Rural Electric Cooperatives Co-lab

A long-time rural advocate, Erik Hatlestad’s (he/him) work has focused on fostering democracy and the clean energy transition with rural electric cooperatives. In 2019 his report on barriers to the electric co-op clean energy transition – Rural Electrification 2.0 – garnered attention from policymakers and helped catalyze new conversations around the clean energy transition for cooperatives.

In 2022 Erik led the national advocacy effort to secure the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program and the Affordable Clean Energy Program (ACE) in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which represents the largest direct investment in rural electrification since the New Deal. These programs were based on a report Erik wrote in 2019 examining the barriers to the clean energy transition for rural electric cooperatives. Since the passage of the IRA he has led the advocacy efforts to ensure a strong program which assures a just, democratic, and equitable transition across rural America.

Bri Knisley (she/her) is an experienced coalition builder, policy and issue campaign strategist, and organizer. Bri has played a key role in the formation and success of several regional and national coalitions, including the Rural Power Coalition, which drove the passage of the largest amount of federal funding for the rural energy sector in U.S. history.

In addition to her work with Appalachian Voices, Bri has applied her expertise in public power policy and energy community organizing to project advisory roles for national labs, federal utilities, and cross-sector projects with labor unions and community based organizations.

Chris Woolery (he/him) joined Mountain Association’s Energy Team in 2011 after two decades as an ENERGY STAR® builder and energy services contractor. Over his career, Chris has helped deliver residential energy efficiency upgrades to more than 800 households. Chris manages the How$martKY™ program, which partners with rural electric cooperatives to install residential energy improvements paid directly from their energy savings. His work also focuses on equitable energy policy and clean energy workforce development. Chris is proud to serve on the Southeast Energy Insecurity Project’s Leadership Forum, which works to implement Stakeholder Recommendations for Reducing Energy Insecurity in the Southeast United States. When he is not being an “energy nerd,” Chris enjoys spending time with family and in Kentucky’s beautiful natural spaces.

Kyle G. Crider (he/him) is Program and Policy Director for Alabama Interfaith Power & Light and The People's Justice Council and an adjunct instructor at the University of Montevallo. Kyle holds a bachelor's in Environmental Studies and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree with a double emphasis in Urban Planning & Policy Analysis. He is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional, Neighborhood Development (LEED AP ND) and a Just Communities AP.

Philip Fracica (he/him) grew up in St. Joseph, Missouri and graduated from the University of Missouri in 2015 with a BSBA with an emphasis in Finance. Since graduating, Philip has worked as a Policy Organizer for Renew Missouri for over four years and focuses his advocacy on low-income multifamily energy.

Liz Veazey (she/her) is Director of Policy and Advocacy at Solar United Neighbors (SUN). In this role, she supports state solar policy work in SUN’s Atlantic Southeast region including: DC, Maryland, Virginia, Florida, and Puerto Rico. Liz also supports national initiatives including work on solar siting and rural electric co-ops. At SUN, she has worked on a range of national, state and local solar policy campaigns from supporting inclusive on-bill financing for solar, supporting true community solar, and protecting net metering. In her past work, Liz supported the movement for rural electric co-op reform and energy democracy and co-founded the Energy Action Coalition, which became Power Shift Network

Kai Palmer-Dunning (he/him) is Senior Associate of Building Decarbonization at Clean Energy Works. He has experience working on topics related to building energy codes, building decarbonization policy, and environmental justice. Prior to Clean Energy Works, he was the Director of Equitable Building Transition at the Home Energy Efficiency Team (HEET), where he helped guide programs related to improving access to weatherization and building retrofits in environmental justice communities. He also helped expand awareness of networked geothermal as a gas transition pathway. In addition to his work at HEET, Kai served as a review board member for Boston’s building performance standard, BERDO. He is completing his B.S. in Environmental Science and Data Analytics at Southern New Hampshire University and plans to pursue a Masters of Architecture in Sustainable Design.

Camille Minns (she/her) is the Senior Associate for Just Energy Transition at Clean Energy Works. Previously serving as our Associate for Building Decarbonization, Camille comes to Clean Energy Works with a M.S. in Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University, with a concentration on renewable energy, climate justice and just transition strategy, and a B.A. in Globalization. Her commitment to clean energy, climate justice and just innovation is evident through her prior roles within sustainability consulting and academia, to solar development and energy economics research. Camille also serves as the Co-Founder of Rooted Futures Lab, a just-tech education and research collaborative. Camille has been recognized as a WRISE Solar Power Fellow and an Aspen Institute Climate Leader Fellow, among others, for her commitment to co-creating a just and sustainable future for all.

As a Virtual Power Plant Policy Director, Shannon Anderson (she/her) supports SUN’s efforts to advance adoption of distributed power plants (DPPs for short, also known as Virtual Power Plants) around the country in a way that ensures consumer protections, equitable participation, and fair compensation for solar owners. Prior to joining SUN, Shannon worked as Organizing Director and Staff Attorney at the Powder River Basin Resource Council where she led strategic issue-based policy and state legislative campaigns mobilizing Resource Council members to address the impacts of fossil fuels on people and places in Wyoming, as well as to advance renewable energy solutions.

