The 31st Annual Energy Fair Workshop Offerings

At 72 years old, Jim Crane has taught thousands of students locally and in places such as Las Vegas, West Virtinia, Peru, and Canada. He has formed a program over the last 24 years that focuses on bringing balance, mobility, and strength to the body and preserving it through sustainable fitness.

Pat Huelman is an Associate Extension Professor in Energy and Building Systems with the University of Minnesota's Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering and serves as Coordinator of the Cold Climate Housing Program with the University of Minnesota Extension. He is a lead faculty member for the Building Science and Technology undergraduate degree program and a principal investigator for hygrothermal testing at the Cloquet Residential Research Facility. Currently, Pat is the Project Lead for NorthernSTAR, one of the Department of Energy's Building America teams.
Pat has been extremely active in professional education for the home building industry. His long-term research focus has been on building systems and technologies that will provide energy efficiency, long-term durability, and healthy indoor air for homes. With more than 30 years in the field, Pat brings extensive experience and expertise in energy-efficient design and construction, innovative building systems, moisture management strategies, mechanical ventilation, and residential indoor air quality.

Luke is an organic farmer born and raised in Wisconsin looking for new ways to decentralize energy and transportation fuels. He grows fruits, vegetables, herbs, mushroms, and medicine indoors, under greenhouse, and outdoors. In his free time, Luke makes medicine using extractions and teas. He also forages around the Midwest.

Jeremy Solin is the Maple Syrup Project Manager with UW-Madison, Division of Extension where he coordinates statewide maple syrup programming. He's a 4th generation, lifelong maple syrup maker, maple syrup business owner, and an admirer of all things maple.

Lisa and her husband, John Ivanko, are authors or co-authors of fifteen books between the two of them, national speakers and recognized spokespeople for national media. In addition to Homemade for Sale, Lisa has co-authored Soil Sisters, ECOpreneuring, Rural Renaissance and Farmstead Chef.

Together with his wife, Lisa Kivirist, John is a national speaker, marketing consultant and co-author of the award-winning ECOpreneuring as well as Homemade for Sale, Farmstead Chef and Rural Renaissance. He is also the co-author and photographer for six award-winning multicultural children's books for the Global Fund for Children, including To Be a Kid, Be My Neighbor and To Be an Artist. As a freelance writer and photographer, John contributes to Mother Earth News, Hobby Farms, Natural Awakenings, and many others. He is FAA-licensed drone pilot, with FLYING COLORS Drone Videography+Photography. He is also a farmer and innkeeper, with Lisa Kivirist, of the award-winning Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast, completely powered by renewable energy.

Bradlee Fons is a nationally recognized expert, spokesperson, promoter, and teacher on driving techniques that save fuel, reduce maintenance costs, and tailpipe emissions and improve driver awareness and safety. Bradlee is the co-founder, along with his son, of the Drive $mart Wisconsin, a nonprofit and the largest fuel-efficient owners' group in North america with over 850 members in 10 states and Canada. Bradlee has co-developed a fuel-efficient driver-training program called "Tools for a Lifetime," which can teach drivers to achieve fuel savings of 10-30%.

Garry is a retired highschool teacher, log and timber smith, and owner of Big Timber River Cabin Vacation Rentals.

Linda Conroy, MSS, MLSP is a renowed veteran herbalist, expert forager, and community organizer. She is the founder of Moonwise Herbs, The Midwest Women's Herbal Conference, and Wild Eats Community meals. her workshops and apprenticeships programs are focused on regenerative approaches to health of both humans and earth.

Chelsea Chandler directs Clean Wisconsin’s Climate, Energy and Air Program which works to accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, expand opportunities for energy efficiency, shift to a clean and equitable transportation system, and advance natural climate solutions. She extends her advocacy for healthy communities and environment to her organic, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm in the Driftless Area. Chelsea has worked to craft, analyze, and advance climate solutions for over a decade in Wisconsin, the West Coast, and internationally. She previously served as Director of the Climate & Energy Initiative at the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts, & Letters and as a scientist at the Stockholm Environment Institute. Chelsea holds a M.E.M. in Global Change Science and Policy from the Yale School of the Environment and a B.A. in Atmospheric Science from the University of California, Berkeley.

How can you, the homeowner, contribute to lowering your carbon footprint. In this workshop, we will explore the various projects that you can do yourself in decarbonizing your existing home.

Kevin studied botany and forestry for 8 years then founded Northwoods Tea & Herb in 2016. His research is focused on sustainable harvesting and wild simulated cultivation of various species of plant and fungi.

At the Center for Technology Commercialization (CTC), Brian provides commercialization-focused assistance to Wisconsin innovators and technology-based firms. This includes counseling on navigating the federal SBIR/STTR program, which provides grants and contracts to small businesses with early stage ideas. The Department of Energy, EPA, USDA and National Science Foundation are among the 11 federal agencies that participate in this program. In addition, Brian has technology transfer experience with University of Wisconsin campuses, engaging in activities such as assessing inventions for commercial potential, reviewing grant proposals and conducting licensing activities. Walsh also served in the US Peace Corps in Mexico, where he taught technology commercialization workshops and mentored researchers and students in entrepreneurship training programs at a nationally funded research center. Earlier in his career, Walsh owned and operated a small scientific equipment manufacturing company and held positions in product development, marketing and management at various Wisconsin life science companies. He also co-founded and directed a nonprofit organization focused on environmental sustainability.

