Stephen Smith - Executive Director

Dr. Stephen A. Smith, DVM, has served as executive director of Southern Alliance for Clean Energy since 1993, working at the forefront of climate change issues to encourage healthy energy options while supporting higher standards of environmental stewardship at the state and federal level. In partnership with a variety of non-profit organizations, Dr. Smith has spent 26 years addressing important solutions effecting the modern environmental movement.

Dr. Smith set aside his veterinary practice to devote himself fulltime to Southern Alliance for Clean Energy in 1999. Under Dr. Smith’s leadership, SACE has grown to be a premier voice for energy efficiency and renewable energy issues in the Southeast region.

In addition to his unyielding work with SACE, Dr. Smith currently serves as chair for the U.S. Climate Action Network board of directors. He is also on the Advisory Board for the Alliance for Climate Protection, the National Steering Committee for 1Sky, the North Carolina Legislative Commission on Global Climate Change, and the Tennessee Valley Authority's Green Power Marketing Committee.  

Recently, Dr. Smith completed a 2007 appointment to serve on the South Carolina Climate, Energy and Commerce Advisory Committee on behalf of Governor Sanford. Dr. Smith also serves on the North Carolina Climate Action Planning Advisory Group, and State of Florida Energy Supply and Demand Committee of the state Climate Action Team. Dr. Smith served two terms on the TVA's Regional Resource Stewardship Council, a federal advisory panel to TVA's management of the Tennessee River watershed, and has served on the U. S. Department of Energy, Tennessee Valley Electric System Advisory Committee, and the national governing board for the Center for Resource Solutions' National Green Power Accreditation.

Dr. Smith’s experience, knowledge and expertise on regional energy issues has permitted him opportunities to testify before the US Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Public Works and Transportation and the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, and the Great Smoky Mountain Congressional Caucus.

Dr. Smith received a doctorate in veterinarian medicine from the University of Tennessee (1992) and a Bachelor of Science in biology from Kentucky Wesleyan College (1988). In late 2007, Dr. Smith was trained by Vice President Al Gore through The Climate Project to present on the topic of global warming.

Russell Anderson - North Carolina Campus Organizer

Russell coordinates the Southern Energy Network’s campus program in North Carolina for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. He is responsible for building and supporting inclusive youth and community development for social and environmental justice and climate solutions in North Carolina while working with the greater Southern Energy Network to build regional solidarity. He is also working with youth engaged in the fight against the Cliffside coal plant near Charlotte, NC. He joined Southern Alliance for Clean Energy in July 2008.

Sara Barczak - High Risk Energy Director

Sara oversees our coastal office in Savannah, Georgia, which opened in March 2000 after the former Georgians for Clean Energy hired her in October 1999. As program director for high risk energy choices, Sara provides extensive support to concerned citizens and organizing partners, participates in legislative, state and federal regulatory forums on issues concerning nuclear energy, public safety, utilities and the negative impacts of power plants on the region's water resources.  She participated in a U.S./Russian exchange with non-governmental organizations in Russia impacted by plutonium bomb fuel (MOX) programs, including travel to Russia. Sara has worked for over thirteen years in diverse environmental fields in the private and non-profit sectors: as an environmental consultant for Department of Defense facilities relating to hazardous waste and air quality issues and as a citizen's advocate, educator and consultant for two non-profit organizations. Sara received a B.A. in Biology from Lawrence University.

Anne Blair - Diesel and Bioenergy Program Manager

Anne is the program manager for SACE’s clean fuels and bioenergy programs.  Her work focuses on reducing diesel emissions and the promoting the utilization of biomass for electricity and fuel production, with an emphasis on state and federal energy, fuel, and global warming policy and education.  Anne joined the SACE staff in 2003.  Anne is a member of the Southeast Diesel Collaborative Leadership Council, serves on the Steering Committee for the Pine 2 Energy Coalition, facilitates the Tennessee Diesel Working Group and is a graduate of the Environmental Leadership Institute.  Anne is the lead author of "A Safer Ride to School: How to Clean Up School Buses and Protect Our Children's Health" and "A Case for the Healthy School Bus: Lessons from the Field".  Anne previously worked for River Network in Washington, DC, The Fund for Public Interest Research Group, and was an AmeriCorps volunteer with the National Park Service.  She is a graduate of Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg, VA.

