Norene Quinn, Operations Manager

Georgia Solar Energy Association
(norene.quinn@gasolar.org)
(404.522.4775)

Julie Hairston, Director of Communications

Georgia Solar Energy Association
(julie.hairston@gasolar.org)
(404.273.2039)

Julie Hairston has led GSEA's state-wide communications and public relations efforts since January, 2011. Is a graduate of the University of Georgia's Grady School of Journalism and Mass Communications. She currently serves as a Senior Account Executive with A. Brown Olmstead Associates in Atlanta.

Anthony Coker, Board Chair

Senior Director Market & Solutions Development, Suniva.
(anthony.coker@gasolar.org)

With 30 years of experience in high technology products and markets, Anthony Coker has provided engineered solutions to international clients around the globe. Currently Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives at solar PV manufacturer Suniva, Anthony is responsible for solutions development, international market development and global product certifications. He has also turned his passion for “greentech” into a role as acting Chief Sustainability Officer at Suniva. As a frequent industry speaker and published author, Anthony is a thought leader in the Solar PV and smart grid industries. He also serves as a board member of Technology Association of Georgia’s Smart Grid Society, is on the Gwinnett Technical College Green/Sustainable Advisory Board and leads Cub Scout Pack 563 as their Cubmaster for the last 4 years. Previous roles have included VP of Strategic Solutions, Business Unit Manager, International Sales Director, Product Manager, Market Development Manger, Director of Product Development, Technical Salesrep, Process Engineer and EPC Engineer with multi-nationals such as GE Plastics, Dow Corning/Hemlock Semiconductor, Accenture, Software AG, ITW-Chemtronics, and Davy Powergas/McKee. He holds a BChE from Georgia Tech and pursued his executive MBA from Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business.

Sylvia Minton, Public Policy Chair

Senior Vice President, MAGE Solar

Sylvia joined MAGE SOLAR in Germany in late 2009 to manage the site selection process for the company’s new North American headquarters and manufacturing facility and to assist, Norbert Philipp, CEO of the globally operating MAGE SOLAR Group, with setting up shop in the Americas, thereby facilitating its successful start.

Prior to joining MAGE SOLAR, Sylvia, who holds a masters degree in advertising, has successfully founded, managed and sold several companies in various industries. She is the author of two books and, besides being an entrepreneur in her own right, worked for corporations large and small in Europe and here in the US.

Sharing a home basis between the company’s new North American headquarters in Dublin, Georgia, and her Metro Atlanta satellite office, Sylvia Minton provides direct access to the global MAGE SOLAR Group in regards to all corporate, institutional and government related affairs.

Allen Bradley, Public Policy Vice-Chair

Attorney, Stites and Harbison

Allen Bradley is an attorney and member of Stites Harbison, and is based in the Atlanta office. He is a member of the Business & Finance Service Group, Sustainability & Emerging Technologies Practice Group and the Health Care Service Group. In addition to matters related to renewable energy, his practice focuses on corporate and technology law (emerging company representation); corporate finance and securities; corporate tax; mergers and acquisitions; executive and other non-qualified compensation; and corporate and individual real estate (1031 exchanges). He also represents clients in the healthcare and hospitality industries. Mr. Bradley is listed in Georgia Trend's Legal Elite for the practice areas of Taxes, Estates & Trusts and Corporate Law. Outside the firm, Mr. Bradley is a board member of Freedom Park Conservancy, a volunteer organization whose mission is to promote and maintain Freedom Park in Atlanta.

Mark Bell, Development Chair

President, Empower Energy Technology

Mark Bell is the President of Empower Energy Technology (EET). Empower’s expertise includes design and engineering, project management, startup/commissioning and installation services for Energy Management and Renewable Energy systems – including solar. As President, Mark oversees all aspects of operations and business development. Mark has nearly 20 years of Engineering and Product Management Experience. Most recently Mark was responsible for the High Speed Internet Product portfolio for Cox Communications, which was, at the time of his departure, one of the fastest growing divisions within the company. Mark also worked for telecom leader Bellsouth and engineering firm Simons Engineering (acquired by Amec). Mark earned a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering (1990) from Georgia Tech and possesses a Masters of Computer Information Systems from Georgia State University (2000).

Brion Fitzpatrick, Membership & Programs Co-Chair

Senior Account Executive at Inman Solar

Brion Fitzpatrick works as a Senior Account Executive with Inman Solar, developing commercial & utility grade solar projects throughout the Southeast & Northeat states. Brion stays attentive to all of the solar incentives throughout the US and has a clear vision of what Georgia and the Southeast can achieve. Brion has been a member of Georgia Solar for 3 years and in 2010 he received the GSEA Solar Advocate award. He independently developed the partnership between Georgia Solar and Georgia Power to create an initiative to grow the Green Energy Program. This Green Energy Program directly funds the limited SP-1 solar buy-back program offered to anyone that installs solar power in the Georgia Power territory. He was also a catalyst in their effort to improve the ease of the Green Energy sign-up process online. Brion also organizes Green Drinks, a successful professional networking group for green industry professionals. Brion is an advocate for Solar and Sustainability and has been involved in promoting many environmental political initiatives. He also educates by speaking at other events, organizations and universities. Brion was born in Dublin, Ireland and moved to Chicago in 1992 where he attended Columbia College, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing and Marketing Management in 2001 before moving to Atlanta in 2003.

