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Clean Energy NH just launched a Direct Pay Resource Guide to help communities access clean energy tax credits through the new IRS Elective Pay (a.k.a. Direct Pay) system. CENH’s Energy Circuit Rider team will be updating this resource over time as we learn more about the steps involved in this new program. Why? Clean Energy NH has been getting a lot of inquiries recently about Direct Pay. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), public and tax-exempt entities can access clean energy tax incentives for the first time. According to cleanenergy.gov/directpay, that means governments, nonprofits, schools, churches, public power, rural coops, and more are now eligible to receive cash from the IRS, including for generating clean electricity through solar, wind, and battery storage projects; building community solar projects that bring clean energy to neighborhood families; installing electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure; and purchasing clean vehicles for state or city vehicle fleets.” This is a big deal for New Hampshire. Until now, towns wishing to invest in solar energy had to utilize Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and other mechanisms to take advantage of federal tax incentives for renewable energy. Now, the IRS can pay towns directly for the value of the tax credits they earn. Projects completed in 2023 or later are eligible for credits through Direct Pay, so a number of New Hampshire communities are already completing the required Pre-Filing Registration. Are you considering using Direct Pay to fund a project in your community? We want to hear from you! Contact Circuit Rider Program Director, Sarah, at sarah@cleanenergynh.org to share your Direct Pay experiences, learning, and questions so we can all learn together.

Name: Larsen Burack Title: Project Manager Employer: Ohm Analytics City/Town of Residence: Hopkinton, NH Education: Business Analytics and Spanish from Elon University Why did you decide to work in the clean energy industry? Growing up in small town NH, I spent a great deal of time outside and always have felt a duty to protect the spaces I enjoy. I am a skier and former hockey player and have seen my seasons becoming limited over my short lifetime. What interested you in working at your current employer? When I was job searching, I wanted to find a role in clean energy because it is the most fundamental block of decarbonization. The skillset I developed at school was around data science so I wanted to work with data. Ohm Analytics met these criteria, and being a small company, afforded me a lot of responsibility right off the bat. Describe the work you do in more detail. I enjoy my role because it strikes a good balance between digging into the data and getting to talk to customers and potential clients. Monday I could be preparing an ad hoc report about specific solar installations in a given market, Tuesday I could be researching the status of NEVI funding, and Wednesday, I could be attending a conference. It keeps me on my toes! What aspect of your job excites you most? Why? Three things. One, I get to be very involved with building a new product. Two, I get to learn a ton about the industry because our customers are across many disciplines: solar contractors, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), distributors, financial firms, EV charging companies, and home electrification companies to name a few. Three, I get to work out of Greentown Labs in Somerville, MA, North America's largest climate tech incubator. It gives me hope to go to work every day and see another 100 companies working to drive decarbonization as well. What makes you hopeful about the clean energy transition in New Hampshire? There is a growing community of young professionals that are determined to tackle the decarbonization challenge that we face. I'm a big believer in strength in numbers. What do you believe is the most pressing challenge that lies ahead for the clean energy industry in the state? We need more young people to work on climate! What interested you most about being part of YPiE? (Young Professionals in Energy) It's really nice meeting like-minded young professionals to share professional experiences in the climate space with. When I was at school, I did not have something like this, and am motivated to help YPiE connect with NH college students to offer that support and community. What advice would you give to someone that is new to the industry or fresh out of college? Climate needs people of all backgrounds! Whether you studied environmental science, computer science, English, or anything in between, there is a role out there for you. If you are interested in finding climate work, the best thing you can do is network. Attend in person events or conferences, you never know who you will meet. An hour face-to-face with a potential employer is worth 100 hours fine-tuning your resume. Over the past year, I've teamed up with 5 students from universities across the US to build a community of over 500 students and young professionals working or pursuing climate jobs that offer this type of advice. Our mission is to empower the next generation of climate professionals. We run climate-job search courses, visit college campuses to teach students about climate tech, and help connect students directly with climate companies for jobs and internships. We'd love to increase the NH presence in our Slack Community. Find out how to get your invitation here: https://bit.ly/c2c-community What do you like to do when you aren't working? In no particular order, I like to hike, ski, golf, play guitar, and be with friends and family. A typical weekend for me is... I spend them with friends and try to get outside however possible. What's on your bucket list? Live in Latin America for a year. Tell us one thing most people don't know about you. I have perfect pitch. Fun Facts: Coffee or Tea? And how do you take it? Black Coffee. Fave NH Restaurant? Lakehouse Tavern, Hopkinton, NH Fave Musician/Band/Music genre? I listen to a lot of reggaeton - Bizarrap has some great new songs. Fav Recreational activity? Hiking

