President - Jackie Cerna - email
Jaclyn Cerna is a Plant Controller, Manager of Quoting, and a senior leadership team member at OMCO Solar, located in Phoenix, AZ. Under the Plant Controller role, Jaclyn manages all financial control and accounting activities at the plant level, including general and cost accounting, Purchasing functions, and Accounts Receivables. Her accounting responsibilities also include monthly and annual financial closings, financial reporting, and audits. Jaclyn’s quoting responsibilities include direct processing and overseeing all bidding activities for OMCO’s solar projects nationwide, through collaboration efforts with OMCO’s Engineering team. Jaclyn earned a Bachelor’s of Arts and Sciences in Accounting, from Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management in Phoenix, Arizona.
Jaclyn Cerna is a Plant Controller, Manager of Quoting, and a senior leadership team member at OMCO Solar, located in Phoenix, AZ. Under the Plant Controller role, Jaclyn manages all financial control and accounting activities at the plant level, including general and cost accounting, Purchasing functions, and Accounts Receivables. Her accounting responsibilities also include monthly and annual financial closings, financial reporting, and audits. Jaclyn’s quoting responsibilities include direct processing and overseeing all bidding activities for OMCO’s solar projects nationwide, through collaboration efforts with OMCO’s Engineering team. Jaclyn earned a Bachelor’s of Arts and Sciences in Accounting, from Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management in Phoenix, Arizona.
Vice President - Court Rich - email
Court S. Rich was elected to the Board in February, 2017. He is Senior Partner and Director of the Renewable Energy Department at Rose Law Group pc. Court practices in the areas of renewable energy, administrative law, municipal law, land use and zoning, real estate, and handles administrative matters in front of the Arizona Corporation Commission. He also serves as regulatory counsel for some of the largest solar companies and solar industry organizations in the United States.
Court S. Rich was elected to the Board in February, 2017. He is Senior Partner and Director of the Renewable Energy Department at Rose Law Group pc. Court practices in the areas of renewable energy, administrative law, municipal law, land use and zoning, real estate, and handles administrative matters in front of the Arizona Corporation Commission. He also serves as regulatory counsel for some of the largest solar companies and solar industry organizations in the United States.
Treasurer - Louis Woofenden - email
Louis has a lifelong history in renewable energy, having grown up in an off-grid home powered by sun and wind. He has worked professionally in renewable energy since 2003. Louis has been involved in many aspects of renewable energy, including design, installation, and project management of residential and commercial solar electric, solar thermal, and wind turbine systems. In addition, Louis has extensive experience managing field operations, building business systems, developing and implementing training programs, and advocating for adoption of improved renewable energy policies. Louis has been a NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installation Professional® since 2004. He holds a B.S. in Engineering Management from the University of Arizona, and a master's degree in Solar Energy Engineering and Commercialization from Arizona State University.
Louis has a lifelong history in renewable energy, having grown up in an off-grid home powered by sun and wind. He has worked professionally in renewable energy since 2003. Louis has been involved in many aspects of renewable energy, including design, installation, and project management of residential and commercial solar electric, solar thermal, and wind turbine systems. In addition, Louis has extensive experience managing field operations, building business systems, developing and implementing training programs, and advocating for adoption of improved renewable energy policies. Louis has been a NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installation Professional® since 2004. He holds a B.S. in Engineering Management from the University of Arizona, and a master's degree in Solar Energy Engineering and Commercialization from Arizona State University.
Secretary - Chris Mejia - email
Chris Mejia entered the solar industry in 2011, providing solar solutions for homes and businesses in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and New York City’s 5 boroughs. Happy to escape cold winters, he and his wife made the jump to the Arizona market in 2017 where he now provides solar consulting for Sunny Energy, one of the valley’s premier solar providers and a leader in the rapidly developing DER space. Chris served for 6 years on the board of MSEIA (now MSSIA), working on pro solar policy in PA, NJ and DE. He also provides mobile solar generators and mobile solar generator consulting services through his business that he founded in 2012.
Chris Mejia entered the solar industry in 2011, providing solar solutions for homes and businesses in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and New York City’s 5 boroughs. Happy to escape cold winters, he and his wife made the jump to the Arizona market in 2017 where he now provides solar consulting for Sunny Energy, one of the valley’s premier solar providers and a leader in the rapidly developing DER space. Chris served for 6 years on the board of MSEIA (now MSSIA), working on pro solar policy in PA, NJ and DE. He also provides mobile solar generators and mobile solar generator consulting services through his business that he founded in 2012.
John Mitman - email
John Mitman has deep family roots in Arizona and has served in a leadership capacity in the energy industry for the better part of the last decade. He is the Founder and CEO of Obodo Energy, a turnkey provider of non-residential energy infrastructure solutions focused exclusively on development of Arizona’s communities. While John is formally educated in engineering disciplines, he was mentored by a project finance expert, is licensed as a commercial builder, relishes the value of legal drafting, and embraces the fundamental tenets of business leadership – this combination of experiences has allowed John to create value in many circumstances for his partners, colleagues, and customers. John believes that the modern grid will inevitably transition towards distributed infrastructure and generation, and continues to push the envelope on the pairing of solar technology with electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, energy storage, and microgrids.
John Mitman has deep family roots in Arizona and has served in a leadership capacity in the energy industry for the better part of the last decade. He is the Founder and CEO of Obodo Energy, a turnkey provider of non-residential energy infrastructure solutions focused exclusively on development of Arizona’s communities. While John is formally educated in engineering disciplines, he was mentored by a project finance expert, is licensed as a commercial builder, relishes the value of legal drafting, and embraces the fundamental tenets of business leadership – this combination of experiences has allowed John to create value in many circumstances for his partners, colleagues, and customers. John believes that the modern grid will inevitably transition towards distributed infrastructure and generation, and continues to push the envelope on the pairing of solar technology with electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, energy storage, and microgrids.
