Board of Directors and Advisory Boards


Board of Directors

Brendt Rusten

Brendt is a Partner and Senior Vice President at Dominium Communities, one of the nation’s largest and most innovative affordable housing development and management companies. Mr. Rusten has been actively involved in multifamily acquisition, development and management for more than 25 years. He began his career managing a portfolio of multifamily units for a Midwest development and management firm. He is also a founding contributor to the Dominium Charitable Partners Fund which contributes to housing and social service organizations in the communities where Dominium operates.

Bruce Dines

Bruce works for Liberty Global, where he manages technology investments for their corporate venture fund. Bruce has helped found several companies and led businesses from concept and model development, through capital formation, revenue generation and team-building phases. Bruce has also worked at several corporations such as comCables as President, Northstar Exchange as COO (sold to Construction Software Technologies in 2007), EHPT as President (sold to Ericsson in 2002), and Ericsson Mobile Communications as Division President. Bruce is a 5th generation native of Colorado, with roots going back to the Homestead Act in Colorado Territory.

Howard Geller

Howard Geller is former Executive Director of the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP), a public interest venture he founded in 2001. Based in Boulder, CO, SWEEP promotes policies and programs to advance energy efficiency in a six-state region that includes Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. Howard currently acts as a consultant for SWEEP activities. Dr. Geller received his PhD in Energy Policy from the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil in 2002. He holds a Masters degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Princeton University.

Dr. John Trefny

John served at Colorado School of Mines (CSM) for 29 years, beginning as an Assistant Professor of Physics in 1977 and culminating in his appointment as CSM’s 15th President in 2000. Prior to this appointment, John served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty at CSM. John is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Red Rocks Community College Foundation, WorldDenver, and the Mobile Science Show Foundation. He previously served on the Advisory Board of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Boards of the Golden Civic Foundation and Community First Foundation, and the Governing Board of the Colorado Community College Systems.

Kamal Ali

Kamal serves as the Regional President of PNC in New Mexico after their acquisition of BBVA in 2021. Prior to his current position, he served as CEO of BBVA for 6 years. His banking career began with BBVA in 1995 in Birmingham, AL before transferring to Albuquerque in 2000. Kamal received his Masters of Business Administration from Jacksonville State University in 1992. He also received two Bachelor's degrees in Finance and Economics in 1990 from the Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, AL. Kamal serves as a board member on many not-for-profit organizations.

Ravi Malhotra

Ravi is an experienced engineer and social entrepreneur who has established a variety of enterprises in India, Africa and the US with an emphasis on sustainable technologies. He has led both award-winning research & development efforts and successful new product launches. Ravi holds a Bachelor's in Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology and a Master’s in both Engineering and Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin. Most recently, he has led ICAST in its programs that have helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and businesses with technical assistance, fundraising, and marketing.

Tara Rollins

Tara has been the Executive Director at the Utah Housing Coalition in Salt Lake City since 2004. The Utah Housing Coalition is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the increase of accessible and affordable housing throughout the state. Some of their methods include educating the community on matters of housing and finance, providing a network of support for professionals in the housing industry, and working with influencers and decision-makers in the non-profit, for-profit, and public sectors.

Thom Amdur

Thom is the Senior Vice-President, Policy & Impact at Lincoln Avenue Capital. He previously served as Executive Director of the National Housing & Rehabilitation Association (NH&RA). He has in-depth knowledge of both association management as well as tax credit and real estate development.  Additionally, Thom was Executive Vice President & Associate Publisher of Tax Credit Advisor for Dworbell, Inc. He has also served for a number of additional organizations, including the National Council of Housing Market Analysts, Historic Preservation Development Council, New Markets Tax Credit Council, Council for Energy Friendly Affordable Housing, Maryland Affordable Housing Coalition, and DC Preservation League.

Advisory Board

Andrew Berrier

Andrew is the General Counsel for Birdseye Renewable Energy, a greenfield developer of utility-scale solar projects. In his roles representing solar developers and financial institutions supporting renewable energy, Andrew has worked to develop, finance, build, and operate solar facilities across the United States. In his role as a supporter for renewable energy, Andrew has helped shape state and local policy across numerous markets, advocating for more sustainable and inclusive programs.

