2011 MRES Board of Directors

Eric Jensen, Board Chair

Term: 2010-2012

Eric Jensen is the Energy Coordinator for the Izaak Walton League of America.  In this position, he is involved in reviewing and developing utility resource plans and rate designs and is active in the League’s focus on distributed generation, Low Carbon Fuel policy, the Midwest Renewable Energy Tracking System, advanced utility revenue recovery, net metering, conservation improvement programs, and wind energy siting and wildlife interaction. Eric is also involved numerous organizations, non-profits, and programs and has been very active with MRES since he attended his first meeting.  He holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from UW-Madison.

Email: ericj@mnRenewables.org

Doug Shoemaker, Vice-Chair

Term: 2005-2007, 2008-2010, 2011-2013

Doug Shoemaker retired from Xcel Energy as a service and construction vehicle fleet manager. He is now an active MRES Board member, leading fundraising, organizing and planning the Minnesota Solar Tour,  the Solar Boat Regatta, and many community events for MRES. 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.

In 2009, Solar Today magazine, the publication of the American Solar Energy Society (ASES), recognized Doug for the many renewable energy and community projects in which he’s been involved, from his key role at MRES as well as with over 20 other renewable energy related committees and task forces. Read the whole story at: www.solartoday.org/heroes

E-mail: dougs@mnRenewables.org

Jan Hubbard, Secretary

Term: 2008, 2009-2011, 2012

Jan Hubbard has over 30 years of experience working in the electronics manufacturing industry and more recently in the solar industry. His work experience has been in various business development, marketing, sales management, operations, 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, an electronics diploma from Anoka Technical College, and a graduate certificate in Public Relations from the University of St. Thomas. Jan is a founding Board member and the Treasurer for the Minnesota Solar Energy Industry Association (MnSEIA). He believes that renewable energy, especially solar energy, is important for our environmental sustainability and energy security, because solar energy is clean, one of the most abundant and sustainable renewable energy sources, and its use has the potential to be less expensive than coal. Jan has worked as an active volunteer for MRES on projects for the Curriculum & Training, Advocacy, Finance, Outreach, and Events committees. He completed MREA & MRES training in solar thermal, solar PV, wind energy technologies, and earned NABCEP Certificate of Knowledge (COK) for photovoltaic systems.

Tim Bethke, Treasurer

Term: 2010-2012

Tim Bethke has over 29 years of experience as a global technical management executive with a multi-faceted engineering background. Tim is currenly an operations manager at Despatch Industries. He is an energetic and collaborative leader with progressive experience leading technical professionals, projects, and processes.  Tim considers himself a clean energy technology advocate / enthusiast with a passion for growing the solar economy here in Minnesota.  He has a solid working knowledge of clean energy technologies obtained through dedicated research, training, and active involvement in MRES.

E-mail: timb@mnRenewables.org

Jim Dontje

Term: 2011-2013

James Dontje is the Director of the Johnson Center for Environmental Innovation at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter. In addition to working on campus sustainability and environmental education efforts, he is a designer and builder of solar thermal systems and works with a south-central Minnesota task force seeking to develop community wind projects. He received his undergraduate degree in Physics from Luther College and did his Ph.D. work at the University of Minnesota in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering. James has twice done international work in community development and water resources, first in Burkina Faso, West Africa, (1988–1991) and then in eastern Indonesia (1991–2001). Prior to joining Gustavus, he taught in the Sustainability and Environmental Studies program at Berea College in Kentucky and also served as an ecological design consultant for that institution.

E-mail: jimd@mnRenewables.org

Rebecca Lundberg

Term: 2009, 2010-2012

Rebecca Lundberg is president and CEO of Powerfully Green, where she focuses on installing residential solar energy systems. She holds a Master's Degree in Education, a Minnesota Residential Building Contractor's license, and is certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) in both PV Installation and Technical Sales. In her role with MRES, Rebecca is co-convener of Solar Minnesota, a local group of industry representatives that brings together business, government, non-profit, and community organizations to remove market barriers to solar energy use and develop and strengthen local demand for solar energy products and applications. Rebecca is passionate about sustainable living, frequently giving lectures about conservation and renewable energy. Since starting her renewable energy business she has reduced her own energy consumption by one-half, and lives with a solar domestic hot water system and several different photovoltaic arrays at her home-office.

E-mail: rebeccal@mnRenewables.org

Todd Fink

Term: 2012-2014

Todd Fink started installing solar in 2006, when he took a workshop and pieced together a solar heating system on his own home. He has installed solar energy equipment for Best Power, Innovative Power System, and Energy Concepts. Todd has a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an education degree from the University of Minnesota, and he’s a NABCEP certified solar thermal installer. Currently he works as a solar instructor at Century College, concentrating in solar site assessment and solar thermal installation.

