Energy Co-op of Vermont Board of Directors

Peter Bennett, Vice Chair

Peter is an engineer, entrepreneur and management consultant with more than thirty years experience. As a member of the Investment Review Board for Green Mountain Capital from 1990 – 2002, he provided management consulting services to several software companies, investor groups, a semiconductor equipment manufacturer and an outerwear manufacturer and distributor. Peter’s earlier positions included Director of Marketing for TEK MicroSystems, and President and co-founder of both Cybersoft, Inc and of Financial Strategies, Inc, financial software companies in the Boston area. Since 2007, he has served on the Vermont Community Foundation Investment Committee. He holds bachelors and masters degrees in engineering from MIT

Elizabeth Chant, Treasurer

Elizabeth is Director of Champlain Valley Weatherization, which reduces energy consumption and costs for low-income households in Addison, Chittenden, Franklin, and Grand Isle counties. Elizabeth returned to CVOEO's Weatherization Service in 2002, after five years at Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC) where she developed and delivered one of the most innovative and effective low-income multifamily energy programs in the country. Elizabeth is a finance graduate of Georgetown University with twenty-five years of professional experience in nonprofit management, including extensive work in marketing, communication, and program design.

Jennifer Chiodo, Chair

Jennifer is a licensed electrical engineer with over 25 years of experience in energy efficient building design and operations. As a Principal of Cx Associates, Jennifer works to increase the understanding and use of building commissioning services in building design and construction, while actively supporting improved sustainability in Cx Associates' projects. At Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, Jennifer created and led the Business Energy Services Division. As a consulting engineer she designed systems for projects including Space Ship Earth at EPCOT, the Moscone Convention Center, numerous high rises and several research facilities.

Jeffrey Loiter

As a Managing Consultant at Optimal Energy, Inc. in Bristol, Vermont, Jeff provides his clients with expertise in the assessment of energy efficiency potential and efficiency program design and implementation strategies. Serving customers within utilities, state agencies, and non-profit organizations keeps the work interesting and challenging. In the past, Jeff has served on the Board of his synagogue and as Co-President of a parent-operated co-operative preschool. He has a BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Cornell University and an MS in Technology and Policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

James Moore

James is the Clean Energy Advocate for the Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG). James brings to this work an extensive background of field organizing and environmental advocacy. He has worked at the local, state, national and international levels on clean energy campaigns. James also worked as a field organizer for the Dean for America Campaign in New Hampshire and Maine, and later became the State Director for the New Mexico New Voters Project working through the 2004 election to register 40,000 voters in that state. With VPIRG, James leads the organization's energy-related advocacy efforts in the State House and represents VPIRG on a number of state and regional leadership committees, where he crafts and advances policy solutions to the energy and climate change crisis facing Vermont.

Paul Smith, Secretary

Paul is a mechanical engineer currently designing wind energy assessment sensors and masts at NRG Systems in Hinesburg, VT. At NRG, Paul also leads public tours of the company’s eco-friendly building and served on the car pooling committee. His prior experience includes engineering and design positions at Burton Snowboards, Trans-Tek and Merrow Machine.

In the Burlington home he shares with Elisa Nelson, Paul has reduced oil use from 1,500 to 500 gallons with energy-saving improvements and the addition of a wood pellet stove. Paul and Elisa also use solar to provide two thirds of their electricity. In total, they have reduced their carbon footprint by 15% in the past year.