About Us
The decarbonization of our economy is within our reach, and it is now more important than ever. Shifting America’s energy use away from carbon-intensive fuels and toward clean and renewable sources of energy will reduce pollution, create economic opportunity and ultimately decrease the cost of energy, resulting in a healthier and more equitable, sustainable and affordable future for all. The community next to the coal plant, the home next to the highway and the millions of individuals who will be impacted by climate change because of high carbon emissions are at the heart of what we do.
Gridworks brings stakeholders from across the Western United States together to achieve their decarbonization goals. We facilitate and foster connections between decarbonization advocates, energy providers and utility operators, enabling them to collectively determine the best approach to achieving decarbonization. Together with these stakeholders, we work to advance policy and help states undertake a just transition toward sustainability. And we provide expert advice and guidance to policymakers as they make this important shift.
Our work has contributed to California leading the nation toward a 100 percent clean energy future. From early successes in California, we have scaled our work to Oregon, Colorado and Hawaii. As our work helps to expand the clean energy grid in the West, our ability to provide meaningful guidance to stakeholders and possibilities for a better energy future will continue to grow.
STAFF
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Matthew Tisdale
Executive Director
Matthew Tisdale is the Executive Director of Gridworks, leading Gridworks strategy, administration, expert facilitation and consulting services. Matthew has practiced clean energy policy since 2008 and facilitation since 2017. Prior to Gridworks, Matthew served as a Senior Energy Advisor to the California Public Utilities Commission contributing to California’s clean energy leadership. He holds a Master’s in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s in Philosophy, both from The George Washington University. Matthew lives in Alameda, California with his amazing family and six chickens.
Matthew Tisdale
Exective Director
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Matthew Tisdale
Executive Director
Matthew Tisdale is the Executive Director of Gridworks, leading Gridworks strategy, administration, expert facilitation and consulting services. Matthew has practiced clean energy policy since 2008 and facilitation since 2017. Prior to Gridworks, Matthew served as a Senior Energy Advisor to the California Public Utilities Commission contributing to California’s clean energy leadership. He holds a Master’s in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s in Philosophy, both from The George Washington University. Matthew lives in Alameda, California with his amazing family and six chickens.
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Claire Halbrook
Director
Claire is an energy strategist and professional organizer of people. She has spent ten years in the energy and environmental space with Pacific Gas and Electric Company, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, the California Environmental Protection Agency, and Johnson and Johnson. During her career, Claire has spearheaded several first–of-their-kind greenhouse gas reduction initiatives at Fortune 500 companies; overseen a multitude of projects with annual budgets in excess of $150 million; and built strong working relationships with leaders in private industry, environmental NGOs, and local, state, and federal governments. Claire holds a BA from UC San Diego and an MBA from UC Davis.
Claire Halbrook
Director
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Claire Halbrook
Director
Claire is an energy strategist and professional organizer of people. She has spent ten years in the energy and environmental space with Pacific Gas and Electric Company, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, the California Environmental Protection Agency, and Johnson and Johnson. During her career, Claire has spearheaded several first–of-their-kind greenhouse gas reduction initiatives at Fortune 500 companies; overseen a multitude of projects with annual budgets in excess of $150 million; and built strong working relationships with leaders in private industry, environmental NGOs, and local, state, and federal governments. Claire holds a BA from UC San Diego and an MBA from UC Davis.
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Katie Wu
Director
Katie Wu is an environmental professional with nine years of experience in environmental and energy work. She was formerly a Regulatory Analyst and Supervisor in Energy Efficiency at the California Public Utilities Commission. Her work there covered cost-effectiveness analysis, energy savings forecasting, utility shareholder incentives, and integrated distributed energy resource policy issues. Prior to the CPUC, Katie worked in CEQA and Superfund enforcement in California. She holds a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Evolution from UC San Diego.
Katie Wu
Senior Fellow
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Katie Wu
Director
Katie Wu is an environmental professional with nine years of experience in environmental and energy work. She was formerly a Regulatory Analyst and Supervisor in Energy Efficiency at the California Public Utilities Commission. Her work there covered cost-effectiveness analysis, energy savings forecasting, utility shareholder incentives, and integrated distributed energy resource policy issues. Prior to the CPUC, Katie worked in CEQA and Superfund enforcement in California. She holds a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Evolution from UC San Diego.