Brandon Blevins - Wind Program Coordinator

Brandon works to help coordinate and operate several campaigns and programs involved in bringing wind energy to the Southeast.  His primary responsibilities include managing the activities of the Tennessee Wind Working Group as well as working with a team to operate Wind Powering America's Mid-Atlantic/Southeast Regional Wind Energy Institute (RWEI), while providing support to other wind energy activities across the Southeast.  Brandon joined SACE following his graduation at the University of Tennessee with a B.A. in Environmental Studies in 2006.  In addition to his work in wind energy, he wrote and published “A Homeowner’s Guide to Clean and Efficient Energy in East Tennessee” in the summer of 2006, a project funded by the Alcoa Foundation. In 2008, he was part of a SACE wind team that was presented with The Department of Energy Wind Powering America’s Eastern Regional Wind Advocacy Award.

John Bonitz - Farm Outreach and Policy Advocate

John works with farmers, woodland owners, and other rural interests in NC, SC, and TN, providing information about bioenergy. John’s work promotes sustainable utilization of biomass for electricity and fuel production, with an emphasis on state and federal policies. He serves in an advisory capacity to the Steering Committee of the Southern Agriculture & Forestry Energy Resources (SAFER) Alliance, on the Communications Council of the NC Biofuels Center, and is an active member of the Biomass Councils in North and South Carolina. John joined the SACE staff in April 2007.   The son of a dairy farmer, John previously worked for the Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI-USA), Piedmont Biofuels Cooperative, Chatham Marketplace Cooperative Grocery, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NC DENR), and in the environmental consulting field.  During his tenure with Piedmont Biofuels Cooperative the group received the 2005 Sustainability Award for work in cutting-edge technologies that build the infrastructure for sustainable products or services (award conferred by Sustainable North Carolina).  John studied towards a Masters Degree in Public Policy at University of Maryland College Park and completed his Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1992.

Dan Cannon - Florida Student Organizer

Dan joined Southern Alliance for Clean Energy in November 2009 as the Florida Student Organizer.  Dan coordinates the Southern Energy Network’s campus program in Florida. He is responsible for building and supporting the youth clean energy movement in Florida while working with the greater Southern Energy Network to build regional solidarity. Before Joining Southern Energy Network, Dan worked with 1Sky to pressure Ohio Senators to support and strengthen national clean energy legislation.

In August 2009 Dan graduated from Green Corps: The Field School for Environmental Organizing. Dan earned his B.S. degree in Geography with a concentration in Environmental Studies, from Slippery Rock University in 2008.  When Dan is not out motivating young people to take political action you can find him in the woods backpacking, or on Lake Erie slalom water skiing with his family.

Mary Carr Bendeck - Renewable Energy Coordinator

Mary Carr joined the Atlanta staff in March 2005 as a research associate. She works on issues concerning diesel pollution, nuclear power, and water quality and advocates for safe, clean energy policies to be implemented in the Southeast. Prior to joining Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Mary worked as a legislative intern for the Tennessee House Government Operations Committee under State Representative Michael L. Kernell. Mary also worked at the University of Tennessee's Energy, Environment and Resources Center where she helped develop a workshop to assist K-12 teachers in developing energy education curriculum for the classroom. Mary received a B.A. in 2004 from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville where she double-majored in Environmental Studies and Political Science.

Andrea Cuccaro - 1Sky Climate Organizer

Andrea serves as the joint SACE-1SkyFL climate organizer based in Miami, where she was born and raised. She works with local allies, community leaders, concerned citizens and business owners to highlight the need for climate action and the clean energy solutions at hand.  Andrea got started in environmental organizing as a student in 2001 on the University of Central Florida campus with Greenpeace. Later, she worked on clean energy issues and student recruitment for Greenpeace in DC, also volunteering with Energy Action Coalition. She has organized with groups such as EnviroCitizen, RAN, The City of Seattle, and even with 1Sky through Climate Solutions in Seattle, WA. Last year, Andrea finished her master¹s degree in public administration at the University of Washington, with a focus on climate policy, cap and trade, offsets, and carbon  markets.