Name: Alyssa Thomas Title: Solar Installer Employer: Revision Energy City/Town of Residence: Nashua, NH Why did you decide to work in the clean energy industry? Definitely the up-and-coming career type. Love being outside and working with my hands. What interested you in working at your current employer? The vibe. I fell in love with this company (ReVision Energy) after looking through their website and watching employee testimonials about the company. Describe the work you do in more detail. A normal day on the roof, usually consists of laying out a solar array, finding rafters, drilling holes, and landing feet. We get to do some electrical work which is probably my favorite part - wire managing all the home runs and module leads. What aspect of your job excites you most? Why? The risk of being on roofs through all the seasons. What makes you hopeful about the clean energy transition in New Hampshire? We are busy busy, and I believe a lot of people are starting to see the benefit in having solar. What interested you most about being part of YPiE? (Young Professionals in Energy) Sharing experience and skills. What advice would you give to someone that is new to the industry or fresh out of college? This is not a job for the faint of heart. It's hard work and it's not always a smooth ride, but it's worth it! What do you like to do when you aren't working? Family time and outdoor hiking with my kids. What's on your bucket list? Skydiving and take a ride on a jet. Tell us one thing most people don't know about you. I’m a huge coffee geek, and have tons of coffee gadgets at home. French press, pour over, espresso machine… you name it! Fun Facts: Coffee or Tea? And how do you take it? Tea with honey, but I like both really. Fave NH Restaurant? Tuckers Fave Musician/Band/Music genre? Metal: Pantera, Lamb of God, Tash Sultana. Fav Recreational activity? Hiking, climbing, running, and traveling!

Name: Annie Henry City/Town of Residence: Amherst, NH Education: International Business & Economics BS Why did you decide to work in the clean energy industry? I decided to work in the clean energy industry because I wanted a career that made an impact. I have a deep respect for nature and the environment—as I started to learn more about the climate crisis in college, I knew I wanted to be part of the movement to do something about it! I figured that if I had to work 40+ hours a week, I might as well dedicate that time to a cause I truly care about. What interested you in working at your current employer? My past two roles have been in Program Management and Operations at two mission-driven organizations dedicated to the clean energy transition. Ultimately it was their missions and work that initially drew me to them. As I search for my next career opportunity in the sustainability sector, these factors remain at the top of my list. Describe the work you do in more detail. Having worked in the startup and nonprofit sectors, I’ve “worn many hats” related to Program Management and Operations. Some projects I’ve worked on have been quite fun, such as researching the feasibility of EV adoption amongst NH municipalities or developing clean energy educational materials for local communities. Other projects are, on the surface, less intriguing, such as managing the business compliance process for a startup. Regardless of how exciting the project was, they’ve all given me an opportunity to learn more about the type of work I actually enjoy and the what of skills I wish to develop next. What aspect of your job excites you most? Why? I could think of many answers to this question, but one that I did not originally expect was the people. There's something to be said about working with a team of other mission-driven professionals who share a similar passion or motivation to make a difference. In my experience, this type of work tends to attract some very cool and inspiring people. What makes you hopeful about the clean energy transition in New Hampshire? The younger generations! I truly believe the motivation, passion, and care of my peers and the generations to come will (continue to) push our state (and greater society) in the right direction. What do you believe is the most pressing challenge that lies ahead for the clean energy industry in the state? I think there are a lot of nuances to this, but one that I see (and that I believe can be changed) is the political polarization around topics related to clean energy. What advice would you give to someone that is new to the industry or fresh out of college? The clean energy sector has opportunities for people of all sorts of career and educational backgrounds. If you’re like me and didn’t study sustainability (I studied business), don’t think you can’t make a career for yourself in clean energy or sustainability. Start by identifying what type of skills and job functions you’re interested in or good at, and look for clean energy companies/organizations that can use those skills. What do you like to do when you aren't working? In my free time, I find myself enjoying New Hampshire's beautiful nature, traveling, attending live music shows, dabbling in art, and of course spending time with my loved ones! What's on your bucket list? Up next is backpacking! Fun Facts: Coffee or Tea? And how do you take it? Both! Nothing makes me happier than sharing a cup of tea with someone. Fave NH Restaurant? Green Elephant (Portsmouth) or Bamee (Durham) Fave Musician/Band/Music genre? Any type of Alternative Rock Fav Recreational activity? My favorite activity has got to be snowboarding even though I grew up as a ski racer – (I joined the dark side a few years ago).