Todd is technically trained in Chemistry and Science Education and is an expert in negotiating government grant funding for technical companies through the National SBIR/STTR programs. He provides guidance in grant writing to small companies as well as direction in Lean Startup methodologies critical to customer discovery and business hypothesis validation.

Ben Nelson is a self-taught designer/builder/tinkerer of electric vehicles, home solar systems, and other DIY projects. He shares what he learns on YouTube, where the channel has over 100,000 subscribers. A homebuilt electric car and electric motorcycle are perhaps the best known of his projects.

As a long-time energy activist concerned about the future of our planet, Don has spent years on energy issues and advocating for an end to coal and other fossil fuels through organizing and education, working on regulatory and policy change, and advocating for climate justice. He has volunteered extensively through the Sierra Club and the Beyond Coal Campaign, as well as with 350 Madison, on community engagement and outreach.

Lisa and her husband, John Ivanko, are authors or co-authors of fifteen books between the two of them, national speakers and recognized spokespeople for national media. In addition to Homemade for Sale, Lisa has co-authored Soil Sisters, ECOpreneuring, Rural Renaissance and Farmstead Chef.

Together with his wife, Lisa Kivirist, John is a national speaker, marketing consultant and co-author of the award-winning ECOpreneuring as well as Homemade for Sale, Farmstead Chef and Rural Renaissance. He is also the co-author and photographer for six award-winning multicultural children's books for the Global Fund for Children, including To Be a Kid, Be My Neighbor and To Be an Artist. As a freelance writer and photographer, John contributes to Mother Earth News, Hobby Farms, Natural Awakenings, and many others. He is FAA-licensed drone pilot, with FLYING COLORS Drone Videography+Photography. He is also a farmer and innkeeper, with Lisa Kivirist, of the award-winning Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast, completely powered by renewable energy.

Pat Huelman is an Associate Extension Professor in Energy and Building Systems with the University of Minnesota's Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering and serves as Coordinator of the Cold Climate Housing Program with the University of Minnesota Extension. He is a lead faculty member for the Building Science and Technology undergraduate degree program and a principal investigator for hygrothermal testing at the Cloquet Residential Research Facility. Currently, Pat is the Project Lead for NorthernSTAR, one of the Department of Energy's Building America teams.
Pat has been extremely active in professional education for the home building industry. His long-term research focus has been on building systems and technologies that will provide energy efficiency, long-term durability, and healthy indoor air for homes. With more than 30 years in the field, Pat brings extensive experience and expertise in energy-efficient design and construction, innovative building systems, moisture management strategies, mechanical ventilation, and residential indoor air quality.

Larry Ponziano has been a residential home builder since 1991 with over 300 homes built. He has represented Zehnder America as Midwest Technical Sales Representative since 2015, promoting and designing balanced Energy Recovery Systems for high performance homes. In 2012 Larry adapted a system to build non toxic, Net Zero energy Homes and has lived in 3 different homes Net Zero Energy for over 6 years.

Michael Vickerman is Policy Director for RENEW Wisconsin, a nonprofit organization founded in 1991 to promote renewable energy development and use in Wisconsin. We work on policies and programs that support solar power, wind power, biogas, local hydropower, geothermal energy, and electric vehicles. As Policy Director, Vickerman advances the interests of renewable energy producers, businesses and supporters in legislative and regulatory proceedings, as well as public forums.

Aur has been living off the grid for 20 years and wants YOU to get energized with renewable energy. Learn real, fun, interesting, and low-cost ways to start living the off-grid mentality now. Star simply, start now!

Abigail Aderonmu is a Postdoctoral Research Associate with the International Center for Energy, Environment and Sustainability (InCEES) at Washington University in St Louis. At InCEES, through a collaborative effort, she is leading the development of a Midwest Climate Research Agenda. This collaborative research effort aims to develop a stakeholder driven climate research framework for the midwestern region of the United States by identifying multi-sectoral climate research priorities and needs through synthesizing current knowledge about climate impacts and solutions. Aderonmu earned a PhD in Geoscience and Social Science and a MSc in Urban and Environmental Geoscience from the University of Missouri- Kansas City (UMKC). Her undergraduate degree in Geography is from Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria. Her training is interdisciplinary, which enables her to leverage knowledge and skills across multiple disciplines in science and social science.

Roy Butler is a Technical Support specialist for Morningstar Corp and the founder of Four Winds Renewable Energy, LLC. He has 26 years of system integration and installation experience with grid-tied and off-grid wind and PV electric systems.He has been a small wind and PV workforce training program developer and trainer for community colleges, technical schools and renewable energy associations since 2006.

Roy currently sits on the board of the Small North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), is a past board member of the Small Wind Certification Council (SWCC) and the Distributed Wind Energy Association (DWEA).

James is a leader in technical and business experience to formulate energy monitoring, plans, and projections. He uses Mechanical and Energy engineering design utilizing conventional and renewable technologies for commercial and industrial entities. James is also a project manager for implementation of safety and supervisory management for various construction projects. He has implemented sustainability systems applying natural resources management using geology and forestry technologies. He also serves as a volunteer first responder.