Debbie Campbell

Debbie Campbell is an Executive Vice President of Originations and leads X-Caliber’s Affordable Housing Solutions. Ms. Campbell was a Co-Founder and SVP of Community Housing Capital, a national CDFI loan fund, where she helped spearhead the company’s loan platforms to finance the development and preservation of affordable housing communities. Before joining CHC, she founded Salisbury Neighborhood Housing, which became one of the most successful and innovative NeighborWorks organizations of its size in the U. S. Debbie has been a recipient of Maryland’s Innovators of the Year and named one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women for her accomplishments in affordable housing and is a 2011 graduate of Harvard Kennedy School’s Achieving Excellence in Community Development executive education program.

Jerry Tinianow

Jerry is the City of Denver’s first Chief Sustainability Officer. He coordinates the efforts of all city agencies and their 11,000 employees in achieving the City’s 2020 Sustainability Goals. Jerry previously served as the Director of the Center for Energy and Environment at the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission in Columbus. Prior to his service at in Columbus, Jerry was the Ohio Executive Director of the National Audubon Society, the nation’s premier bird conservation organization. An attorney by trade, Jerry practiced as a commercial trial attorney representing businesses of all sizes for over 20 years, and was a partner in two of Ohio’s largest law firms. Jerry received his undergraduate and law degrees from George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Joshua Smith

Joshua is the Vice President  and Commercial Loan Officer for Washington Federal Bank. Josh graduated from the University of Colorado with a B.S. in finance in 1996. His career began in the mutual fund industry where it took him from Denver, to Boston, and overseas. Returning to the Western US in 2005, Josh moved to Albuquerque with his wife and child in 2007, beginning his career in banking. He is now a commercial loan officer specializing in multifamily, retail, and other commercial real estate properties. Josh sits on the Executive Management Committee of the Urban Land Institute NM, and the Board of Directors of the Apartment Association of New Mexico, holding the position of Treasurer in both organizations.

Kerry O’Neill

As CEO of Inclusive Prosperity Capital, Kerry brings her experience with the kinds of institutional challenges – and opportunities – associated with clean energy investing for our communities that need it most. Kerry has been beyond fortunate to work with the outstanding Connecticut Green Bank team to deploy award winning products for low-to-moderate income communities – and is thrilled to be working with the team that has spun out into Inclusive Prosperity Capital to bring these products to a broader market. Kerry’s favorite quote is “Be the change you wish to see in the world” and can’t believe she has the good fortune to come to work every day and do just that, showing her kids it really is possible.

Shelley Marquez

Shelley Marquez is the President of Mercy Housing Mountain Plains and is committed to creating affordable housing, inclusive communities, and inspiring dreams.

Previously, she was the Senior Vice President and Community Development Manager at Wells Fargo, where she leads programs designed to support economic development initiatives related to affordable housing, financial education, workforce development and small business success across 16 states. Marquez has 32 years of experience in financial services and spent 22 years with Wells Fargo.

She also currently serves on the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas Community Development Advisory Council. 

Solar Advisory Board

For more information about ICAST's Solar Services, please click HERE.

Andrew Berrier

Andrew is the General Counsel for Birdseye Renewable Energy, a greenfield developer of utility-scale solar projects. In his roles representing solar developers and financial institutions supporting renewable energy, Andrew has worked to develop, finance, build, and operate solar facilities across the United States. In his role as a supporter for renewable energy, Andrew has helped shape state and local policy across numerous markets, advocating for more sustainable and inclusive programs.

Andrew Humphrey

Andrew has over 13 years of experience in the electrical engineering and construction industry. Andrew’s expertise includes the electrical design of substations, power plants, water and wastewater treatment plants, institutional facilities, commercial buildings, and casinos. He also has extensive knowledge of the National Electric Code. Prior to founding Andrew Humphrey Engineering, LLC, Andrew was a project manager at a highly regarded electrical engineering consulting firm where he supervised projects ranging in size between 30 and 90 million dollars. Andrew earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and majored in Managerial Studies at Rice University. He also earned a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines.

Brendt Rusten

Brendt is a Partner and Senior Vice President at Dominium Communities, one of the nation’s largest and most innovative affordable housing development and management companies. Mr. Rusten has been actively involved in multifamily acquisition, development and management for more than 25 years. He began his career managing a portfolio of multifamily units for a Midwest development and management firm. He is also a founding contributor to the Dominium Charitable Partners Fund which contributes to housing and social service organizations in the communities where Dominium operates.

