June marks the arrival of a new era for NEEA as it welcomes Claire Fulenwider as its new executive director.

"NEEA's unique and collaborative role in the region continues to be vital," said Craig Smith, NEEA's Chairperson and Assistant General Manager of Snohomish County PUD in the announcement. "We believe Claire's proven leadership, experience, and vision will bring fresh ideas to the table and help advance energy efficiency and accelerate market transformation for the region. We're very excited to have her on board."

Fulenwider brings with her 30 years of leadership experience in the energy industry and has a passion around energy efficiency and conservation. Immediately after completing her doctorate in political science/public policy at the University of Wisconsin at Madison in the 1970s, she served as Director of Energy Policy Research at the Wisconsin Center for Public Policy, where she managed various grants related to conservation, renewable energy and appropriate technology.

At Madison Gas & Electric Claire was hired as manager of conservation services with a staff of one in the early 1980s -- growing that to a department of 50 -- and into a division which included marketing and customer services. As Executive Director of Marketing and Customer Services she reported to the CEO.  During this period she was instrumental in creating the Energy Center of Wisconsin, a successful regional organization around energy efficiency. Claire spent several years working for energy service consulting companies, serving as a principal and head of the Madison Xenergy office and then A&C Enercom. Moving to Wisconsin Power and Light as Vice President of Business Development, she also assumed responsibilities as President and Chief Operating Officer of Heartland Energy Group, where she was instrumental in the successful merger of Cargill and Heartland. More recently, she has been involved in consulting and lecturing around energy efficiency, including training and development projects on energy efficiency with the American Public Power Association and for US AID in five states in India. 

"This is an important time for energy efficiency to take a priority position for the region," said Claire Fulenwider, NEEA's new Executive Director. "I'm honored to be given the opportunity to lead such a diverse and accomplished alliance toward a common mission. I am equally impressed with the Board and with NEEA's staff, and am delighted to be a part of the winning NEEA team."

Fulenwider succeeds Margie Gardner who served as NEEA's Executive Director for ten years before leaving to join the Bonneville Environmental Foundation earlier this year.