Staff

As NCSEA’s Executive Director, Matt Abele helps to drive the internal and external strategies necessary to implement successful policy solutions designed to transform North Carolina’s energy market. In his role, Matt works with members, partners, and staff to align priorities and build collective momentum around pathways designed to decarbonize the electricity, transportation, and building sectors. In addition, Matt serves as the host and producer of the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast – a production that has driven brand recognition and attention to the organization from across the country. 

Prior to joining NCSEA, Matt worked with numerous national and regional clean energy non-profit organizations, helping to implement communications, marketing, and policy strategies. Matt holds a Master’s degree in Communication from North Carolina State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Technology from Appalachian State University. Additionally, Matt holds a Certificate in Renewable Energy Management along with a NABCEP Entry Level PV Installer Certification. 

As Regulatory & Legal Counsel, Ethan works to advance clean energy policies at the NC Utilities Commission and other policy-making venues— providing NCSEA with legal analysis of clean energy policy and supporting clean energy’s advancement in the state’s regulatory landscape, while also ensuring organizational legal protection and compliance.

Ethan previously represented four environmental justice and indigenous rights organizations before the NC Utility Commission during the development of North Carolina’s inaugural Carbon Plan. Ethan also co-founded and ran Good Solar, a 501(c)(3) that created renewable energy solutions for nonprofit organizations and low- and moderate-income communities. Born and raised in Charlotte and the North Carolina mountains, Ethan graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Environmental Studies, and an Economics minor. He graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law with Honors before working as a fellow at the Center for Climate, Energy, Environment, and Economics (CE3) at UNC Law.

As Chief of Policy Strategy and Innovation, Josh works across NCSEA’s programmatic areas to ensure efforts are designed to achieve the organization’s strategic objectives of decarbonizing North Carolina’s energy-intensive sectors and delivering the associated economic opportunities to the state. In support of this goal, Josh collaborates with NCSEA’s coalition of partners, members, and funders to articulate and drive proactive policies.

Josh has held numerous consulting, power developer, and utility roles throughout his career. Most notably, Josh previously served as chief of staff to Amory Lovins, founder, and former Chief Scientist of RMI, a world-leading energy and economy think tank. There, Josh focused on integrative design across the energy-intensive sectors as well as utility business model innovation and energy regulatory reform. Prior to his work with NCSEA, Josh worked with utility system developer WayBright to deploy innovative technologies for municipal systems across the U.S.

Today, along with his work with NCSEA, Josh serves as an advisor to multiple nonprofits and climate tech startups. 

As NCSEA’s Policy Analyst, Hannah carries out research, analysis, and writing to expand and deepen NCSEA’s regulatory, legislative, and overall public policy efforts. On a daily basis, Hannah assists the Policy Team with monitoring legislative and regulatory developments, developing NCSEA’s policy positions and priorities, and communicating policy developments and trends internally and externally

Hannah received a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and Political Science with a minor in Spanish for the Legal Professions from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

NCSEA’s Market Intelligence Specialist, Jeremiah Carey is responsible for developing, updating and maintaining NCSEA market intelligence assets. In this role, Jeremiah manages and develops Excel and Access databases, as well as geographic information systems (GIS), to collect, organize and warehouse clean energy data. This data is then translated into highly valuable, current snapshots of clean energy activity in our state. 

Jerry holds a degree in Geospatial Technology from Central Piedmont Community College. 

As NCSEA’s Senior Financial Services Manager, Ian Chalmers leads all financial planning and reporting for NCSEA’s short- and long-term projects and overall fiscal-year budget. In this role, Ian is responsible for all areas of finance including payroll, source funding allocations, cash management, and account reconciliations, ensuring all of the organization’s financial practices comply with non-profit standards.

