ETA Staff

Q Gagne (they/them), joins CEE's Market Transformation team as an initiative manager focused on luminaire-level lighting controls. Q oversees and manages SCALE (Smart Controls Accelerating Lighting Efficiency), under the Efficent Technology Accelerator, a statewide market transformation effort funded by Minnesota’s investor-owned utilities.

With a decade of experience in the lighting industry and an expertise in controls, their career in lighting began with Lutron Electronics and a role in Commercial Specification Sales, where they learned how the market operated in the new era of LEDs. They then gained hands-on experience with implementing lighting controls in the built environment as a Systems Engineer for Signify (formerly Philips Lighting).

As the Next Gen Rooftop Unit Initiative Manager for Minnesota's Efficient Technology Accelerator, a statewide program implemented by Center for Energy and Environment (CEE), Leah Guenter promotes energy efficient HVAC technologies in commercial buildings, with a focus on the next gen RTUs. She works with manufacturers, distributors, contractors, and building owners to communicate the benefits, address challenges, and develop effective market strategies. Leah also leads field studies and supports the curriculum for contractor training to support this technology in the market.   

Prior to CEE, Leah worked in commercial construction as an owner's representative and general contractor, handling both existing and ground-up construction. She has a BS in structural engineering from University of California San Diego's Jacobs School of Engineering.  

Chris is responsible for overseeing and optimizing operational functions for the Market Transformation team. Chris has over fifteen years of experience in managing multi-unit operations across various industries, including healthcare, logistics, supply chain, and blood collection. He has led continuous improvement initiatives and deployment of advance systems organizations of all sizes in the both the for-profit and non-profit sectors.

Maddie leads the evaluation of market transformation efforts, developing plans for tracking key performance indicators and energy savings, utilizing outcomes to advance program implementation, and working with stakeholders to determine appropriate pathways.

Prior to joining CEE, Maddie worked at Wilder Research for nine years where she led research and evaluation projects on a wide variety of topics including housing, human services, environmental sustainability, and energy efficiency. As a former research generalist, Maddie brings a systems-level lens to her work at CEE.

Ashly leads the development and implementation of the regulatory policy and savings forecasts for CEE’s market transformation programs. This includes all regulatory filings and savings forecasts related to the Efficient Technology Accelerator (ETA), CEE’s flagship market transformation program.

Ashly has over fourteen years of experience in the energy efficiency industry. Prior to rejoining CEE, Ashly managed the regulatory strategy for multiple Demand Side Management (DSM) regulatory filings for a regulated U.S. electric and natural gas utility. Ashly is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and Project Management Professional (PMP) with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Minnesota and master’s degree in atmospheric sciences from the University of Washington.

As Senior Manager of Market Deployment, Ed leads the strategy and execution of market deployment efforts within the Efficient Technology Accelerator (ETA) program for emerging commercial and industrial energy efficiency and decarbonization technologies.

Ed has over thirty years’ experience in the energy and utility industries with an emphasis on integrated energy solutions targeting the commercial and industrial building sectors. Prior to joining CEE, Ed held leadership positions with several national implementation contractors where he provided thought leadership, developed market strategies and innovation in advancing energy efficiency and climate change programs.

As senior manager of market deployment, Emily oversees a portfolio of energy efficiency and decarbonization market transformation initiatives. These include the Midwest ASHP Collaborative, the Minnesota ASHP Collaborative, and the High-Performance Windows Initiative. 

The market development team works to overcome market barriers and rapidly increase energy efficiency and carbon-reducing technologies through manufacturer and distributor engagement, contractor support and training, marketing strategies, and national engagement, as well as influencing state and federal codes and standards. 

Carl is a seasoned industry veteran known for his role in pushing innovation in program implementation. In his current role, Carl oversees the market transformation efforts of the organization, including the Efficient Technology Accelerator, a statewide market transformation effort funded by Minnesota’s investor-owned utilities.

Since his start at CEE in 2008, he has designed and managed numerous energy efficiency programs — including two ACEEE "Exemplary Program" award winners — and has developed and overseen nearly a dozen pilot programs. He has also been involved in efficiency policy and research projects, and led the team that conducted a statewide energy efficiency potential study for the state of Minnesota.

Isaac Smith has worked at CEE since 2011. He is currently the senior manager of market transformation products, where he works to build a pipeline of emerging technologies and market transformation concepts for Minnesota’s Efficient Technology Accelerator, a statewide market transformation effort funded by Minnesota’s investor-owned utilities.

Previously, Isaac worked on residential program development where he designed new energy efficiency programs and approaches. Isaac has a deep understanding of technical efficiency issues and works closely with CEE’s research department to bring new technologies to market.

Steve manages the high-performance windows (HPWs) initiative to accelerate the adoption of very high-performing insulating glass windows. The HPWs initiative is part of Minnesota's Efficient Technology Accelerator, a statewide market transformation effort funded by Minnesota’s investor-owned utilities.

Prior to joining CEE, Steve worked for 15 years in Chemistry R&D, including 10 years at Cardinal Glass Industries where he led insulating glass sealant R&D, new product qualification, and service life prediction projects. Additionally, he led the site’s sustainability work as their Sustainability Specialist, and was a founding member of the Safety, Environmental, Ergonomic, and Security (SEES) team that achieved MNSTAR/OSHA VPP status in 2020.

Rabi Vandergon oversees the air source heat pumps (ASHP) initiative within the Minnesota Efficient Technology Accelerator (ETA). Operating under the brand name MN ASHP Collaborative, this initiative is part of ETA’s broader market transformation program that seeks alternative pathways to support emerging products beyond traditional utility rebate programs. The Collaborative is also supported outside of ETA by consumer owned utilities in MN. 

In his role, Rabi implements market deployment strategies to accelerate the adoption of heat pumps in the residential sector. Prior to his current role, he worked on various projects related to electric vehicles, demand response, community energy goals, and non-wires alternatives. Rabi holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in environmental studies from Bemidji State University.