Jared Leader

Jared is in the Advisory Services group at SEPA (Smart Electric Power Alliance). Jared is the staff lead for SEPA’s Microgrid Working Group and co-leads SEPA’s consulting engagement with the D.C. Public Service Commission. Prior to joining SEPA, Jared spent three years as a consultant at Arcadis US. Jared was responsible for the design, implementation, and management of several environmental programs for both municipal and commercial clients in the energy and water sectors. Jared earned his BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Virginia and his MS in Energy Policy and Climate from Johns Hopkins University.

J.W. Postal

J.W. is the founder of Nikola Power, and the co-founder of Main Street Power. While at Main Street Power, J.W. spearheaded the first combined New Market and Investment Tax Credit portfolio in the country. J.W. has also served as an executive, CDO, and COO with Milender White Construction, SunShare, and Clean Energy Collective respectively. Prior to his work in solar, J.W. had a successful 13-year career in the investment management business with A.G. Edwards and his own fiduciary investment advisory firm. J.W. is a graduate of the University of Colorado and has a Master in Public Policy degree from Georgetown University. He currently serves on the board of the Colorado Solar & Storage Association (COSSA), Solar Electric Light Fund, and Conservation Colorado.

Kerry O’Neill

As CEO of Inclusive Prosperity Capital, Kerry brings her experience with the kinds of institutional challenges – and opportunities – associated with clean energy investing for our communities that need it most. Kerry has been beyond fortunate to work with the outstanding Connecticut Green Bank team to deploy award winning products for low-to-moderate income communities – and is thrilled to be working with the team that has spun out into Inclusive Prosperity Capital to bring these products to a broader market. Kerry’s favorite quote is “Be the change you wish to see in the world” and can’t believe she has the good fortune to come to work every day and do just that, showing her kids it really is possible.

Michelle Zimmerman

Michelle Zimmerman is the Head of US Development for Lightrock Power. She is responsible for project development including site acquisition, entitlements, community engagement, utility communications and market strategy. Michelle has served as Senior Project Manager for utility and community scale solar development in the Mountain West for five years. From 2007-2014, Michelle was the VP of Operations at a residential and commercial scale solar installation company where she focused on power purchase agreement negotiations and solar development for local governments. Before working in the solar industry, Michelle was the executive director of two nonprofit organizations focused on land conservation. Zimmerman earned an Executive MBA from the Daniel’s College of Business at the University of Denver in March of 2016.

Roger Freeman

Roger is an energy and environmental lawyer active in a variety of renewable energy and transportation projects and groups throughout the Rocky Mountain West and California. Mr. Freeman uses his experience and understanding to help expedite projects and creatively solve legal constraints to the development of renewable and advanced transportation projects. He left his practice at a Denver based firm in 2016 to establish a solo practice focused on advancing renewable energy, sustainability and related efforts in Colorado and beyond. He is the Colorado Solar and Storage Association Vice-Chair and integrally involved in the advancement of solar and providing legal services to this industry.

Todd Guerrero

As chair of Kutak Rock’s energy group, Todd brings together the firm’s deep energy experience and industry expertise to help clients efficiently meet their business objectives. Todd concentrates his practice on the representation of energy companies and utilities in a range of business and regulatory matters, including project development, acquisitions, power purchase agreements, related contractual matters, large energy facility permitting matters, contested cases,
and appeals.

Tom Konrad

Tom is a portfolio manager, financial analyst, and freelance writer specializing in renewable energy and energy efficiency. He is currently working to create what he believes to be the first dividend income oriented green mutual fund, based on a strategy, the Green Global Equity Income Portfolio, which he has been managing since December 2013. Tom is the Editor at AltEnergyStocks.com. and volunteers as the Chair of the Marbletown Environmental Conservation Commission. Tom is a runner and a woodworker, and is currently using those woodworking skills to renovate (and upgrade the energy performance) of the 1930 farmhouse he lives in with his wife.

 
 

DOE BENEFIT Advisory Board

Corey Denis

Corey Dennis is the Sales and Service Manager of Hansen HVAC Service in Salt Lake City, UT.

With over 25 years of HVAC experience, he oversees their HVAC technicians and projects, including dozens of ICAST green retrofits in the region.

David Lis

David Lis is Director of Technology & Market Solutions at Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP). Dave oversees NEEP’s Technology and Market Strategies team, which is currently leading regional market transformation initiatives for air source heat pumps (ASHP), smart energy homes, strategic energy management, and appliance standards. ​

James Momperousse

James Momperousse is Carrier Corporations Utility and Incentives manager, a position where he plays an active role in maximizing utility rebate opportunities for the heat pump market. In addition, he is integral in ensuring Carrier maintains a competitive product and is keeping up to regulatory and incentive standards.

