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.

Sam Berndt is the ELPC’s Receptionist/Administrative Assistant.  Before joining ELPC, he researched farmer behavior and water policy in the Karst region of Northeast Iowa for the Environmental Protection Agency. B.A., Economics, Luther College, 2008.

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.

Elissa Berger is an Environmental Law Fellow at ELPC. Elissa recently completed a judicial clerkship with Judge Michael Chagares of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (Philadelphia). She graduated from Brooklyn Law School, summa cum laude, in 2006, and from Macalester College (Minneapolis), where she received a B.A. in Political Science in 1997. Between college and law school, Elissa worked in the Minnesota State Legislature and as the Political Organizer/Director of Operations for the Working Families Party in New York City.

Sherry Bertramsen is an ELPC Agricultural Economist working in ELPC’s Sioux Falls, South Dakota office on renewable energy policy, rural economic development and Farm Bill – Clean Energy Development opportunities. Ms. Bertramsen previously worked as an Agricultural Statistician for the United States Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service in Louisville, Kentucky. She analyzed statistical data from producer surveys and wrote comments supporting estimates made for major commodities. M.S., Economics, South Dakota State University, 2002; B.S., Agricultural Business, South Dakota State University, 2000.

Stephanie Chase is a Policy Associate working on ELPC’s Great Plains Expansion and clean energy development projects. Ms. Chase previously worked as an intern for South Dakota Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin, the South Dakota State Senate’s Minority Leader’s Office, and the South Dakota State University Foundation. She was a 2006 finalist for the Truman Fellowship. B.S., Political Science, South Dakota State University, 2007.

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.

Jessica Dexter is an Environmental Law Fellow 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 an Environmental Law Fellow 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.

Evan Eschmeyer is an Environmental Law Fellow working principally on clean energy development policy issues and project developments in Ohio. Evan previously worked as a summer law intern with the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee and at ELPC. He played professional basketball in the NBA and was a member of the NBA Players’ Association negotiating committee. J.D., Northwestern University School of Law, 2008; M.B.A., Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern), 2008; B.A., Biology & Secondary Education, Northwestern University, 1998.

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.

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. He also worked as a policy staff member in the Illinois Legislature. B.S., Eastern Illinois University, 1973.

Alison Horn is a Policy Associate working out of ELPC’s Madison office on policy analysis, coalition-building and constituency outreach primarily on forestry issues. Ms. Horn previously served as a legislative intern for US Senator Russ Feingold and as an intern for Senator Feingold’s campaign. B.S, Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2008.


Kerri Johannsen is a Policy Advocate working in ELPC’s Des Moines office on renewable energy, global warmingand clean water policy and implementation of clean energy development opportunities in the Federal Farm Bill. Ms. Johannsen previously served as a Majority Professional Staff Member with the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, working closely with Senator Harkin on Farm Bill energy programs and as a Fiscal Analyst with the Iowa Legislature. M.P.P., University of Minnesota, 2005; B.A., Political Science, Gustavus Adolphus College, 2002.

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.

Charlie Kubert is a Senior Environmental Business Specialist working on the Energy Project, Green Restaurants Initiative and other ELPC eco-business initiatives. He applies his experience in financial analysis and strategic planning to renewable energy financing and other clean energy development issues. Mr. Kubert previously was a management consultant with Pricewaterhouse Coopers and KPMG Consulting working primarily in the transportation industry. He serves as the Board Chair of Friends of the Chicago River. M.B.A., University of Chicago, 1985; B.A., Political Science and Environmental Studies, Williams College, 1981.

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.

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 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.


Kelsey Snell is a Legal Assistant supporting ELPC’s attorneys with their work. Ms. Snell has a background in urban politics and policy. Previously, she worked as an editor and writer covering Chicago politics and the arts for a variety of local publications. B.A., DePaul University, 2006.

Joe Shacter is a senior policy advocate at ELPC. He works on transportation strategies to reduce greenhouse gas pollution, on ELPC’s Greening Chicago Initiatives and on other eco-business initiatives. Before joining ELPC, Mr. Shacter served as President/CEO of The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum for four years and in various leadership positions at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry. His transportation background includes four years as a senior operations and financial analyst for United Airlines. M.B.A., Kellogg School of Management, and M.S., Journalism, Medill School, Northwestern University, 1987; B.A., Business Administration, University of Michigan, 1982.

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.

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.

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.

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.