Tom Content has been Executive Director at the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin for five years and leads the independent nonprofit organization's work advocating for residential and small business customers of Wisconsin's electric, natural gas and water utilities. Tom has been following the energy transition for much of his career, as a journalist in Green Bay and later in Milwaukee covering energy, clean technology and sustainability.

Cory was born and raised in Wisconsin and has over a decade working in the energy efficiency, utility and renewable energy field. In his role as Director of SolarShare Wisconsin Cooperative, he is working to democratize investment in rural, utility-scale solar projects.

John E. Peck has been the executive director of Family Farm Defenders for 20+ years and is a part-time Economics instructor at Madison College. He is also the co-owner of Yellow Dog Flowers and Produce, farming on two acres with his partner near Edgerton, WI. He participated in the 2009 U.N. Climate Summit in Copenhagen as a U.S. representative for La Via Campesina, and has written extensively on how smallscale farmers can feed the world and cool the planet.

Dr. Ted Schierer is the founder of JETT PHC, an organization that uses functional medicine nutrition to help people with pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes and diabetes-related, chronic disease. He was a USDA biologist for 10 years before leaving to start JETT. He attended Iowa State University for his undergraduate degree in ecology and Ph.D. in molecular biology. He has authored two books. Everyone Needs Sustainability explains how holistic wellness and community service can create more sustainable communities. Living in Reverse describes how reversing type 2 diabetes and obesity, the centers of chronic disease, can serve as a central process for creating personal health, lowering healthcare costs for businesses and employees, and creating a more sustainable healthcare system.

Jim is the founder and owner of Energize, LLC. His work with and commitment to renewable energy started 34 years ago in 1982, working towards his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering Technology from MSOE, where he was introduced to photovoltaic cells. This technology ignited a passion to make renewable energy a major part of our future.The company, formed in 2002, develops projects and provides EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) services for solar electric systems to commercial and residential energy consumers in Wisconsin. The focus is on providing high quality, high performance, high value solar PV systems that last.

For the last 10 years, Dan has been a full-time volunteer for Citizens’ Climate Lobby, (CCL). He helps coordinate the work of over 6,000 CCL members in Wisconsin and leads the Stevens Point CCL Chapter, which has over 500 members. A long-time MREA member and frequent Energy Fair presenter, this year he added 18 photo-voltaic panels to the four solar-hydronic panels at his Gimme-Shelter-built home.

Jeremy is the co-owner of Tapped Maple Syrup which crafts infused, barrel-aged, cocktail, and pure maple syrups from sustainable Wisconsin forests. He's a 4th generation, life-long maple syrup producer and an admirer of all things maple.

Haffele is the Solid Waste Director for Portage County. She serves on the executive board for both the Associated Recyclers of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Counties Solid Waste Management Association. Haffele has over 10 years of experience in the Solid Waste and Recycling Industry that includes education and outreach, local compliance issues, running and overseeing the operations of solid waste transfer facility, recycling and hazardous waste programs.

Terry Richards has been involved in electric vehicle development since the early 1980's. Volkswagen Rabbit conversions, 4 electric vehicle programs with Chrysler Corporation, an electric scooter company, and a bunch of "home-builts" are all in his history. His latest project is a battery upgrade to an old electric scooter, which should increase its range from 40 miles to 100 miles on one charge. His workshop will concentrate on the scooter project, and the sharing of experience with up-and-coming EV builders.

Jon has worked as a drywall contractor, general contractor and regional sales manager for most of his career. This has given him opportunity to see first hand how the priorities of the builder fill or ignore the best interests of the customer. He enjoys sharing some of this experience mixed with good solid building science to help listeners address needed changes to the common approach to building structures. He is currently working in the SIP industry and loves learning with and educating people that really care.

Ben spent 12 years as the Renewable Energy Technician Instructor at Mid-State Technical College where he is currently the Campus Dean of the Stevens Point location. He also instructed for the Midwest Renewable Energy Association and served as a member of the Board of Directors. Ben is the co-author of the book Solar Water Heating a Comprehensive Guide to Solar Water and Space Heating Systems and the co-owner of Circle Education, LLC.

Timothy has been a Certified Passive House Builder since 2012 and the Owner of Lakeside Advanced Builders for 20 years. His colleague, Randy Nilsson of Great Lakes Carpentry, has joined him in starting a consulting company to assist people build Passive House and Zero Energy homes. Continuing education is what they do, beyond code. Timothy has also been a board member of the Blow In Blanket Contractors Association for 6 years and has done many trainings and presenter functions around the country. He is also a Master Contractor of the Environments for Living program and Salesperson for Carlson Electric of Hayward WI, one of the top 500 solar installers in the country.

As a lifetime member and previous MREA student of both solar thermal and PV installation courses, Paul has been busy rebuilding old homes to make them zero energy. Paul also helps organic farms push their production through the cold months by using their high tunnel soil as a solar energy battery bank.

Ben Nelson is a self-taught designer/builder/tinkerer of electric vehicles, home solar systems, and other DIY projects. He shares what he learns on YouTube, where the channel has over 100,000 subscribers. A homebuilt electric car and electric motorcycle are perhaps the best known of his projects.

