Lesley McCain

Executive Director

Prior to accepting the position as Executive Director of the Illinois Solar Energy Association, Lesley served on the ISEA board from September 2009 until April 2012. As a board member she was Chair of Marketing Committee. Lesley previously worked for Community Energy Inc.(CEI) as the Midwest Director of Business Development. She started with CEI in 2005 as the Residential Program Manager for the award winning City of Naperville Renewable Energy Program, and in 2006 added corporate and industrial sales to her responsibilities. Lesley also serves on the board of the Illinois Environmental Council. She is grateful to have the opportunity to use her personal energy to help with the transition to the clean energy economy.

Nicola Brown

Program Manager

Nicola has been working in communications and administration in the nonprofit sector since 2015, after graduating from the University of Chicago with a degree in English Literature. She is very passionate about renewable energy and is proud to help push Illinois towards a sustainable future.

Kevin Borgia

President
Serving since 2018, term ends January 2026

A native of Central Illinois, Kevin helped implement the earliest versions of the state’s RPS, played an instrumental role in passing the Future Energy Jobs Act, engaged in the creation of the Adjustable Block Program, and helped develop the Climate & Equitable Jobs Act. Kevin currently lives in Chicago, where he serves as Director of Government Affairs for SunVest Solar and is excited to impact the next steps for the ABP and associated programs. His work also keeps him engaged in federal solar policy and other state’s regulatory procedures.

Kevin has over fifteen years of experience in renewable energy policy. He was a Public Policy Manager for regional trade group Wind on the Wires for nearly six years, and co-founder and Executive Director of the Illinois Wind Energy Association for five years previously.

Shannon Fulton

Vice President

Serving since 2019, term ends January 2025

Shannon is the Vice President of Development for StraightUp Solar, a solar energy integration company and directs its Bloomington, IL office.  She has been an ISEA-contributing member since 2004, a Board member starting in 2011, and was elected ISEA Board President from January of 2013 through 2017, rejoining the Board in 2019.  Collaboration and strategic partnerships with industry and nonprofit solar advocates have been an important focus for her as ISEA has grown and increased state-wide engagement with the public, solar industry, and Illinois legislators.  Shannon also serves as a Solar Ambassador for WECARE Solar, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing reliable solar electricity to health clinics in the developing world in an effort to reduce infant and maternal mortality.  She is also a Licensed Professional Geologist  with advanced degrees in Geology, Hydrogeology and Renewable Energy. 

Froilan Nuñez

Treasurer

Serving since 2023, term ends January 2025; Previously on Illinois Solar Education Board

Froilan Nuñez is the Accounting Manager at Calumet Area Industrial Commission in Chicago. There, he oversees all the accounting, budgeting and cost allocations for various workforce and economic development contracts as well as the overall fiscal reporting for the organization. Previously, he was a Project Manager at Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA) in Chicago. There, he oversaw a training contract between HACIA and ComEd that was funded through the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA). This program trained over 70 small contractors in Business Management, Workplace Safety and Fundamentals in Photovoltaic. Through this program, a mix of diverse contractors are able to become certified in OSHA 10, EPA RRP, and NABCEP PV Associate. He has 20 years of non-profit experience. His education is in Accounting at Chicago State University. Froilan currently volunteers at SkyART and is Treasurer of its board of directors. In his personal time he enjoys playing 16 inch softball, running, and swimming.

Kiersten Sheets

Secretary

Serving since 2023, term ends January 2025

Kiersten Sheets is a Project Development Manager for Trajectory Energy Partners, an Illinois based solar developer. She leads solar array development for community solar projects and utility scale solar projects in Central Illinois. Kiersten has been in the solar industry since 2016 when she started a solar division for a union electrical services company in Peoria, IL focusing on residential and small commercial behind the meter systems under FEJA. She joined the Trajectory team in 2021 to focus on building larger solar projects across the Illinois landscape. Her priority is community solar to serve all Illinoisans and to keep Illinois in lock step with its renewable energy production goals. Prior to her solar career, Kiersten worked in the Peoria legal community and then in the construction industry where she specialized in energy efficiency for commercial and government buildings by utilizing Ameren IL Energy Efficiency program incentives. She holds a NABCEP PV Technical Sales certification. She owns a behind the meter system on her farm and is also a community solar subscriber in the Ameren IL territory. Kiersten is active in her Central Illinois community serving on several Boards for other non-profits in Illinois.

