March 20, 2013 – It has been just over three months since a Youth Advisory Committee first met at Solar Canada 2012 to define what CanSIA (Canadian Solar Industries Association) should do to engage Canada’s future business and environmental leaders. The result is the formation of a new initiative called “Emerging Leaders for Solar Energy” (ELSE), as well as an inaugural executive committee.

“We received a tremendous response when we opened up the nomination period for the inaugural ELSE Executive Committee, a testament to the bright and passionate leaders in the solar energy sector across Canada,” said CanSIA president John Gorman. “The inaugural ELSE Executive Committee is a group of bright young leaders, passionate about promoting and growing the solar energy sector in Canada. I can’t wait to see what this group and the broader ELSE membership will be able to achieve!”

Meet the inaugural ELSE executive committee:

• David Berliner, co-chair (associate, Inerjys)
• Ines Ribeiro, co-chair (environmental assessment coordinator, Mainstream Renewable Power)
• Grace Russell, vice-chair, campaigns (business operations manager, Hanwha Solar Canada Inc.)
• Jay Wilmot, vice-chair, internal (articled clerk, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP)
• Jonathan Frank, vice-chair, research & communications (technical sales manager, RESCo Energy Inc.)
• David Hampson, public outreach rep, campaigns (solar PV design consultant, Hampson Consulting)
• Gil Amdurski, professional development lead (sustainable technologies monitoring technician, Toronto & Region Conservation Authority [TRCA])
• Jeff Smalley, policy rep, campaigns (field engineer, PCL Renewables)
• Lia Van Baalen, public outreach rep, research (marketing assistant, Fronius Canada)
• Nick Basedow, business community liaison (supply chain manager, GM Canada)
• Noel McDonald, policy rep, research (associate, Great Circle Solar Management Corp.)

Over the next year, ELSE will be working on public outreach initiatives, targeted policymaker campaigns, and providing a professional development program for students and young professionals interested in solar. ELSE will begin its focus in Ontario, then expand nationally later in 2013.