Don Wichert is a mostly retired energy geek and owner of Eudai Energy LLC, a renewable energy consulting and investment company. Don worked for 23 years with the State of Wisconsin Energy Office as a policy analysist and chief of the Energy Resources Section. He also was director of Renewable Energy for the Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation for seven years and was the director of the state wide Focus on Energy Renewable Program. He served as interim Executive Director of RENEW Wisconsin, a group he founded, for 15 months and is currently an emeritus board member. He has undergraduate degrees in Geography and Thermal & Environmental Engineering, and a graduate degree in Energy Analysis & Policy.

Kurt Reinhold started his interest in solar back in the seventies when his parents used a large prism-shaped solar collector outside to heat their house with forced air. Fast-forward 30 years and he and his wife put 3.25 kW on their house in 2006. In 2009, Kurt started Solar Connections, LLC which eventually developed the first public tax financed photovoltaics arrays with the City of Monona in 2013. Kurt founded Legacy Solar Wisconsin Cooperative in 2014 to help crowdfund solar; they are now 40 projects in and continuing.

HPPP Giving Gardens

Rubina co-owns Tomorrow River Homestead, a rural hospitality space, and Process General Store, a low waste shop; both in Central Wisconsin. they are a mediocre homesteader, an avid collaborator, and gener creative parent and partner.

Sheena is co-owner of Process General Store, a low waste shop in downtown Stevens Point. They have worked in cooperaative management for over 12 years.

James Jedibudiah is a UW Madison graduate with a degree in Conservation Biology and a certificate in Environmental Studies, and he is certified through the US Green Building Council as a Green Associate. Some of his career accomplishments include introducing the first public composting program offered at a major sports facility while working as Corporate Sustainability Coordinator with the Portland Trail Blazers in Oregon, and serving as a Project Manager to get that NBA arena LEED Gold EB certified. James recently worked as a Healthcare Sustainability Specialist with over 50 hospitals in the midwest on developing sustainability programs and goals. Now as an AmeriCorps member serving with the City of Milwaukee - Environmental Collaboration Office as a Sustainability Ambassador he is using his education and experience to help make Milwaukee a world-class eco city.

Lisa and her husband, John Ivanko, are authors or co-authors of fifteen books between the two of them, national speakers and recognized spokespeople for national media. In addition to Homemade for Sale, Lisa has co-authored Soil Sisters, ECOpreneuring, Rural Renaissance and Farmstead Chef.

With a B.S. in Fisheries & Limnology from UW-Stevens Point, '03, and living/volunteering/starting a family in Stevens Point since then, Trevor Roark has been a long-time climate activist (including co-founding the local chapter '350 Stevens Point') and bicycling advocate (including former Chair of the Stevens Point Bicycle & Pedestrian Street Safety Commission). Trevor launched curbwise LLC in Sept. 2020 after his position was cut at the local University due to the pandemic. Starting a bicycle-powered delivery service made a ton of sense, providing a number of solutions for the Central WI community. At the core of curbwise is the triple bottom line approach (People, Planet, then Profit) and as Trevor grows the business with more delivery partners, customers, and delivery types, he's eager to hire another delivery pilot this year for further delivery coverage and greater resilence.

Torrance Kramer—President of Accurate-Airtight Exteriors, LLC—has been passionately working to reduce energy consumption since 2002. He has extensive field experience conducting commercial and residential energy assessments. Torrance has performed pressure testing and zonal diagnostics on many small to large buildings, in both the existing and new construction markets. He has spoken nationally on various aspects of energy management to promote optimum building performance and building a greener future. By utilizing his degree in energy management, he has been able to promote optimum building performance. He is a Certified Energy Manager, Building Enclosure Process Provider, Building Analyst, and a leader in Energy and Environmental Design profession.

Susan Schuller is the Program Director for Recycling Connections providing professional development services and consultations in zero waste, recycling, and waste reduction. She is an avid backyard composter with over 20 years of experience. She holds a MS in Natural Resources, BS in Biology/Chemistry, and two decades of teaching environmental education and sustainability topics. Her current focus is on composting, recycling, and waste reduction practices in schools and at home.

John Richter is the Sr. Policy Analyst and member of the Board of Directors of the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association . He’s been fighting for net metering for 20 years at Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), and an expert witness in MPSC cases for the past 3 years. He has presented to the U.S. Congressional Staff on wind energy policy impacts. He taught solar energy at Macomb Community college and has been a regular speaker at renewable energy conferences for three decades.

Nick Hylla is the Executive Director of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association where he works in partnership with organizations throughout the Midwest to advance renewable energy education and market development initiatives. Nick holds an MS degree in natural resource management, has more than 10 years of experience in non-profit leadership, and serves as the Principal Investigator on two US Dept. of Energy cooperative agreements as part of the SunShot Initiative. These efforts, focused on reducing cost and increasing market penetration for solar PV systems, have supported the development of the Midwest Grow Solar Partnership and the Solar University Network.

As a long-time energy activist concerned about the future of our planet, Don has spent years on energy issues and advocating for an end to coal and other fossil fuels through organizing and education, working on regulatory and policy change, and advocating for climate justice. He has volunteered extensively through the Sierra Club and the Beyond Coal Campaign, as well as with 350 Madison, on community engagement and outreach.

Susan is a retired anthropologist and helps lead 350 Madison’s Community Climate Solutions Team, among other climate leadership roles. She will address personally the challenge to “electrify everything”, and how she electrified her 90-year old, 1700 sq/ft. home in Madison. It began in 2019 with solar panels to power her EV, and ended in September 2021 when she installed a heat pump and hybrid water heater.