 

John Albers

Serving since 2022, term ends January 2026

Since October of 2023, John has been Advanced Energy United’s Director of Regulatory Policy for the central region of the United States.  Previously, he was a Senior Associate in SunPower’s Policy and Strategy team covering the Midwest. Prior to joining SunPower, John practiced law for six years representing various clients in utility related matters. Clients included several local and national businesses in the renewable energy industry as well as local, state, and national trade associations and not-for-profit environmental organizations. While practicing law, John also worked with IPS Solar securing leases and permits for community solar projects in central Illinois. John gained his experience with utility and regulatory matters serving as an Administrative Law Judge at the Illinois Commerce Commission for more than 17 years. John resides near Springfield, IL with his wife and two daughters in a home he constructed with solar panels in 2001. Additional information about John is available on his LinkedIn page.

Lisa Albrecht
Serving since 2012, term ends January 2026

Lisa Albrecht is a board member for the ISEA, serving from 2007 - 2010 and then from 2012 to present. She served as Tour Organizer for the Solar Tour for 5 years and Co-Chair for the Policy Committee from 2010 to 2017, working to advance state and local legislation regarding incentives programs, permitting, net metering and interconnection. She worked at Solar Service for 12 years and in 2018 opened All Bright Solar, a design/installation company primarily focused on residential and small commercial projects in the Chicago area. She is a trained climate presenter through Vice President Al Gore’s organization the “Climate Reality Project” and frequently speaks on both solar and climate issues.

David Braun
Serving since 2024, term ends January 2026

David heads business development for Intelligent Generation, a virtual power plant provider that optimizes the economics of energy storage, usually paired with solar, located at commercial and industrial properties. David has spent his 30-year career working across a broad spectrum of the energy and utilities space, particularly with large commercial and industrial customers as well as in renewables. His experiences provide him with a unique skill set to lead through the on-going energy transition. Prior to joining IG, David was president of GlidePower Power Solutions, where he was responsible for its 450 MW of wind, solar, and battery energy storage operating projects.  Earlier in his career, he held executive roles in origination, marketing, and operations for Engie Resources, Direct Energy, Exelon Energy and ComEd, and also worked as a consultant focused on procurement of renewable and traditional energy for large energy users. David holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Management and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern University.

Lewis Butler
Serving since 2020, term ends January 2026

Lewis Butler is a Senior Account Executive at TotalEnergies. In his role, Lewis directs all aspects of project development, including initial site assessment, savings analysis, contract negotiation and financing. He is regularly involved in state level renewable energy policy discussions throughout the Midwest. Lewis holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics with a Mathematics Minor from Hillsdale College, and a Master of Arts degree in Economics from George Mason University. He is a Board Member of ISEA (Illinois Solar & Storage Energy Association, ISETA (Iowa Solar Energy Trade Association, and an Advisory Board Member to ASGA (American Solar Grazing Association). In 2020, one of his projects - shaped like a dog bone for a pet treat manufacturer - won Solar Builder Magazine's "C&I Project of the Year".

Dylan DeBiasi
Serving since 2018, term ends January 2026

Dylan DeBiasi serves as Director of Regulatory Affairs for Carbon Solutions Group. In addition to his policy role at CSG he also currently leads the team focused on SRECS in Illinois where they have successfully bid into all SPV and DG SREC procurements held by the state. Dylan has also been an active member of the ISEA Policy committee since 2016. His prior experience includes working in a number of roles in environmental credit markets, including acting as a plant manager for a 10MMGPY bio-diesel plant.