What interested you in working at Clean Energy NH? We need all hands on deck to transition New Hampshire to clean energy. I’ve long admired Clean Energy NH's practical, collaborative, and optimistic approach and I’m excited to be part of their growing team and network. What were you up to prior to working at the organization? Prior to joining CENH, I served 10 years as Energy Program Manager and Programs Director at Vital Communities, where I worked with town staff and energy commissions, clean energy businesses, real estate professionals, program providers, and others to create clean energy solutions at the community scale. I led Solarize and Weatherize campaigns, stakeholder networks (e.g. Corporate Energy Work Group, Green Real Estate Network, Transportation Efficiency Network), and stakeholder trainings. I also served as co-chair of the New Hampshire Local Energy Solutions Workgroup for several years prior to COVID. Why did you decide to work in the clean energy industry? I grew up in Rangeley, Maine and have called Northern New England home ever since. In my own community, I am increasingly concerned about the ways climate change is already affecting public health, viability of local farms and businesses, the cost of maintaining roads with more frequent washouts, and the health of our land, forests, and wildlife. I’m increasingly aware that the impacts of climate change are not felt by all of us equally. Some of my most vulnerable neighbors are experiencing the worst impacts of hotter summers, increased flooding and droughts, poor air quality, etc. Yet while I’m concerned about all this, I’m also a natural optimist, pragmatist, and problem solver. In clean energy, I’ve found a sector where I can make a difference addressing the threat of climate change while spending my days focused on collaborative and innovative solutions. Describe your position in more detail. Who will you be working with and what will you be doing? I lead and support a growing team of Energy Circuit Riders, located around the state to help New Hampshire municipalities and small businesses complete clean energy and energy efficiency projects. I help our team and partners learn from one another and collaborate to ensure that New Hampshire’s community-based clean energy transition gains momentum and benefits everyone. What aspect of your job excites you most? Why? I’m most excited to help my team and our partners learn from one another. We don’t need every town or business to reinvent the wheel when it comes to practical, cost-effective, clean energy solutions. What advice would you give to your younger self? Can’t say it any better than John Lennon: “Life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans.” What do you like to do when you aren’t working? Follow my two preschool daughters around and explore their world through their eyes. A typical weekend for me is… Baking and craft projects with my girls, perhaps also a walk on one of many beautiful trails maintained by our local Conservation Commissions. What’s on your bucket list? Paragliding or hang-gliding. If you could choose anyone to play you in a movie, who would it be? Natalie Portman. Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you. I graduated from High School in rural Maine with a class of 18 students… the same 18 students I started kindergarten with. Fun Facts: Coffee or Tea? And how do you take it? Tea, with a splash of cold water because I’m too impatient to let it cool down before taking a sip. Favorite NH Restaurant: Blue Loon Bakery in New London Favorite Musician/Band/Music genre: The Wailin’ Jennys Favorite Recreational Activity: Playing trombone in the community band - something I haven’t been able to do since COVID and look forward to getting involved with again. Favorite Holiday: Thanksgiving and New Years Day

Name: Devon Atwell Title: Energy Consultant Employer: Standard Power of America City/Town of Residence: Allenstown, NH Education: Environmental Conservation and Sustainability BS + Minor in Renewable Energy from University of New Hampshire Why did you decide to work in the clean energy industry? Growing up, my parents worked full-time at a YMCA camp, so many of the people that I looked up to were outdoor educators and/or generally outdoorsy people. They instilled in me a love for nature and a sense of responsibility to do work that makes a positive impact on the planet. What interested you in working at your current employer? Part of what made me want to work at Standard Power was their level of involvement in so many different projects. Between their work in Community Power, State legislature, REC trading, general energy consulting, third-party electricity supply, and Group Net Metering, Standard Power provided me with an opportunity to jump in the deep-end and get exposure to a variety of niches within the renewable energy industry. Describe the work you do in more detail. My role at Standard Power primarily pertains to REC trading as I manage and sell the RECs produced by a portfolio of hydro assets across New England and New York. In addition to tracking hydro production and performing administrative tasks related to asset management, I monitor the REC market, make future projections, and trade our forward production volumes through brokers and direct purchasers when market conditions are suitable. What aspect of your job excites you most? Why? I find the idea of building out the REC trading desk and expanding it to provide services that make REC trading more accessible to companies that want to offset their energy consumption really exciting. What makes you hopeful about the clean energy transition in New Hampshire? Whenever I go to a YPiE event with a