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Mike Florio
Senior Fellow
Mike Florio is a former Commissioner of the California Public Utilities Commission (2011-2016). Prior to this appointment, Commissioner Florio was a senior attorney at The Utility Reform Network, and served in that capacity since 1978. Commissioner Florio is a member of California Conference of Public Utility Counsel. He was also a member of the board of governors of the California Independent System Operator from 1997 to 2005. Commissioner Florio holds a J.D. from New York University School of Law, a M.P.A. from the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University and a B.A. from Bowling Green State University.
Mike Florio
Senior Fellow
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Mike Florio
Senior Fellow
Mike Florio is a former Commissioner of the California Public Utilities Commission (2011-2016). Prior to this appointment, Commissioner Florio was a senior attorney at The Utility Reform Network, and served in that capacity since 1978. Commissioner Florio is a member of California Conference of Public Utility Counsel. He was also a member of the board of governors of the California Independent System Operator from 1997 to 2005. Commissioner Florio holds a J.D. from New York University School of Law, a M.P.A. from the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University and a B.A. from Bowling Green State University.
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Rebecca Lee
Equity Fellow
Rebecca Lee has more than two decades of experience as an educator and facilitator in social equity, human rights and the environment. She began her work in clean energy policy leading the regulatory team at Sungevity, a residential solar developer. She currently convenes discussions with regulators, policymakers and cleantech business leaders to advance California’s decarbonization goals. Prior to her work in clean energy, she was a professor and academic researcher specializing in the intersection of race, class and gender in politics and culture. During her tenure, she partnered with community-based organizations to improve college access and success for low income and underrepresented groups. She also mentored student-led initiatives focused on racial and environmental justice. She holds a Ph.D. from Cornell University and a B.A. from Wellesley College.
Rebecca Lee
Equity Fellow
Rebecca Lee
Equity Fellow
Rebecca Lee has more than two decades of experience as an educator and facilitator in social equity, human rights and the environment. She began her work in clean energy policy leading the regulatory team at Sungevity, a residential solar developer. She currently convenes discussions with regulators, policymakers and cleantech business leaders to advance California’s decarbonization goals. Prior to her work in clean energy, she was a professor and academic researcher specializing in the intersection of race, class and gender in politics and culture. During her tenure, she partnered with community-based organizations to improve college access and success for low income and underrepresented groups. She also mentored student-led initiatives focused on racial and environmental justice. She holds a Ph.D. from Cornell University and a B.A. from Wellesley College.
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Amanda Ormond
Senior Fellow
Amanda Ormond is a technical and policy consultant specializing in clean energy. She has thirty years of experience working in Arizona and the West; the past two decades managing the Ormond Group LLC. She previously served as Arizona State Energy Office Director under two governors. Amanda has worked as a convener and liaison for industry, government, utility, and non-governmental organizations to implement collaborative solutions to develop the West’s vast renewable energy resources, as well as the transmission to bring resources to market. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Earth Science and is a trained mediator. Amanda is President of the Board of Directors of the Regulatory Assistance Project.
Amanda Ormond
Senior Fellow
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Amanda Ormond
Senior Fellow
Amanda Ormond is a technical and policy consultant specializing in clean energy. She has thirty years of experience working in Arizona and the West; the past two decades managing the Ormond Group LLC. She previously served as Arizona State Energy Office Director under two governors. Amanda has worked as a convener and liaison for industry, government, utility, and non-governmental organizations to implement collaborative solutions to develop the West’s vast renewable energy resources, as well as the transmission to bring resources to market. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Earth Science and is a trained mediator. Amanda is President of the Board of Directors of the Regulatory Assistance Project.
