ELPC Staff

Howard A. Learner is an experienced attorney serving as the President and Executive Director of the Environmental Law and Policy Center. Mr. Learner is responsible for the overall strategic policy direction, development and leadership of this public interest organization. Before founding ELPC, he was the General Counsel of Business and Professional People for the Public Interest, a public interest law center, specializing in complex civil litigation and policy development. Mr. Learner is an Adjunct Professor at Northwestern University Law School, teaching an advanced environmental law seminar. J.D., Harvard Law School, 1980; B.A., Political Science, University of Michigan, 1976
Jesse Auerbach is a Special Projects Coordinator whose responsibilities include operations, financial management and assisting with various ELPC programs. Mr. Auerbach was a co-founder of the Center for Neighborhood Technology, a music critic for Chicago magazine, and the Managing Editor and feature writer for The Neighborhood Works magazine. M.S.W., University of Pennsylvania, 1968; B.A., University of Chicago, 1962.
karenbridges1 Karen Bridges is a Staff Attorney and Policy Advocate working with the Executive Director to coordinate ELPC’s Federal Climate Change Initiative and overall Global Warming Solutions Project. Ms. Bridges previously worked as U.S. Senator Max Baucus’ Legislative Counsel and Chief Policy Advisor on clean air and climate change policy, energy policy, public lands policy during 2001 – 2006. She has worked as a Writing Instructor at William Mitchell College of Law and also served as a Law Clerk for Chief Judge Richard P. Matsch of the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. J.D., University of Montana Law School, 1999; B.A., College of William and Mary, 1993.
michaelbrod Michael Brod is a Legal Assistant supporting ELPC’s attorneys with their work. Mr. Brod previously worked as an intern for the Committee on Science and Technology in the U.S. House of Representatives and as a research assistant at the Northwestern Institute for Policy Research. B.A., Political Science, Northwestern University, 2009.
Kevin Brubaker is the Deputy Director with chief financial management organizational administrative responsibilities, and the Project Manager for the Midwest High-Speed Rail Network Project. Mr. Brubaker served as the Principal Policy Associate and Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Sundlun of Rhode Island, and as the Associate Director of Save the Bay, an environmental advocacy group. He was also the Outreach Director for the Committee for the National Institute for the Environment. B.A., Brown University, 1985.
Faith Bugel is a Senior Attorney working on a broad range of clean air litigation and clean energy policy issues. Ms. Bugel previously worked as an environmental litigation associate with the law firm of Sidley & Austin following a federal judicial clerkship in the Northern District of Illinois. She has also served as a pro bono counsel for Save the Prairie Society and has been a school teacher. J.D., Northwestern University School of Law, 1998; B.A., University of Chicago, 1992.
Katie Coleman is a Development Associate working on grant writing and foundation relations. Ms. Coleman worked previously as the editor of EJ Magazine at Michigan State University’s Knight Center for Environmental Journalism and as an associate and online editor for several trade publications based in the Chicago area. She has also worked in print and online communications capacities at Michigan Environmental Council and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. M.A., environmental journalism, Michigan State University, 2007; B.A., English, Illinois Wesleyan University, 2004.
KimberlyCollins Kimberly Collins is ELPC’s Receptionist/Administrative Assistant. Before joining ELPC, she was a Public Allies Fellow focusing on nonprofit leadership while working at The HistoryMakers on a PBS interview and fundraising special. B.A. Psychology, Spelman College, 2006; M.S. Public Service Management, 2009.
Jessica Dexter is a Staff Attorney working on environmental litigation and global warming solutions policy issues. During law school, Ms. Dexter interned with ELPC, the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board and the Vermont Supreme Court. She was a Land Use Planning Fellow with the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute. J.D. & Master of Studies in Environmental Law, Vermont Law School, 2006; B.A., Environmental Studies, Northland College, 2000.