big turnout, my hope of a clean energy transition is refreshed because I’m reminded of the work that other teams are doing as well to contribute to realizing that future. What do you believe is the most pressing challenge that lies ahead for the clean energy industry in the state? I think that upgrading the capability of the grid to accommodate large-scale battery storage, the prosumer energy model, and increased demand as beneficial electrification continues to develop should be a primary focus to ensure a smooth transition to a cleaner energy future. What interested you most about being part of YPiE? (Young Professionals in Energy) YPiE is a great platform that affords me the chance to connect with other people in NH that are also building their careers in the clean energy industry – As we all continue to work on projects and grow professionally, having a network of peers will be a useful tool for organizing to accomplish real goals. What advice would you give to someone that is new to the industry or fresh out of college? Don’t delete your Handshake profile if you had one in school! It can be a great resource in addition to LinkedIn to get exposure to relevant companies that are looking for full-time hires instead of college interns. What do you like to do when you aren't working? When I’m not working, I love to stay active. Bouldering, biking, skateboarding, skiing, and snowboarding are all things that I enjoy in my spare time. A typical weekend for me is... Spent hanging out with friends, going out to a local restaurant or bar, seeing some live music, and doing some sort of activity outdoors. What's on your bucket list? Design and construct a cabin in the woods as my forever-home, travel to the Faroe Islands, build my own custom motorcycle, and learn falconry in Mongolia – just to name a few! Tell us one thing most people don't know about you. I’ve ridden an Ostrich! Fun Facts: Coffee or Tea? And how do you take it? Both, and I drink them without milk or sugar. Fave NH Restaurant? Barrio – hands down. Fave Musician/Band/Music genre? Hard to pick just one but Turnstile, Tyler the Creator, and Zach Bryan are always in the rotation. Fav Recreational activity? My favorite activity has got to be snowboarding even though I grew up as a ski racer – (I joined the dark side a few years ago).

Name: Jackson Kaspari Title: Resilience Manager Employer: City of Dover City/Town of Residence: Dover, NH Education: Ph.D. in Chemistry and B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of New Hampshire Why did you decide to work in the clean energy industry? I realized my passion for renewable/ clean energy during a high school chemistry course where explored hydrogen power and nuclear energy for a series of projects. It was that experience that motivated me to pursue a chemical engineering degree at UNH. During my undergrad I caught the research bug and started diving into environmental based laboratory research which opened the door for me to enter into a chemistry doctoral program. My research with Dr. Margaret Greenslade and Dr. Jack Dibb was environmentally focused and I knew I wanted to utilize my skills from academia for an applied science career. What interested you in working at your current employer? In 2018 I was a UNH Sustainability Institute Fellow with the City of Dover's Planning Department. During the fellowship I compiled Dover's first greenhouse gas and nitrogen report for municipal and school operations. This report for not only a first for Dover but a first for the U.S. as no other municipality had reported on its nitrogen specific footprint before. It was a rewarding project and I was very motivated to help the community as I grew up locally and went to school in Dover until I started college at UNH. That fellowship opened the door for me to stay engaged as a Dover Planning Board Member. When Dover created the Resilience Coordinator (I was promoted to Resilience Manager) position towards the end of my Ph.D. I learned of the opportunity and was very excited about the prospect of joining the Planning Department again as a full time staff member. Describe the work you do in more detail. In my role I support the City's Energy Commission, Conservation Commission, Open Lands Committee and Forest Management Subcommittee. Through this I'm engaged with a wide variety of projects and help the public bodies achieve their objectives. On the energy side I've been heavily involved with the creation of a Dover Community Power program which will be launching by next spring and represent the City as a Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH) Board Director. In addition to Community Power, I help conduct and coordinate energy analysis and energy evaluations, manage projects and work with our Outreach Coordinator to engage the community. The remainder of my role is a mix of environmental project review, conservation land acquisition and monitoring as well as ecosystem management. I appreciate that no two days are the same and enjoy working with motivated members of the community who bring a wide variety of expertise. What aspect of your job excites you most? Why? Dover is a dynamic community and I'm very excited to help the City achieve its goal to reach 100% renewable/clean energy for municipal facilities by 2035. This summer I've been mentoring a UNH Sustainability Fellow, Peder Franson, who is helping establish a data driven path that will be critical for reaching the 2035 objective. It's really cool to now be in a mentorship role and stay engaged with the program that was critical to my professional development. What makes you hopeful about the clean energy transition in New Hampshire? Many communities in NH are taking the transition seriously and I'm confident the work of organizations such as the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH) and Clean Energy New Hampshire (CENH) will drive the state forward. What do you believe is the most pressing challenge that lies ahead for the clean energy industry in the state? Utility scale project interconnection delays are introducing a major barrier towards helping the state and country maximize its clean energy potential. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is making progress on this with the recent adoption of a Improvements to Generator Interconnection Procedures and Agreements rule that I'm hopeful will make a difference. What advice would you give to someone that is new to the industry or fresh out of college? Connections are key and I'd encourage recent graduates to utilize their networks and look for opportunities to get engaged in their own communities. Does your community have an Energy Commission or Committee? If so, you should see if there is an opportunity to join and if not, then contact your municipality to see if you can create one! The UNHSI Fellows Program recruits nationally for the graduate fellowships and I'd encourage recent grads/graduate students to explore those summer opportunities. What do you like to do when you aren't working? I love being outside and do a variety of outdoor activities including downhill and backcountry skiing, mountain biking, hiking, climbing and swimming, many of which I do with my wife, family and friends. What's on your bucket list? I have yet to go skiing out West and would love to go to Arapahoe Basin. Fun Facts: Coffee or Tea? And how do you take it? I'm a coffee person. Most days I like it black but occasionally I'll go for a latte or mocha. Fave NH Restaurant? This one is tough. My wife and I really enjoy Hong Asian Noodle Bar in Dover. Fave Musician/Band/Music genre? Bayonne. Fav Recreational activity? Skiing

Name: Nicole Vielma Title: Customer Experience Manager Employer: Granite State Solar Education: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a History Minor from University of Washington Why did you decide to work in the clean energy industry? I wanted to start doing something that mattered to me and made a difference. I have always loved the business environment, but I had a hard time finding something that aligned with my core values. Having a job that combines my business mindset, core values, and benefits our community and environment, has truly made me grateful to have transitioned into the clean energy industry. What interested you in working at your current employer? The people – everyone seemed to really care about the environment but also seemed like a very fun and outgoing group of people. They also all seemed really happy when I met the team and that really made me want to work with them. I could see their dedication to helping the environment throughout the entire interview process. I quickly realized how down to earth and fun the people were at this company. I couldn’t be happier with my team. Describe the work you do in more detail. The work I do has drastically changed during my two years at this company. I started as an entry level employee at our sister company, Green Mountain Solar in Vermont on the inside sales team when the company was still fairly small. I was able to identify potential growth areas across the company and execute accordingly. This is essentially what I do now as the Customer Experience Manager. I manage both of our inside sales team and implement new technology, processes, and training to improve and grow the company. I was recently promoted to manage the Granite State Solar team. What aspect of your job excites you most? Why? Getting to grow the business – I love improving anything and everything I work on which is the mindset I bring to a lot of different areas of my life. Improvement and growth is basically my entire job now. It doesn’t just help our company, but it helps me provide growth to my team and expand the impact renewable energy has in our community, which is nothing but a good thing. It just creates an overall good feeling for me. What advice would you give to someone that is new to the industry or fresh out of college? Redefine what success looks like to you. What you thought was successful as a kid or through college isn’t always going to make you happy. Be self-aware enough to see what does make you happy and what type of life you will enjoy living. Then work towards that. Allow yourself to change and drop the concepts that you’ve held onto but don’t even really matter to you or increase your own happiness. What do you like to do when you aren't working? My favorite thing to do, is to travel and explore new cities. I love finding new places to eat and hanging out with my dog and friends. A typical weekend for me is... I normally like to catch up on the boring stuff (cleaning for example) which helps me feel good and organized for when the week is starting. I also try to catch up with friends or do something fun and creative like painting. What's on your bucket list? To go to Egypt and see the pyramids! Tell us one thing most people don't know about you. I’ve attended over 11 different schools in my life since my family and I traveled a lot between Honduras and Seattle when I was younger. I think this helped me become an adaptable person and taught me how to easily make friends. Fun Facts: Coffee or Tea? And how do you take it? Coffee – black or with a splash of almond milk. Fave NH Restaurant? Sue’s Korean Kitchen Fave Musician/Band/Music genre? Rock Fav Recreational activity? Exploring new areas, video games count too… and of course eating!

