NCSEA Staff

Ivan Urlaub, Executive Director

Since 2005, Ivan Urlaub has been living NCSEA's mission to ensure a sustainable future by promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency in North Carolina through education, public policy and economic development. Ivan brings more than 13 years of state, U.S. and international experience in resolving policy, finance, communications, and economic challenges to the sustainable provision and use of energy and water. His personal goal is to find win-win solutions with industry, utilities and customers that make the use of sustainable energy solutions accessible and affordable for all energy consumers in North Carolina and the Southeast.

Doubling the size of NCSEA’s budget and staff every one and one-half years, Ivan has led NCSEA’s success in passing more than 70 energy bills into law and winning dozens of key regulatory decisions, making advanced energy solutions more affordable for all North Carolina ratepayers. NCSEA has become the go-to organization for market-based policy and market intelligence on North Carolina’s rapidly growing advanced energy industries. Ivan holds a Master of Public Policy from the Terry Sanford Institute as well as a Master of Environmental Management from the Nicholas School at Duke University.

Paul Quinlan, Managing Director

Paul Quinlan handles the day-to-day operations of the organization and directs research, outreach, and fundraising activities. He has served on numerous advisory groups including the North Carolina Wind Technical Advisory Committee, Energy Efficiency Work Group of the North Carolina Energy Policy Council, Western North Carolina Clean Energy Economy Leadership Group, and Steering Committee of the State Energy Sector Partnership. He has testified at the NC Utilities Commission and consulted for the U.S. Department of Energy.

Paul is co-authors the annual North Carolina Clean Energy Data Book and annual North Carolina Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Industries Census. He is a regular instructor at the Renewable Energy Technologies Diploma Series offered by NC State University and serves on the Board of Directors of Clean Energy Durham.  He earned a B.S. from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Public Policy and Master of Environmental Management from Duke University.

Julie Robinson, Director of Government Affairs

Julie Robinson has been an integral part of NCSEA since 2008. She brings more than 14 years of state and national experience in policy, government Affairs and communications and is NCSEA’s government affairs and high performance building energy efficiency expert. As a registered lobbyist, she works with legislators to educate them on various clean energy issues to ensure passage of NCSEA’s legislative agenda. She coordinates NCSEA’s Lobby Days and in-district meetings between legislators and clean energy business leaders and advocates, as well as building and strengthening coalitions among state and local government officials, state agencies, and partner organizations. Over the last year, she has worked extensively on efforts to improve North Carolina’s energy conservation building code, which involved the NC Building Code Council, Governor's office, NC Rules Review Commission, NC Home Builders Association and green building advocates, numerous partner organizations, and ultimately the NC General Assembly. 

Prior to joining NCSEA, Julie worked in the Speaker’s office at the NC General Assembly and for U.S. House Minority Leaders Nancy Pelosi (CA) and Dick Gephardt (MO), U.S. Senator Max Cleland (GA) and U.S. House of Representative’s Jim Turner (TX) in Washington, DC where she developed her extensive communications, media relations and public policy experience. Julie holds a B.A. in Journalism (Public Relations) and Political Science from UNC-Chapel Hill.

Dina Crosby, Director of Communications and Membership

Dina Crosby comes to NCSEA with more than 15 years of project management experience in sustainability, technology implementation, education and human resources. Prior to joining NCSEA, she operated her own consulting company, which educated companies that wished to be certified “Green.” She also assisted renewable energy startups with marketing and funding. Before that, she served as the Director of Orange County Centers for Durham Technical Community College where she oversaw the opening of the college’s green facility in Hillsborough, NC. Dina also spent time in Silicon Valley, CA, working with entrepreneurial startups and global corporations, managing company-wide programs relating to technology implementation, strategic planning and education before returning home to North Carolina. 

In her role at NCSEA, Dina is growing the membership and sponsorship base and increasing awareness of NCSEA and its value among the business community and the public.  She coordinates NCSEA’s events, including educational forums and training sessions, networking receptions, fundraisers, the annual conference and more. Dina has a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Management from UNC-Chapel Hill.

Rich Crowley, Manager of Market Research Analysis

Rich Crowley joined NCSEA full time after graduating from Duke University in 2010. He has significant experience utilizing Geographic Information Systems including biomass fuel logistics and wind energy potential at off-shore energy extraction sites. He also has experience in statistical analysis and energy modeling and is NCSEA’s expert in biomass, combined heat and power, and hydroelectric applications. His publications include co-author of the 2009, 2010 and 2011 North Carolina Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Industries Census and the 2011 North Carolina Clean Energy Data Book.