Rob Davis (he/him) is Chief Growth Officer for M-RETS, North America’s largest registry for clean energy certificates. A nonprofit, M-RETS’ platform handles more than 300 terawatts of generation and serves as a trusted centralized gateway to environmental markets. Previously, Davis led public affairs, media relations, and federal grant programs for Connexus Energy, the Midwest’s largest electric cooperative. In 2024, the North American Agrivoltaics Awards recognized Davis as “Solar Steward of the Year.” Davis’ work has been featured in trainings by the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in feature stories in The New York Times and Scientific American, and on TED.com. Previously, Davis helped launch technology start-ups and created the international crowdsourced campaign that launched the Firefox web browser.

Dr. Catherine Robinson (she/her) has been a grassroot organizer and leader in encouraging Mississippians to fight for equality and social justice. Throughout her united work within the state, she has created avenues for Mississippians to have equal representation within the workplace and fighting to have a voice by educating residents on the issues impacting their economic stability and health. 

As a program director of OneVoice MS, Dr. Robinson prioritizes initiatives that encourage families to stand together collectively to be the change they would like to see within their community. She advocates programs providing organizing trainings and resources, enabling the middle class to advance their opportunities to be the next inter-generational leaders within their communities and aiding towards apprenticeship programs.

Deborah Opie (she/her) is the Campaign Manager for Georgia Conservation Voters. Deborah’s academic background includes a BA in Political Science from Winston-Salem State University and theological studies at Beulah Heights University from 2012 to 2015. Her dedication to community empowerment through education is evident in her commitment to engaging, equipping, and empowering communities.

She excels in generating ideas, fostering community involvement, and establishing collaborations, particularly within faith-based groups. Deborah’s approach to education as a catalyst for community empowerment underscores her unwavering commitment to driving positive change.

Her adept communication skills enable her to effectively convey intricate ideas and inspire action among diverse audiences. Deborah’s extensive volunteer work and teaching experience highlight her steadfast dedication to making a tangible difference in the lives of others.

In essence, Deborah’s journey is a testament to her unwavering dedication to service, education, and leadership, aiming to bring about impactful change within communities, both locally and globally.

Basil Williams Jr (he/him) serves as the Senior Manager of Member Services, Communications, and PR at Roanoke Cooperative. With a strong focus on community connection and member engagement, Basil leads initiatives that enhance member-owner relationships, promote energy efficiency, and support sustainable growth. He is passionate about creating meaningful connections through effective communication strategies and community-focused programs.

Rachel Christensen (she/her) has been working with groups in Alaska on local elections and policy issues for the last 4 years, and focuses on energy solutions that start at the local level. She lives in Palmer, Alaska on Ahtna and Dena'ina lands with her partner and two dogs, but is originally from Northern Minnesota.

Alex Petkanas (they/them) is the Climate & Clean Energy Program Manager for The Alaska Center, where they work on utility elections and policy advocacy at the state, regulatory, and utility level. They are originally from the northeast of the United States and have lived in Alaska on Dena'ina lands for four and a half years.

David Stokely (he/him) is the Southwest Missouri policy & outreach organizer with Renew Missouri. He grew up in Poplar Bluff, spending many of the best hours of his youth in and on the clean, gravel bottom streams of southern Missouri. He earned a B.S. in Agriculture and Masters in Vo-Tech Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Over the years, he has taught high school.

Lloyd Ritter (he/him) is the founder and managing partner of Green Capitol, LLC. Since 2006 Green Capitol has specialized in clean energy, environment, climate and sustainable agriculture advocacy, strategic planning and public policy development. Prior to forming Green Capitol, Lloyd was a Senior Counsel for Tom Harkin (D-IA). In 2002, Lloyd designed the first-ever bi-partisan clean energy title to appear in a Farm Bill, deemed “landmark legislation” at the time by the Alliance to Save Energy. He was also one of a handful of staffers leading the design and campaign for passage of the first Renewable Fuels Standard, biomass, bioproduct and wind power amendments to the 2005 energy bill. Lloyd worked for and with several innovative pro-environment consultancies and institutions prior to his stint on Capitol Hill. Lloyd has a very long history of working successfully across the political divide, and with diverse constituencies such as E NGOs, clean tech, agriculture and good governance organizations to help win policy victories in the broad public interest, at the state, federal and international levels. Lloyd holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Juris Doctor with Certificates in Environmental and International Law. He has received several awards and recognition for his work and is often quoted in the press on sustainability issues ranging from solar and wind power, to climate change and the growing bioeconomy.

Vonda McDaniel has been the President of the Central Labor Council of Nashville and Middle Tennessee for more than ten years. The CLC was a key partner in winning the first CBA in Tennessee for the MLS Soccer Stadium in Nashville in 2018. Vonda was also instrumental in starting an Apprenticeship Readiness Program in Nashville called Music City Construction Careers, which creates pathways to union jobs in the building and construction trades. Vonda has served on the Tennessee State Workforce Investment Board and is a vice president for AFL-CIO's Executive Council. Prior to these endeavors Vonda worked with the United Rubber Workers and was a shop steward.

Tara Greiman is the Director of Conservation and Stewardship at the Wisconsin Farmers Union.