Virge Temme is an Architect, General Contractor and Certified Passive House Consultant who designs and builds high-performance homes . She has completed deep energy retrofits on both residential and commercial projects, and will share lessons learned, outcomes reaches, and costs incurred on these projects.

Eric Moshier is the Owner of Solid Rock Masonry in Duluth, MN and a third-generation stonemason with over 30 years of experience.

As the Executive Director of RENEW Wisconsin, Heather guides overall strategy, policy development, day to day operations, and membership engagement. Since first discovering her passion for renewables upon going solar with the MadiSUN program (administered by RENEW Wisconsin), Heather has dedicated herself to ensuring all Wisconsinites have access to clean energy.Prior to joining RENEW, Heather worked as the Legislative Analyst for the City of Madison’s Common Council and developed policies and programs at the Clean Lakes Alliance, Natural Resources Defense Council, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Mr. Lindl develops, advances and defends regulatory policies empowering customers and communities to choose the source of their electricity. His practice centers on community choice aggregation and customer-based resources such as solar, energy storage and combined heat and power. His work includes administrative hearings, workshops and policymaking in a number of different state and federal jurisdictions. His experience, which put him in a hearing room at the California Public Utilities Commission three days after he passed the bar in 2009, gives Mr. Lindl a wide breadth of skills.

Kathleen Plunkett-Black is a lifelong gardener, and grows all the vegetables to feed her family year round. She grows her own seeds for over 200 varieties of vegetables, grains, dry beans, flowers, and herbs. She is passionate about teaching and passing on the skills of subsistence gardening and seed-saving.She sells her homegrown seeds through her business, Plum Creek Seeds.

Garry is a retired highschool teacher, log and timber smith, and owner of Big Timber River Cabin Vacation Rentals.

Linda Conroy, MSS, MLSP is a renowed veteran herbalist, expert forager, and community organizer. She is the founder of Moonwise Herbs, The Midwest Women's Herbal Conference, and Wild Eats Community meals. her workshops and apprenticeships programs are focused on regenerative approaches to health of both humans and earth.

Scott Liddicoat is a veteran high school science teacher of 37 years. He has taught college credit energy classes for more than a decade. Scott has also written many energy education lessons and been a teacher trainer for CREATE since 2015.

Christina Zordani is an electric vehicle policy intern at RENEW Wisconsin. She works to analyze electric vehicle policy at the Federal, State, and Local levels while working in collaboration with partners. She is currently a graduate student at UW-Madison in the La Follette School of Public Affairs focusing on Energy Policy. Christina is researching the health benefits of Wisconsin residents of clean-power electric vehicle adoption.

Andrew Lewandowski is a pediatrician with Group Health Cooperative in Madison. He counsels the public, policymakers, and his patients about climate change and health, and he is leading a team of pediatricians to create climate change communication modules through the American Board of Pediatrics. He is an advocate for climate justice solutions - which are solutions that address the disproportionate burden of disease that is inflicted by climate change on communities. As an advocate, he has served as a resource to the Wisconsin Governor's Task Force on Climate Change, he fills leadership positions for the Wisconsin Environmental Health Network and Wisconsin Health Professionals for Climate Action, and he partners with a diversity of organizations - recognizing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to climate justice.

Torrance Kramer—President of Accurate-Airtight Exteriors, LLC—has been passionately working to reduce energy consumption since 2002. He has extensive field experience conducting commercial and residential energy assessments. Torrance has performed pressure testing and zonal diagnostics on many small to large buildings, in both the existing and new construction markets. He has spoken nationally on various aspects of energy management to promote optimum building performance and building a greener future. By utilizing his degree in energy management, he has been able to promote optimum building performance. He is a Certified Energy Manager, Building Enclosure Process Provider, Building Analyst, and a leader in Energy and Environmental Design profession.

Jessica Miller is a naturalist at Mosquito Hill Nature Center in New London, WI with over 20 years of experience teaching environmental education/appreciation. She recently completed a 1400-hour herbalism program and has been incorporating her knowledge of medicinal plants with her affinity for all things outdoors into her public programs. When not touting the joys of nature to all who will listen, Jessica enjoys hiking, biking, gardening, doing and teaching yoga, traveling and eating the items she's grown and foraged.

John E. Peck has been the executive director of Family Farm Defenders for 20+ years and is a part-time Economics instructor at Madison College. He is also the co-owner of Yellow Dog Flowers and Produce, farming on two acres with his partner near Edgerton, WI. He participated in the 2009 U.N. Climate Summit in Copenhagen as a U.S. representative for La Via Campesina and has written extensively on how small-scale farmers can feed the world and cool the planet.

Sam has been with RENEW Wisconsin since 2018, and has been the Distributed Resources Director since 2020. As Distributed Resources Director, Sam is responsible for creating partnerships between homeowners, businesses, nonprofit organizations, government entities, utilities, and solar contractors. His roles also include policy work, advocacy, and public education for distributed renewable energy technologies.

