2025 Board Candidates

Below are a list of candidates for our two open board positions that will be voted on at our annual meeting on Saturday, June 14th.

Mohamoud Egal

My name is Mohamoud, and I’ve worked with clean energy issues since 2018—first through my startup, Nyota, which sold renewable energy home appliances in East Africa. That work focused on energy poverty and meeting Africa’s lighting, cooking, cooling, and washing energy needs. I wrote a white paper during that time that drew a direct connection between energy poverty and financial exclusion, particularly among unbanked and underbanked populations. That lens gives me insight into the core mission of CEF: offering energy solutions paired with appropriate financing options to truly democratize energy by putting control into the hands of everyday people rather than centralized, shareholder-owned utility firms. I’ve also worked as an energy auditor and insulator, focusing on making homes more energy efficient, which I view as the other side of the clean energy equation (clean power generation being the first). I hold both the Building Science Principles Knowledge Certificate and the Air Leakage Control Installer credential from BPI. This background allows me to bring useful insight to decisions affecting CEF’s newly launched Sustainable Homes Program. Additionally, I earned my NABCEP PV Associate certificate, which grounds me in the technical principles of PV systems, giving me a foundation for understanding and supporting CEF’s community solar garden work. I’m running for a board seat because of the consistently positive interactions I’ve had with the CEF team over the past year. I first met the Outreach team at Sabathani’s Energy Day Festival in 2024, and since then I’ve stayed in contact, holding numerous conversations about how to better connect CEF’s message and values to the AMI groups that make up the solar gardens, as well as to those who could benefit most. I’ve long wanted to find a way to help bring CEF’s mission to life, and until now the stars hadn’t aligned due to other commitments. Given my experiences, I believe I can bring valuable knowledge and perspective to support the Board in making key decisions that strengthen both the flagship community solar garden program and the newly launched Sustainable Homes Program.

Professional Affiliations:

• Founder, Nyota / Give A Star Campaign: Led Nyota, a renewable energy home appliance provider sell products including PV systems, solar water heaters, and solar air conditioners to customers in Kenya and Somalia. Piloted a diaspora-driven campaign to gift solar lanterns to 300 off-grid, climate-affected villagers experiencing drought in Merti, Kenya, an initiative directly confronting energy poverty on the front lines of climate collapse.

• Home Energy Efficiency Trainee & Practitioner:
 Completed a 5-month hands-on training and workforce program focused on residential energy efficiency. Received instruction in building science principles (via Center for Energy and Environment), energy auditing (via the Home Energy Squad), and insulation installation (with CEE’s lead insulation contractor). Gained practical field experience directly relevant to CEF’s emerging Sustainable Homes Program.

• IRS-Certified Volunteer Tax Preparer, Prepare + Prosper: Supporting low-to-moderate income Minnesotans through free tax preparation clinics, contributing to economic justice and financial empowerment in underserved communities.

• Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer: Active in ecological stewardship projects such as invasive species removal at Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary.

• Mentor, Sustainable Landscape Training, Metro Blooms: Mentoring youth and emerging professionals interested in climate resilience and sustainable land care careers, with a focus on equity and environmental access.

Sam Helman

I am excited about the opportunity to join the CEF Board. I want to contribute to bringing clean energy to our community, and community solar is a great way to do so in an equitable and low-cost manner. Climate change is an existential and pressing issue for our society—now more than ever. Access to community solar—particularly in uncertain and expensive times—can move forward decarbonization on a local level and help lower home energy costs for those with the most need. I am lucky to live in a city and state with progressive renewable energy goals, and eager for the opportunity to help our community advance these goals. In 2022, after ten years of work as a computer scientist, I returned to school—pursuing a master's degree in electrical engineering at the University of Minnesota, focusing on the power grid and renewable energy. I did so because I wanted to find a way to bring my experience as a software engineer to a career working in decarbonization and clean energy. While in graduate school, I took courses where I gained expertise on the technical operation of the power grid, including behavior of solar arrays, inverters, and the electronics that go into making renewable energy viable. Since graduating in 2024, I have been working as an engineer focused on grid-scale battery storage, and I am excited about bringing my technical knowledge and experience to the Board. I look forward to collaborating with fellow Board members and CEF staff, and picking up as much knowledge as I can from their diverse technical and nontechnical backgrounds. My experience in electrical engineering and the power grid has been technical and high-level, focusing on how the grid behaves at a large scale; one of the most exciting aspects of joining the Board will be learning about how renewable energy is built and operated at a local, community level. I don't expect to come into the Board with strong opinions. Instead, I will begin by listening as much as possible and learning about the workings of both community solar in general and CEF in particular. I have a lot to learn but a lot to contribute as well, and I look forward to having a chance to do so.

