Our People

Aaron draws on more than 12 years of energy program operations to oversee our equipment supply chain. In his role, Aaron negotiates equipment pricing and availability with vendors and distributors to ensure that our program participants receive the highest quality equipment at the lowest cost. He also analyzes and develops retrofit specifications.

Aaron Daly comes to Ecology Action with a deep expertise in the grocery market. He will be working directly with our teams to help us grow our impact and business in the grocery sector and build out the grocery association. Aaron comes to us from Whole Foods where he was the Global Energy Coordinator. He supported the company’s regional offices in all aspects of their energy management. Prior to working at Whole Foods Market, Aaron was a National Account Manager at PECI, a not-for-profit energy efficiency consulting group based in Portland, OR. At PECI, Aaron worked with retailers such as Supervalu – Albertsons, Trader Joes and others on the development and execution of energy management programs. Aaron is a Certified Energy Manager and holds an MS in energy management from Sonoma State University.

As the Volunteer Program Specialist for Ecology Action, Adriana oversees all the recruiting, training, retaining of existing volunteers and selection of individuals who demonstrate a commitment to the unique mission and values of Ecology Action.

Adriana graduated from CSUS with a BS in Environmental Studies. Adriana enjoys spending time outdoors and being adventurous.

As the lead for Ecology Action’s Planning team, Amelia works in partnership with public agencies to produce Active Transportation Plans and Safe Routes to Schools Plans, which include recommendations for new infrastructure and programs to make it easier and safer to walk and ride bicycles for daily trips. As of 2022 Amelia had completed five plans for jurisdictions in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. Amelia is a graduate of the University of Washington and holds a BA in Community, Environment, and Planning.

As a program coordinator for youth programs, Stassya schedules, coordinates, and implements the Bike and Walk Smart programs in schools across Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Santa Clara Counties. She loves to teach youth how to navigate their communities by bike and on foot safely. Stassya is a graduate of UC Santa Cruz with a BA in Environmental Studies and a BA in Anthropology.

As EV Customer Advisor/Project Manager for Ecology Action’s EV Charging Division, Angel contacts multi-family residences and small business owners in our North Coast, and promotes EV charging to underserved communities to prepare them for our quickly arriving future in California when gas cars will no longer be sold. Angel has BA in Culture, Ecology and Sustainable Community from New College of California and an MA from Sonoma State University in Sustainable Communities with an emphasis on Sustainable Living.

As a Software Developer for Ecology Action, Anthony designs and builds powerful applications to facilitate the organization’s journey to become experts in scalable carbon reduction, while leveraging systems experience to upgrade existing community outreach programs with the power of the modern web. Anthony is a graduate of Cal State Monterey Bay and holds a BS in Computer Science with a concentration on Software Engineering.

Bonnie Low runs Ecology Action’s Operations, Policy and Analytics teams. Her teams are responsible for delivering high quality energy efficiency projects across California and informing key regulatory, utility and industry decisions. She has contributed invaluably to several of Ecology Action’s major development projects and helped launch new programs, including SMUD’s innovative Complete Energy Solutions program. Bonnie brings more than 23 years of development, project management and outreach experience to Ecology Action, including 18 years in local government sustainability programs. After a long career in the public sector, Bonnie founded and served as principal of Greenleaf Project Management, a sustainability consulting firm serving municipal, non-profit and private sector clients. Bonnie is committed to helping people make practical changes in homes, businesses and communities that go a long way toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating a sustainable future for all.

As a Program Coordinator and Youth Educator for Ecology Action’s youth programs, Callie plans and implements pedestrian and bicycle safety education as well as environmental education. Callie enjoys giving presentations, running Bike Rodeos, and collaborating with other community program staff. Callie is a graduate of UC Santa Cruz and holds a BA in Psychology and Education. She commutes to work on her bike and enjoys gardening, rollerblading, and making jewelry in her free time.

Carlos has been with Ecology Action since 2011. As Senior Energy Consultant, Carlos Carlos uses his understanding of market fundamentals and technical analysis to offer an analysis of no-cost and low-cost energy alternatives for his customers. He is responsible for sales, territory management, account management, and providing energy efficiency solutions to commercial customers in California.

