Tom Connors
Treasurer
In 2019 Tom retired as Chief Financial Officer at the Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) where he was responsible for the overall direction of the financial, accounting and investment areas of this not-for-profit affordable housing agency. Prior to joining VHFA, Tom held senior financial positions at Trak Sports USA, IDX Systems (now GE Healthcare) and Information Resources. Tom has also worked as an adjunct accounting professor at both Champlain College (2010-2016) and the Community College of Vermont (2005-present). He currently serves on the Board of VTARR (Vermont Alliance for Recovery Residences). He previously served on the Board of ReSOURCE, a Burlington-based, non-profit Community Enterprise for 15 years and served as Board President, Vice President and Treasurer during that tenure. Tom holds an MBA (Finance) degree from Bentley University in Waltham, MA and a BA in Business Administration from St. Michaels College. Besides teaching Tom spends his retirement time volunteering for several local non-profits and playing bad golf.
Cheryl Fatnassi
Vice Chair
Cheryl Fatnassi is the former CEO and President of Opportunities Credit Union in Winooski, Vermont (2008- 2019 and previously served as their COO (2004-2008). She has over 38 years of experience working in financial services and was formerly Senior VP for IT Systems & Planning at Banknorth Group, where she managed technology, retail banking, CRA and compliance. Currently she is an instructor for the Consumer Solar Finance program developed by Inclusiv Center for Resiliency and Clean Energy and the University of New Hampshire Carsey School of Public Policy Center for Impact Finance.
She has served on a number of local and national boards advocating for low-income and under-served members of her community, promoting fair housing, job creation and access to affordable financial services. She has led successful capital campaigns and attracted social investments to effect change in the community she serves. She graduated from the University of Vermont with a bachelor's degree in French and Economics and the New England School of Banking at Williams College.
Michelle Hobbs
Michelle has spent over 20 years working in corporate and product branding, marketing and graphic design. She led an in-house creative group at VEIC, where she oversaw design, writing and content development in support of the strategic marketing of various efficiency programs, contracts, and corporate divisions. Prior to that work, she managed Bleu Sky Creative, a design studio in Burlington, specializing in branding, packaging design and corporate identity for healthcare, specialty foods and non-profit clients. Most recently she worked at ICF, a global consulting firm based in Fairfax, VA, as a design workshop facilitator and senior creative lead. She is currently working as an independent creative director and designer in Burlington.
Kelly Lucci
Chair
Kelly has a depth of experience in energy efficiency policy, legislative strategy and corporate communications. She is currently the Director of Strategy and Partnerships for Efficiency Vermont at the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC) where she formerly served as Director of External and Government Affairs. Prior to joining VEIC, Kelly was an outreach representative in the office of U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders. She holds a degree in Political Science from Middlebury College, and resides in Fletcher, Vermont.
Owiso Makuku
Owiso is a newly elected candidate for the Energy Co-op board. She has 20+ years of experience in planning and community development in cities as diverse as NYC, Cambridge (MA), Detroit (MI), Burlington (VT) and for the State of Michigan. She is interested in how people interact with and within the built environment and the dynamics and elements that make cities and communities successful. She is currently the Interim Community Development Director for the Town of Essex (VT). Owiso attended Middlebury College as an undergraduate and received graduate degrees in both Architecture and Urban Planning from MIT. She brings to the board her passion for serving and improving communities.
Deanna Paluba
Deanna Paluba is currently the US Employee Relations Leader at GLOBALFOUNDRIES, located in Essex Jct. VT. Deanna has expertise in employee relations, policy development and developing employee engagement initiatives.
Gillian Nanton
Gillian Nanton is currently the Assistant Director for Community Engagement, Neighborhoods & Workforce Development in the Community and Economic Development (CEDO), in the City of Burlington, Vermont.
Prior to joining CEDO in 2015, she worked for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) as Chief of the Caribbean Division in New York and was the Resident Representative/Resident Coordinator in Jamaica, for five and a half years. Ms. Nanton also served as Assistant to the Executive Director who represented Canada, Ireland and the Caribbean, at the International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C.
Ms. Nanton has over 25 years of economic development experience and is a senior professional with expertise in policy and program analysis, program management and partnership building, in areas such as poverty reduction, affordable housing, and sustainable development. She holds an MBA from Rutgers University in New Jersey, USA, and is twice a graduate of the University of the West Indies, where she earned a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Economics and Master's in Social Sciences (MSc).
Gillian currently chairs the board of the Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center and serves on the board of directors of Champlain Housing Trust (CHT) and South End Arts + Business Association in Burlington, Vermont.
Sarah Wolfe
Secretary
Sarah has worked in communications and public affairs in the energy space for ten years. Her work has strengthened climate and clean energy policies and programs in Vermont and nationally. She was the Senior Manager of National Campaigns for Sunrun, a residential solar company, advocating for net metering policies across the country. She brought her national experience to Vermont to lead legislative and regulatory clean energy work for VPIRG as the Clean Energy Advocate. She turned to a broader statewide energy focus as the Network Director for the Energy Action Network, leading the development of the Annual Progress Report and facilitating network strategy sessions. For the last several years, she has worked as the Communications Manager at VEIC, leading internal and external communication efforts for Efficiency Vermont. In her personal capacity, she helps organizations and individuals develop and deliver key messages. She also chairs the Northfield Energy Committee. She lives in Northfield, VT with her husband, new son, and faithful hound.