Professional Affiliations:

• Master's degree, UMN, electrical and computer engineering

• Focus on the power grid and renewable energy

• Work experience as an engineer modeling grid-scale battery storage

• IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers): member, Power & Energy Society

• Technical papers on behavior of renewable energy resources presented at multiple conferences

• Volunteering background

• Rosie's Place food bank, Boston MA.

• Ithaca Reuse Center, Ithaca NY.

• Professional background in leading teams and managing projects across groups of people

• Young professional, renting in Northeast

Ky Johnson

My name is Ky Johnson, I have worked in the energy storage industry since 2017, following graduating with my Bachelors of Science in chemistry and physics. Early on in my career, I transitioned from managing flow battery test labs to commissioning energy storage systems around the world. Most recently, I’ve spent the last five years as a commissioning engineer for a global leader of lithium energy storage. Not only installing and testing some of the largest battery systems in the country, but operating and interconnecting AC and DC coupled storage systems in nearly every independent system operator (ISO) in the country. Even from early on in my commissioning roles, I sought to understand how we supply power generation to us, our homes, workplaces, and factories. When learning about a cooperative that allows customer’s to own their own generation resources within my home state, I was ecstatic. A cooperative that is accessible to both renters and home-owners, in a cost-effective manner, with end consumer ownership provides security and stability to communities across Minnesota. My goal as a member of the board would be to apply my expertise in energy storage systems to increase generation capacity and expand services and grid stability across the state.

Professional Affiliations:

• 5+ years of working with developers, owners, and operators of C&I ESS

• Commissioning of AC and DC storage systems across the US (and globally)

• Attended ACP conferences Leadership in Twin Cities

• DSA Owner/Member of local food Co-op

Felecia A. Boone

My interest in clean energy began when I worked in the MN Attorney General's Office as a Residential Utilities Liaison and heard some of our attorneys discussion biofuel and our our large turkey producers; it was a gateway for me to begin thinking about how energy and the source of energy impacts me as an individual, the communities I am a part of and this planet we inhabit. Now is the time to bring concerted effort to to strategies that will provide us the ability to protect our communities now and into the future through broad actions that include access to clean energy. As a member of congregation that has a vested interest in not only clean energy but ways to decolonize our landscapes, I feel this membership position will grow my leaning journey related to energy issue.

Political Affiliations:

Minnesota Attorney general's Office

• Consumer Liaison

• Track & Trend consumer utility complaints

• Provide consumer education of utility bills

  Minneapolis Area Synod of the ELCA

• Vice President -Run executive and council meetings

• Advise Bishop, staff and congregations as needed and requested

• Provide expertise related to DEI strategies

• Represent MAS at ELCA Churchwide events

  Hennepin County

• Sr. DEI Consultant

• Provide leadership with strategic DEI consultation and engagement

• Senior leadership development

• Understand DEI tools, their use and emerging practice to drive systemic change

Ashley Anderson

I am deeply committed to engaging with my community around issues of racial, climate, and language justice, seeking pathways for generational change and long-term resiliency. As a steward for my neighborhood and future generations, I strive to grow the cooperative network through cooperative education and engagement such as speaking about interconnectedness at the Association of Cooperative Educators Conference in Bismark, ND, co-presenting about cooperative financing at the 2024 National Farmer’s Union College Conference on Cooperatives, and staying in tune with new and former members of CDF and NCBA CLUSA’s Leaders and Scholars program to elevate personal and professional development. One of my professional development goals includes serving on a cooperative board by the year 2027—a goal that feels closely aligned with my personal values of exploring and learning. I am honored that I was invited to apply to be on this board. Thank you for this opportunity! Through my working experience as a loan closer with a CDFI Loan Fund, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with cooperatives, learning their stories, understanding their goals, and building strong connections with colleagues in the cooperative movement. I’ve seen the different structures for solar loans and now I am familiar with a larger network of solar cooperatives. Clean and affordable energy should be accessible to all and because it’s not right now, I want to be a part of the work that Cooperative Energy Futures is doing. I would be lucky to be a part of this team that is doing the right thing - energy democracy! The values that Cooperative Energy Futures holds are in alignment with my professional and personal life. I hope to learn a lot from the employees and board members of Cooperative Energy Futures.

Political Affiliations:

• Member of Midway Investment Cooperative Member of Shared Capital Cooperative

• Member of Eastside Food Co-op and Hampden Park Co-op

• Steering Committee Member for CoMinnesota

• 2023 Graduate of CDF, NCBLA-CLUSA’s “Leaders and Scholars” program

• 9 years experience in residential real estate, title and escrow services

• New member of Cooperative Energy Futures Community connector and conduit

I enjoy meeting with neighbors at the Hamline Midway Coalition meetings and meeting new cooperators at cooperative conferences.

Peter Reese

The Reese children cat-napped in the subzero January afternoon sun. Not a tale of tragic hypothermic death, but rather Pete Reese’s first impression of the power of solar in the sunporch his parents constructed. Richard and Eunice meticulously researched and managed this project prior to another big event that has proved foundational to Pete’s life and career, the 1983 Johann Dietrich and Maria Reese descendants’ family reunion. Over 250 children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of JD as we now call him, from Colorado to Ontario descended to the original Goodhue, MN farm that Independence Day weekend for the sharing of photos, family legends, and not a little partying in the hayfield campground set up for that purpose. Since then Pete got some science education in Florida before getting his Classical Languages BA in New Ulm, toured as a bassist with a couple rock bands, narrowly escaped becoming a Lutheran pastor, and started an urban elementary school in Milwaukee. Eventually he wandered back into energy while obtaining his MBA at Carlson, getting a grant from CERTS and the State of MN to build a solar thermal hot water supply on the Reese farm in 2010. After working in Xcel Energy Supply Chain for nearly seven years in transmission (CapX2020) and in nuclear, Pete’s hunger for community sustainability and the lure of energy you yourself can harness to protect and comfort your family led him back to hard labor on roofs and to (eventually) earn his NABCEP PV Installer Professional Certification. He found a niche installing solar shingles as co-founder of Litty Solar while seeking out community solar subscriptions on behalf of Cooperative Energy Futures. COVID required a strategic retreat to managing C&I projects for Sundial Energy, procuring community solar and switchgear materials for Knobelsdorff, and managing utility scale wind, solar, and battery permitting and interconnections for ERM, Inc before taking another run at self-employment in early 2024. He believes the sustainability and community of the Reese farm is what brought him to this point as the co-founder (with his sister and brother) of Energy ReLeaf, a MN308B cooperative association with a patented whole home UPS solar shingle system. Trained members of the Energy ReLeaf Cooperative can install this BIPV system with their existing roofing resources in half the time and for half the cost of the traditional roof-mounted solar alternatives. When Pete isn’t training contractors in BIPV, researching ways to make the Exodus system better for his customers, or raising funds to scale nationwide (via Go Fund Yourself and WeFunder https://wefunder.com/energy.releaf.1) you can find him walking his dog Murphy around Lake Nokomis or camping on the Reese farm with his boys Mateo and Tiago and his 4 nieces and nephews. He might even try coaching football again this fall.