Lenor is a self described "old geezer" who went to the first Earth Day. He has been writing about climate change since 2015

Andy brings a passion for sustainability and function. After beginning his career in Illinois where he oversaw the building of a new elementary school in 1999, he moved to Oregon, Wisconsin and has overseen over 100 million dollars in construction including multiple additions and 2 new schools. As the business manager he oversees the finances, facilities, transportation, food service, risk management and safety areas within the school district.
Andy is a lifelong learner who is always looking for ways to improve the organization to the benefit of the students, staff and community. He brings an ability to listen to diverse stakeholders and find solutions that meet all interests with efficient solutions.

Jerome is a gourmet mushroom farmer, economic consultant, and independent academic or more generally a work from home dad. He is currently exploring mycoremediation as economic development and redevelopment strategies for rural and urban communities. Professionally, Jerome is a PhD urban and regional economist and former assistant professor and director of and chief economist in an economic research bureau. Jerome is published in scholarly journals such as Papers in Regional Science, Journal of Regional Analysis and Policy, and the Journal of Sports Economics.

Sam Taylor is the business developer at Slick Tools LLC. Slick Tools makes specialized tools for the solar industry and hopes to be the leading tool provider in the industry by making solar installer's jobs easier.

Susan Schuller is the Program Director for Recycling Connections providing professional development services and consultations in zero waste, recycling, and waste reduction. She is an avid backyard composter with over 20 years of experience. She holds a MS in Natural Resources, BS in Biology/Chemistry, and two decades of teaching environmental education and sustainability topics. Susan is an ad hoc instructor with the WI K-12 Energy Education Program at the University of Wisconsin: Stevens Point. Her current focus is on composting, recycling, and waste reduction practices in schools and at home.

Tim is a father and he cares deeply about the likelihood of leaving his three daughters with an unlivable future. He has worked as a teacher, a nurse, a farmer, and most recently as a social justice coordinator for a Unitarian Universalist Congregation. Newly retired, Tim is dedicating his retirement years to building a united statewide movement for peace, justice, sustainability, and democracy. Tim is currently working with dozens of Wisconsin organizations that have joined a coalition to support the Indigenous-led movement to stop tar sands pipelines.

Linda Conroy, MSS, MLSP is a renowed veteran herbalist, expert forager, and community organizer. She is the founder of Moonwise Herbs, The Midwest Women's Herbal Conference, and Wild Eats Community meals. her workshops and apprenticeships programs are focused on regenerative approaches to health of both humans and earth.

Bryce Black of LoTec Windmill Service has been repairing, restoring, and/or resurrecting farm water-pumping windmills since 1981.

After years as an engineer and then minister in the faith-based non-profit realm, in 2012 Kermit Hovey became overwhelmingly convinced of society's failure to sustain a livable climate. In joining the then new Madison chapters of Citizens’ Climate Lobby and 350.org he began a long journey of varied action, advocacy, and effort. Through the present he has served as member, volunteer lobbyist, Legislative Liaison, and Evangelical Christian Action Team lead with Citizens' Climate Lobby; Board Secretary, Coordinating Council Member, Community Climate Solutions Team Co-lead (with Julia DePalma and Susan Millar), and CCST Middleton Community Working Group Lead with 350 Wisconsin (formerly 350Madison Climate Action Team); co-organizer of significant mobilization and education events with Wisconsin Interfaith Power & Light, Care of Creation, and Climate Caretakers; and participant in informal networks and ad-hoc efforts to engage, inform, and motivate the public to address the climate crisis.
From protesting in the streets to lobbying in legislators' offices, from the state capitol to the U.S. capitol, from public hearings in city halls to testimony in federal administrative meeting rooms, he has advocated for climate action. From coordinating efforts to pass the Middleton Climate Referendum to helping convene secular and faith-based climate events, campaigns and conferences he has mobilized, directed, and educated climate advocates.

Susan Millar, a retired anthropologist, is one of the volunteer leaders in 350 Wisconsin (formerly 350Madison Climate Action Team). Currently, she co-leads (with Kermit Hovey and Julia DePalma) 350 Wisconsin’s Community Climate Solutions Team (CCST), leads CCST’s Madison Community Working Group, and participates in 350 Wisconsin's State Policy Group. A senior scientist emeritus at UW-Madison, she led research groups at the Wisconsin Center of Education Research, and established and led the LEAD Center, conducting evaluation research on projects designed to improve STEM education within higher education. She also directed the Education Research Integration Area of the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery. In retirement, she is devoted to helping reduce and address the challenges of climate change.

Amber Westerman is a dwelling contractor and designer of energy-efficient homes. Her company, Poem Homes, is focused on reducing resource use in new home construction and showing how living is a smaller, more modest home makes way for a more satisfying life. Poem Homes built Spring Green, Wisconsin's first net-zero energy home in 2020. The home is open to the public by appointment. When you visit (in person or virtually at poemhomes.org), you will learn about the airtight method of super-insulation, how to source and use non-toxic and local material, and what low-load mechanical and PV systems look like.

Jed is a former Occupational and Environmental Medicine Physician (22 years) now working as a manual osteopath. He has been involved with WHPCA and the Wisconsin Environmental Health network for the past few years and is am working on electrifying my home.

Shedd Farley is the third son of Gene Farley, the founder of The Linda and Gene Farley Center for Peace Justice and Sustainability, and Linda Farley, it’s inspiration. Shedd graduated from the University of Colorado in 1984, and was a general contractor and home builder in Colorado for the last 32 years. He also helped build the Farley Center house when it was built in 1984.