Name: George Anderson Title: Sustainability Project Manager Employer: Unitil City/Town of Residence: Bow, NH Education: BS in Environmental Science from the University of New Hampshire Why did you decide to work in the clean energy industry? My decision to work in the energy sector was driven by a deep sense of responsibility for preserving our planet. With the majority of our global greenhouse gas emissions coming from energy and transportation, this industry offers ample opportunity to be at the forefront of combating climate change. What interested you in working at your current employer? Unitil has built a stellar reputation for its commitment to environmental stewardship, innovation, and community engagement. When I was considering what company I wanted to work with, it was incredibly important for me to be a part of a team that shares my values and is committed to addressing the urgency of the climate crisis. Describe the work you do in more detail. Working in environmental sustainability is broad by nature, but most of my work is centered around supporting my company’s ambitious sustainability and greenhouse gas reduction goals. Day to day, I could be working on anything from electric vehicle adoption and EV charging infrastructure for our fleet to promoting energy efficiency incentive programs for our customers. There’s never a shortage of things to do, and as a project manager, it all depends on what stage my projects are in. What aspect of your job excites you most? Why? I love the interdisciplinary nature of sustainability work. It’s really exciting to be constantly communicating across different teams and departments. Not only am I constantly learning new things, but I’m also helping others adjust their habits to be more environmentally conscious. It’s uniquely challenging work that’s equally impactful. What interested you most about being part of YPiE? (Young Professionals in Energy) The world of energy and sustainability is constantly changing, and we’re always learning more. Having a group of like-minded individuals with common goals to bounce ideas off of is what drove me to join this group. It’s an added perk that we’re all really fun to be around, too. What advice would you give to someone that is new to the industry or fresh out of college? Don’t underestimate the power of networking. Join professional groups, volunteer with organizations that share your values, and, most importantly, show up! What do you like to do when you aren't working? When I’m not working, I like to stay active and spend time outdoors. I love to run, hike, and climb. This winter, I’m learning how to cross-country ski. On my rest days, I love going to concerts, trying new restaurants, and supporting my favorite local businesses. What's on your bucket list? I’m far from ready for this, but I’d love to get to the point where I’m able to complete an ultramarathon. Tell us one thing most people don't know about you. I’m a huge coffee geek, and have tons of coffee gadgets at home. French press, pour over, espresso machine… you name it! Fun Facts: Coffee or Tea? And how do you take it? Coffee. I especially love espresso. Fave NH Restaurant? Oak House in Newmarket, NH. Fave Musician/Band/Music genre? It ebbs and flows, but lately I’ve been on a folk kick. I’m a big fan of Noah Kahan. Fav Recreational activity? Hiking, climbing, running, and travel!