Chloe Ortiz is joining Ecology Action as a Youth Program Coordinator. She grew up in La Honda and Santa Cruz, where biking to school every day introduced her to the joys of bike recreation and advocacy. At Pitzer College she studied environment, politics, and religion– and went on to combine those interests as a 2022 Thomas J. Watson Fellow during a year-long project exploring Catholic eco-theology around the world. She is excited to be back in her hometown and continue working towards making it a bikeable city for everyone. In her free time enjoys playing bike polo, roller skating, reading, and swimming in the ocean.

Chuck Tremper brings a broad range of experience and expertise to Ecology Action that he utilizes to oversee accounting, human resources, information technology, communications, compliance, risk management, facilities, governance and strategic planning for the organization. Over the past 30 years, Chuck has helped launch the AmeriCorps national service program, been a professor of both Law and Psychology, served as Chief Information Officer for large nonprofit organizations, held administrative, marketing and technical positions for software companies, provided management consulting services and conducted a variety of policy research and evaluation projects. However, his greatest fulfillment is in helping individuals and businesses take actions that benefit themselves, their businesses and the planet.

Chuck is best known as the author of As the Oceans Rise: Meeting the Challenges of Global Warming, playing doubles beach volleyball, and entertaining the staff at all-hands meetings.

Courtney joins Ecology Action with over a decade of experience in land conservation and water management. After receiving an M.S. in International Sustainable Development and Climate Change from Antioch University New England, she helped develop Ratio Institute’s suite of ESG reporting tools. She now focuses on circular economies and operational efficiency within the food retail industry.

As Applications Analyst & Assoc. Developer of Ecology Action’s Salesforce-based data management platform, Courtney Faulkner ensures that we track and report accurate, up to date information on energy program performance. Courtney draws upon exceptional skills in database management, technical reporting, and project management to support forecasting and reporting for our energy programs.

Darren Nix ensures that our programs offer the newest energy efficient technology at the highest quality and lowest price. To this end, Darren identifies, vets, secures, and on-boards new products and methodologies. Darren also provides software support and ongoing training for our field staff so that new technologies are seamlessly integrated into our programs. Darren joined Ecology Action in 2007 as an Energy Efficiency Specialist, working in the field to identify energy efficiency measures and support customers through installation. Darren holds a B.S. in Neuroscience from UC Santa Cruz.

Darya serves as a EV Charging Customer Advisor – Project Manager, which includes coordination of the property owner, contractor, and vendors throughout the entire process. Darya has spent the last ten years in solar PV, multi-family construction, and EV charging. He has a BS degree from Cal Poly SLO in City and Regional Planning with a minor in Sustainability in the Built Environment.

With over 29 years of experience in environmental management, David brings to Ecology Action his expertise and management acumen with a focus on environmental business aspects. David has worked for several high technology companies including Texas Instruments, Seagate Technology, and as a consultant to Google. Currently he works in the pharmaceutical industry for Genentech, a Roche Group Company. David taught at the University of California Santa Cruz Extension for over 17 years. He has served his community on multiple boards and commissions including Leadership Santa Cruz County, the City of Santa Cruz Water Commission, and the County of Santa Cruz Hazardous Materials Advisory Commission. David holds a M.S. in Environmental Management from University of San Francisco and a B.S. in Earth Science from University of California, Santa Cruz.

As Lead Generation & Outreach Specialist on the EV Charging team, Dennis leads customer and community engagements throughout the EV Charging installation process. He generates interest in the program and shepherds qualified properties through the application process, and conducts outreach and education to residents and community members at the start and completion of installations. Dennis holds a BA in English from Providence College and dual Masters in Sustainable Business Administration and Sustainable Public Administration from Presidio Graduate School.

Doug Mahone joined the Ecology Action Board after retiring from a forty year career in energy efficiency. After completing his architecture degree at MIT, he was appointed as an Assistant Professor to research and teach solar energy and building science subjects. He then left MIT to join a pioneering solar energy firm in New Hampshire, which lasted until Reagan discontinued their research funding. That precipitated a move to California. Once here, Doug worked for several Bay Area energy firms, getting involved in energy simulations, daylighting design, and energy codes. In 1994, he and his wife, Lisa Heschong, started the Heschong Mahone Group in the Sacramento area. HMG grew to 40 employees and three offices, becoming known for their work in energy codes, program evaluation and implementation, and building science research. Along the way, Doug helped form the New Buildings Institute, the Cool Roofs Rating Council, and the California Energy Efficiency Industry Council. In 2013, HMG was sold to TRC Energy Services, so Doug and Lisa retired and moved to Santa Cruz. In addition to joining the Ecology Action Board, Doug serves on the California Technical Forum. When not working, Doug is a bluewater sailor, horseman, hiker, and granddad. He has undergraduate and Master’s Degrees in architecture from MIT.