Amanda has been working for the Minnesota Department of Commerce since December 2021 where she manages the department's Solar for Schools grant program. Previously, she spent three years working for the Midwest Renewable Energy Association where she similarly developed and managed Wisconsin's Solar on Schools program. Across both programs, 110 schools are on track to add over 7 MW of solar capacity to the electrical grid. Amanda obtained her M.S. in 2018 from UW Madison in Environment and Resources and holds her LEED Green Associate and NABCEP PV Associate credentials.

Jared is a Financial Advisor at Third Coast Advisors focusing on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues in the investment world.

Keith is a Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP) at Third Coast Advisors focusing on wealth optimization strategies.

Amber Westerman is a dwelling contractor and designer of energy-efficient homes. Her company, Poem Homes, is focused on reducing resource use in new home construction and showing how living is a smaller, more modest home makes way for a more satisfying life. Poem Homes built Spring Green, Wisconsin's first net-zero energy home in 2020. The home is open to the public by appointment. When you visit (in person or virtually at poemhomes.org), you will learn about the airtight method of super-insulation, how to source and use non-toxic and local material, and what low-load mechanical and PV systems look like.

Before joining RENEW Wisconsin in 2017, Jim served as a Division Administrator for the Department of Safety and Professional Services. For over 25 years before that, he worked as the Director of Government Affairs for the three largest construction trade associations in the state, the Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin, Associated Builders and Contractors, and Wisconsin Builders Association. He is also served for two years as President of the Association of Wisconsin Lobbyists.

Tom Content has been Executive Director at the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin for five years and leads the independent nonprofit organization's work advocating for residential and small business customers of Wisconsin's electric, natural gas and water utilities. Tom has been following the energy transition for much of his career, as a journalist in Green Bay and later in Milwaukee covering energy, clean technology and sustainability.

Lisa and her husband, John Ivanko, are authors or co-authors of fifteen books between the two of them, national speakers and recognized spokespeople for national media. In addition to Homemade for Sale, Lisa has co-authored Soil Sisters, ECOpreneuring, Rural Renaissance and Farmstead Chef.

Francisco moved to Wisconsin for college and discovered his passion for sustainability as a young engineer working in health care facilities throughout the Midwest. He returned to the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2013 to earn his Master’s in Sustainable Systems Engineering and has dedicated his career to advancing energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Before Joining RENEW, He served as the Program Manager for the Focus on Energy® New Construction Solution, a statewide program that empowers the people and businesses of Wisconsin to make decisions that save energy and money.

In addition to his work at RENEW, Freancisco is the Founder of BikEquity Inc, a nonprofit organization that provides resources, mentorship, and education so that everyone can enjoy cycling regardless of income, age, race, or ability.

He am grateful to call Wisconsin home, and is thrilled to play a role in the transition to clean, renewable, and affordable energy.

When not at RENEW, you can find Francisco swimming in a lake or playing in the backyard with his wife, kids, dogs, and chickens.

Jay Olson's multifaceted career spanned 35 plus years as a Marketing and Communications/Brand Strategy Consultant working with Northwestern Mutual, Quad/Graphics, Ralston Purina, and other leading organizations. Now semi-retired, Jay pays it forward as a keynote speaker, small business mentor, workshop presenter, MREA volunteer, and advocate for clean energy. As a life-long learner, Jay is passionate about finding better ways to win the hearts and minds of U.S. citizens, policy and law makers, and accelerate our nation's transformation as a global leader to achieve a net-zero future.

Architect and General Contractor Virge Temme has been designing and building high-performance homes for over 15 years, using Passive House methods.

Jim is the founder and owner of Energize, LLC. His work with and commitment to renewable energy started 34 years ago in 1982, working towards his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering Technology from MSOE, where he was introduced to photovoltaic cells. This technology ignited a passion to make renewable energy a major part of our future.
The company, formed in 2002, develops projects and provides EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) services for solar electric systems to commercial and residential energy consumers in Wisconsin. The focus is on providing high quality, high performance, high value solar PV systems that last.

Dale is a Design Engineer and Chemist and has been designing and inventing stoves for over 20 years. His new hobby and interest is making batteries.

Maggie's work revolves around energy, fasting, sprouting, and meditation. Planet B in Amherst teaches classes in self healing with community support. Maggie believes we must take action individually but we’re not alone on the path.

Patrick is a family medicine doctor who lives with his wife and two children in Antigo, WI. Raised in the Northwoods, he grew up fascinated by science and nature. He has numerous esoteric interests, from vernacular architecture to sociology, and has a long-standing interest in the cultural tools that allow societies to function.

Doug is a Volt Owner and enthusiast.

Erin is a Stevens Point native who has been living in New Orleans since 2003. She developed the place based M.E.S.S. Lab in response to teacher requests for recycling lessons at schools that don't recycle. Her educational philosophy is that people learn better with hands-on experience, and that it's okay to make messes but we need to be responsible for cleaning them up.