What interested you in working at Clean Energy NH? I am committed to a regenerative future, and, in a previous position, I was inspired by our program, Community Solar for Community Action, which intended to further build out our community solar grid for those experiencing energy poverty. Recently I expanded the research, specifically block chain application to community solar, as I thought it might be a component of my Master of Arts (MA) dissertation. Within days I found Clean Energy NH advertising this position! What were you up to prior to working at the organization? I’ve been working in the area of collaborative planning for community and economic development, and previously I served as the Director of Planning, Development, and Public Relations for a Community Action Agency in Vermont. I also gained certification to implement their federally-mandated performance management practice, ROMA. One of the highlights of the role was the opportunity to attract, and served on the development team for, Vermont Everyone Eats (VEE). It was a great opportunity to co-develop what was scaled up to become a multi-million dollar project. VEE intended change at a systems level. It had measurable benefits on local farms, locally-domiciled restaurants, and local people impacted by COVID; and it was administered by local hubs who had design control for the implementation in their region. Why did you decide to work in the clean energy industry? I am a student of regenerative economics and, within that work, it is evident that the future of humanity hinges on a deeper interaction with and promotion of renewable, clean energy. I hope that my background in community & economic development planning and fund development will support CENH’s mission to lead the clean energy transition needed for all beings to thrive. I’m also curious about the intersection of land use and renewable energy technologies; for ex., what multiple benefits for the ecosystem can be incorporated in land developed for renewables which would also create co benefits such as, to increase habitat for pollinators or reinstate continuous wildlife corridors. Describe your position in more detail. Who will you be working with and what will you be doing? I will be working on developing funding streams for the organization’s work. This will be at the direction of our Executive Director and under the supervision of Beth, the Deputy Director, with whom I will build out systems/processes to improve grants management, in particular, to meet our goal of increased organizational capacity. What aspect of your job excites you most? Why? I am excited for the innovation and partnership-building across sectors, as we cultivate collaborations which generate funding for programming and capacity building; and I am especially glad that the work will promote positive transformation in our communities, state, and region. I love work that improves, and more importantly, regenerates, life on earth. What advice would you give to your younger self? No mud. No lotus. ~TNH Stay the course; work hard; seek to understand the nature of suffering; allow for change; cultivate peace; and celebrate JOY. What do you like to do when you aren’t working? When I'm not working, I like to garden, hike, dance, play keyboard music (likely old and french), cook, and read. A typical weekend for me is… Hiking, cooking, garden tending, giving the hubs and my kiddo some time and love. What’s on your bucket list? Completing a graduate degree in Regenerative Economics- August 2024! Traveling to the Orkney Islands in Scotland; replacing my dwarf fruit trees with a more sustainable, native over story (for the birds, in particular, and a little more perennial food on our property); take a long hiking/walking trip in Spain… If you could choose anyone to play you in a movie, who would it be? Kate Winslet, love her acting (like, A Little Chaos, a perennial fave). Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you. I adore ridge line walking, from the Crawford Path (my #1), as well as Pemetic, and, more local to me, the Windmill-Pinnacle (VT) and Robinhood to Sunset Rock (Keene). Fun Facts: Coffee or Tea? And how do you take it? Both! Coffee- lite on cream and maple, and- …half decaf! Tea- from my garden in summer, likely lemon balm or tulsi/holy basil. Favorite NH Restaurant: T.H.E.- The Thompson House Eatery in Jackson; Vida Cantina in Portsmouth though…yum! Favorite Musician/Band/Music genre: Funky organ! Club D’Elf, Thievery Corporation, Sundog Organ Trio, to name a few! Favorite Recreational Activity: Hiking in the mountains, with an ocean nearby; and building garden eco-systems for all creatures <3 Favorite Holiday: Christmas Eve, so quiet, and we have a tradition of spending it with our friend-family. I enjoy preparing a special dinner, often with ingredients saved just for an evening of love and giving (like homemade black raspberry ice cream and vegan peach sorbet!)

Name: Jake Gehrung Title: Resilience Manager Employer: Resilient Buildings Group (RBG) City/Town of Residence: Amherst, NH Education: Environmental Science BS from the University of New Hampshire Why did you decide to work in the clean energy industry? Green building and energy efficiency work has been a seamless avenue for me to explore my passion for interdisciplinary solutions in sustainability. What interested you in working at your current employer? Resilient Buildings Group (RBG) is a small company with an open-minded, accepting, and supportive culture. They are well-positioned to offer a variety of services in the field of energy efficiency, which has allowed me to continuously grow and learn new skills as I take on more responsibilities. Describe the work you do in more detail. My work is quite multifaceted, but mostly involves building commissioning, energy auditing, energy modeling, and LEED projects. At home and at the office, I could be reviewing drawings, analyzing data, or writing reports. In the field, I could be reviewing a whole building for energy efficiency measures, testing HVAC systems, or meeting with clients to discuss their building. What aspect of your job excites you most? Why? I am most enlivened by the interdisciplinary nature of my work, both in subject matter and setting. I love that I am constantly doing different things in different places. I also love that I am constantly learning. I love to learn, especially when I