Also, a professional corporate trainer focused on small business solutions, Ian has over 16 years of experience in the bookkeeping field. He is a QuickBooks Certified ProAdvisor, Certified Bookkeeper (CB), and Project Management Professional (PMP), and holds a degree in Information Systems & Operations Management from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Cassie Gavin, Director of Policy at NCSEA, helps to coordinate the strategic direction of NCSEA’s staff, lobbyists, and external stakeholders to implement policy strategies that advance an affordable and equitable clean energy future in NC. Cassie works with the team to set state policy goals for implementation at the NC General Assembly, the NC Utilities Commission, and the executive branch.

Cassie attended UNC-Chapel Hill for undergraduate and law school degrees, then worked in land conservation and environmental advocacy. She serves on the Yates Mill Associates board and enjoys hiking, kayaking, reading, and traveling.

As NCSEA’s Marketing Specialist, Destiny collaborates with the Marketing and Communications and Development teams to support daily operations, programs, and projects. In her role, she assists with growing the organization’s membership and donor base, as well as database and website maintenance.

Destiny is a Colorado transplant and obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Colorado State University. In her spare time, she enjoys trying new restaurants, going to Farmers Markets, and exploring the outdoors.

As NCSEA’s Director of Engagement, Daniel manages the Engagement Team’s efforts in building key partnerships, facilitating stakeholder initiatives and generating data-driven insights that inform the organization’s policy campaigns. Daniel also works with utilities and advocates to develop customer programs that unlock clean energy for nontraditional markets such as low-to-moderate income residents.  

Daniel worked previously for the UNC Wilmington Sustainability Office and for the then-named NC Cooperative Extension, where he helped manage a residential energy efficiency grant program. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Journalism and Mass Communication and a master’s degree in Environmental Studies from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Daniel lives in Durham and in his spare time, he enjoys reading, running, taking pictures of wildlife and trying his hand at ice hockey. 

As NCSEA’s Senior Regulatory Counsel, Justin manages and coordinates NCSEA’s regulatory advocacy and policy research and analysis to promote clean energy policies at the NC Utilities Commission and other policy-making venues. Providing NCSEA with advanced legal analysis of existing and emerging regulations, Justin supports NCSEA’s policy goals, positions, and desired outcomes — including the deployment of clean energy solutions throughout the state’s regulatory landscape.

Prior to joining NCSEA, Justin worked for a national environmental non-profit and private law firms advocating for the equitable implementation of clean energy solutions, before numerous public utilities commissions, that center community voices and serve the interests of public health, the environment, and all electric energy stakeholders. Justin graduated from Vermont Law & Graduate School with both his Juris Doctor and a Master’s degree in Energy Regulation & Law. Additionally, Justin earned his Bachelor’s degree from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine.

As NCSEA’s Communications and Engagement Manager, Taylor Wanbaugh is chief storyteller, crafting news stories, communicating with members, and building advocacy support amongst state and national decisionmakers and stakeholders. She develops content for various communications outreach including newsletters, press releases, marketing materials, social media, events and the NCSEA website. Her goal is to translate technical sustainable energy policy and data into digestible material for a far-reaching audience.

Prior to joining NCSEA, Taylor worked in the communications world in higher education, journalistic and nonprofit settings. Taylor earned a Bachelor of Journalism with a minor in Sociology from the University of Missouri. As a North Carolina native, Taylor enjoys exploring the outdoors, hiking, traveling, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

As NCSEA’s Business Operations Manager, Melissa Wilbur leads the organization’s core business functions—including operations, human resources, information technology, and finance—which serve as the foundational support for NCSEA’s strategic work across North Carolina. In this role, she oversees all aspects of HR operations, financial management, IT systems, administrative services, and vendor and partner contracts. She serves as a strategic thought partner, building trusted relationships both within and outside the organization. In collaboration with the leadership team, she ensures effective stewardship of funding and resources to advance NCSEA’s mission and strategic goals. She is passionate about fostering a strong and supportive internal culture that enables NCSEA staff to thrive in their roles and deliver impact.

Melissa is a Virginia transplant and worked previously in human resources with a defense contracting company. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Christopher Newport University. Melissa loves a good in-person meeting and spending time outdoors with her family and pup!