Kathrine Dixon is a Staff Attorney working on a broad range of forest protection and clean water litigation and policy issues. During law school, Ms. Dixon interned with The Nature Conservancy, a private law firm in St. Louis, and the Environmental Justice and Community Lawyering Clinic. She served as a Senior Editor of Harvard’s Environmental Law Review, J.D. Harvard Law School, 2006; B.A. University of Richmond, 2003.
albertettinger Albert Ettinger is a Senior Attorney working on clean water and natural resources protection litigation, who leads ELPC’s Midwest Wild and Natural Places Project. Mr. Ettinger previously was a partner with the law firm of Freeman, Freeman & Salzman in Chicago, specializing in complex litigation, especially antitrust issues. He has long served as a pro bono legal counsel for the Illinois Chapter of the Sierra Club. J.D., University of Michigan, 1979; B.S., University of Michigan, 1975.
Anne Fell is a Development Assistant working on donation and database management and on prospect research. She previously worked as a Production Assistant for the University of Chicago Press, as a constituent services intern for U.S. Senator Barack Obama and in fundraising at the Handel House Museum in London.  M.A., International Relations, University of Chicago, 2008; B.A., International Studies & French, Illinois Wesleyan University, 2007.
Fidelia Gaines-Mitchell is an Administrative Assistant whose responsibilities include operations, database management, communications and marketing, assisting on energy and transportation projects as well as developing and maintaining websites. She has several years of experience as an administrator at both small and large companies. A.A.S. Accounting, Olive Harvey College, 1990.
Meleah Geertsma is a Staff Attorney working on clean air and other environmental litigation and policy issues. During law school, Ms. Geertsma interned with a private law firm, Health Law Advocates and a legal services center in Boston. Her masters of public health work concentrated on environmental health, law and development. Ms. Geertsma previously worked as a policy analyst at the Federal Trade Commission on health care and general antitrust issues. J.D., Harvard Law School, 2003; M.P.H., Harvard School of Public Health, 2004; B.A., Brown University, 1998.
Jill M. Geiger is the Director of Marketing and Communications, focusing on overall organizational communications, marketing and development activities. Ms. Geiger previously worked as the Communications Director at the Massachusetts Housing Partnership Fund in Boston and in strategic communications and project management roles for the Center for National Policy, National Neighbors, and the American Institute of Architects in Washington D.C. M.S., Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism, 2004; B.S., Carnegie Mellon University, 1992.
Peter Gray is a Media Relations Associate focusing on building publicity and public awareness for all of ELPC’s issues and initiatives. Mr. Gray previously worked as Communications Manager for Illinois Action for Children and as a freelance journalist for the Chicago Sun Times. B.A., University of Illinois, 2000.
Mindi Grieve is a Government Relations Specialist, working out of Jamestown, North Dakota on ELPC’s Great Plains Expansion, including renewable energy development policies, implementing the Farm Bill’s clean energy development programs, and advocating state-based global warming solutions policies and programs in the Great Plains. Ms. Grieve previously worked as the Director of Governmental Relations for the North Dakota Farmers Union since 1997. She serves on the Jamestown, North Dakota Public Schools Board and on the North Dakota Alliance for Renewable Energy. B.S., Communications, North Dakota State University, 1990.
Allen Grosboll is a Senior Policy Advocate and ELPC’s Co-Legislative Director working on clean energy, transportation and natural resources issues before Congress, state legislatures and public agencies. Mr. Grosboll helps lead ELPC’s policy advocacy and rural coalition-building work on the Farm Bill – Clean Energy Development Project. Mr. Grosboll served as the Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor on environment, education and natural resources issues to Illinois Governor Jim Edgar and as Chief of Staff for the Illinois Secretary of State. B.S., Eastern Illinois University, 1973.
Staff Attorney Michael Heintz Michael Heintz is a Staff Attorney working in ELPC’s Columbus, Ohio office on renewable energy development and energy efficiency issues.  Mr. Heintz previously worked as an Associate with the Porter Wright Morris & Arthur law firm in Columbus and was a member of the Environmental Practice Group focusing on various environmental and energy issues.  J.D., Indiana University, 2003; M.S., Environmental Science, Indiana University, 2003; B.S., Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, Purdue University, 1999.
RobKelter Robert Kelter is a Senior Attorney working on ELPC’S Energy Project. Mr. Kelter is an experienced energy and public utilities regulatory attorney, who served for many years as the General Counsel of the Illinois Citizens Utility Board handling a wide array of electricity and natural gas rate and rulemaking cases and issues before the Illinois Commerce Commission. Before then, he worked at Environmental Action and the Washington D.C. Office of the Peoples Counsel. Mr. Kelter is the current Chair of the Board of the Illinois Environmental Council. B.A., Indiana University, 1981; J.D., University of San Diego, 1987.