Professional Affiliations:

• Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Energy ReLeaf, a MN308B cooperative association (2023-Present)

• ERM Senior Project Manager (2023-2024)

• Knobelsdorff Electrical Procurement Manager (2022-2023)

• Sundial Energy Project Manager (2020-2022)

• Energy ReLeaf (nonprofit) & Litty Solar (building contractor): solar panels, solar shingles, conventional roofing (2017-2020)

• Xcel Energy Supply Chain transmission and nuclear (2011-2017)

• Perpetual Harvest LLC energy consultant (2008-2011)

• WELS Schools teacher and administrator (1998-2008)

• NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification MBA, Carlson School of Management ASQ Certified Manager of Quality & Organizational Excellence (former) MN Residential Building Contractor (former)

Bronson Bast

I've been interested in clean energy for over 15 years as it represents the only path towards meeting basic human needs while also persevering our planet. I've been fed, housed, and educated through cooperative frameworks and would bring extensive solar experience from leading operations at a commercial and community solar developer. I would be excited to align my values and experience as a member of the CEF Board.

Professional Affiliations:

SolarAPP+ Community Engagement Lead

- Leading outreach to local governments, non-profits, state government agencies, and other partners in our vision of standardizing solar permitting. SaveSolar Corporation Vice President of Operations

- Stewarded our growth from a sales organization to a full cycle developer including taking engineering and project management in-house, closing financing, integrating software, automating tasks and documentation. Hoosier Energy (Cooperative Utility)

- Energy Storage Consultant

- Led a group of Indiana University Graduate Students to study the potential for Hoosier Energy to bring the benefit of energy storage to member owners. United States Peace Corps

- Coastal Resource Management Volunteer

- Worked closely alongside local government to build consensus across 7 fishing cooperatives to pass a municipal fishing ordinance to protect fish populations through marine protected areas, habitat restoration, and coordinated enforcement efforts.

I have a strong interest in cooperatives and managing the commons literature where I'm influenced by ideas of polycentric governance and Elinor Ostrom's work on managing the commons. This combined with my operations experience puts an emphasis on process and decision making as being critical to the longevity of a cooperative

Bennett Hartz

The deployment of solar power, and making sure that clean energy is collectively controlled in the future, are two of the most important issues we face in Minnesota and, really, across the whole world. I consider solar power’s potential to be almost unlimited. Solar spells the end of fossil fuels. Solar could mean energy production at levels unheard of today, and all of the abundance that comes with effectively free power generation. As we look forward to this possible future, I believe cooperatives like CEF must play a critical role in getting this power generation into the hands of the public, rather than under the control of a few. I am a lawyer, and an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Minnesota. As a trial attorney, I fight for the public’s rights to fairness and safety in the marketplace. I specifically focus on health care, housing, debt and credit, and emerging technologies (including AI and social media). I also advocate at the state legislature for better laws protecting Minnesota consumers, including most recently 2024’s landmark Minnesota Debt Fairness Act. In my free time, I volunteer for the Volunteer Lawyers Network, Minnesota History Day, and mentor high school students across the Twin Cities. To this role, I would bring my experience as an attorney, as a regular board officer and commission member, and as an advocate to the legislature and the public.

Political Affiliations:

• Assistant Attorney General, State of Minnesota (2020 - present)

• Senior Counsel, Walker & Walker (2015 - 2020)

• Associate Attorney, Drewes Law (2012 - 2015)

• Volunteer Attorney, Volunteer Lawyers Network (2012 - present)

• Volunteer Judge, Minnesota History Day (2017 - present)

2024 annual meeting

ICYMI: Click below to watch the full video with audio of this year’s CEF Annual Meeting

meet our new board members

Meet Rizwan Bankwala

Hear about Rizwan’s journey below:

“I worked on this board from 2022--2024. In that time, we have grown significantly and created a multistate name for ourselves, due in large part to the creative work of CEF staff, leadership, and the community itself. I look forward to leveraging the successful experiments CEF has begun for 2024 onward. I have run into several cases where my financial, strategy, and corporate development work experience has enabled leaders at CEF to fully consider different angles of major financial and growth opportunities.”

Meet Lisa Callahan

Hear about Lisa’s journey below:

“Passion for Clean Energy: As someone deeply committed to sustainable practices, I am passionate about clean energy and its potential to transform our communities. Clean energy not only mitigates environmental impact but also fosters economic growth and social equity. I am dedicated to solving climate change through hard work and innovative environmental strategies. I embrace every opportunity to shape a future that fosters beneficial relationships for all stakeholders involved. My interest in clean energy issues stems from a desire to actively contribute to this transition and advocate for policies that promote renewable energy adoption.

