Meet our new co-workers: Residential programs lead the way with recent hirings

Posted by Tim Hanrahan  |  Date April 2, 2018

To dig deeper into CEE’s mission throughout the Twin Cities and around the state, we have continued to staff up this year.

Among this month’s profiles, we feature new employees tied to CEE’s financing, community and commercial programs, and communications, as well as several hirings to strengthen our residential program offerings. 

Ed Draper, Energy Counselor.  Before coming to CEE, Ed worked with adults with disabilities. Ed holds a bachelor's degree in music from the University of Southern California, and plays drums in a wedding band. He also continues to work weekends at the Electric Fetus record store in Minneapolis. As an energy counselor at CEE, Ed is a main point of contact for home owners during Home Energy Squad visits, which are designed to help home owners understand save energy and save money on utility bills.

 
Jackie Flom, Loan Services Assistant. Jackie’s long career in the lending industry has helped her to become very familiar with the many stages of residential and commercial lending. She has significant experience when it comes to loan processing, origination, and foreclosure. At CEE, Jackie works as a loan services assistant in the Lending Center, which offers financing to residential property owners for rehabilitation and energy efficiency projects and to businesses for energy related improvements.


Luciano Guzman, Energy Counselor. Luciano worked previously at Travelers Insurance as a Residential Property Claims Professional, where he helped homeowners recover from unfortunate situations. While attending Macalester College, he acted as an institutional coordinator for nonprofits whose missions supported low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented communities of color in their pursuit of college educations. He graduated as a Geography major focusing on sustainability in small business. As an Energy Counselor, Luciano installs energy-saving products and educates homeowners.

Lauren Mordini, Energy Auditor. Lauren earned her degree in Environmental Studies from Luther College. Prior to CEE, she completed a volunteer year as outreach coordinator with Green Iowa AmeriCorps, where she helped educate the public about energy conservation and overall environmental stewardship. Through that AmeriCorps position she was able to become a certified energy auditor through Building Performance Institute. As an energy auditor, she performs diagnostic tests to help home owners save energy, and become more energy efficient and comfortable in their homes.
 
Rebecca Nichloson, Writer-Editor. Prior to joining CEE, Rebecca founded Rumination Garden, an initiative centered on technology, communications, and arts thought leadership. She also served as Climate Content Coordinator at the National Audubon Society (New York), and worked as Communications Associate for Civic Hall Labs. Rebecca holds an M.F.A. from Columbia University, an M.A. from Mercy College School of Liberal Arts, and a B.A. from Metropolitan State University. Today Rebecca serves as writer/editor for CEE’s print, digital, and spoken communications.
 
Bradley Obermueller, Lighting Consultant. Before CEE, Brad worked in the hospitality and tourism industry as an Assistant Clubhouse Manager at Town & Country Club, and more recently as a sales representative for a maintenance supply company where he managed over 100 accounts. Now Brad works as a Lighting Consultant for Xcel Energy’s One-Stop Efficiency Shop®, assisting and educating small business customers, contractors, and distributors on the benefits of energy efficient lighting and the opportunities available through One-Stop and other utility rebate programs.
 
Wesley Petersen, Energy Auditor. Wesley’s background is in carpentry, building science, designer and conceptual artist for sustainable development project. His previous work experience includes contracting insulation work, auditing and building design, eco-tourism, organic farming and inner-city youth development. Wesley has a MA in Sustainable Design Minneapolis College of Art and Design and a BA in Sustainable Development from Metropolitan State University and Minneapolis Community and Technical College. As an Energy Auditor, Wesley advises homeowners on next steps to improve their home’s efficiency.

Rebecca Priestley, Energy Counselor. Before joining CEE, Rebecca was a supervisor at Good Earth Food Co-op in St. Cloud. While studying environmental studies at St. Cloud State University, they developed a heightened sense of unease for the impending threat of climate change, and subsequently volunteered for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, examining plants, soil, and water to assist in wetland determinations. As an Energy Counselor, Rebecca helps Minnesotans identify inefficiencies and potential barriers to sustainability.

Brady Steigauf, Community Program Associate. Prior to CEE, Brady worked at the City of Minneapolis as a Sustainability Fellow, working on the Minneapolis Clean Energy Partnership and the Minneapolis Green Zones Policy. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota in Urban Studies and Sustainability, completing his capstone project on electric vehicles. Brady is also a Master Water Steward Candidate for the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization. As Community Program Associate, Brady assists with Minneapolis and St. Paul benchmarking projects, Partners in Energy, and other community-based work.

Want to join us? Check out our open positions.

Related Links
New colleagues support CEE's mission in the field and behind the scenes
Year-end reflections on joining the CEE team
New Faces: CEE celebrates Energy Efficiency Day with bigger team this year
New Faces: Former NEC colleagues expand and strengthen CEE's team
New Faces: CEE staff additions