Courtney Darrow - Development Assistant

Courtney joined Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, in our Asheville office, in November of 2007. She is responsible for providing administrative support to the development team.  Courtney serves as the database manager for the organization, tracking memberships and deliverables as well as managing materials; she has also greatly contributed to the rebranding efforts and manages our SACE store.  Courtney’s previous work experience includes being the Planning and Zoning Administrative Assistant for the City of Boca Raton and student coordinator for VOX - Planned Parenthood on Campus. Courtney earned her Bachelor of Science from Florida Atlantic University where she majored in History. 

Andree Duggan - Media Director

Andrée Duggan assists SACE in the continued development and management of its media relations, website and blog.  Her work focuses on the organization’s electronic communications, media relations and e-action campaigns. Andrée works closely with and provides support to staff as needed so they can effectively utilize tools such as the blog and rss feed, widgets, podcasts, webinars, and various social networking platforms. During her 15-year career, Andrée has advised to Discovery Channel online, PBS Online producers, Al Gore’s Truth On Campus campaign, and to World Flight – which re-enacted Amelia Earhart’s historic global journey and involved millions of school children online who followed the flight. Andrée is the recipient of twenty journalism and web awards, including ACE, UPI, AP, CINE Golden Eagle, Golden Web Award, Cybersmith, Cool Central, Point Top 5%, Matrix, and Women in Technology International.

James Fall - Fiscal Administrator

James Fall joined Southern Alliance for Clean Energy in June 2009.  He handles Accounting, Human Resources and IT.  Some of his key responsibilities include payroll, accounts payable, reconciliations, and general office management. James is a Southern California native and relocated to Eastern Tennessee with six other members of his family in 2009. He has a broad range of finance and accounting experience over the past 10+ years, most recently in banking. Prior to that James worked for an engineering company that handled landfill gas control and storm water pollution prevention. James has a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and is CPA eligible.

Jenna Garland - South Carolina Organizer

Jenna joined the Southern Energy Network as the South Carolina Organizer in November of 2009. As the South Carolina Organizer, Jenna coordinates the student environmental network across college and high school campuses all over the state. In addition to fighting local dirty energy projects, Jenna works with students and the environmental community to promote sound state-based policies to bring more renewable energy and green jobs to South Carolina, and works to push South Carolina's Congressional Delegation to support strong, science-based federal climate and clean energy legislation. Jenna also works to strengthen ties between students and campuses across the Southeast.

Jenna studied Ecological and Environmental Anthropology at the University of Georgia, where she was named the Outstanding Student of the Year for her work in the department in 2007. During her time in Athens, Jenna became interested in organizing as a profession after working with several student and community groups and engaging in advocacy for the cycling community. After graduating from UGA, Jenna began Green Corps' Field School for Environmental Organizing in the fall of 2007, traveling and running campaigns in Baltimore, MD, Richmond, VA, and Minneapolis, MN. Jenna graduated from Green Corps in August 2008, and began working to pass bold climate legislation in the U.S. Congress in Minneapolis with the 1Sky Campaign at Clean Water Action of Minnesota.

Sam Gomberg - Tennessee Valley Energy Policy Associate

Sam joined the SACE staff in Knoxville, TN, in August of 2008, as the Tennessee Valley Energy Policy Associate. His primary focus will be working on energy efficiency issues throughout the Tennessee Valley Authority’s operating region. Sam is an attorney. He studied environmental and natural resource law from Lewis and Clark University, and also obtained a Masters of Environmental Management from Duke University and a Bachelor of Science in environmental sciences from the University of Florida. While pursuing these degrees, Sam was fortunate to have the opportunity to work on a number of environmental issues, including state energy policy, commercial fishing policy, and e-waste recycling.

