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 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.

Ethan previously co-founded and ran Good Solar, a 501(c)(3) that creates renewable energy solutions for nonprofit organizations and low- and moderate-income communities. Most recently, Ethan also represented four environmental justice and indigenous rights-oriented organizations before the NC Utility Commission during the development of North Carolina’s inaugural Carbon Plan. 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 in 2015. He graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law with Honors in 2018 before working as a year-long fellow at the Center for Climate, Energy, Environment, and Economics (CE3).

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 the Director of Development, Lisa oversees the fundraising initiatives at NCSEA. Lisa is a North Carolina native, born in Durham, and has called Wake County her home for the past 16 years. Non-profit organizations serve a vital role in our society, and Lisa sincerely enjoys the hard work of helping them succeed in their mission to the broader community, focusing her entire career in this field.

Lisa serves the community in many capacities, including as President of The North Carolina Grant Professionals Association in 2022, and she was awarded 2023 Fundraiser of the Year from The Triangle Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). Lisa also serves at the national and local level for the Association of Fundraising Professionals including on the Women’s Impact Committee & U.S. Government Relations Committee (2021) and on the Triangle AFP Education and Membership Committees (currently).

Lisa is a licensed professional fundraiser in North Carolina. She holds her Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) designation, Certified Nonprofit Professional credential (CNP) and has successfully obtained millions of dollars in funding for non-profits on the local and global scale. One of her most memorable career milestones was coordinating a Guinness Book of World Records event in 2019, breaking the world record for the number of free skin cancer screenings in one day.

Outside of professional endeavors, Lisa enjoys hiking, golf, traveling, ACC sports, and spending time with her family, which includes children, a spouse, and pet 150-pound Newfoundland, which resembles a black bear. 

Lisa Mead, Director of Development

As NCSEA’s Director of Data and Research, Daniel manages the team’s efforts in generating data-driven insights and analyses that inform the organization’s policy strategy and the planning efforts of key clean energy decision-makers throughout the state. Daniel also works with utilities and stakeholders to help develop innovative customer programs that enable the benefits of 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, practicing wildlife photography 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 Interim Operations Manager, Melissa Wilbur leads NCSEA’s core business functions of operations, human resources, information technology, and finance. These “Headquarters” functions serve as foundational support for the strategic work NCSEA does. Her specialty is Human Resources and continues to support the full recruiting lifecycle of open positions spanning from recruitment/outreach planning to effective onboarding. She also helps support NCSEA through projects relating to compliance, compensation, benefits, employee relations, professional development, culture support and other HR areas. 

Melissa is a Virginia transplant and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Christopher Newport University.