Ben Hill, Programs &
Membership Co-Chair

Georgia Tech Advanced Technology Development Center

Ben Hill is a member of the Georgia Tech ATDC staff where his focus is creating successful clean energy and clean technology ventures. In addition, he works with early-stage companies commercializing Georgia Tech research in clean energy and clean technology. Ben organizes the Georgia Tech Clean Energy Speakers Series (www.secleanenergy.org). Ben worked closely with the Georgia Research Alliance in developing and deploying the Venture Lab’s technology commercialization model among the major research schools in Georgia. In addition, he served as Associate Director of Georgia Tech’s successful incubator, the Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC). Ben served as co-founder, Corporate Secretary and member of the Board of Directors of Cirronet Corporation, a manufacturer of industrial and commercial wireless products based in Norcross, GA. RF Monolithics (NASDAQ: RFMI) acquired Cirronet in September 2006. An adjunct professor in the Georgia Tech College of Management, Ben teaches Business Sustainability Ethics. In 2004, he was an instructor at Georgia Tech’s University of Oxford program. Prior to entering the technology field, Ben served on the staff of U.S. Senator Sam Nunn and Governor George Busbee. Ben is a member of the American Council on Renewable Energy. He participated in the formation of Atlanta Technology Angels, an angel investor group, the Southeastern Software Association, which is now part of the Technology Association of Georgia, and the Technology Executives Roundtable. Ben has an MAR in Ethics from Yale Divinity School, an MBA from Emory University and a BHS from the University of Kentucky.

Mark Gould, Internal Procedures Chair

Partner, Arnall Golden Gregory

An At-Large Member of the Board of Directors, Mark Gould is a partner at the law firm of Arnall Golden Gregory LLP and is Co- Chair of the firm's Renewable and Alternative Energy Team. He is also a member of the firm's International and Commercial Real Estate Practice Groups. His practice includes the representation of clients developing renewable and alternative energy facilities, multi-family housing complexes, mixed-use and urban redevelopment projects, and other transactions involving public/ private partnerships or financed with tax credits, tax exempt bonds, government grants and incentives and other types of conventional or subsidized financing. He also represents wind turbine manufacturers and the suppliers of other equipment and components used in the production of solar and wind energy.

Mark is Vice-Chair of the International Energy and Natural Resources Committee of the American Bar Association's International Section and is also the Editor of the Committee's newsletter, the ENR Global Report. He is also active in the American Wind Energy Association and the State Bar of Georgia. Mark received an A.B. in Economics from Brown University and a J.D. from Emory University School of Law.

Jessica Moore- Board Vice-Chair & Solar Summit Co-Chair

Managing Partner, Jexin LLC

Jessica Moore has spent the past 15 years helping businesses of all shapes and sizes realize their full market potential, directing highly visible sales and marketing programs for clients in the financial services, telecommunications, manufacturing, technology, and most recently CleanTech and renewable energy industries. As Managing Partner at Jexin LLC, she works with businesses in a number of capacities, launching new products, consolidating lines of business, realigning go-to-market strategies, and entering new markets altogether. Jessica’s clients include Fortune 500 corporations, mid-tier private, agency and not-for-profit associations, both in the United States and abroad. She is passionate about growing revenue for her clients and her network, facilitating introductions and deals between investors and manufacturers, suppliers and customers, professional service firms and clients.

Jessica has been a member of the Georgia Solar Energy Association for the past year, most recently working on the 2nd Annual Solar Summit. She is actively involved with regional bi-lateral Chambers of Commerce and various green organizations. Jessica recently worked with Greener Atlanta, the Canadian Consulate and Quebec Delegation to bring the Environmental Trade Mission to Atlanta, hosting and working with numerous international clean tech companies and government officials, corporate sponsors, and industry speakers from across the Southeastern US.

Julie Hairston, Secretary and Communications Chair

Senior account executive, A. Brown-Olmstead Associates

Julie Hairston is a senior account executive with A. Brown-Olmstead Associates, an Atlanta public relations firm. Most of her clients are green economy companies or organizations, including EcoClassic Homes, the Georgia Environmental Conference, Weston Solutions and the Southeast Rainwater Harvesting Systems Association (SERHSA). She received her ABJ degree from the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of Georgia. Before joining the ABOA staff in October 2008, she was a staff writer with the Atlanta Journal Constitution. She has been serving as the GSEA Communications Director since January 2011.

Anita Anand, J.D., Treasurer

Senior Associate, Reznick Group

Anita Anand is a licensed attorney and a senior associate with Reznick Group. Anita received her undergraduate and law degrees from Georgia State University. She supports the firm’s National Tax Practice and serves as a firm wide resource in the area of tax research and consulting, where she applies a broad range of tax knowledge in the area of federal income taxation of partnerships and renewable energy tax incentives. This includes providing taxpayer representation in matters requiring federal and state private letter rulings. She is also responsible for federal, state, and local technical tax support involving a range of renewable energy types and serving clients in commercial real estate. She also supports Reznick Group’s national energy efficiency and green building consulting group.

