David Boyce, Chair

David Boyce is an attorney and renewable energy advocate who lives in a PV-powered house. David has been an MRES Board Member since 1999 and the President since 2002. He is a core member of the Sunny Side Project, which placed photovoltaics on a local coffee shop and provided the catalyst for the community solar movement in Minnesota.

E-mail: davidb@MNRenewables.org

Doug Shoemaker, Co-Chair

Doug Shoemaker is a recent retiree of NSP/Excel. He is an active MRES Board Member, fundraising, publicizing, and helping host the Minnesota Solar Tour and the Solar Boat Regatta. Outside of MRES, Doug's current volunteer projects include a solar thermal application and wind project with area schools, a solar roof initiative partnership, and a feasibility project for a photovoltaic installation.

E-mail: dougs@MNRenewables.org

Loren Abraham

Loren Abraham has over 30 years experience in the building and construction industry. Loren's primary focus since 1990 has been ecologically sound, healthier, more energy and resource effective buildings and the creation of sustainable, livable communities. He has passionately supported widespread education about energy and environmental issues as well as the intelligent use of our limited natural resources. A Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP), Loren is a practicing architect and principal of Abraham + Associates in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is also a certified Industrial Designer and an adjunct assistant professor in the Architecture department at the University of Minnesota, College of Design.

E-mail: lorena@MNRenewables.org

Christopher Childs

Christopher Childs is the former National Speaker for Greenpeace USA; he is the author of The Spirit's Terrain: Creativity, Activism, and Transformation. He is co-chair of the Clean Air and Renewable Energy Committee of the Sierra Club's North Star Chapter and is the chapter's Conservation Chair. Christopher has actively promoted wind power across southern Minnesota. He is currently working on a book about his years with Greenpeace, and is in process of installing 3 kW of solar photovoltaics on his home in St. Paul.

E-mail: christopherc@MNRenewables.org

Pat Dreese

Pat Dreese is a scientist who has long been concerned about what humans are doing to our earth. Pat has volunteered at the Solar Boat Regatta and the MRES displays at the Living Green Expo and the Eco-Experience at the State Fair. He often commutes to work on a recumbent bicycle. Pat has added a ground-source heat pump, solar water heater, and a 3.9 kW photovoltaic array to his house in Plymouth.

E-mail: patd@MNRenewables.org

Jon Higgins

Jon Higgins is the Managing Director of Lotus Energy Consulting and Management, a firm specializing in custom energy solutions with emphasis on energy efficiency and sustainable technologies. Jon recently moved to Minnesota from Boston, Massachusetts, with training from Solar Energy International, and has more than four years experience in energy auditing, site evaluation, system design, and installation of PV, solar thermal, hydro, and small wind.

E-mail: jonh@MNRenewables.org

Jan Hubbard

Jan Hubbard has over 30 years of experience working in the electronic communications manufacturing industry, where he filled various business development, marketing, sales management, and leadership roles. He has an MBA from St. Cloud State University, a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Business Administration from the University of Minnesota, and an electronics diploma from Anoka Technical College. Jan believes renewable energy is important for environmental sustainability. He has worked as an active volunteer for MRES on projects for the Outreach and Curriculum & Training Committees, the Eco-Experience, the Solar Tour, and he attended MRES/MREA training in solar thermal, solar PV, and wind energy technologies.

E-mail: janh@MNRenewables.org

Ralph Jacobson

Ralph is CEO of Innovative Power Systems. He is a certified solar installer and energy auditor with over 25 years experience as a building contractor. Ralph is North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) certified and has a B.S. in Materials Engineering from the University of Minnesota.

E-mail: ralphj@MNRenewables.org

Stephen Jenkins, Secretary

Stephen Jenkins is just beginning his career in advocating for renewable energy. Since learning about MRES, Steve has spent time volunteering at the Eco-Experience and the Solar Home Tour. Outside of MRES, he was recently elected Hennepin County Soil and Water Supervisor for District 4. He attended the University of Michigan, where he received his B.A. in Economics and Political Science. At Michigan, he served as the Vice-President of Communications for Alpha Phi Omega - Gamma Pi Chapter, a co-ed community service fraternity.

E-mail: stephenj@MNRenewables.org

Kellye Rose, Treasurer

Kellye Rose owns and operates Rose Consulting Services, assisting agriculture producers, rural small businesses, and civic organizations in exploring and acquiring grants for Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Sustainability, and Value-Added Production. She possesses a MBA from the University of MN Carlson School of Management, where her studies focused on Strategy, International Business, and Sustainability. Kellye attended the University of North Dakota, where she received a BSBA in Airport Administration. She was employed by Northwest Airlines from 1985–2005 in various revenue management, sales, and marketing roles.

E-mail: kellyer@MNRenewables.org

1)  

Prepare for each Board of Directors meeting by reading material distributed prior to the meeting, and gathering whatever information may be required or requested.

2)  

Attend all Board Meetings and participate in the proceedings. If a Board member is absent from three or more consecutive Board Meetings, or one-half of the meetings in a twelve-month period — except in extraordinary cases — then he or she has officially resigned, and the Board may proceed to filling their position.

3)  

Attend Board retreats, planning sessions, and Board development workshops.

4)  

Attend and take an active role in the promotion, funding, planning, and presentation of the Minnesota Solar Tour, the Solar Boat Regatta, and other MRES designed special events.

5)  

Serve on at least one committee and actively participate in meetings of that committee.

6)  

Maintain knowledge of current programs.

7)  

Establish and monitor policies.

8)  

Monitor finances, and bear responsibility for the fiscal condition of the organization.

9)  

Be a current paid member of the organization.

10)  

Assist in fundraising by soliciting the financial support of others and by sharing resources and talents with the organization, including contacts for support.

11)  

Serve as an advocate of the organization to the public and constituent groups.

12)  

Act in loyalty to the organization, its vision and mission.