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Mark Danielson
Senior Fellow, Offshore Wind and Renewable Energy
Mark Danielson is a Senior Fellow at the California Energy Commission specializing in marine renewable energy development and stakeholder engagement. He recently completed a California Sea Grant Fellowship working with the California State Lands Commission on a variety of marine spatial planning projects, including offshore wind energy development and marine protected area management. He also focused on tribal consultations and stakeholder engagement for these projects and worked to implement an environmental justice policy recently adopted by the Commission. He holds a Master’s degree in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation from Scripps Institution of Oceanography and a Bachelor’s in Marine Biology from Rollins College. Mark lives in Sacramento, California and is a naturalist and avid wildlife photographer.
Mark Danielson
Senior Fellow, Offshore Wind and Renewable Energy
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Mark Danielson
Senior Fellow, Offshore Wind and Renewable Energy
Mark Danielson is a Senior Fellow at the California Energy Commission specializing in marine renewable energy development and stakeholder engagement. He recently completed a California Sea Grant Fellowship working with the California State Lands Commission on a variety of marine spatial planning projects, including offshore wind energy development and marine protected area management. He also focused on tribal consultations and stakeholder engagement for these projects and worked to implement an environmental justice policy recently adopted by the Commission. He holds a Master’s degree in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation from Scripps Institution of Oceanography and a Bachelor’s in Marine Biology from Rollins College. Mark lives in Sacramento, California and is a naturalist and avid wildlife photographer.
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Jeffrey Ackermann
Senior Fellow
Jeff Ackermann served as chairman of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) from January 2017 until January 2021. During that tenure Jeff presided over some of the most dramatic clean energy developments in Colorado’s regulated electric sector, spanning from accelerated retirement of fossil-fuel generating resources to grid modernization and electrification of the transportation sector. Concurrently in 2019-2020, Jeff served as chair of the Energy Resources and the Environment Committee of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners.
Prior to serving as PUC chair, Jeff served as director of the Colorado Energy Office in the Hickenlooper Administration for four years, starting in 2013. In this capacity, Jeff provided leadership for various initiatives that expanded the state’s clean energy agenda.
Jeff currently is a senior policy advisor with the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University and also provides policy advice through the Regulatory Assistance Project.
Jeff draws upon extensive experience in staff and leadership roles, within the Colorado PUC and various organizations developing and implementing innovative energy efficiency programs and addressing the needs of income-stressed households. Jeff has a Master’s of Nonprofit Management degree from Regis University and an Environmental Economic Policy degree from Albion College. He lives in Denver, Colorado, with his wife, Marilynn, and has two adult children.
Jeffrey Ackermann
Senior Fellow
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Jeffrey Ackermann
Senior Fellow
Jeff Ackermann served as chairman of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) from January 2017 until January 2021. During that tenure Jeff presided over some of the most dramatic clean energy developments in Colorado’s regulated electric sector, spanning from accelerated retirement of fossil-fuel generating resources to grid modernization and electrification of the transportation sector. Concurrently in 2019-2020, Jeff served as chair of the Energy Resources and the Environment Committee of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners.
Prior to serving as PUC chair, Jeff served as director of the Colorado Energy Office in the Hickenlooper Administration for four years, starting in 2013. In this capacity, Jeff provided leadership for various initiatives that expanded the state’s clean energy agenda.
Jeff currently is a senior policy advisor with the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University and also provides policy advice through the Regulatory Assistance Project.
Jeff draws upon extensive experience in staff and leadership roles, within the Colorado PUC and various organizations developing and implementing innovative energy efficiency programs and addressing the needs of income-stressed households. Jeff has a Master’s of Nonprofit Management degree from Regis University and an Environmental Economic Policy degree from Albion College. He lives in Denver, Colorado, with his wife, Marilynn, and has two adult children.
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Deborah Shields
Operations and Communications Director
Deborah is Gridworks Operations and Communications Director managing all financial, administrative and communications functions for Gridworks bringing significant experience in overseeing large projects and leading process improvements for a variety of organizations. Prior to her current position, Deborah was brand engagement manager at Current TV in San Francisco. She has extensive experience in advertising, sales and marketing with such organizations as FOX Broadcasting Co., New Line Cinema and 20th Century Fox Studios in Los Angeles. Deborah holds a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the University of California, San Diego.