Skills and Experience: Drawing from my background in project management and sustainable finance, I bring a unique set of skills to the board. Here are some key areas where I can make a difference:

• Sustainability Intelligence: I excel at developing and leading programs that drive sustainable practices across various sectors. Whether it’s implementing energy-efficient technologies or promoting circular economy initiatives, I understand the intricacies of sustainable solutions.

• ESG Reporting: I have expertise in creating detailed Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reports. These reports highlight sustainable achievements and outline future goals, providing transparency and accountability.

• Supply Chain Procurement: Sourcing eco-friendly and sustainable materials is crucial for clean energy projects. My experience in procurement, especially within the recycling sector, ensures that we make environmentally conscious choices.

• Data Analysis: Strong analytical skills allow me to assess and optimize sustainability metrics. By analyzing data, we can fine-tune our strategies and measure our impact effectively.

• Strategic Methodologies: I believe in using strategic planning to enhance environmental initiatives. Whether it’s developing community solar projects or advocating for policy changes, a well-thought-out approach is essential.

• Financial Analysis: Constructing and managing financial models that support environmental projects is another area where I can contribute. Understanding the financial implications of clean energy investments ensures their long-term viability.

Motivation for Running: I want to serve as a community solar board member because I believe in the power of collective action. Community solar projects empower residents, reduce energy costs, and create jobs. By joining the board, I can actively contribute to shaping policies, fostering partnerships, and ensuring equitable access to clean energy. Together, we can accelerate the transition toward a greener, more sustainable future.”

Meet Mitchell Rogalsky

Here about Mitchell’s journey below:

“I first became hooked on solar in college, helping build a full sized, solar-powered electric car to race across the Australian Outback on nothing but the sun. I figured that if we could travel 2000 miles on nothing but a tiny battery and 20 feet of solar cells then I could do better with my own energy consumption. I've now fully electrified my home life, from solar on the roof to geothermal beneath our feet and electric cars in between. We've even fully converted our yard into a bee lawn, much to our neighbors' curiosity! Professionally, as an Electrical Engineer, I cut my teeth on utility-scale solar with CEF back in 2018, helping build the Faribault, Clarks Grove, and Ramp A gardens. Since then I've worked on many more solar projects across the country as well as wind farms. Today, I've refocused my efforts towards the grid, working as a Transmission Project Manager with Great River Energy. I see transmission and utility interconnections as the number one challenge to renewables over the next decade. I hope to lend my extensive design, construction and project management experience in the solar industry to CEF as we navigate the ever changing landscape of permitting, supply chain, and interconnections.”

Meet Toya Lopez

Here about Toya’s journey below:

“My interest in clean energy issues is rooted in health. I started my career as a sustainability professional, specifically to decrease the carbon footprint of the healthcare industry. Over time I learned more about all of the easy win energy efficiency, electrification, and transition to renewable energy brings. However, I became much more interested in clean energy issues during my work with food insecurity and housing insecurity. Many folks in Minnesota have to choose between food and bills, which is, of course, detrimental to health. With the latest findings on gas stoves and heating in homes, many renters and low-income residents do not have much of a choice but to use their old appliances and harm their health. Fossil Fuels also directly impact health by increasing heat illness risk, air quality issues, dangerous working conditions, and pollution. For all these reasons, I care about clean energy issues. I have been a part of many boards; namely Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate and Elliot Park Neighborhood Institute. I am also part of the City of Minneapolis Environmental Advisory Committee. I want to run as a Cooperative Energy Futures Board Member because I love CEF. As a previous employee, I have intimate knowledge of how the process looks like, member-facing and internal-facing. As an employee I wasn’t able to spend much time with member-owners engagement as I would have liked. While this board role will also be at a limited capacity, I do want to dedicate most of my time to empowering my fellow CEF member-owners.”

