President - 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.
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 - Katherine Wyszkowski - email
Katherine Wyszkowski is a solar policy advocate currently working as a Government Affairs Associate at Sunnova Energy. She is engaged in interconnection related proceedings across the country and spends a lot of her time advocating for streamlined interconnection processes. She led a successful Get Out the Vote campaign for the pro-solar candidates in the Salt River Project board elections this past spring and plans to promote the campaigns of solar allies in office. She is a proponent of SolarAPP+, a tool that allows AHJs to provide immediate online permitting for residential solar systems, and she works directly with communities to advance its adoption. She has been involved in 18 different legislative and regulatory fights and working groups across the country in 2022. Prior to joining Sunnova, she received her Master of Science at the Colorado School of Mines in Natural Resources and Energy Policy. She also has her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sustainability from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Katherine Wyszkowski is a solar policy advocate currently working as a Government Affairs Associate at Sunnova Energy. She is engaged in interconnection related proceedings across the country and spends a lot of her time advocating for streamlined interconnection processes. She led a successful Get Out the Vote campaign for the pro-solar candidates in the Salt River Project board elections this past spring and plans to promote the campaigns of solar allies in office. She is a proponent of SolarAPP+, a tool that allows AHJs to provide immediate online permitting for residential solar systems, and she works directly with communities to advance its adoption. She has been involved in 18 different legislative and regulatory fights and working groups across the country in 2022. Prior to joining Sunnova, she received her Master of Science at the Colorado School of Mines in Natural Resources and Energy Policy. She also has her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sustainability from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
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.
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.
Courtney Welch - email
Courtney is Director of Policy at GoodLeap, a leading financial technology company focused on accelerating the deployment of sustainable home solutions from solar panels and batteries to energy-efficient HVAC, heat pumps, roofing, windows, and more. She oversees government relations, policy, and regulatory strategy at the state level (covering interior US states) and federal level. Courtney has nearly 20 years of experience in clean energy. Prior to joining GoodLeap she led the Policy & Strategy team for SunPower covering policy and regulatory matters across the Mid-west, Rockies, and Southwest and various federal programs. She has worked extensively in the areas of state and federal energy policy, utility energy efficiency and renewable programs, and decarbonization initiatives. She holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies and International Relations from Bowdoin College, and a Masters in Energy Law and Policy from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.
Courtney is Director of Policy at GoodLeap, a leading financial technology company focused on accelerating the deployment of sustainable home solutions from solar panels and batteries to energy-efficient HVAC, heat pumps, roofing, windows, and more. She oversees government relations, policy, and regulatory strategy at the state level (covering interior US states) and federal level. Courtney has nearly 20 years of experience in clean energy. Prior to joining GoodLeap she led the Policy & Strategy team for SunPower covering policy and regulatory matters across the Mid-west, Rockies, and Southwest and various federal programs. She has worked extensively in the areas of state and federal energy policy, utility energy efficiency and renewable programs, and decarbonization initiatives. She holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies and International Relations from Bowdoin College, and a Masters in Energy Law and Policy from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.
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.
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.
