Energy Co-op of Vermont Board of Directors
Peter Bennett, Chair
Peter Bennett 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 a variety of clients including software companies, investor groups, a semiconductor equipment manufacturer and an outerwear manufacturer. Prior to his consulting work, he held management positions in several companies in the Boston area including two financial software companies which he co-founded. Since 2007, he has served on the Vermont Community Foundation Investment Committee. He holds bachelors and masters degrees in engineering from MIT.
David Blittersdorf
David Blittersdorf is the president and CEO of AllEarth Renewables, a company dedicated to the development, manufacture and deployment of residential-scale, grid-connected renewable energy systems, including the AllSun Tracker. David founded NRG Systems in 1982, and grew that company into an internationally recognized manufacturer of wind measurement technology before founding AllEarth Renewables in 2005. David's grid-connected home includes photovoltaic and solar hot water systems on its roof, a wood pellet stove for heating, and an Earth Turbine and AllSun Tracker in the back yard. David makes frequent public speaking engagements on the world's energy future, and serves on the boards of the Distributed Wind Energy Association, the Small Wind Certification Council, and Renewable Energy Vermont. He also serves on the Board of Advisors for the Union of Concerned Scientists and the University of Vermont's Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources
Julie Elmore
Julie Elmore is the Administrator and Communications Director for Sudan Development Foundation, (SUDEF) a Burlington based non-profit that brings health resources, community development and educational services to Southern Sudan. She is a certified Emergency Medical Technician, volunteered with Essex Rescue for seven years and served two terms as Vice-President on Essex Rescue's Board of Directors. She is a member of the Westford Energy Committee and is the Green-Up Day coordinator for her community. Julie also serves on the Board of Directors of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group. Previously she served as Chair of the Westford School Board. Julie is an active supporter of efforts to create safe, green energy technologies and recently made extensive energy-efficiency improvements to her Westford home.
Jeffrey Loiter, Vice Chair
As a Managing Consultant at Optimal Energy, Inc. in Bristol, Vermont, Jeffrey Loiter 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.
Peter Richardson, Treasurer
Peter Richardson is president of Housing Strategies, Inc. (HSI), a real estate development and consulting firm. HSI has been a developer of several residential and commercial projects in Vermont. Peter was previously president of Housing Vermont, a statewide nonprofit development company. He was a partner of the Boston Financial Group, a diversified real estate firm that specialized in tax-advantaged investments. A founding trustee and past chair of Vermont College of Fine Arts, Peter has been a board member of numerous national housing organizations.
Paul Smith, Secretary
Paul Smith 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.
Peggy Treanor
Peggy Treanor is Community Services Director for Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO). CVOEO provides services to low-income households in Addison, Chittenden, Franklin, and Grand Isle counties, including the federally funded LIHEAP Program and the statewide WARMTH Program. Peggy has twenty plus years of professional experience in nonprofit management, including fundraising and program design and development. She has been a member of the Co-op since it was founded in 2001.