As the Grants and Development Specialist, Emily supports fundraising for the Community Programs teams which advance climate solutions for individuals and communities in sustainable transportation, water conservation and climate action. Emily focuses on securing grants and expanding the individual donor base to ensure Ecology Action’s initiatives have the long-term funds to continue making a positive impact. Emily is a graduate of UC Berkeley with a BA in Global Studies with an Economic Development emphasis.

As Senior Corporate Compliance Manager for Ecology Action, Erin manages EA’s contracting process, insurance policies, risk mitigation, and regulatory filings. Erin is a Kentucky native, having graduated from the University of Kentucky. Erin also has a J.D. from Cardozo School of Law in New York City.

Heather Henricks is responsible for the planning, development, and implementation of Ecology Action’s marketing strategies, marketing communications, and public relations activities. She also oversees the development and implementation of support materials in the service areas of energy, transportation, and water conservation. Heather leverages her expertise in hands-on digital project management, accountable for leading the ‘big idea’ development, execution, and management of innovative, results-oriented, cross-channel digital marketing campaigns.

Heather’s work focuses on community-based natural resource advocacy and research with a focus on drinking water access and watershed management. She is currently the Director of Community Solutions at the Community Water Center’s new Watsonville office, where she connects small, disadvantaged communities with technical and financial resources to address persistent water contamination. Her previous experience has included working as a research consultant for Stanford University focusing on projects related to the environment and education, as well as working for the National Parks Conservation Association as Program Manager and Facilitator of the New River Clean Water Alliance in West Virginia. Heather is a published author of many journal papers on water research topics, and has received numerous awards recognizing her work and leadership. Heather holds a PhD in Environment and Resources from Stanford University, as well as a Masters of Environmental Engineering and Water Resources, and a B.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from MIT.

ileana is a life-long Central Coast resident and has lived in San Benito, Monterey, and Santa Cruz counties. She has decades of experience in the region’s nonprofit sector. She has held various leadership positions working in environmental conservation, education, social and economic justice. Currently she is the Sustainability and Equity Special Projects Manager at UCSC. She integrates diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice approaches into sustainability and environmentalism. She received her BA in Communication from UC Santa Barbara and dual-masters’ degrees from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Environmental Policy and Business Administration. She loves learning new languages, exploring diverse cultures, and reading outdoors. When not serving the community, you’ll find her spending time with family and friends.

Prior to retiring in 2008, Ms. Lopes was the Director of Physical Plant at University of California Santa Cruz. In her role as Director she was responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the facilities including buildings and grounds as well as overall utilities management. She oversaw conservation programs including energy conservation, recycling, integrated pest management, water conservation, “green” cleaning and was instrumental in creating the office of sustainability and overseeing the first campus sustainability assessment in 2007. Before assuming the position of Director of Physical Plant in 2001 she served as Director of Health and Safety at UCSC for ten years.

Before joining UCSC she worked for Santa Cruz County Environmental Health Service as the Program Manager for the Hazardous Materials and Solid Waste programs. In this capacity she implemented the first hazardous materials ordinance for the County, and created the first ongoing household hazardous waste collection center and countywide 24-hour spill response program.

As Community Programs Operations Director, Jamie supports the health and wellbeing of the Community Programs leadership and teams in our collective work to provide positive and impactful climate action pathways for our region’s communities while supporting the team’s strategic vision to expand program services and areas served. His portfolio includes planning, electric vehicles, water conservation, adult bike programming, youth programming, and the Community Action Campaign. Jamie holds a graduate degree in Marine, Estuarine & Environmental Sciences with an emphasis in ethology.

Jane leads the Portfolio Strategy and Development team at Ecology Action, which includes Research & Development, Solutions Design, Strategic Sourcing and Strategic Project Office. Our R&D efforts focus on exploring and testing early-stage energy management solutions for large commercial clients as well as utility program business development pursuits. Solutions Design, our product management team, is responsible for designing energy savings solutions that scale and Strategic Sourcing oversees our network of installation partners and equipment vendors. Finally, our Strategic Project Office coordinates cross-functional initiatives to maximize collaboration and operational efficiency.