He often represents NCSEA at conferences and has presented on a variety of topics including Energy from Waste at the North Carolina BioEnergies Symposium Utilizing North Carolina Energy Economy Data Sources for Business Development at the NCSEA annual conference and at the 2010 North Carolina GIS Symposium where he received a Herbert Stout Award in the Graduate Student Category for exemplary use of GIS. He received his Bachelors in Environmental Policy from Colby College in 2005 and holds a Masters of Environmental Management in Energy as well as a Certificate Degree in Geospatial Analysis from Duke University.

Victoria Somol, Central Operations and Member Relations Specialist

Victoria Somol joined NCSEA as the Central Operations & Member Relations Specialist, handling the organization’s special projects, facility management, member relations and coordination of volunteers.  She has over ten years of experience in property management, marketing, event coordination and residential and community relations.  Prior to joining NCSEA, Victoria lived in New Jersey and was a Marketing and Event Coordinator. Victoria holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Marketing from The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and an Associate’s Degree in Specialized Business from the Art Institute of Philadelphia.

Miriam Makhyoun, Solar and Renewable Energy Industry Specialist

Miriam Makhyoun works fluidly with NCSEA’s public policy and market intelligence teams to facilitate solar and renewable energy industry growth and development. Leveraging her experience in project finance and development, market research and analysis, policy research and analysis and understanding of solar and renewable technologies, among other skills, she plays a critical leadership role in identifying and taking collaborative actions to address solar and renewable energy challenges and opportunities in North Carolina. She also offers technical assistance to other Southeastern states and helps guide the Solar Business Council to ensure council members’ valuable participation in the NCSEA’s policy process.

Prior to joining NCSEA, Miriam was an Assistant Project Manager Intern at Strata Solar where she managed a 5.1 MW PV installation in Kings Mountain, NC, and a 900 kW PV system in Newland, NC, arranged procurement, delivery, and labor schedules using Gantt Charts, facilitated contracts and certifications and drafted requests for quotes with scopes of work and evaluated corresponding bids from subcontractors. She was an Energy Analyst and a Landfill Gas Program Researcher for the Appalachian Energy Center and the former Financial Manager for Flip Model for Solar Power at the Hospitality House. Miriam holds a Master of Science in Technology with a concentration in Appropriate Technology, a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Sustainable Business, a B.S. in International and Comparative Politics and a B.A. in French from Appalachian State University. She is fluent in French and also speaks Spanish.

Charles Adair, Community Education and Relations Specialist for the Triangle and Triad Regions

Charles Adair serves as the face and presence of NCSEA within the Triangle and Triad regions. In addition to being the contact for current members, he works to build NCSEA’s network by educating and recruiting new members. He represents NCSEA at critical meetings, events, and presentations and offers insight into the policy and market trends he finds within the community.

Prior to joining NCSEA, Charles served as the Executive Director for Piedmont Environmental Alliance where he developed and implemented a strategic plan to increase funding, volunteers, staff and educational programs.  He created a communications plan that utilized social media, distributed a bi-monthly newsletter and expanded brand awareness. Before that he was an Environmental Economic Consultant to the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, worked as a Water Policy Researcher at the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions and was an English teacher in Miaogang, China. He holds a Master of Environmental Management from Duke University and a B.A. in Economics and Environmental Studies from the College of William and Mary.

Mike Davis, Community Education and Relations Specialist for the Charlotte Region

Mike Davis represents the Charlotte region where he serves as the contact for current members and strives to build NCSEA’s network by educating and recruiting new members. He serves as a voice for NCSESA at critical meetings, events and presentations and offers insight into the policy and market trends he finds within the community.

In addition to renewable energy, Mike has expertise in sustainable building practices, urban development and historic preservation. Prior to joining NCSEA, he was the Charlotte Business Manager for Southern Energy Management where he served as a representative with various organizations such as the USGBC, Habitat for Humanity, the Charlotte Homebuilders Association and the Building Owners and Managers Association. He is also a member of the Charlotte USGBC’s Legislative Advocacy Group.

Mike holds a Master of Media Arts from the University of South Carolina and a B.A. from Winthrop University where he majored in Political Science and minored in Business Administration. He is an accredited USGBC LEED® Green Associate, and is also an NC Licensed General Contractor and an NC Licensed Real Estate Broker.  He is on the Advisory Committee of the Central Piedmont Community College Sustainability Program, and serves on the Residential Subcommittee of the US Green Building Council and the Sustainability Committee for the Charlotte Chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

Suzanne Gooding, Community Education & Relations Specialist for the Eastern North Carolina Region

Suzanne serves as the face and presence of NCSEA in Eastern North Carolina. She is the contact for current members and works to build NCSEA's network by educating and recruiting new members.