Brad Klein is a Staff Attorney working on a broad range of clean energy and clean water litigation and policy issues. Mr. Klein served as a law clerk for Judge Emmet Sullivan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and worked as a law fellow at the Environmental Law Institute. Before attending law school, he worked as an environmental engineer at the CH2M Hill consulting firm. J.D., New York University School of Law, 2003; B.S., Chemical Engineering, Washington University, 1998.
Linda Lipton is the Director of Development responsible for expanding ELPC’s development program to support current operations and strategic growth. Ms. Lipton is an experienced strategic and development consultant with non-profit groups and worked previously as a civil rights litigator with the Children’s Defense Fund and as a clinical faculty member at the Northwestern University School of Law. She co-authored “Third Sector Leadership in Chicago,” a study on leaders of human service agencies. J.D., University of Pennsylvania, 1974; M.B.A., Northwestern University, 1990.
Barry Matchett is ELPC’s Co-Legislative Director and a Policy Advocate working on ELPC’s Energy Project to develop renewable energy resources and policies, implement the new clean energy development programs of the Federal Farm Bill, and advocate state-based global warming solutions policies and programs. Mr. Matchett previously worked as Policy Advisor to the Chairman of the Illinois Commerce Commission. He has also worked on several national and local political campaigns. M.P.P., University of Chicago, 2001; B.A., Political Science, Grinnell College, 1994.
mattmclarty Matt McLarty is a Policy Advocate working in ELPC’s Sioux Falls, South Dakota office on clean energy development and global warming solutions advocacy, Farm Bill – Clean Energy Development and natural resources preservation issues.  Mr. McLarty previously worked as the Legislative Director for the South Dakota Democratic Party and, before then, as the Director of Governmental Affairs for the South Dakota Farmers Union.  B.A., Political Science/Communications, University of South Dakota, 2000.
John Moore is a Senior Attorney managing the Farm Bill – Clean Energy Development Project and working on the Energy Project and Transportation and Land Use Reform Project. Mr. Moore previously worked as an attorney with the law firms of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey and Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld in Washington D.C., where he focused on environmental litigation and regulatory issues. He also served as a pro bono counsel for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. J.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Law, 1989; B.A., Denison University, 1985.
Melville Nickerson is a Staff Attorney and Government Relations Specialist working on ELPC’s global warming solutions project and clean energy policy issues. Mr. Nickerson previously worked on energy issues as a legal counsel for the Illinois Citizens Utility Board. He as also worked with several private law firms, as well as with the Office of the Attorney General and the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development as an Intergovernmental Affairs Liaison. J.D. Chicago-Kent College of Law, 1999, B.A. Political Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1994.
Andy Olsen is a Senior Policy Advocate responsible for field organizing and constituency building for ELPC’s Farm Bill – Clean Energy Development program. Mr. Olsen managed the Governor’s Alternative Fuels Task Force and led several collaborative renewable energy efforts in Wisconsin. He has served as a Dane County Supervisor, Dane County Lakes & Watershed Commission member, and as the Board President of RENEW Wisconsin. M.S., Energy Analysis & Policy, University of Wisconsin, 1996; B.A., Economics, Northwestern University, 1983.
Caroline Pakenham is a Legal Assistant supporting ELPC’s attorneys with their work. During graduate school, Ms. Pakenham interned with the City of Denver’s Environmental Quality Department, working on a city-wide sustainability program, and she was an environmental educator with the Brooklyn Center for the Urban Environment. M.A., Political Science, Colorado State University, 2007; B.A., Journalism and Mass Communications, Drake University, 2005.
KristiPullen Kristi Pullen is an ELPC Science Policy Fellow, bringing her science and health expertise to ELPC’s advocacy programs.  Dr. Pullen was previously a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health and Society Scholar and Postdoctoral Fellow at the Harvard School of Public Health.  Ph.D., Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California – Berkeley, 2006; B.S., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland, 2000.