As Community Activation Program Specialist, Jasmine manages, plans and implements community programs for Alisal in Salinas and Green Valley Road in Watsonville. This is all made possible by Ecology Action’s new Clean California Grant which works to help residents of each community build pride and ownership in their communities and allow residents to live a healthier lifestyle. Some of the Clean California projects include Community Walking Groups, Walking School Busses and Family Fun Events. Jasmine is a graduate of UC Santa Cruz and holds a BA in Environmental Studies.

Jen Lape has dedicated her professional life to furthering the missions of non-profits through sharing her fundraising expertise, board governance experience, and passion for making our shared communities and planet thrive. She has served many roles in her 16 years within the philanthropic sector from Director of Philanthropy, Director of Board Engagement, and Deputy Director for environmentally focused organizations such as Island Conservation and Ecology Action. Jen’s expertise focuses on development planning, board engagement, individual major giving, institutional giving, and government grant-making.

Jen currently serves as Chair of the Big Sur Park School and PTO member of Pacific Valley School. She is a member of the Monterey Bay Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Jen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz and a Master of Arts in Biology and Marine Science for the University of California, Santa Barbara.

As the Advanced Accounts Payable Coordinator, Jennifer will be helping the Finance team wrangle expense reports, invoices and credit card receipts as well as getting all those payments out to vendors.

Jennifer Smith Grubb worked with colleagues to found Sustainable Silicon Valley (SSV) as a non-profit, spinning it off from a California Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) project in 2004. Jennifer served as the Founding President and Executive Director, and later as Chair of the Board. During her tenure, SSV received the Governor’s Environment and Economic Leadership Award, a Climate All Stars award and the US EPA Environmental Award for Outstanding Achievement.

Jennifer worked with Next 10 and the Los Angeles region to establish the LA Regional Collaborative for Climate Action and Sustainability, helping government, academic, environmental, labor and community groups build their own climate action network. She has been recognized for her sustainability leadership work by the Multi-State Working Group on Environmental Performance (MSWG), and also by the Pacific Industrial Business Association. Jennifer has participated internationally with the United Nations Environmental Program Best Practices Network. She has served on the Ecology Action Board since 2005.

Jim Murphy leads Ecology Action as Executive Director and CEO, overseeing the implementation and delivery of all of the organization’s programs. Jim has led Ecology Action through extensive and successful growth since 2012, using his ability to hold the long-term vision while also providing immediate practical solutions. Prior to his appointment as Executive Director/CEO, Jim served as Vice President of Energy, a role in which he grew Ecology Action’s energy division contracts to more than $50 million in a single year. Before joining Ecology Action, Jim spent more than 20 years marketing, managing and developing strategic growth products and services for businesses and organizations across California. Jim has also provided management consulting services to energy efficiency, renewable energy and green building businesses.

Jim is best known for marathon meetings, tracking radio tagged venomous snakes at night in the jungles of Costa Rica and spending his limited free time coaching young people in swimming and soccer.

Joe teaches solar and renewable energy courses at San Jose State University and Cabrillo College, and provides green-jobs training (particularly in photovoltaics, or solar electricity) for a variety of corporate and non-profit organizations around the country. Joe has been a space and atmospheric scientist at NASA Ames Research Center and the SETI Institute in Mountain View. He holds a B.A. in Physics from Oberlin College and an M.S. in Computer/Information Sciences from the University of California at Santa Cruz. Joe served as a Public Works Commissioner for the City of Santa Cruz and as a science/math consultant on the Life Lab Science Program curriculum. He also serves as an astronomy/natural sciences teacher and hike leader for the California Academy of Sciences, the Santa Cruz City Museum, local schools, UCSC, and the Lyceum of Santa Clara Valley. Joe is an occasional contributor to the local radio series “Field Notes.” Joe’s passion is positioning Ecology Action for regional leadership in tapping the vast wealth inherent in our own clean, renewable energy resources (such as solar and wind) — which he calls “sky power”.

As Vice President of Innovation, John designs, directs and manages processes for innovation and strategy development that lead to new growth opportunities for the organization. John has been with Ecology Action since 2008, where he began his career as an Energy Efficiency Specialist.