Rachel Grillo - Development Director

Rachel assumed the role of development director of Southern Alliance for Clean Energy in 2006, and plays a key role in the overall growth and development of the organization.  She serves as the go-to-person for solicitation of foundation and government grants, fostering relationships with major donors, creating open communication between our program staff and our constituents, as well as overseeing the development of innovate communication tools. Recently, Rachel has been integrally involved in the development and rebranding of Southern Alliance for Clean Energy’s website and materials. With more than a decade of development experience Rachel has extensive fundraising experience in the health and human services sector. She worked with the United Way, in offices across the United States, and most recently in Denver, Colorado. Originally from Miami, Rachel earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Florida State University.

Mandy Hancock - Florida Campus Organizer

Mandy coordinates the Southern Energy Network’s campus program in Florida for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. She facilitates and coordinates campus based campaigns, supporting student leaders in their efforts to address global warming by pushing for more sustainable, efficient energy policy on their campuses and communities. This also entails overseeing a state network of students and alumni that are actively pursuing these ideals. Due to the unique set of circumstances in Florida, she is also heavily involved in SACE’s High Risk Energy Program, as well as the newly developing Florida Safe and Sustainable Energy Campaign, which was created to address the imposing threat of nuclear power in Florida.

Gil Hough - Tennessee Director of Renewable Programs

Gil joined SACE on Earth Day 2000, and oversees a variety of programs to promote renewable energy with a focus on solar and wind programs.   His primary focus is the Project Coordinator for the Knoxville Solar Cities program, which works to creating a model sustainable solar infrastructure that, is competitive with conventionally produced electric power.  He also manages the Southeast / Mid-Atlantic Regional Wind Energy Institute (RWEI) which provides a means for Department of Energy supported state wind working groups to better equip themselves with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively communicate and promote wind power in their states.  The focuses of the RWEI’s activities are in the states of Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina.   Gil also oversee the Tennessee Valley College Outreach Program and works with the Southern Energy Network (SEN) that works to make college campuses models of energy efficiency and renewable energy.   Gil works closely with a wide range of groups including the Department of Energy, City of Knoxville, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Various state Energy Offices as well as a wind range of clean energy businesses and progressive non-profits.  Gil has a Bachelor of Science from Grand Valley State University with a major in Public Administration and is a graduate of the Environmental Leadership Institute of the League of Conservation Voters, and he has earned a Certificate of Non-Profit Management from the University of Tennessee.

Doug Hunt - Director of Tennessee Interfaith Power& Light

Doug Hunt became SACE's State Director for Tennessee Interfaith Power& Light (TIP&L) in October 2008. He previously worked as SACE's Tennessee Federal Organizer for faith and agriculture communities in early 2008 and as TIP&L's East Tennessee Clergy Representative beginning in June 2006. TIP&L seeks to deepen the connection between ecology and faith by working with congregations, religious organizations and ecclesiastical judicatories, as well as partnering with a variety of groups across the state working on climate changeissues in the faith community. TIP&L is an affiliate of thenational Interfaith Power and Light campaign which mobilizes a religious response to global warming through the promotion of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and conservation.  Doug is ordained clergy in the United Church of Christ and has worked for environmental, economic and social justice in a variety of local, state, national and international settings for more than thirty years. An experienced analyst, advocate, writer, organizer, and public speaker, Doug worked most recently for the University of Tennessee Agricultural Policy Analysis Center as a Research Coordinator workingon sustainability and bioenergy issues; The Sierra Club as their International Human Rights Program manager; and for the International Center for Technology Assessment as Director of the New Technologies Forum. Doug holds masters degrees in theology and computer science.

Alex Johnston - Biodiesel Associate

Alex Johnston joined Southern Alliance for Clean Energy in May 2007. As a member of the SACE biofuels program in Atlanta, he produces biodiesel made from used fryer oil collected from local restaurants.  A self described "biodiesel nut" he has worked on various projects including small scale production, classroom workshops and grass roots organizing. He has helped local high-schools develop  programs that use their own cafeteria waste oil to make high quality biodiesel. He has done numerous presentations that spread awareness of alternative energy.  Alex became aware of biodiesel in 2004 after reading an article about Rob Del Bueno called "fried fuel".  Alex is married and has a six year old son.  He drives a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta TDI that gets over 40 MPG Alex plays bass and guitar in a band called East Orange.