With his Mechanical Engineering background and HVAC experience, he brings a passion for electrification and heat pump education.

Jamie Kono

Jamie Kono, PE, is a research engineer at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL).

She has spent the past ten years in the building energy efficiency field, researching residential building efficiency and grid interactivity through equipment and envelope improvements, as well as working as an energy efficiency/GHG consultant for large commercial buildings.

She currently leads a team developing training material on heat pumps and heat pump water heaters for the Department of Energy and also helps federal buildings pursue and prioritize efficiency and decarbonization goals.

Jamie is an active member of the ASHRAE committee for Standard 100, Energy Efficiency in Existing Buildings.

Kristin Heinemeier

Dr. Heinemeier, an Engineering Manager with Frontier Energy, Inc., brings over 35 years of experience in energy efficiency in residential and commercial buildings with expertise in program evaluation, behavioral and HVAC technology research, qualitative research and human factors, and stakeholder engagement for energy efficiency programs, policies, best practices, and technologies.

She has a PhD in Building Science and a BS in Mechanical Engineering, both from UC Berkeley, and is a Professional Mechanical Engineer in the state of California.  She has worked with UC Davis, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Texas A&M University, Honeywell, and Portland Energy Conservation Inc., as well as serving as a contributor to other non-profit organizations, state agencies, local governments, and community-based organizations. She has been honored professionally with ASHRAE Fellow and Distinguished Service awards. 

Peter Nelson

Peter Nelson is a Sustainability Program Manager with Salt Lake City’s Department of Sustainability.

Since joining the team in 2012, Peter has developed, implemented and supervised the operations of three ongoing programs within Salt Lake City’s Department of Sustainability, including Elevate Buildings, the Building Electrification Initiative, and the e2 Sustainable Business program.

Peter Rusin

Peter Rusin is a relationship manager for Tri-State Generation and Transmission, where he is the lead relationship manager for 14 of the 42 Tri-State members, including 12 in Colorado and 2 in Wyoming.  He is focused on implementing Tri-State’s Quality Install program for heat pump contractors, helping members develop locally focused heat pump programs, and supporting Tri-State’s heat pump research efforts.  Peter also places emphasis on growing use of Tri-State’s weatherization funding for income qualified households which includes understanding the barriers to adoption of heat pumps in propane and electric baseboard heated homes.  

Shannon Jahn

Shannon Jahn, Green Workforce Lead at City and County of Denver, Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency (CASR), is passionate about climate action, green workforce development, and creating career pathways to expand opportunities for individuals from under-resourced communities. Her mission is to build lasting relationships and partnerships with employers, training providers, and job seekers to ensure that “green jobs” are quality jobs. 

Prior to being with Denver’s CASR office, Shannon worked in Denver’s Office of Economic Development creating opportunities for Denverites in IT, and Healthcare industries.  She also spent over a decade in higher education at the University of Denver (DU) managing academic programs, and coaching students on how to explore pathways that supported educational and personal development goals.   

Shannon thoroughly enjoys helping others and strives to find success for all. 

Washington, D.C. Advisory Board

Ana Van Balen

Ana  serves as the District’s first Affordable Housing Preservation Officer. In this role, she works with housing stakeholders, tenants, owners of affordable housing, and real estate and housing advocates to identify and help preserve affordable housing for low-income families in the District. She  has over 18 years of experience working with families and communities primarily in the Washington, DC metro area. Her areas of expertise involve economic development and revitalization, community development, and social programming for vulnerable and marginalized youth and families. Ana holds a master’s degree from the Columbia University, and a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University with a concentration in community development and social policy.

Andrew Zaleski

Andrew serves as Senior Asset Manager for Somerset, overseeing the portfolio’s operations and financial performance. Prior to joining Somerset in 2015, he performed acquisition, project and asset management responsibilities for the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County, MD, Greystar Real Estate Advisors, and Sentinel Real Estate Corporation. He brings extensive knowledge managing both affordable housing and market-rate multifamily investments from pre-acquisition through disposition including new development, asset repositioning, and condominium conversions. Andrew received a Master of Science in Real Estate from New York University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Long Island University.