Jonathan Tan came to Ecology Action with the singular goal to change the world when it comes to the grocery space. The one thing that connects all people regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender identity, religion, political affiliation, or favorite sports team is food. Where we procure our food, how we prepare our food, how we consume our food, and where we gather to enjoy friends and family while sharing our experiences while devouring our favorite recipes. Our local grocery store is one of the most important places to our respective communities. Jonathan wants to help grocers be the best version of themselves and help them to continue to be leaders and stewards in their respective communities. Jonathan has more than 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur and as a business executive for Fortune 500 and privately held companies. He has also been a top-selling sales executive and a field-service engineer. Jonathan served six years in the US Navy as a nuclear-trained machinist mate while serving two West Pac tours aboard the fast-attack submarine USS Pogy SSN-647. Jonathan has incredible sock game and a person might think he has a significant holding in VANS based on the number of pairs of shoes he owns.

As a transportation justice coordinator, Jordynn works with the Ecology Action’s Electric Vehicle Equity team to promote EV education and provide 1:1 on assistance for community members in EA’s purchase guidance program. In addition to working with the EV Equity team, Jordynn has also been lucky enough to work with other departments, including Ecology Action’s Development department, the Water Division, and the Adult Bike team.

Jordynn is a UC Santa Cruz alumni with a BA in Environmental Studies and Feminist Studies with a focus on representation and power.

Jose is an EVITP (Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program) certified electrician. As Team Manager, Jose supports and guides a team of Customer Advisors across California in managing and overcoming the complexities and challenges of the rapidly evolving world of transportation electrification. Before coming to Ecology Action, Jose worked as a C-10 electrical contractor and managed hundreds of energy-efficient lighting projects for 14 years. Jose also holds a C-27 landscape contractor license and helped establish a landscaping and irrigation company in Santa Cruz to build drought-friendly landscapes throughout the Bay Area. In his world travels, Jose has seen large-scale, efficient electric vehicle infrastructure in action, which has influenced his passion for the work he does in his position at Ecology Action.

As a Program Specialist for Ecology Action’s Safe Routes to School team, Juan leads program coordinators, oversees the implementation of youth programming for Santa Cruz County, and is the lead organizer for the county’s Bike and Walk to School Days. Juan graduated from UC Davis, majoring in Neurobiology with an Education minor. After graduating, he moved back to his hometown Santa Cruz and loves that he can make a difference in his community through education and encouragement programs.

As a Construction Project Manager, Julie manages a suite of projects within our Energy team. Those projects include automatic door closers, HVAC & ARC and lighting upgrades. Julie is a graduate of East Carolina University and she recently obtained her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

As a sustainability service fellow with ecology action, Kalia will be working with the resilient central coast and EV’s for everyone campaign. She will be engaging communities on actions to take to be prepared for climate change, while also providing guidance and information to people on electric vehicle purchases and rebates. Kalia is a graduate of Cal State East Bay and holds a BA in Sociocultural Anthropology with a minor in Philosophy, and an emphasis on Sustainability.

As Director of Human Resources, Kathy is responsible for managing the HR functions for Ecology Action, including organizational development, employee relations, employee training and development, compensation and benefits, recruitment, and retention strategies.

Ken has founded, managed and sold several manufacturing and retail companies including two publicly traded companies. As an organizational development consultant for the last 25 years, Ken has worked with numerous organizations to improve performance through improving clarity and helping team members develop data which supports productive conversations to build business literacy, resulting in aligned teams and effective allocation of resources.

As a Program Manager for Ecology Action’s Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) Program, Kira works closely with EA’s Development staff on strategic development and planning, ensures successful implementation of grant program deliverables, partners with the SRTS Program Staff Manager, prepares financial analysis and quarterly reports, and maintains relationships with key community partners. Kira graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a BA in Environmental Studies.

Kirsten Liske directs the development, fundraising and implementation of Ecology Action’s community programs. Since joining the organization in 1999, Kirsten has propelled Ecology Action to become the go-to-partner for environmental programs serving communities across California. Prior to joining Ecology Action in 1999, she was a leader in the development of household hazardous waste (HHW) programs across the State of California. Driven by her personal mission to make California’s communities healthier and more sustainable places to live and work, Kirsten is dedicated to creating programs that help communities thrive. Kirsten earned her B.A. in Environmental Studies with Honors from UC Santa Cruz.