Meegan Kelly - Development Associate

Meegan joined Southern Alliance for Clean Energy’s development staff at our Asheville office in April 2008. She serves as the writer for the organization and is primarily responsible for the written submission of grant proposals and reports, crafting regular correspondence with SACE’s donors, members, and supporters, and assisting the development director in maintaining and expanding SACE’s funding sources.  Meegan previously worked as an AmeriCorps CTC VISTA to support community media and technology at a nonprofit organization addressing the needs of low-income and at-risk communities. Meegan earned her Bachelor of Science in Communications from the University of Miami and majored in Journalism and Philosophy.

Rita Kilpatrick - Georgia Policy Director

Rita joined SACE in 2003 and supervises a range of projects to advance clean energy in Georgia and to address water, coal and nuclear concerns.  She testifies in utility regulatory proceedings and presents in public forums.  Rita facilitates and coordinates activities of the Georgia Wind Working Group with university and state agency partners.  She also serves on the National Green-e Certification Board.  Rita has worked for twenty years in the energy industry as a consumer advocate, consultant, and educator at the graduate, undergraduate and K-12 levels.  Rita served as Executive Director from 1997-2003 and Policy Analyst from 1993-1996 with Southern Alliance for Clean Energy’s predecessor group in Georgia, Campaign for a Prosperous Georgia and Georgians for Clean Energy.  Rita was previously employed by the Vermont Department of Public Service where she drafted portions of the state energy plan and devised energy and utility policies as part of a state-wide growth management plan.  Rita received an M.S. in Appropriate Technology and Energy Management from the University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. in 1986 and in Mathematics from DePauw University in 1978.

Tom Larson - Florida Energy Policy Manager

Tom Larson signed on with SACE in July 2008, for energy policy research, analysis and advocacy focused on Florida. Working from Jacksonville Beach, Florida, his main responsibility is to encourage improved energy efficiency and demand-side renewable energy programs by utilities, industry, government and consumers. These programs will help Florida avoid unnecessary power plants and reduce global warming pollution. Following a career as a business executive, principally in cargo transportation, Tom has campaigned for climate protection in Florida with the Sierra Club and has supported its local water quality and critical land preservation efforts and those of the St. Johns Riverkeeper, Public Trust Environmental Legal Institute and North Florida Land Trust. In 2007, Tom served on the Climate Change Advisory Group of the Florida Energy Commission. In March 2009, Tom was appointed to the Florida Energy Code Workgroup advising the Florida Building Commission. With a bachelor degree from Miami University (Oxford, Ohio) in Public Administration and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago, Tom is a continuing student of human affairs and environmental science.

Glenn Mauney - Carolinas Energy Policy Manager

Reggie Miller - TN Campus Coordinator

Reggie joined the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy in December 2008 as the TN Campus Coordinator working out of Murfreesboro, TN. His responsibilities include organizing students to support the expansion of clean energy through TVA’s Green Power Switch program, and helping students collaborate with their administrations to bring energy efficiency and onsite generation to campuses. He also connects students to share resources and build momentum through their state network, TN Alumni and Students for Sustainable Campuses (TASSC).  Reggie’s organizing experience began in 2004 at Middle TN State University, where he later helped lead Students for Environmental Action through a successful clean energy fee campaign. He is still attending MTSU part-time studying Recording Industry Management, working closely with SEA, and sitting on the committee that oversees MTSU’s clean energy endeavors.

JP Plumlee - Tennessee Biodiesel Director

Jon Paul oversees biodiesel production in Tennessee for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, coordinating efforts between local partners, on-site processing, and local distribution. His goal with the program is to partner with local restaurants to collect their fryer oil wastes as feedstock, and produce local, sustainable biodiesel for the greater-Knoxville area.  Jon Paul started volunteering with Southern Alliance for Clean Energy in 2004, working on the student clean energy campaign at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville. His recent experience involved working with the major institutions of higher education in Tennessee to grow support for clean energy and energy efficiency. Jon Paul is currently working to earn the Solar Installer Apprentice certificate from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practicioners. He completed his Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from the University of Tennessee in 2005.