Brian Haug
Serving since 2013, term ends January 2025

Brian is the President of Continental Energy Solutions. He leads a team of engineers, designers, project managers, and field electricians who design and install (EPC) renewable and microgrid solutions for their commercial, industrial, and institutional customers.

Brian is a Licensed Professional Engineer, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Chicago. Brian has served on the ISEA Board of Directors for the past 10 years and has held the Executive Board positions of Secretary, Treasurer, and President.

Jonathan Roberts
Serving since 2021, term ends January 2025

Jonathan Roberts is a Vice President of Development for Soltage, where he leads project and business development for the Midwest Region United States. Jonathan has over 10 years of combined experience in the utility and solar energy industry and has personally worked on over 80MW of projects in 7 states and internationally, ranging from rooftop C&I, to utility scale solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Prior to joining Soltage, Jonathan worked as Senior Project Manager at SoCore Energy, where he worked with a team to deploy solar capacity across North America, as well as other power generation projects worldwide. He currently serves on the Executive Board of the Engineers Without Borders - USA Chicagoland Professionals Chapter & as Chair of the EWB-USA Energy Standing Content Committee. He was been both a technical advising & traveling EWB-USA member involved with and mentor to energy projects in Belize, Guatemala, Madagascar, Mali, & Nepal. Jonathan has a BS in Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, an MBA from Iowa State University, and is a NABCEP certified as a PV Installation Professional (PVIP).

Shariff Shakir
Serving since 2024, term ends January 2026

Shariff Shakir, CEO of AES Solar, holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and a NABCEP certification in Technical Sales. He joined AES Solar to drive commercial sales but quickly advanced to CEO. Under his leadership, AES Solar thrives on the core values of Professionalism, Integrity, and Community. Shariff joined the ISEA board to help represent the southern portion of the state.

Matt Van Arkel
Serving since 2024, term ends January 2026

Matt is the Director of Policy and Business Development in the Midwest for New Leaf Energy, a clean energy developer with a mission to accelerate the transition to a world powered by renewable energy. In his role at New Leaf, Matt works closely with industry colleagues and other stakeholders in Illinois and throughout the Midwest to advance distributed generation and utility-scale solar and storage markets. Previously, he worked at the Illinois Power Agency supporting the implementation of the Climate & Equitable Jobs Act and the bi-annual development of the Agency's Long-Term Renewable Resources Procurement Plan. Prior to moving to Chicago, he was the Regulatory Manager for Wind Energy Transmission Texas where he permitted new transmission lines to interconnect utility-scale renewable generation projects in ERCOT.

Matt received his law degree from Indiana University in Bloomington and his undergraduate degree from Drury University.

Christopher Williams
Serving since 2023, term ends January 2025

Christopher W. Williams a third generation electrician, a pioneer in solar photovoltaic. He incorporated Millennium Solar Electric in 2010 and founded MSETA Training Academy in 2017. Christopher has been focused on training minorities who are low-income, including ex-offenders, minorities, current and former-foster children, women, and veterans living in and around environmental justice communities.

Christopher currently is a subject matter expert and a master trainer for solar electric. He has currently trained over 500 individuals in solar alone. He will continue to work with the industry leaders of today.

Mark Burger
Past President
Served from 2002 - 2012

Mark is Director of Energy Services at Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County, Inc. (CEDA). He has over 25 years experience in renewable energy and energy efficiency. Previously, Mark was Principal Consultant at Kestrel Development Company, providing consulting services on renewable energy policy, technology and market development. He was Sales and Marketing Manager at Spire Solar, a  manufacturing solar electric panels and designing systems. Mark also worked for the U.S. Department of Energy, last heading the Strategic Assistance Team for the Chicago Regional Office. He is a Life Member of the American Solar Energy Society, the ISEA and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association. Mark holds a BS in Alternative Energy from Jordan College of Cedar Springs, Michigan and an MA in Environmental Studies and Urban Geography from the University of Illinois, Chicago.