As a Construction Project Manager in the Construction Services Division of Taper, Koralie manages subcontractor scopes and schedules to implement energy saving work in grocery stores throughout California and the Pacific Northwest. This work includes refrigeration case modifications such as component cleaning, modification, and the addition of case doors to drastically reduce the electrical load and carbon impact. Prior to joining Ecology Action and Taper, Koralie worked for 17 years in the Solar Industry and brings her construction management and technical expertise to the team.

As Program Specialist for Ecology Action’s Safe Routes to School Program in Monterey County, Leann supervises the Monterey County team’s Walk Smart and Bike Smart Program. Leann also leads all encouragement work for grants in Monterey County. Leann is an alumni of CSU Monterey Bay and Middlebury Institute of International Studies and holds a BA in Environmental Studies and an MA in International Environmental Policy.

Ms. Heschong was a founding Principal of the Heschong Mahone Group (HMG), VP and Chief Building Scientist at TRC Energy Services, and a licensed architect for 30 years. Ms. Heschong is recognized in the building energy efficiency industry as expert on daylighting, lighting energy use, and human factors in building design. As an energy consultant, she participated in the development of energy efficiency codes and standards in California and at the national level, including helping to pioneer the outdoor lighting codes for California’s Title 24.

As a writer and educator, Ms. Heschong is author of Thermal Delight in Architecture (MIT Press), and a co-author of Residential Windows: A Guide to New Technologies and Energy Performance (WW Norton), along with numerous web and journal publications. She is a frequent invited speaker at international conferences, and has repeatedly served as a conference panel leader for the ACEEE Summer Study. She taught architectural design at UC Berkeley for a number of years, has spent decades educating design professionals on energy efficiency, and most recently taught a Green Building course at UC Santa Cruz.

Ms. Heschong is a Fellow of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), and has also served on the Board of Directors of IES, the (window) Attachments Energy Rating Council, and as Chair of the IES Daylight Metrics Committee. Ms. Heschong was awarded her B.Sc. at UC Berkeley, Summa Cum Laude, and her Master of Architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with the AIA Medal. In 2011 she received the Haecker Award for lifetime achievement from the Architectural Research Centers Consortium.

As part of the Human Resources team, Liz supports EA in by partnering with Community Programs and Central Services to ensure efficient operations and aims to provide an amazing employee experience. This includes recruitment, onboarding, process improvement, performance management and thinking outside the box!

As Program Manager, Lore is responsible for managing a wide range of operations projects and ensuring that operations deliverables are completed consistently and on time, and that they meet quality standards and the client’s requirements. Lore consistently strives to improve business operations and process efficiency for Ecology Action. Lore earned her MA in Urban Planning with an environmental focus from San Jose State University, and her BA in Horticulture and Botany from Chico State University.

Mahlon Aldridge heads Ecology Action’s strategic road-mapping and product development initiatives. He also leads development of strategic partnerships with top firms from across the energy and finance industries as well as with public agencies and foundations. With Ecology Action since 1993, Mahlon founded Ecology Action’s energy efficiency consulting practice and led the team through its start-up and early rapid growth stages, building to a team of 35 professionals and $6M in revenue per year in three years. Prior to working with Ecology Action, Mahlon ran an independent consulting practice designing and establishing multiple community-based initiatives focusing on ocean protection and solid/hazardous waste reduction. Mahlon earned a BA in Environmental Policy from UC Santa Cruz, and sits on the Board of the California Energy Efficiency Industry Council.

Margaret is an emotionally driven creative and roll-the-sleeves-up make-it-happen senior designer who contributes to the visuals and communications of Ecology Action. Margaret is a Minnesota native with a diverse background in marketing, design, and media. She spends as much time on two wheels as she can and has loved exploring the mountain roads and trails around the area.

As an EV Charging Customer Advisor – Project Manager for Ecology Action, Matt has the privilege of working directly with property managers and owners, as well as small business owners, to implement PG&E’s EV Charging program in the South San Joaquin area. This includes introducing the program to property owners, qualifying sites, overseeing contractors to ensure a quality installation for the customer, and educating the customer, and any site residents, on the use of EV Chargers.

As part of the Human Resources team, Matty supports EA by partnering with the Taper team to ensure efficient operations and aims to provide an outstanding employee experience. This includes recruitment, onboarding, learning and development, process improvement, HR compliance, DEI initiatives, culture initiatives, performance management, and strategy.