Stephanie Powell - Field Director, Southern Energy Network

Stephanie supervises the Southern Energy Network’s organizing staff. She helps develop and guide the Southern Energy Network’s field strategy and works with staff to provide trainings, resources, networking opportunities, and support to Southern youth fighting global warming and promoting a clean, just energy future.  Before joining the Southern Energy Network, Stephanie worked with the Gulf Restoration Network’s Healthy Waters Program. She is a graduate of the Green Corps Environmental Organizing training program. Stephanie has also worked with the Sierra Club on the I Will Evolve Tour, a media tour to raise the visibility of solutions to global warming, and the Environmental Voter Education Campaign.  Stephanie serves on the Board of Common Ground Athens, a community resource center for groups and individuals working for progressive social change.  Stephanie graduated from the University of Georgia in 2005 where she earned Bachelors of Arts degrees in Anthropology and Political Science.

Seandra Rawls - Diversity & Community Outreach Coordinator

Seandra became the Diversity & Community Outreach Coordinator for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy in December 2009.  She works to educate and empower community leaders to advocate for strong federal legislation to combat Global Warming.  In an effort to increase engagement with both rural communities and communities of color, Seandra develops and implements programs that will forge and deepen partnerships with non-traditional allies to maintain grassroots activism that will secure meaningful global warming legislation. 

Seandra was raised in Georgia where she graduated from Lithonia High School and went on to earn her degree in Political Science from Spelman College. Prior to joining SACE, Seandra worked with the Georgia Sierra Club and with Service Employee's International Union.

Toni Reale, MS - Coastal Program Coordinator

Toni joined the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy in June 2008 and works in a satellite office in Charleston, South Carolina. Toni focuses her efforts on coastal climate issues, mobilizing coastal constituents to take meaningful action on global warming and to demand leadership from their elected officials. Her primary responsibility is to manage a network of dedicated environmental groups stretching from Maryland to Louisiana called the Southeast Coastal Climate Network that are working to create a unified voice advocating for the protection of the Southeast’s uniquely vulnerable coastal resources by increasing local, state, and national awareness of the threats and opportunities posed by global warming. Prior to joining the SACE staff, Toni was an Adjunct Faculty member of the Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences at the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina. Because Toni is passionate about environmental education she serves on the advisory board for a non-profit called the  Lowcountry Environmental Education Programs. Toni earned a Master of Science degree in Geosciences from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in 2006, where she studied climate change science; her thesis research focused on paleoclimatology.

Ulla Reeves, MEM - Regional Program Director

Ulla serves as Southern Alliance for Clean Energy's regional program director based in the Asheville, North Carolina office. She joined SACE in 1999 and opened the Asheville office in 2004.  Ulla oversees regional global warming initiatives in North Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina and Georgia at both the state and federal decision-making levels.  She also oversees the organization’s High Risk Energy program to run state-based coal campaigns focused on stopping new coal plant development. Ulla supports the management and operations of the Southeast Coastal Climate Network and the Florida Climate Alliance.  Ulla is on the boards of the Clean Air Community Trust in Asheville and Peacework International Volunteer Programs out of Blacksburg, VA. Previously, Ulla was the program manager for Peacework.  She also worked on minority educational initiatives in SW Virginia and held two consecutive positions as office coordinator for campus recycling services at the University of Oregon and Virginia Tech. Ulla has a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Virginia Tech and a Masters of Environmental Management from Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment; her masters thesis focused on climate adaptation strategies for Southeast coastal communities.