Sharon Lee, Marketing Chair & Solar Summit Co-Chair

Marketing Director, Cantsink Manufacturing

Sharon Lee is the Marketing Director for Cantsink Manufacturing, a firm located in the Atlanta, Georgia vicinity. Lee has held this position since February 2010, where she coordinates the marketing efforts for the company as well as being involved with business development. Cantsink has been in business since 1988 as an installer and then manufacturer of helical piles, used for foundation support. In the past few years, the company has become focused on the solar energy market, providing foundations for ground-mounted solar arrays. Prior to her tenure with Cantsink, Lee has held a variety of sales and sales management positions in the fields of media, printing and marketing. Lee was born and raised in middle Tennessee. She attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a BS in Mass Communications and minors in Marketing and Psychology. In 2003, she moved to the Atlanta area, where she now lives with her husband and 2 boys.

Steven Bradley, Education Chair

Director of Engineering, Alternative Energy and Business Continuity for Cox Enterprises

Steven Bradley is the Director of Engineering, Alternative Energy and Business Continuity for Cox Enterprises. In this role, he oversees electrical and mechanical engineering for mission-critical facilities of Cox subsidiaries, including design for new construction and retro fits as well as infrastructure monitoring and management. Bradley also manages all alternative energy projects as part of Cox Conserves environmental program and leads business continuity initiatives for disaster avoidance and response. Overall, Cox is preventing more than 21,000 tons of greenhouse gases from entering the environment through its alternative energy projects on an annual basis. Prior to joining Cox, Bradley served as an engineer for Georgia Power, where he managed the design, construction, operations and maintenance of high-voltage transmission stations. Bradley sits on the board of the Perimeter Transportation and Sustainability Coalition as well as the steering committee for the Solar Electric Power Association and holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Mississippi State University.

Matthew Patterson, Solar Tour Co-Chair

Advanced Manufacturing Director, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce

Matthew Patterson joined the Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC) in 2007 as Senior Manager in Economic Development. He was responsible for domestic and international business development and recruitment for the Atlanta Metropolitan Area. In 2010, Matthew assumed the role of Advanced Manufacturing Director for the Metro Atlanta Chamber. His is now directly responsible for the recruitment of several advanced manufacturing sectors including the recruitment of renewable energy product manufacturers and their respective supply chains.

Matthew was previously employed by The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) as a Senior Statewide Manager in Industrial Recruitment, handling worldwide business marketing for The State of Georgia. Before leaving the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Matthew successfully recruited over 51 domestic and international companies to Georgia, representing approximately $500M in new capital investment and over 4,500 new jobs for Georgia. He also served as the departments lead recruiter for China-based projects until the creation of Georgia’s China Desk in June of 2006.

Matthew is a graduate of the Terry College of Business, where he completed his Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics at The University of Georgia in Athens. He is an active member of several industry organizations, including The Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA), The National Association of Industrial and Office Professionals (NAIOP), The Metro Electric Vehicle Readiness Task Force, The National Association of Chinese Americans (NACA), and the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors. He is an executive board member and co-chairman of The Georgia China Alliance. He is also chairman of the marketing sub-committee for The Georgia GreenTech Corridor.

Robert Grigsby, Solar Tour Co-Chair

Senior Managing Director, Newmark Knight Frank

Bob Grigsby is an Atlanta native and serves as Senior Managing Director of the Atlanta office of Newmark Knight Frank. Bob consults for a number of companies offering his expertise in identifying strategic partnerships, raising and placing capital into real estate, technology, digital arts and media, healthcare IT and alternative energy projects. Bob’s real estate activities include corporate relocations, lease restructuring, business tax incentive negotiation, real estate and energy finance, monetization of tax credits and investment sales. Furthermore, Bob is invested in companies and projects in the real estate, technology, banking, energy, digital arts and media, and entertainment sectors. Bob has recently co-founded Digital Pool with Jamestown Properties, a digital arts and media collaborative center and incubator. In addition to his real estate and business activities, Bob serves on the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce Board of Advisors and is involved in the Chamber’s Economic Development Committee, Global Commerce Committee, Technology Leadership Council, Bioscience Leadership Council and Logistics Council and has chaired both the MACOC Business Lead Generation Committee and the MACOC Technology Task Force. Bob is also active in a number of community and business organizations such as the SCAD Atlanta Advisory Council, Board of Advisors for American Fueling Systems, Board of Advisors for Redbird Energy, Board of Advisors for Kiz Studios, SEMDA, Technology Association of Georgia, Georgia Bio, Georgia Game Developers Association, the French American Chamber of Commerce, the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce, the British American Business Group, the German American Chamber of Commerce, Northside United Methodist Preschool Board, Honorary Board for the Special Olympics, Let’s Cure CP Board, Buckhead Lions Club Board and is a member of the Piedmont Driving Club.