As a Program Coordinator for Ecology Action’s youth programs team, McKenna conducts school outreach to bring pedestrian and bike safety education to schools throughout Santa Cruz, Monterey, and the Bay Area. She loves teaching kids how to ride a bike and explore their communities through active transportation. McKenna holds a BA in Urban and Environmental Policy with a minor in Public Health.

As Director Delivery Services, Michelle helps develop and coordinate processes and procedures to promote quality assurance, and oversees regulatory compliance requirements applicable to the Energy Efficiency industry. In her previous role as Senior Program Manager, Michelle provided program and client management for an array of utility programs within Ecology Action’s Energy Division. Offering comprehensive management of all program design, marketing, sales, delivery, and closure, she supervised and prepared budgets and the implementation of energy efficiency upgrades for both commercial and residential customers ranging from small to medium businesses to large industrial.

As Senior Technical Support Specialist, Nicholas identifies, analyzes and develops solutions to meet information system requirements, and develops tools for support of desktop systems and users. He is our primary web developer and go-to person for anything technical. Nicholas troubleshoots and problem-solves to ensure that Ecology Actions IT infrastructure is running smoothly.

Nikki (she/her) is a passionate and experienced community builder with a demonstrated history of nonprofit development in education and the arts for organizations such as Life Lab and the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History. She believes in learning from the past to inform and cultivate an inclusive, sustainable, and progressive community. Nikki currently serves as a Santa Cruz City Art Commissioner and is also an active Board Trustee for the Santa Cruz Downtown Association. She has a bachelor’s degree in International Studies with a minor of Art History from the University of South Florida. She loves to travel, exploring nature, gardening, culinary arts, bringing people together, and being the mother of two fabulous humans.

Patrick Testoni has more than 18 years of experience in the implementation of energy efficiency and renewables projects, and brings his leadership in education, research and environmental stewardship. Currently an Energy Manager with the University of California, Santa Cruz, he is responsible for delegating policy authority in the development, interpretation, and implementation of the campus Strategic Energy Program. Patrick has a Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences from UCSC, certification from the UC Berkeley Extension Construction Management Program, and has received training from the PG&E Pacific Energy Center. He has been a Certified Energy Manager (CEM), and a Certified Measurement and Verification Professional since 2006, and earned his Energy Management Diploma Certification from NC State University in 2003. Patrick has received five Best Practice Awards from the Green Building Research Center at the University of California, Berkeley.

Pete started his career as an Industrial Engineer after graduating from Penn State University. He moved to California to start the Green MBA program at Dominican University, where he graduated in 2009. While attending school, he put his resource efficiency and analytical skills to use helping to develop business opportunities around recycling for Native American tribes in Northern Nevada and developing a business plan for a waste and recycling transfer station for the La Jolla Indian Reservation. While at Ecology Action, Pete has worked in Zero Waste for multifamily residences and for the tourism industry in the Monterey Bay area as both a program coordinator and an operations analyst. He then worked on the Energy Upgrade California program as an operations analyst, tracking program metrics and expenditures. He currently serves as a Business Operations Analyst, where he builds processes, tracks metrics and forecasts budgets for Ecology Action’s energy efficiency programs.

After studying Communication at the University of Arizona, Peter began his career as a rock climbing and whitewater instructor for Outward Bound in the Northwoods of Maine. Peter became Outward Bound’s Operations Manager and later pursued a Master’s degree in Resource Management from Antioch University. Following Antioch, Peter became the Pollution Prevention Manager for the state of Maine. At Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection Peter developed sustainability programs for dozens of business sectors including starting one of the nation’s first green hotel programs (over 200 businesses in Maine participating). The success of the model used for Maine’s hotels prompted the Sustainability Manager from Hannaford, New England’s largest grocery chain to inquire if the methodology could work for grocery stores. After a successful implementation for Hannaford, Peter joined Manomet, a sustainability non-profit and founded the Grocery Stewardship Certification (GSC) Program in 2012. The GSC became a nationwide sustainability platform for the grocery sector with more than 1,000 grocery stores from 15 chains (including Ahold Delhaize, Whole Foods, Albertsons, Sprouts, HEB, Hy-Vee, Brookshire Brothers, Shop and Save) applying store-level sustainability improvements that reduce operating costs. Peter has facilitated the process of establishing sustainability strategies for companies such as L.L. Bean, Bowdoin College, Sunday River, and Easter Funding. Peter is ISO 14001 Lead Auditor certified, Commercial Energy Auditor trained, Building Operator Certified, and Hazardous Waste Operations certified. Peter teaches as adjunct faculty for Antioch University, Tufts University, and the University of Maine.