Anya Schoolman

Anya has worked for decades on environmental projects and policy up and down the Western Hemisphere. This work has helped her grapple with the issue of sustainable development and how to make complex issues relevant to the community. Solar United Neighbors got its start when her son Walter asked, “Mom, can we go solar?” In her role as Executive Director, Anya has been instrumental in the passage of landmark solar legislation and regulation. In April 2014, the White House selected Anya as one of 10 White House Champions of Change for Solar Deployment for her groundbreaking work to deploy solar in the National Capital Region.

Ginger Rumph

Ginger is the founding executive director of the Douglass Community Land Trust, a community-driven enterprise to help create a more inclusive and equitable District of Columbia by holding land in trust and leasing it for homeownership and rental housing as well as small, local business at reduced cost, safeguarding permanent affordability. Ginger also serves as the executive director of City First Homes, the organization incubating the Douglass CLT. As vice president and COO of the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing & Economic Development (CNHED) in the District of Columbia, she engaged in all facets of the organization’s policy, advocacy, and capacity building activities, in addition to leading fundraising and communications and providing operational oversight and support. She holds a Master of Public Administration, Nonprofit Management and a Master of Social Work, Community Organizing, from the University of Pittsburgh.

Iliana Bowen

Ilana is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations, overall strategy, and community partnerships for Pepco’s Workforce Development programs within the District of Columbia, Prince George’s County, and Montgomery County. Programs include the DC Infrastructure Academy: Pepco Utility Training program and the DC Public Schools’ Career Bridge Program. Mrs. Bowen’s prior experience includes managing community and STEM workforce development programs at the DC Sustainability Energy Utility, the United Way of Massachusetts & Merrimack Valley, and local nonprofits. She has a bachelor’s degree from George Washington University, graduate certificate in nonprofit management from New York University, and is certified both as a Sustainability Associate-ISSP and Climate Reality Project Leader.

Kelly Ann DeCurtis

Kelly is the Director of Talent Management for PHI, Kelly is a part of the Human Resources team, and she and her team are responsible for the talent management, leadership development, employee and team engagement, DEI engagement, workforce development, and cultural strategies for PHI. Kelly started her career with Vanguard Mutual Fund Company starting in Recruiting and then progressing through various roles finally ending her career at Vanguard as a Six Sigma Green Belt focused on large-scale HR cost-saving projects and process improvements. Kelly left Vanguard in 2003 to join Exelon Corp in HR originally supporting the Power organization. She joined the PHI team in February 2018.

Krista Egger

Krista is vice president of national initiatives at Enterprise Community Partners. With more than 15 years of experience leading energy efficiency and healthy housing initiatives with affordable housing stakeholders, Krista manages Enterprise’s national sustainability efforts. She leverages Enterprise’s Green Communities platform, climate disaster response work and cultural resilience programming to deploy equitable climate resilience solutions across the country. Krista serves on the Network for Energy, Water and Health in Affordable Buildings (NEWAHB) Advisory Council, Oberlin EnviroAlums Steering Committee, and the Building Performance Institute (BPI) Board of Directors.

Lindsey Falasca

Lindsey is the Director for Net Zero Federal Buildings at the White House Council on Environmental Quality. At CEQ, Lindsey is working to transform how the Federal Government builds, buys, and manages its buildings, energy, and operations, leveraging Federal leadership as a catalyst for achieving net zero emissions economy-wide by 2050.

Prior to this, she served as the Director of the District of Columbia’s High-Performance Building Hub. The Hub provides critical hands-on assistance to the local real estate community and building industry professionals as they work to improve their buildings' performance and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the Building Energy Performance Standard. Earliers, she was a program manager for private-sector engagement at IMT, and before that, she spent over a decade working as a commercial architect in and around the District of Columbia, working on a variety of building typologies: mixed-use commercial and multifamily housing, market-rate and affordable.

She holds a bachelor of science degree in architecture from the University of Maryland and master’s degrees in both architecture and sustainable design from the Catholic University of America.

Stephen Glaude

Stephen “Steve” Glaude applies his diverse leadership experiences in government, the private sector, and nonprofits as President & CEO of the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development (CNHED). Steve previously served as the director of community affairs for the District of Columbia. In this role, he oversaw 13 agencies for the mayor, including the offices of Latino Affairs, Asian Affairs, African Affairs, Religious Affairs, Veterans Affairs, Women’s Policy, Youth Advisory Council, Grants and Partnerships and others. Prior to this post he served as director of constituent services for then-DC Council Chairman Vincent Gray. Steve is a native Washingtonian, a father of three, and a proud graduate of Morgan State University.