can use what I've learned to help others. It is very rewarding to help clients work through their challenges by applying my skills and knowledge in new situations. What makes you hopeful about the clean energy transition in New Hampshire? The development and rising popularity of organizations like YPiE and sustainability programs in higher education (e.g. at UNH) make me feel like clean energy is becoming a higher priority in this state, especially for our younger generations. I believe as our generation continues to flood the workforce and becomes a stronger voice in politics, clean energy efforts will become a more fundamental component of how NH operates. What do you believe is the most pressing challenge that lies ahead for the clean energy industry in the state? Historically, it seems that the political climate in NH has be the main obstacle for clean energy, as it has for other progressive efforts. I'm hoping that, with time, the undeniable benefits of clean energy solutions will be impossible to vote down or dismiss. What interested you most about being part of YPiE? (Young Professionals in Energy) Clean energy is still a growing field with a somewhat limited community of young professionals. I am gravitated to YPiE for the opportunity to engage with this growing community and get involved with a larger movement, beyond the scope of my individual work. What advice would you give to someone that is new to the industry or fresh out of college? For finding a job, I would highly recommend Ed Carley's Clean Energy Job Board. To someone entering this field (new to industry or fresh out of college), I would encourage young people to network, find a mentor, and be flexible with finding a job. The field is small, but growing rapidly, so the seasoned professionals tend to be open to connecting and making recommendations. I found it incredibly easy to get to know people and actually found my job purely by networking. The culture in clean energy also tends to be very supportive and excepting, not competitive and closed minded. Having a good attitude and being patient will go a long way. What do you like to do when you aren't working? On my free time, I love to play chess, play spikeball, cook, lift weights, and spend time connecting with my community in any capacity possible. A typical weekend for me is... Traveling or staying home with my friend group for either some sort of event or just a relaxing, connective experience. What's on your bucket list? Everything. I like to try everything once. But most importantly, I want to live in Hawaii at some point. I also want to become a part of an intentional living community, and go to Burning Man at least once. Tell us one thing most people don't know about you. I have had 4 heart attacks (I had pericarditis when I was 18). Fun Facts: Coffee or Tea? And how do you take it? Yerba mate with mushroom powder, especially lion's mane. Fave NH Restaurant? Oak House in Newmarket, NH. Fave Musician/Band/Music genre? Tame Impala. Fav Recreational activity? Chess.

Name: Ted Lague Title: Director of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Employer: Merchants Fleet City/Town of Residence: Exeter, NH Why did you decide to work in the clean energy industry? There are big problems to solve, and that excites me. One of which being 29% of greenhouse gasses (GHG) in the United States come from the transportation sector, and roughly one in five vehicles on the road today belongs to a fleet. This presents a tremendous opportunity for our company to benefit the planet and society through the electrification of fleets, among other solutions in the transportation space. What interested you in working at your current employer? To combine my adulthood passions of strategy, innovation, and sustainability with my childhood passion of transportation. Above all else though, it's having the opportunity to do good at both the local and national level, while simultaneously growing our company’s profitability. Describe the work you do in more detail. I oversee Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) at Merchants Fleet. In addition to building the company’s ESG strategy and culture, our team works on initiatives that help the company do well as a business, by doing immense good for planet, people and communities. What aspect of your job excites you most? Why? Taking action! More specifically, innovating new solutions with my peers that benefit our company, planet, employees and communities. What makes you hopeful about the clean energy transition in New Hampshire? I have faith seeing local organizations & institutions like Clean Energy NH (CENH), the University of New Hampshire (UNH) and New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility (NHBSR), inspire folks to help transition our little state to clean energy, and a future we can all be proud of. There are a lot of scary things in the news these days, but there are also incredible opportunities here in New Hampshire. Where there is opportunity, there is hope. What do you believe is the most pressing challenge that lies ahead for the clean energy industry in the state? Communication, leadership and vision that motivates a broader audience to take action. The first step though is listening; easy to say, but often difficult to practice. I think we would all benefit from leaning in and listening a bit more. Active listening fuels effective communication, leadership and visions that inspire enduring ACTION. What interested you most about being part of YPiE? I believe the sum of YPiE has the potential to be much greater than all the individual pieces. Together, we can do big things. What advice would you give to someone that is new to the industry or fresh out of college? Have fun, stay curious, fail fast, and always be kind. What do you like to do when you aren't working? I love playing with my son, skiing of any sort, biking, boating, and building. Fun Facts: Coffee or Tea? And how do you take it? Coffee with cream. Stirred not shaken. Fave NH Restaurant? Los Olas Taqueria in Exeter. Fave Musician/Band/Music genre? If it’s live and in the great outdoors, I’m happy. I’ve also been on an R.E.M. kick, after adopting a box of old cassette tapes from my in-law’s waste basket. If you haven’t dipped your toes into the world of cassette tapes…I’ll spare you, you’re not missing much. Fav Recreational activity? Alpine touring, hands down.