other federal and state environmental statutes and regulations, and has drafted PILOTs, Host Community Agreements, PPAs, EPCs, MIPAs and other contracts. He is a frequent speaker and writer on sustainable development, property taxation, SEQRA, and zoning issues. Dan has a J.D. from the University at Buffalo School of Law and an MSc in Sustainable Development from the University of London.

Jessica is CEO of Joule Assets Inc. In this role, she oversees the management and operations of the company, as well as the smooth rollout and operations of its service offerings, including Community Choice Aggregation, Community Distributed Generation and the deployment of the eQuad platform in Europe. For the eQuad service offering she supports the development of investment portfolios within the energy efficiency and Demand Response industries. She also acts as project manager and directs public projects developing renewables, demand response and energy efficiency resources for the company.

Christopher Turner is the Director of Community Solar at Arcadia. Currently, Arcadia has over 500,000 members across all 50 states, 130 utilities and all customer segments. In available states with a community solar program, Arcadia manages over 500 MWs of solar capacity and is the largest provider of acquisition and management services for the community solar sector.

Prior to his time at Arcadia, Christopher’s experience in renewables included market expansion strategy, financial product innovation and originating new business models for Sunrun and Vivint Solar.

Kyle Wallace is a Director of Public Policy at Sunrun, the nation's leading home solar, battery storage, and energy services company. Kyle is engaged in advancing state solar and storage policies throughout the northeast from New Jersey to New Hampshire. Prior to Sunrun, Kyle worked for Vivint Solar in several roles ranging from analytics to market expansion and public policy. He holds a M.S. in Political Science from Utah State University and a B.A. from Colorado Mesa University. In his spare time he enjoys hiking, mountain biking, and exploring new places with his wife and three kids.