EdRoggenkamp Ed Roggenkamp is an Environmental Law Fellow working on clean energy and clean water litigation and policy issues.  Mr. Roggenkamp worked as a legal intern with the Conservation Law Foundation, the Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Oliver & Hedges law firm and the Boston University General Counsel’s Office.  In addition to his legal work, he has been an actor in numerous stage presentations. J.D., Harvard Law School, 2009; B.A., Theatre Studies, Yale University, 2000.
Andrew Snow is the Campaign Director for ELPC’s Iowa Global Warming Campaign. Prior to joining ELPC, Mr. Snow worked for Sierra Club, most recently serving as Regional Representative for Iowa. Mr. Snow is an experienced campaign operative and project administrator who has served on a number of issue and electoral campaigns dating to 1998. B.A., University of Louisville, McConnell School of Political Leadership, 2002.
michaelsoules Michael Soules is a Staff Attorney in ELPC’s Minneapolis office working on clean air and coal plant issues and other environmental litigation and policy issues. Mr. Soules previously worked as a senior associate with the environmental practice group at the Minneapolis-based law firm of Faegre & Benson where he engaged in pro bono litigation for several environmental groups. He also served as a law clerk for the Honorable Richard Clifton on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals for the United States, and as an associate with the Sidley & Austin law firm. J.D., Yale Law School, 2003; M.A., City Planning, University of California – Berkeley, 2000; B.A., University of Michigan, 1998.
Kay Tamillow is the Executive Assistant to the Executive Director assisting him on organizational management, environmental event coordination and other opportunities.  Ms. Tamillow was previously a policy intern for Illinois State Senator Heather Steans.  M.A., International Studies, Claremont Graduate University, 2008; B.A., International Studies, University of Chicago, 2006.
StephanieTatham Stephanie Tatham is an Environmental Law Fellow working on transportation reform and high-speed rail policy issues.  Ms. Tatham worked as a legal intern for the Arnold & Porter law firm and the Legal Resources Centre (Cape Town, South Africa).  Before law school, she worked for the Environmental Defense Fund on greenhouse gas pollution reduction issues in the transportation sector.  J.D., New York University School of Law, 2009; B.A., Politics, Princeton University, 2004.
KarenTorrent Karen Torrent is ELPC’s Federal Legislative Director working in ELPC’s Washington, D.C. office on climate change, clean energy, agriculture and transportation reform issues.  Ms. Torrent previously worked as a trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division and then as Majority Staff Counsel for the United States House of Representatives, Committee on Energy and Commerce.  J.D., University of Minnesota, 1987; M.P.P, University of Michigan, year; 1988; B.A. Baldwin-Wallace College, 1982.
Nelly Verezhensky Nelly Verezhensky is an Accountant/Bookkeeper, bringing for-profit accounting experience with firms in Canada and the United States. M.S., Economics, Kishinev, USSR, 1972; B.S., Economics/Accounting, Kishinev, USSR, 1971.
madeleineweil Madeleine Weil is a Policy Advocate working to implement the Chicago Climate Change Action Plan’s renewable energy policies and on federal and state energy and transportation policy initiatives. Ms. Weil previously served as the Deputy Director for Policy & Communications for the City of Knoxville where she directed energy efficiency and sustainability initiatives. She also worked as a Policy Analyst at Environment Northeast and as a Project Coordinator for the Community Clean Air Initiative in New Haven, Connecticut. M.A., Environmental Management, Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, 2002; B.A., Environment/Technology Studies, Carleton College, 1999.
JamieWest Jamie West is an Information Technology & Communications Associate providing IT support along with working on web and other projects.  Ms. West previously worked at the University of Michigan tech support center.  B.A., Environmental Communications, University of Michigan, 2009.
Sarah Wochos is a Policy Advocate working to encourage clean energy development opportunities for municipal electric utilities and discourage new investments in old technology coal plants. Ms. Wochospreviously worked as a Policy Analyst for the Council of State Governments – Midwest, staffing the Midwest Radioactive Materials Transportation Committee, and she served as a conference organizer for the United Jewish Communities in New York City. M.A., Humanities, New York University, 2003; B.A., University of Wisconsin, 1999.