TOUR GREEN - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Energy Development Specialist, Kawerak, Inc
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Member of the Public Policy Committee
- Secretary of the Executive Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Public Policy Committee
- Consultant ( Alternate )
Job Titles:
- NETWORK for ENERGY EDUCATION and EMPLOYMENT DIRECTOR
As Director of REAP's Alaska Network of Energy Education and Employment (ANEEE) since 2017, Chris McConnell works to maximize energy literacy and training opportunities at the K-12, vocational, and University levels so that Alaskans can more easily identify and embark on career pathways in the energy sector. Chris seeks to regularly convene and unite various federal, state, private and non-profit organizations in order to create alignments, leverage shared goals and identify potential efficiencies.
Chris grew up an Air Force brat and called some 20-odd places around the country home before settling in Southern California. Family ties brought him to Alaska for summer work 1991 - a girl from Kenai and a young son have made Alaska his true home for the last eight years.
Job Titles:
- Research Engineer ( Alternate )
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Founder
- Founder and Executive Director of REAP
Chris Rose is the founder and Executive Director of REAP. He has worked as a fundraiser for various non-profit public interest groups around the United States, receiving his law degree from the University of Oregon with a Certificate in Environmental and Natural Resources Law along the way. For 12 years, his private practice in Alaska included representation of Native Alaskans from Northwest Arctic villages and the mediation of a variety of disputes around the state. He has been very active in local community affairs and has served on various statewide boards, including the Renewable Energy Grant Fund Advisory Committee, which he currently chairs.
From 2004 to 2008 he wrote a monthly opinion column for the Anchorage Daily News. He enjoys traveling, gardening and exploring Alaska.
Clay is a STEM Educator and the Regional Energy Catalyst for the Sustainable Southeast Partnership (SSP). Since 2018, he has been executing REAP's education and outreach efforts in Southeast Alaska while working as part of the greater SSP effort.
Job Titles:
- ENERGY EDUCATION DIRECTOR
Colleen has been with REAP since 2016, implementing the AK EnergySmart and Wind for Schools curriculum in K-12 classrooms and leading teacher trainings around energy education. Colleen grew up on a small farm outside Wasilla where her parents, also science teachers, instilled a lifelong love of science. This passion motivated Colleen to continue her work with REAP in helping educators across the state of Alaska inspire students about energy with lessons and activities in the classroom.
Colleen lives near Wasilla now, with her partner, her partner's daughter, their three dogs, and her horse. In her spare time, she lets her Australian Shepherds run her through agility courses, her horse Jazzy carry her through backcountry trails, and often joins her friends and family on other outdoor adventures.
Job Titles:
- Director, Business Development and Asset Management ( Alternate )
Job Titles:
- Director of Business Development
Job Titles:
- Member of the Public Policy Committee
Job Titles:
- Director of Power Delivery ( Alternate )
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the Public Policy Committee
- Vice Chair of the Executive Committee
Job Titles:
- Board Member ( Alternate )
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Finance Committee
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Member of the Public Policy Committee
- Treasurer of the Executive Committee
- Operations and Outreach
As REAP's Operations Director, Greg provides comprehensive administrative support to all facets of the organization since 2019. He works in a variety of financial support roles within REAP, such as grant tracking, bookkeeping, payroll, audit support, and program budget preparation. Greg also supports REAP's general fundraising by coordinating with volunteers, memberships, event and outreach support, and donor tracking. Greg also works closely with the REAP Board of Directors.
Prior to joining REAP, Greg explored his outdoor recreation passions while advancing a career in nonprofit management and education. As the Program Director for the World Class Kiteboard Academy, Greg provided college preparatory education to some of the world's most talented youth kiteboarders while offering unique cultural experiences, character building opportunities, and high-level coaching. Greg also led a small nonprofit in the Columbia River Gorge promoting windsurfing, river access, and an engaged water sports community. Greg moved to Anchorage in 2016 with his Kodiak raised partner and is excited to power Alaska's clean energy future.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Member of the Public Policy Committee
- Energy Manager
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Member of the Public Policy Committee
- Principal Consultant
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Public Policy Committee
Job Titles:
- Director of External Affairs
Job Titles:
- Author
- Director of Power, Fuels, & Dispatch ( Alternate )
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Member of the Public Policy Committee
- Senior Engineer
Job Titles:
- Principal Officer ( Alternate )
Job Titles:
- Director of Development - Alaska
Job Titles:
- Deputy Director ( Alternate )
Rob is an energy geek with more than 10 years of experience providing (what he hopes are) clear, concise, and cogent answers to difficult questions. He has a passion for community development and believes firmly that a lack of access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy impacts personal and community development in a significant way. As the Microgrid Coordinator, he works with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in their Energy Transitions Initiative to identify Alaska communities that could benefit from NREL's technical assistance. Rob develops work plans to implement resilient energy systems in Alaska communities and helps community leaders execute those energy plans through virtual and in-person outreach. He also gathers and analyzes data from renewable energy projects on microgrids around the state.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Executive Committee
- Member of the Finance Committee
- Member of the Public Policy Committee
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Energy, Land and Resources
Job Titles:
- Outreach Director
- REAP 's Outreach Director
As REAP's Outreach Director, Sydney oversees our organization's fundraising and communications efforts. Her mission is to ensure that everyone who supports clean energy in Alaska not only hears from us, but is deeply, meaningfully, and consistently engaged in our work. With that, she also works to grow our base of members and supporters to ensure that all Alaskans are involved in co-creating our clean energy future.
Born and raised in Anchorage, Sydney graduated from Dimond High School, earned her bachelor's from Oregon State University, as well as a Master of Public Policy and Graduate Certificate in Energy Policy and Management from Portland State University. Before joining REAP, she spent six years leading political campaign work, with the last three at the Working Families Party. She has served on the Boards of Our Climate, a national organization that empowers young people to advocate for science-based and equitable climate policy; her local Soil and Water Conservation District; and the Campaign Workers Guild.
Tyler moved to Alaska in 2009 to attend college at Alaska Pacific University in Anchorage. He obtained his B.S. in Marine Biology in 2013 and continued onto a Master's in Outdoor and Environmental Education program. He was introduced to environmental education via Ageya Wilderness Education, a wilderness-based math and science non-profit in Homer, AK in 2011. During his five summers with Ageya, Tyler created and taught various natural history curricula focused on the marine sciences and salmon life cycle, while also facilitating wilderness sea kayaking and hiking expeditions. Tyler has extensive guiding experience in Alaska and thrives in experiential, place-based education opportunities.