Piet Canin oversees Ecology Action’s sustainable transportation programs, which emphasize healthy, money saving, and environmentally friendly means of travel. Piet has helped implement several innovative programs at Ecology Action, including Bike to Work Day, the Electric Bike, and Folding Bike Incentive programs. Piet has been active in advancing sustainable transportation programs over the past 30 years. He has extensive experience working with a diversity of partners including schools, businesses, public health, safety, and transportation agencies, community groups and individuals.

Piet has actively advocated for the Coastal Rail Trail since 1998 and leveraged diverse partners to move forward such projects as the Beach Street Bikeway, Arana Gulch and increased funding for the Rail Trail. Piet is a long-time member of the Regional Transportation Commission’s Bike Advisory Committee, FORT Board Member and a Bike Santa Cruz County Lifetime Achievement award recipient.

Rachel is a Midwest native with a West Coast vibe. She comes to Ecology Action with a depth of marketing experience and brings her skills for storytelling and social media to the marketing team. As the Digital Marketing Manager, Rachel is tasked with bringing the mission of Ecology Action alive on the web and in all communication efforts. Rachel finds her inspiration on two feet and is always searching for the best roads or trails to run.

As Director of Engineering, Richard Ma is an integral member of Ecology Action’s Energy Team. In addition to heading up the Engineering team, Richard has performed robust investment-grade audits for commercial and industrial buildings for our energy efficiency programs since 2013. With over 9 years of experience in energy efficiency, Richard is an expert at developing comprehensive customized measures and calculating savings using eQuest and Bin analysis. A licensed Professional Engineer and a LEED Accredited Professional, Richard earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University.

As a Channel Manager, Robb leverages his sales expertise to build enduring relationships to clients with diverse size and backgrounds. With characteristic authenticity, he works diligently with distributors and partners to provide them with specific tools to seamlessly complete a multitude of projects.

Sarah is an independent consultant with a distinguished career of more than 30 years of international experience in policy and advocacy within government, the private sector, and philanthropy. Her recent experience includes acting as VP and Center Director for the Center for Policy and Advocacy in Washington DC, and Director for USAID’s Health Policy Project. She also worked for the David and Lucile Packard Foundation as Director of the Population Program where she led one of three emblematic grantmaking programs for the foundation. During her long career, she has been active as a development professional in many countries including Haiti, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Mali, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and Yemen. Sarah holds a PhD in Sociology from Brown University, and an MA and BA in Sociology from the University of Tennessee.

Sarah is a California native and creative problem-solver. She thrives on working with folks who get excited about the big picture and has had the good fortune to design for good with clients including the San Francisco Bay Trail, Peninsula Clean Energy, Metropolitan Transportation Commission and San Francisco Human Services Agency. She serves as head of design for Ecology Action, responsible for strategy, integration, and execution of all branding and design activities.

Scott coordinates with clients, utilities, and partners to develop innovative efficiency solutions that combine best-available project funding opportunities with expert installation, material sourcing, incentive administration and project management. Scott is a LEED Accredited Professional and a graduate of Humboldt State University with a BS in Natural Resources Planning & Design and a minor in Appropriate Technology.

Sherry is the Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging and Demand Generation Program Manager at Ecology Action. She leads Ecology Action’s EV team to implement equitable EV charging solutions in multi-family housing communities, and increase EV ownership in low and moderate income households through the EVs for Everyone/EVs Para Todos purchase guidance program. Her project management expertise in the built-environment spans the fields of solid waste and recycling, urban and agricultural water management, and low impact development. Her reputation for developing and maintaining innovative programs and cultivating strong stakeholder partnerships that meet community needs is unparalleled. Sherry is a graduate of UC Santa Cruz and holds a BA in Environmental Studies, with an Agroecology emphasis.

As a Software Engineer on the Ecology Actions Business Informatics team, Stan helps build the software tools and processes that Ecology Action uses to serve its customers, partners and community. He enjoys using the latest technology to solve problems and enable others to do their best work.