Suzanne represents NCSEA at meetings, events and presentations and offers insight into the policy and market trends she finds within the community. She is an Adjunct faculty member of UNC-Wilmington in the Department of Geography and Geology where she teaches courses in urban land use, regional planning and environmental planning.

Prior to working with NCSEA, she was a Graduate Research Assistant focusing on sustainable cities and civic engagement in the U.S. She draws from an education background, having worked as a middle grades science teacher and an environmental educator.  She holds a Master of Public Administration from UNC-Wilmington and a B.A. in Geography from UNC-Chapel Hill.

Sara Day Evans, Community Education & Relations Specialist for the Western North Carolina Region

Sara Day Evans is the face and presence of NCSEA within the Western North Carolina region. In addition to being the main point of contact for current members, Sara Day works to build NCSEA’s network by educating and recruiting new members. She represents NCSEA at critical meetings, events, organizations and presentations and reports on policy and market trends she finds within the community. Sara Day was formerly the Western Regional Program Developer/Coordinator for the 21st Century Community Program with the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Community Assistance.

Previously, she was the statewide Resource Conservation Manager for Kentucky’s Division of Waste Management. In that capacity she received a U.S. Presidential Commendation for her work with women in the Appalachian region. Sara Day holds a B.S. in Geology/with MS coursework in Hydrogeology from the University of Kentucky where she earned the Pirtle Award for Outstanding Geology Student.   

Jim Kennerly, Policy and Regulatory Analyst

Jim Kennerly asserts NCSEA’s priorities at the North Carolina Utilities Commission, the North Carolina General Assembly and other government bodies with jurisdiction over renewable energy, energy efficiency, high-performance building and smart grid infrastructure and technology.

Prior to joining NCSEA, Jim worked for ICF International, serving as a program management consultant to the ENERGY STAR^® program. Before that, he analyzed energy efficiency rebate programs for clients at Frontier Associates and worked on the Pecan Street Project, a cutting-edge smart grid demonstration project in Austin, Texas. Jim has a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin and a B.A. in Politics from Oberlin College.

Dotti Prince, Administrative Assistant

Dotti Prince came to NCSEA as one of our valued volunteers.  In August of 2011, she joined our staff as our Administrative Assistant. She has been valuable in organizing our offices, literature and administrative workload. 

She does our membership mailings as well as research and inputting of data.  Dotti maintains our membership and donor databases. At the Board of Directors’ meetings, she takes and publishes the minutes. She is our go-to person for special projects. She graduated from the Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School in Montclair, New Jersey.

Stacey Gill, Manager of Finance

Stacey Gill joined NCSEA in October 2011 as the new Manager of Finance.  She has extensive experience in accounting for nonprofit organizations, including nearly 20 years working with the American Cancer Society in Tampa, Florida. 

Stacey graduated from the University of Illinois with the esteemed bronze tablet recognition.  She passed the CPA exam in the state of Illinois before joining a large CPA firm in Chicago, where she worked as both an auditor and a tax specialist for three years before relocating to Florida.  It was in Florida that she found her niche providing financial services to nonprofit organizations whose missions she believes in.

Michael Youth,  Counsel and Regulatory Advisor

Michael Youth received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  For almost seven years, he served as an Assistant Attorney General, providing counsel and representation to the North Carolina Department of Revenue.  In 2010, Michael enrolled in a Masters of Forestry and Environmental Resources program at North Carolina State University, where his studies focused on environmental policy and administration. He joined NCSEA at the end of 2011.

 

Amneris Solano, Communications & Government Affairs Specialist

Amneris Solano works as part of the NC Sustainable Energy Association's policy, communications and outreach teams to maximize NCSEA’s internal, external and online communications and educational efforts; assist with the coordination of public policy events and training; increase NCSEA's social media presence; and expand the network of decision makers and elected officials. 

Prior to joining NCSEA, Amneris was an award-winning journalist with more than a decade of daily newspaper experience.  She is a recipient of the NC Press Association’s 2010 First Place Education Reporting award and was the 2009 winner of The Fayetteville Observer's Pat Reese Fellowship. She holds a B.A. in English from North Carolina State University in Raleigh and will soon earn her Certificate in Design Communication Arts from the UCLA Extension.