Jennifer Rennicks, MS - Federal Policy Director

Jennifer Rennicks, MS, oversees federal policy work for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, serving as the primary liaison between SACE’s programs and our region’s Congressional offices in Washington, DC and the states. Her primary focus is educating policy makers and their staff on the Southeast's challenges faced by global warming impacts and the clean energy solutions possible through federal climate and energy policies.  Jennifer currently serves on the Steering Committee for 1Sky, a collaborative national campaign focused on delivering bold climate and energy policy by 2010.  An experienced advocate, writer, coordinator and public speaker, Jennifer worked most recently as the watershed project manager at Upstate Forever in Greenville, SC.  She was previously employed by the Southern Environmental Law Center in Asheville, NC; the Ecosystem Management Initiative in Ann Arbor, MI; the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism in Columbia, SC; and the School for Field Studies in Costa Rica, Central America.  Jennifer earned a Master of Science in Environmental Policy from the University of Michigan in 2000, focusing on community conservation and protected-areas management through the Belize Audubon Society in Belize, Central America for her masters project.  While at the University of Michigan, Jennifer earned a certificate in environmental dispute resolution.  She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Environmental Studies from Tufts University in 1993, including a semester spent in Costa Rica studying sustainable development studies.

Reagan Richmond - Tennessee Campus Organizer

Reagan Richmond promotes clean energy on campuses across the state as the Tennessee Campus Organizer. Reagan joined the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy in January of 2007 as the regional programs coordinator for the Southern Energy Network.  Reagan was responsible for organizing the Southeast Student Renewable Energy Conference, leading trainings, and outreach across the southeast. Reagan had been in engaged in campus organizing as a student leader at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville since 2005. As a student, she has helped implement clean energy initiatives and is a founding member of the statewide network, Tennessee Alumni and Student for Sustainable Campuses. In early 2009; she transitioned into the role of Tennessee Campus Organizer.  Reagan attends The University of Tennessee-Knoxville part-time, she is finishing her B.A. in Environmental Studies with a concentration in political economy.

Elizabeth Smith - Executive Assistant

Libby is the assistant to Executive Director Stephen Smith.  Her primary responsibility is maintaining his schedule.  Libby returned to SACE in April 2007 after a seven-month departure after the birth of her son.  Libby’s career with SACE started in 1999 when she was hired as the Green Power Program Director in charge of SACE’s efforts to build support among early adopters for TVA’s green power pricing program, Green Power Switch, as well as working with TVA to develop this program.  In 2002 Libby took on the role as Development Director for SACE. She worked in this capacity until her departure in May 2006.  Prior to working for SACE, Libby worked with Paschall and Associates on a state-wide marketing campaign on electric restructuring legislation; Judy Smith for U.S. Congress; and as a consumer advocate and community organizer for the Arkansas Public Policy Panel on issues such as telecommunications deregulation, electric deregulation and the Department of the Army’s Chemical Demilitarization Program.  Libby received a B.A. in political science from Birmingham – Southern College.

Jennifer Todd - CFO / Fiscal Director

Jennifer Todd joined Southern Alliance for Clean Energy in July of 2007. She manages all Financial, HR, and IT for the organization. Jennifer is a Knoxville native with 19+ years of extensive experience in the hospitality and finance arenas throughout the United States. After attending college, her career placed her in several major US cities (Atlanta-GA, Honolulu-HI, Portland-OR, Tampa-FL) where she has served as Vice-President, Corporate Controller and General Manager for multiple hotel companies, and one engineering company. In addition to her full time career, Jennifer has consulted for a Financial Planning company, a Public CPA firm, and various other businesses throughout the years.  

John D. Wilson - Research Director

John directs research activities for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, including leadership of SACE’s energy efficiency campaigns and investigation into methods to reduce or sequester global warming pollution. He participates in a number of state commissions to study global warming solutions in partnership with government staff, utilities, business, and community leaders. In 2008, John co-authored Cornerstones: Building a Secure Foundation for North Carolina’s Energy Future. He also maintains SACE’s technical publications related to the potential for cost-effective energy efficiency programs and renewable energy resources in the southeast. John is an public policy analyst with over 15 years of experience working on a range of environmental and other issues. He has been formally recognized for his accomplishments by conservation organizations, academic institutions and by the City of Houston. John holds a BA in Physics and History from Rice University and a MPP from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. John previously served as the executive director of the Galveston-Houston Association for Smog Prevention (GHASP). Other highlights from his work experience include consulting on "smart growth" transportation projects, research for the Florida Legislature on a wide range of issues, and global warming research in Texas and for the US EPA.