Todd is on the board of the Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association and has volunteered for MRES extensively before becoming a Board Member, primarily participating on the Make Mine Solar Committee, teaching workshops for the Make Mine Solar Program and creating fun educational exhibits to be displayed at the Eco Experience.

Email: toddf@mnrenewables.org

Eduardo Barrera

Term: 2012-2014

Eduardo Barrera holds a Masters’ degree in Public Affairs from the University of Minnesota. After almost two years working in California with a solar initiative and as a Director of Housing and Real Estate Development in San Diego CA he returned to Minnesota where he has lived for the last 18 years.

Currently Eduardo provides consulting services for renewable energy for affordable housing and community organizations. He has served as commissioner at the Saint Paul Planning Commission and holds a Real Estate Broker License. He currently runs his own organization - Everyday Solar LLC and is committed to offer time, renewable energy policy analysis expertise, networking and the experience of working with the California Solar Initiative provided.

Email: eduardob@mnrenewables.org

Jen Eichten

Term: 2011-2013

Jen Eichten is a child protection attorney in her own private practice.  Eichten has a Juris Doctorate from William Mitchell and a Journalism degree from the St. Catherine University.  She grew up with solar thermal on her home.  Eichten obtained her solar education from Century College.  When she is not advocating for the best interest of children she enjoys promoting panels.

Email: jene@mnRenewables.org

Dustin Denison

Term: 2011, 2012

Dustin Denison is President/Co-Owner of Applied Energy Innovations and has 15 years of experience in the commercial/industrial mechanical trades with an emphasis in engineering, project management and field superintendent. He has studied law at the George Meany College and served a 5 year apprenticeship in Denver CO.

Dustin moved back to MN in 2000 with family and continued work in the mechanical trades focusing on building energy performance, while pursuing an active role in green jobs, politics and community engagement. He has been active in organizing and communications by serving on the MN State legislative Green Task Force on the Apprenticeship and job Opportunities Committee, founding the SMW#10 green jobs task force, being a delegate to the MPLS Central Labor Council, helping found the Midtown Farmers Market, acting as a board member for the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization, and as the Elected Executive Officer for DFL Congressional District 5.

Email: dustind@mnRenewables.org

Brett Mattson

Term: 2012-2014

Brett Mattson has been a small business owner/operator for the past 12 years of the award-winning restaurant, Cap’s Grille.  He is also a full-time student at MCTC, to receive an electrical engineering degree.

He has prior experiences with other volunteer groups, and collectives, such as the international IFCO-P4P, a group that brings food and medicine to poor communities in Cuba, Mexico, and the ARA, which is a youth based group challenging racism in our communities.

Email: brettm@mnrenewables.org

Richard Harrington

Term: 2012

Richard Harrington is an MBA student at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota and has a strong scientific background, with a degree in chemistry and a Ph.D. in materials science. Before moving to Minnesota he was employed as a researcher at Stony Brook University, Long Island, investigating the properties of natural nanoparticles.  He is passionate about science education and the public perception of science. Within MRES, he is very keen to get involved in projects, using his business skills, to help advance the society, especially within the University of Minnesota.

Email: richardh@mnrenewables.org

Nancy Kelly

Term: 2012

Nancy Kelly is the Director of Energy Efficiency Research and Development at Eureka Recycling. Nancy was part of a team of 5 people that transferred their grants and projects from the Green Institute at the end of 2010. Nancy has been working on programs around energy efficiency for the residential and small business sectors and leading a Department of Energy research grant on energy potential related to urban organics. The urban organics work was done as a partnership between the Green Institute and Eureka Recycling prior to the team’s transfer.

Before joining the Green Institute, she worked for the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) at the University of Minnesota, as an environmental consultant for Golder Associates doing compliance management and permitting support work for clients with smaller scale alternative energy projects and for Northern States Power Company (Xcel Energy) at the Riverside Power Plant in Northeast Minneapolis.

Nancy has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and a M.S. in Industrial Hygiene from the University of Minnesota. She holds a professional engineering license and is a Certified Energy Manager.

Email: nancyk@mnrenewables.org

Laura Cina, Managing Director

Laura Cina is the sole employee of MRES. As the Managing Director it is her job to assist the Board Members in instituting the Society's goals of education, outreach, training, and advocacy in the Renewable Energy field. She started volunteering for MRES in the Spring of 2009 and was hired in the Fall of 2009.

Laura received her Bachelor Degree in Political Science and Sustainable Studies from the University of Minnesota. She previously worked for Solarflow Solar Leasing and is a passionate advocate and volunteer for environmental causes of all types.

Email: laurac@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 and a current paid member of ASES.

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.