WPS iCanConserve and National Grid’s EV Program
December 17th
Presenter Biographies
Cheri Salmon, Wisconsin Public Service Company
Cheri is the Manager –Energy Resource Optimization at Wisconsin Public Service Corporation.
She received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University Wisconsin –
LaCrosse.
Cheri is responsible for providing management and leadership for energy efficiency strategy for
WPS and UPPCO in both WI and MI. Cheri also provides leadership for the strategy, planning
and coordination of the Customer Service Coordination budgets. Cheri has been with the utility
for 30 years, working in both electric and gas operational areas. Cheri was the Project Lead for
the iCanConserve Community Pilot Program.
Ben Dickson, Focus on Energy Representative
Ben Dickson has developed and managed a portfolio of utility programs throughout his career.
Currently Mr. Dickson manages the WPS Stipulation as a Senior Program Lead for Focus on
Energy. Mr. Dickson brings expertise and leadership in analyzing efficiency program costeffectiveness via TRC, Utility, Participant, and Ratepayer cost tests. Mr. Dickson brings
experience in tailoring efficiency program design based on analysis of utility avoided cost data or
wholesale power purchase projections. Prior to his current position with CB&I, Mr. Dickson
served on a task force to develop smart grid direction for utilities in Iowa, Michigan and
Wisconsin as well as administered ARRA and DOE contracts for sub-grantees. Mr. Dickson has
completed numerous energy assessments and life cycle analyses for potential efficiency
projects.
Lisa Stefanik, DNV GL
Lisa Stefanik is a consultant at DNV GL Energy & Sustainability. She is an experienced energy
consultant with a unique professional background linked to energy regulation, program
evaluation, climate change, and marketing energy efficiency and renewable energy
programming in Wisconsin.
Joe Kramer, Energy Center of Wisconsin
Joe applies his skills as an economist and environmental policy specialist to identifying,
quantifying and analyzing the Midwest's biobased renewable resources. His background in
developing economic incentive programs serves as a foundation for building the information
resources and infrastructure needed to grow this emerging industry. Calculating value is second
nature to Joe; he can tell you which of the snack items available in the office vending machine
provide the greatest caloric value per cost.
Joe is an active member of the Wisconsin Distributed Resources Collaborative, the Wisconsin
Biogas Development Group and the Industrial Advisory Board for the UW Platteville Sustainable
and Renewable Energy Systems major program. He has also assisted the Wisconsin Governor's
Consortium on Biobased Industry and the Global Warming Task Force. In addition, Joe is co-chair
of the Association of State Energy Research and Technology Transfer Institutions Bioenergy
Committee. In 2011, Joe joined an advisory committee for a project called Managing Great
Lakes Agriculture and Forestry Waste Biomass that is sponsored by The Chicago Council on
Global Affairs.
Joe has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from the University of Wisconsin, Madison
and a Masters Degree in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of Wisconsin,
Green Bay.
John Gilbrook, National Grid
John Gilbrook is the Alternative Transportation lead for National Grid US. National Grid is an
electric and gas utility operating in MA, NY and RI and has recently deployed more than 150 EV
charging stations in an effort to jump start the market, break down barriers of misconception
and provide their customers with more choice and control in the way they use energy to get
around. John will provide information surrounding what compelled National Grid to pursue this
initiative and the various markers of success they have reached so far.