Meet David Bergstrom

Hear about David’s journey below:

“I'm an advocate for clean energy and the societal aspect of CEF's mission. I also believe we all are responsible for taking responsibility for our impact to our environment and want to be a positive force in reducing our carbon footprint. I spent my professional career building, operating, modifying and tracking and reducing energy use in the built environment. This experience spanned institutional, corporate and commercial (office, retail, industrial) buildings and energy systems. I've been instrumental in installing arrays of 10kW to 200kW on buildings I managed. I understand the factors impacting installation of solar systems whether ground or building mounted. My professional background also provides an understanding of the financial hurdles faced when installing a new solar array or arrays.”

Meet Mary Jo Wiatrak

Here about Mary Jo’s journey:

“I have been a member of CEF since 2013 and I am ready to take a more active role in the organization. CEF is a strong organization and I believe I would be a good addition to the Board in several ways. I am a longtime advocate for renewable energy and sustainability- both in my community and at the legislature. My philosophy about energy involves a framework of justice… this is important as this way of seeing allows us to go beyond the technological challenges and consider the political opportunities as well. In this way I believe it is crucial that we increase public participation in all issues of energy production and policy. This year I have been able to spend time with CEF staff from several divisions. I met with our Policy and Finance Director Pouya to shadow him at the State Capitol as he attended subcommittee hearings and discussed bills. I met with Dana to discuss the CEF Affordable Solar Program. And I met with the Outreach and Engagement Team, Kyle, Allye, Bryn, and Sebastian to discuss membership and the annual meeting. What a great group of people. Additionally, I am an attorney. My legal background and communication skills would benefit the board, especially when reviewing legal documents and statutes. I am also an advocate for democratic organizations. Cooperatives are in principle more community-centered and more economically just. Our Cooperative Energy Futures community of nearly 2,000 members is a great example of the power of cooperative principles to reshape how we think about our shared energy future.”

Meet Brett Thompson

Hear about Brett’s journey below:

“I have been interested in energy use and conservation my whole life. Two energy stories from my childhood that stick out are as follows. First, at my grandpa's house, he would charge a nickel to anyone who left a light on in an empty room. I disagree with his punitive model of habit forming, but agree that conversation is good for both financial and environmental purposes. Second I was fascinated by everything about a field trip our 4th grade class took to tour one of the hydroelectric power plants on the Great Falls of the Missouri River. As an adult, I began my professional life in the automotive industry, but turned to wind energy, then to education. Seeing the interactions of global systems of modern life, of transportation, communication, economics, politics, and society, has made me realize how much impact an individual human has on the whole globe. We are all interconnected, so we all need to be responsible to the extent we have the capacity to lessen our impact. The balance to this is we must live our lives in the society that exists, even as we work to make it more just for all. We must make our energy footprint less impactful so that future generations can enjoy a healthy planet that is comfortably habitable for humans. I want to create a world where my kids and grandkids, and everyone around the globe is better off than my generation. Cooperative Energy Futures is an organization that shares this vision with me. I am finishing my first term as a board member with CEF, and I'm running for a second term because CEF demonstrates an approach to climate justice and energy use and production that is thoughtful, visionary, and inclusive of all. I like that.”

Annual Meeting and Annual Report

Board nominations

2023 CEF Annual Members Meeting

The 2023 CEF Annual Members Meeting was held as a series of local meetings and one online meeting during May 2023. You can view the recording of the online Annual Meeting.

2022 BOARD ELECTION RESULTS

Cooperative Energy Futures received 3 candidate nominations for 3 open seats during the annual Board nominations period. A Board election was held online throughout the month of May in which 88 CEF members voted and Directors Holly Buchanan, Keith Dent, and Sachi Graber were re-elected to the Board. Board nominations, including candidate statements and introductory videos are posted below for review by members.

Thanks to everyone who ran and to all the members who voted!

Past annual reports and meetings

For information on past Annual Reports and Annual Meetings, visit:

• The 2021 Annual Report and 2022 Annual Members Meeting

• The 2020 Annual Report and 2021 Annual Members Meeting

• The 2019 Annual Report and 2020 Annual Members Meeting