Deborah Shields
Operations and
Communications
Director
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Deborah Shields
Operations and Communications Director
Deborah is Gridworks Operations and Communications Director managing all financial, administrative and communications functions for Gridworks bringing significant experience in overseeing large projects and leading process improvements for a variety of organizations. Prior to her current position, Deborah was brand engagement manager at Current TV in San Francisco. She has extensive experience in advertising, sales and marketing with such organizations as FOX Broadcasting Co., New Line Cinema and 20th Century Fox Studios in Los Angeles. Deborah holds a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the University of California, San Diego.
BOARD
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Tony Brunello
Founder
Tony Brunello founded Gridworks in 2010 to help policy-makers tackle the most difficult issues in decarbonizing electricity grids. Gridworks helps utility commissions, electric utilities, policy advocates and others identify solutions to challenging grid issues, develop solutions and make them operational in practice. Tony, a former top energy official in California, has worked on energy and environmental issues at the state, national, and international level for the past 20 years for industry, government and nonprofit organizations. Tony is also a Partner at California Strategies, one of California’s largest strategic policy consulting firms. Tony has a Master’s degree in Environmental and Resource Economics from University College London and undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies and Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He lives in Oakland with his wife and two daughters.
Tony Brunello
Founder
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Tony Brunello
Founder
Tony Brunello founded Gridworks in 2010 to help policy-makers tackle the most difficult issues in decarbonizing electricity grids. Gridworks helps utility commissions, electric utilities, policy advocates and others identify solutions to challenging grid issues, develop solutions and make them operational in practice. Tony, a former top energy official in California, has worked on energy and environmental issues at the state, national, and international level for the past 20 years for industry, government and nonprofit organizations. Tony is also a Partner at California Strategies, one of California’s largest strategic policy consulting firms. Tony has a Master’s degree in Environmental and Resource Economics from University College London and undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies and Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He lives in Oakland with his wife and two daughters.
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Manal Yamout
Chair
Manal is a Partner at Caliber Strategies, a boutique consulting firm focused on bringing disruptive energy technologies to market. Previously, Manal co-founded and was Senior Vice President of Policy and Markets for AMS, a leading distributed energy storage and software company. She served as Director of Government Affairs for NextEra Energy/Florida, Power & Light—the country’s largest clean energy company. Prior to this, she served as renewable energy advisor to both California Governors Brown and Schwarzenegger. Manal jointly coordinated California’s effort to bring the state closer to its goal of providing at least 33% of electricity from renewables and worked to streamline permitting for tens of billions in in-state investment and ultimately 16,000 megawatts of electricity. In addition, she helped lay the foundation for Governor Brown’s energy program to develop 12,000 megawatts of distributed power in California. Prior to this, Manal served as California’s Assistant Secretary for International Trade, Special Assistant to First Lady Maria Shriver and as an Executive Fellow in the Office of the Governor. Manal holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California and a degree in Biology from CSU San Marcos.
Manal Yamout
Chair
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Manal Yamout
Chair
Manal is a Partner at Caliber Strategies, a boutique consulting firm focused on bringing disruptive energy technologies to market. Previously, Manal co-founded and was Senior Vice President of Policy and Markets for AMS, a leading distributed energy storage and software company. She served as Director of Government Affairs for NextEra Energy/Florida, Power & Light—the country’s largest clean energy company. Prior to this, she served as renewable energy advisor to both California Governors Brown and Schwarzenegger. Manal jointly coordinated California’s effort to bring the state closer to its goal of providing at least 33% of electricity from renewables and worked to streamline permitting for tens of billions in in-state investment and ultimately 16,000 megawatts of electricity. In addition, she helped lay the foundation for Governor Brown’s energy program to develop 12,000 megawatts of distributed power in California. Prior to this, Manal served as California’s Assistant Secretary for International Trade, Special Assistant to First Lady Maria Shriver and as an Executive Fellow in the Office of the Governor. Manal holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California and a degree in Biology from CSU San Marcos.
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Audrey Lee
At Sunrun Audrey deploys and aggregates home solar, batteries, and other energy services to serve residential customers, utilities, and grid operators in creating a more affordable, clean, reliable electricity grid. Previously, Audrey was VP of Analytics & Design at Advanced Microgrid Solutions and led policy and analysis at the CA Public Utilities Commission President’s office. She holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Princeton University. Audrey and her team at Sunrun were recently recognized by Utility Dive as the “Disruptor of the Year.”