Sara Birmingham - email
Sara joined SEIA in 2012 to oversee regulatory and legislative activity in the Western states. Prior to joining SEIA, Sara held the same title at the Solar Alliance since 2007, with a focus on legislative and regulatory activity in California. Sara has been involved in distributed generation and energy efficiency since 1998 when she began her career at Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), where she most recently managed the utility's California Solar Initiative (CSI) program as well as its predecessor, the Self-Generation Incentive Program. Sara has a BS in Environmental Engineering with an emphasis in Renewable Energy from Humboldt State University. Sara currently lives in Portland, Oregon and enjoys cooking, music and watching the meter on her solar system spin backwards.
Sara joined SEIA in 2012 to oversee regulatory and legislative activity in the Western states. Prior to joining SEIA, Sara held the same title at the Solar Alliance since 2007, with a focus on legislative and regulatory activity in California. Sara has been involved in distributed generation and energy efficiency since 1998 when she began her career at Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), where she most recently managed the utility's California Solar Initiative (CSI) program as well as its predecessor, the Self-Generation Incentive Program. Sara has a BS in Environmental Engineering with an emphasis in Renewable Energy from Humboldt State University. Sara currently lives in Portland, Oregon and enjoys cooking, music and watching the meter on her solar system spin backwards.
Mark Holohan - email
Mark Holohan is an 18+ year solar industry veteran who founded Solar Matters Consulting. He formerly led the Solar Division for Wilson Electric, Arizona’s largest electrical contractor. He previously worked for two solar module manufacturers and currently specializes in solar electric systems for Arizona’s large building markets. Mr. Holohan served three years as President of ARISEIA and continues to serve as a Board Member.
Mark Holohan is an 18+ year solar industry veteran who founded Solar Matters Consulting. He formerly led the Solar Division for Wilson Electric, Arizona’s largest electrical contractor. He previously worked for two solar module manufacturers and currently specializes in solar electric systems for Arizona’s large building markets. Mr. Holohan served three years as President of ARISEIA and continues to serve as a Board Member.
Robert Neifert - email
Robert has worked in clean energy industries in Arizona since 2009, first in commercial energy efficiency programs, then in developing commercial solar projects. As a partner at Solar Gain, he brings with him a deep knowledge of energy efficiency and solar system design and development practices. With over 14 years of experience in the solar industry, he is knowledgeable about the opportunities, issues, and challenges facing the solar industry today. Arizona is uniquely positioned to utilize the remaining credits from the Inflation Reduction Act's opportunities to grow the solar market and electrify the state. ARISEIA is a fantastic organization that continues to get big wins on behalf of the industry and he would work hard to continue that success. As a co-chair of the ARISEIA policy committee, we worked with the utilities to make substantial changes to their interconnection manuals, an effort that has made immediate improvements to reducing the barriers to building systems in AZ. He is deeply involved with lobbying local and state energy policy to support the effort to transition to a clean energy society. In his spare time, Robert loves introducing his two young children to the great outdoors.
Robert has worked in clean energy industries in Arizona since 2009, first in commercial energy efficiency programs, then in developing commercial solar projects. As a partner at Solar Gain, he brings with him a deep knowledge of energy efficiency and solar system design and development practices. With over 14 years of experience in the solar industry, he is knowledgeable about the opportunities, issues, and challenges facing the solar industry today. Arizona is uniquely positioned to utilize the remaining credits from the Inflation Reduction Act's opportunities to grow the solar market and electrify the state. ARISEIA is a fantastic organization that continues to get big wins on behalf of the industry and he would work hard to continue that success. As a co-chair of the ARISEIA policy committee, we worked with the utilities to make substantial changes to their interconnection manuals, an effort that has made immediate improvements to reducing the barriers to building systems in AZ. He is deeply involved with lobbying local and state energy policy to support the effort to transition to a clean energy society. In his spare time, Robert loves introducing his two young children to the great outdoors.
Andrew Yancey - email
Andrew is a land use attorney and partner at Bergin, Frakes, Smalley & Oberholtzer, PLLC in Phoenix. In that role, he helps numerous renewable energy developers obtain local entitlements and permits across Arizona. His work also includes advocacy before local jurisdictions regarding zoning and regulatory changes as well as a variety of zoning and land use matters for clients in various industries. Andrew has a J.D. from UCLA School of Law and a B.A. in political science from Davidson College. Prior to law school, he worked in the Washington D.C. offices of two members of Congress and also administered contracts for a Phoenix-based steel subcontractor that fabricated and installed the first PV tracking racks for parking structures at ASU’s athletic facilities.
Andrew is a land use attorney and partner at Bergin, Frakes, Smalley & Oberholtzer, PLLC in Phoenix. In that role, he helps numerous renewable energy developers obtain local entitlements and permits across Arizona. His work also includes advocacy before local jurisdictions regarding zoning and regulatory changes as well as a variety of zoning and land use matters for clients in various industries. Andrew has a J.D. from UCLA School of Law and a B.A. in political science from Davidson College. Prior to law school, he worked in the Washington D.C. offices of two members of Congress and also administered contracts for a Phoenix-based steel subcontractor that fabricated and installed the first PV tracking racks for parking structures at ASU’s athletic facilities.
