Montpelier, VT — Renewable Energy Vermont (REV) today announced five newly elected members to its Board of Directors: Lang Durfee of Bethel Mills, Inc., Kerrick Johnson of Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, Paul Lesure of Green Mountain Solar, Chris McKay of WEG Electric Corp., and John Spencer of Crown REC Services, LLC.
“I’m excited to start working with all the members of the board, including the new members who I’m thrilled to welcome to the team,” said Leslie Cadwell, REV’s Board Chair. “I look forward to continuing to support REV and its members and mission in my new role as Chair of the organization’s board.”
Lang Durfee spent the last 44 years in the family business, Bethel Mills, Inc., which recently celebrated its 238th anniversary. Founded in 1781, Bethel Mills is one of the countries longest continuously run lumberyards in the nation. Under Lang’s leadership, Bethel Mills was recognized in 2005 by Vermont Business Magazine’s 5x5x5 awards as one of the fastest growing retail businesses in the state and was elected as the Small Business Administration’s Family-Owned Business of the Year in 2006. Many other accolades including serving on the Vermont Independent Power Producers Association (VIPPA) Board, serving as a volunteer fire fighter and Cooperator for Mascoma Savings Bank, just to name a few, are among the long list of distinguished accomplishments.
Kerrick Johnson is Vermont Energy Investment Corporation’s (VEIC) Strategy and Corporate Affairs Director, responsible for identifying, developing and securing opportunities to collaboratively deliver energy efficiency and climate services in ways that best serve communities and the economy. He joined VEIC directly from serving as Co-Founder and Chief Ecosystem Officer for Utopus Insights, after serving as Vice President—Strategy and Communication at Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO). Prior to his 17 years in Vermont transmission and distribution utility work, Kerrick worked for the Vermont Attorney General’s Office as an Investigator for the Consumer Protecting Division and Legislative Liaison. He attended Vermont’s Johnson State College and served four years in the US Air Force as an airborne Russian linguist after having graduated from the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California.
Paul Lesure’s passion for renewables began at a young age. Growing up in an old drafty house, he marveled at his neighbors’ passive solar home and the comfort it provided. His passion for the environment led him to pursue a degree in Environmental Conservation from University of New Hampshire. Paul entered the solar market with the Vermont solar manufacturer AllEarth Renewables, working as the sales account manager for northern New England where he recruited and trained dealers to develop and install solar projects using AllEarth solar trackers. By the end of his tenure, Paul lead tracker sales nationwide, working his way up to National Sales Manager. In 2017, Paul founded Green Mountain Solar, a local company that prioritizes customer service and helps Vermonters access high quality solar and energy storage products. Paul also worked to convert his 1840’s farm house into the comfortable solar powered house he always envied growing up.
Chris McKay is currently the Director of Energy Storage Solutions for WEG Electric Corp. He’s worked in the energy industry for over 20 years on a wide range of activities. While with Northern Power Systems he led development and deployment of power converter, energy storage, microgrid, and wind turbine projects. At W.L. Gore & Associates he worked on new product development for PEM fuel cells and hydrogen electrolysis using GORE-TEX® membrane technology. Throughout his career he’s served in a variety of operational and commercial roles including director positions for engineering, product management, and sales. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering with a Minor in Economics.
John Spencer has devoted his entire career to renewable energy. Initially, he worked as a developer of hydroelectric projects throughout New England. In 1996, he became the Executive Director of VEPP Inc., a Vermont non-profit corporation, specifically formed to act as the purchasing agent of independent power in Vermont on behalf of the Vermont Public Utility Commission. In 2009, VEPP Inc. also took on the administration of Vermont’s SPEED (Standard Offer) Program, one of the first feed-in-tariff programs in the country. John retired from VEPP Inc. in 2016 and is now a principal with Crown REC Services; helping owners of renewable power projects value Renewable Energy Credits. John is a Vermont licensed engineer and lives in Bondville, Vermont.
“We are incredibly excited to have such a dynamic group with such vast expertise join our Board,” said Olivia Campbell Andersen, Executive Director of REV. “It’s more important than ever to have all hands on deck for us to reach our state energy and climate commitments, and I am confident that this new group of Board members will help guide us down that path.
“I am very excited to join REV’s Board, which is comprised of many well-known energy innovators,” said Paul Lesure of Green Mountain Solar. “REV has been making really big strides forward in progressing Vermont toward 100% total renewable energy and I am thrilled to be a part of that.”
The new Board members replace recently departed Board members Jeff Bernicke, Karen Glitman, Dan Kinney, Jeff Peck, and Charlie VanWinkle.
“We thank our exiting Board members for their tenure, dedication and passion,” said Jeff Forward, REV’s former Board Chair. “And we are happy to welcome our new members that bring a wealth of experience and energy to our cause.”
The new Board members join a seasoned team of energy pioneers including solar experts, a licensed forester, financiers, legal counselors, wind professionals, energy storage and grid specialists, and utilities. Together, the Board brings over 200 years of energy experience to the table.
Founded in 1999, REV was shortly thereafter incorporated as a 501(c) 6 non-profit, non-partisan renewable energy trade association. In the past two decades, REV’s Board and organization has grown and the list of accomplishments is long. REV’s mission rests in the hands of these devout Board members who are dedicated to progressing Vermont to a cleaner, energy independent and climate resilient state.
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About Renewable Energy Vermont
Renewable Energy Vermont represents businesses, non-profits, utilities, and individuals committed to reducing our reliance on dirty fossil fuels by increasing clean renewable energy and energy efficiency in Vermont. Vermont’s clean energy economy directly enables at least 18,800 jobs at 3,612 businesses, representing approximately 6% of Vermont’s workforce. Together, we will achieve 90% total renewable energy (electric, thermal, transportation) before 2050. www.revermont.org