Audrey Lee
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Audrey Lee
At Sunrun Audrey deploys and aggregates home solar, batteries, and other energy services to serve residential customers, utilities, and grid operators in creating a more affordable, clean, reliable electricity grid. Previously, Audrey was VP of Analytics & Design at Advanced Microgrid Solutions and led policy and analysis at the CA Public Utilities Commission President’s office. She holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Princeton University. Audrey and her team at Sunrun were recently recognized by Utility Dive as the “Disruptor of the Year.”
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Aimee Barnes
Aimee has over 15 years’ experience in climate, energy and sustainability, spanning the state, federal and international levels, and the public, private, and non-profit sectors. She currently runs her own consulting practice, Hua Nani Partners, and serves as senior advisor at the California-China Climate Institute, which was established to spur further climate action and dialogue between California and China. Aimee has also served previously as Senior Advisor to California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., Deputy Secretary for Border and Intergovernmental Relations at the California Environmental Protection Agency, and was a partner at Allotrope Partners. She has an MPA in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), and a BA from Dartmouth College in Environmental Studies.
Aimee Barnes
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Aimee Barnes
Aimee has over 15 years’ experience in climate, energy and sustainability, spanning the state, federal and international levels, and the public, private, and non-profit sectors. She currently runs her own consulting practice, Hua Nani Partners, and serves as senior advisor at the California-China Climate Institute, which was established to spur further climate action and dialogue between California and China. Aimee has also served previously as Senior Advisor to California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., Deputy Secretary for Border and Intergovernmental Relations at the California Environmental Protection Agency, and was a partner at Allotrope Partners. She has an MPA in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), and a BA from Dartmouth College in Environmental Studies.
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Todd Achilles
Todd Achilles is the President & CEO of Edge Networks, Inc. Todd has spent his career in product, engineering, marketing and sales roles within the tech and telecom sectors. Previously, Todd was VP/GM for Consumer Mobility at Hewlett-Packard where he led the worldwide business unit as well as HP’s global connectivity initiatives. At HTC, Todd was employee #2 and led the Americas region where he grew the smartphone leader to over a billion dollars in revenue. At T-Mobile, Todd led the product management team and was responsible for a $2B devices portfolio and 16M mobile devices per year. Todd also serves as a principal at Xanthus Energy Partners, which applies next generation connectivity to make energy demand more responsive.
A former U.S. Army tank officer, Todd holds two U.S. patents and is an American Marshall Memorial Fellow. He is board vice chair of City Year San Jose/Silicon Valley, an education-focused nonprofit that unites young people for a year of public service in under-resourced schools. Todd received his BA from Claremont McKenna College, his MBA and MAIS from the University of Washington, and MPA from the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley where he also serves as a lecturer. Todd lives in Ketchum, Idaho with is wife and two kids.
Todd Achilles
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Todd Achilles
Todd Achilles is the President & CEO of Edge Networks, Inc. Todd has spent his career in product, engineering, marketing and sales roles within the tech and telecom sectors. Previously, Todd was VP/GM for Consumer Mobility at Hewlett-Packard where he led the worldwide business unit as well as HP’s global connectivity initiatives. At HTC, Todd was employee #2 and led the Americas region where he grew the smartphone leader to over a billion dollars in revenue. At T-Mobile, Todd led the product management team and was responsible for a $2B devices portfolio and 16M mobile devices per year. Todd also serves as a principal at Xanthus Energy Partners, which applies next generation connectivity to make energy demand more responsive.
A former U.S. Army tank officer, Todd holds two U.S. patents and is an American Marshall Memorial Fellow. He is board vice chair of City Year San Jose/Silicon Valley, an education-focused nonprofit that unites young people for a year of public service in under-resourced schools. Todd received his BA from Claremont McKenna College, his MBA and MAIS from the University of Washington, and MPA from the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley where he also serves as a lecturer. Todd lives in Ketchum, Idaho with is wife and two kids.