Molly Berg is the Senior Specialist of Building Science at Habitat for Humanity International. Her main role is to assist Habitat affiliates in sharing best practices in planning, building, and funding climate- hazard- and energy-resilient construction. She has been with Habitat for Humanity for 15 years, in addition to her current role, she has been an AmeriCorps VISTA, Site Supervisor, and Sustainable Building Program Manager. Molly came to Habitat from 12 years as a builder in residential construction. She holds a B.S. in Urban Studies from the University of Minnesota and is a certified Home Energy Rating System Rater, Enterprise Green Communities Technical Assistance Provider, and a FORTIFIED Home Evaluator.

Jim is the founder and owner of Energize, LLC. His work with and commitment to renewable energy started 34 years ago in 1982, working towards his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering Technology from MSOE, where he was introduced to photovoltaic cells. This technology ignited a passion to make renewable energy a major part of our future.
The company, formed in 2002, develops projects and provides EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) services for solar electric systems to commercial and residential energy consumers in Wisconsin. The focus is on providing high quality, high performance, high value solar PV systems that last.

Ramy Selim is a former ECO store owner, Eco documentary director, licensed MN contractor and longtime presenter at the Energy fair as well as theECO Stage at the MN State Fair.

Alysa Remsburg is a Teaching Professor at UW La Crosse in Environmental Studies. She is a founding member of SOLS and heads up their education task force.

Amber Westerman is a dwelling contractor and designer of energy-efficient homes. Her company, Poem Homes, is focused on reducing resource use in new home construction and showing how living is a smaller, more modest home makes way for a more satisfying life. Poem Homes built Spring Green, Wisconsin's first net-zero energy home in 2020. The home is open to the public by appointment. When you visit (in person or virtually at poemhomes.org), you will learn about the airtight method of super-insulation, how to source and use non-toxic and local material, and what low-load mechanical and PV systems look like.

Andrew received an English degree at UW-Oshkosh and served in Peace Corps-Kazakhstan. Upon returning to Wisconsin from abroad, he decided to further his education in energy and environmental policy and completed a graduate degree through the La Follette School of Public Affairs at UW-Madison. After grad school, Andrew worked ten years at the Public Service Commission, where he concentrated on renewable energy policy, wholesale electricity markets, and retail rate design. Andrew now works with RENEW Wisconsin as a Policy Analyst, focusing on Commission dockets, legislative analysis, public education, and collaborating on renewable energy development in Wisconsin.

Jessy (she/they) is a 200-hour certified yoga instructor, co-founder of Connected Wellness, a community yoga project embodying mind-body-spirit-earth connection and fostering local wellness sovereignty and founder of Symbiosis Yoga LLC, a yoga project for learning and being together and apart. Through these platforms they are offering private and public mindfulness practices amidst the climate crisis. The cultivation of these organizations has given them a way to unite their undergraduate studies of socio-ecological systems, experience in community environmental organizing, and training in yoga instruction. As a deep thinker and writer, she found that mindfulness practices (being in the present moment in observation without placing judgment) help with the overwhelm of consuming science and social debate of climate change and injustices wrapped up in systems of oppression. Jessy is a blooming teacher who is excited to continue learning, sharing ideas, and taking action, individually and collectively.

John has been installing small wind and solar systems in Vermont since 1996.

Linda Conroy, MSS, MLSP is a renowed veteran herbalist, expert forager, and community organizer. She is the founder of Moonwise Herbs, The Midwest Women's Herbal Conference, and Wild Eats Community meals. her workshops and apprenticeships programs are focused on regenerative approaches to health of both humans and earth.

Jim Adamski has been a maple syrup producer in northern Wisconsin for 38 years. Jim and his family operate a commercial sugar bush in Antigo Wisconsin.

Sarah has been an anti-fossil fuel activist, organizer, and presenter since early 2015 after seeing an oil train go by with her 5 children near their home. After acquiring PTSD when an oil train actually derailed while she was at home with her family, Sarah learned of the many other horrors that happen to people all over North America because of fossil fuel extraction, production, and transport. Sarah is a 3 time presenter at the Fair and is extremely thankful for another opportunity to share this important information. Come ready to learn and prepare to leave ready to get involved.

Taylor Remington is the Project Coordinator for Recycling Connections, providing professional development services and consultations in zero waste, recycling, and waste reduction. B.S. Biology from UW-Stevens Point; In progress M.S. Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems from UW-Stevens Point. Taylor has experience teaching high school science, providing professional development in her fields, and working in environmental education. Taylor also has experience working in the aquaponics industry recycling fish waste as nutrients for food production. She is an advocate for sustainability in all aspects of the food system, solid waste industry and beyond, and desires to help communities make connections to healthier consumption processes to better preserve our planet.

Building off a background of 20 years as a wood flooring contractor, with an emphasis on using reclaimed products, Erich was drawn to using urban wood for various projects. As well as an active member in Urban Wood Network--WI, he also work at the Urban Wood Lab Store in Milwaukee.

Mike is a Community Outreach Coordinator for Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL) and Citizens Climate Education (CCE). CCL/CCE is a non-partisan, non-profit, education and advocacy organization focused on climate change. Its volunteers play a critical role in educating the public on the causes and impacts of climate change to build political will for government to take meaningful climate action through the adoption of a carbon fee and dividend policy. In 2016, Mike retired from a career of technology leadership positions with Motorola and other Fortune 500 companies, most recently as Senior Director for Global Financial Systems for McDonalds Corporation. Mike has a degree in Economics from the University of Chicago and attended graduate level business school programs with Loyola University and Northern Illinois University.