Meet The Team

Al has a decade of experience in municipal (Town of Kickapoo) government. His professional background includes over 20 years of web-based software development for clients ranging from dairy industry manufacturers, local businesses, and municipal governments. For five years he managed training and education for a department of over 700 employees at a large printing company. He is currently working on a load management system to maximize the use of solar energy as it is generated. This system controls his EV charger(amperage, on/off), freezer, refrigerator, and water trough heater. The impact of intelligently controlling these few loads is already proving quite significant.

Elise has worked in sustainability for over 20 years and is passionate about bringing diverse stakeholders together to solve complex climate-related challenges. In her current role at Elevate, she leads initiatives to reduce energy costs for Wisconsin residents. She lives and farms in rural Vernon County and is committed to VCED’s mission to support the adoption of energy efficiency, electrification and renewable energy production throughout the region.  

Sam owns and operates a small business powered almost entirely by renewable energy. She is a founding member of Local Energy Generation (LEG), which, in partnership with Westby Co-op Credit Union, has distributed over $1 million in low interest loans for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects since its inception. Sam is a member of the La Farge Community Solar Committee as well as a community group focusing on rural community resiliency in the face of climate change. She has also provided technical and communications support for solar installation projects in the Town of Stark and the Village of La Farge.

Jon Wedell holds a degree in computer science and has a professional background in software development, focusing on supporting scientists in the field of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy. At home, Jon is committed to energy efficiency, having completed projects such as insulating, air sealing, and installing a heat pump himself, as well as having solar panels installed. He has been a passionate advocate for such upgrades as he believes they reduce long term costs and thereby enhance individual and community resilience. Like Al, he is also working on a home-built load management system. Jon volunteered with VCED's energy planning action team for several years before joining the board.

Toby is an electrical engineer with a background in power systems design. He has designed electrical systems for coal, natural gas and nuclear power plants. He has been effectively managing projects in the energy and utility industry and researching alternative energy systems for 40 years. His work experience includes design and support for capital improvements for power plants rated up to 1800MW. Toby has also conducted research on the relationship of resource depletion to energy use both internationally and in the U.S.