Executive Leadership
Bill Kent
Bill has been involved in the energy management industry for over 30 years and brings expertise in energy efficiency, automation, building systems, and executive leadership. Since joining AEE in 2007, Bill has led many key initiatives and has managed the day-to-day operations of the organization since his previous role as Managing Director.
His current focus is to promote the vision and mission of AEE to both developed and developing countries around the world – reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions and improving the quality of life and economic advancement through the implementation of clean energy solutions.
Bill attended the University of Georgia and is a Certified Energy Manager® (CEM®) and serves on numerous Boards and Advisory Groups.
Jane Robles
Jane joined AEE in 2025 and is responsible for overseeing operational processes to maximize efficiency and align work with AEE’s strategic plan, implementing technology solutions, and cultivating an organizational culture that reflects AEE’s mission, vision, and values. She is passionate about solving problems, working with cohesive, high-performing teams, and driving organizational impact. She thrives on creating streamlined processes and fostering a positive, productive work environment.
Before joining AEE, Jane developed a strong foundation in strategic leadership and organizational development. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Kentucky and a Master of Science in Communication from Purdue University. This academic background equips her with a unique perspective on effective communication and operational excellence.
Outside of work, Jane is an avid explorer, finding joy in discovering new parts of the world and experiencing new restaurants. She is also a devoted wife and mom to two daughters and two beagles, finding balance and happiness in her family life.
Mary Elise Cox
Mary Elise Cox is a seasoned professional with a robust background in project and contract management, sales, business development, and strategic partnerships. As the Senior Director for Global Development at AEE, she brings over 17 years of experience in the energy efficiency industry. Mary Elise is a recognized leader who has held various positions at the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). Her key accomplishments include leading global growth and expansion, striving to fulfill the organization’s vision for a clean and sustainable future, building and maintaining relationships across cultures, demonstrating passion and commitment to making a positive difference. Mary Elise is dedicated, passionate, accomplished, and committed to making a positive impact in the world.
Helen Johnson
Helen joined AEE in 2004 and leads the certification team while overseeing compliance with 17024 accreditation and ensuring the highest standards in professional certification. She is passionate about supporting AEE’s mission, fostering positivity, and fitness through long-distance walking.
Before joining AEE, she worked for an energy & power publishing company and gained a good foundation in the energy industry by supporting energy engineering management programs.
Helen holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Hospitality Administration, from Georgia State University, and brings a unique blend of organizational expertise and customer focus to her work.
Cheyenne Kimbrell
Cheyenne Kimbrell is the Senior Director of Member Experience at the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), having joined the organization in 2018.
In her role, Cheyenne is responsible for developing and driving strategy for both membership and events growth. She manages AEE’s global network of chapters and leads the membership and events teams, overseeing all major association functions, including technical summits.
Cheyenne is passionate about connecting with AEE members from around the world to collaborate and learn how the community can collectively impact the fight for a clean energy future.
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management with a concentration in Event Management from The University of Alabama. Her professional expertise is further recognized by her credentials as a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and a Certified Energy Efficiency Practitioner (EEP).
Outside of AEE, Cheyenne enjoys traveling, practicing pilates, and cooking.
Certification and Development
Certification
Lisa Morris
Francine Seskin
Francine has been a dedicated member of the AEE team since 2006, with a deep passion for the organization’s mission. She is committed to the work that AEE does, recognizing the significant impact it has on professionals’ careers and the sustainability of our world.
Francine takes on various responsibilities within the organization by managing and administering AEE’s certification programs including CEA, CBCP, CEP, and REP, ensuring they meet the highest standards. Additionally, she maintains the ANAB 17024 and ENAC accreditations for CEM and CEA programs in the United States and Spain, emphasizing AEE’s commitment to quality and excellence. She holds a Marketing degree from Georgia State University. Her passion for AEE’s mission lies in the positive change it brings to people’s careers and the environment.
When Francine is not working, she values spending time with her loved ones. She often finds joy in watching her boys participate in their favorite sports or taking the family dog for a leisurely walk. Outside of family activities, Francine enjoys cooking and experimenting with new recipes, always looking to try something new and exciting.
Priscila Carbaugh
Priscila joined AEE in 2011 and plays a key role in supporting the integrity and growth of AEE’s certification programs. Her primary responsibilities include managing certification renewals and overseeing ENAC accreditation, helping ensure AEE’s credentials maintain their global credibility and high standards.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Mercer University and an MBA from Georgia State University. Priscila is passionate about sustainability, cars, and technology, and she brings that curiosity and dedication into her work every day.
Priscila is fluent in Spanish, has working knowledge of Portuguese, and can understand both French and Italian, supporting AEE’s increasingly global community.
Kayla Carter
Development
Martijn Prak
Martijn joined AEE in 2024 as the Training Development Program Manager, where he oversees the maintenance of existing training courses and the development of new training products.
Driven by his passion for addressing climate change, he brings years of experience in the renewable energy sector and managing training programs within the non-profit space. At AEE, he is dedicated to building connections with AEE community members around the world and working together to create and deliver training programs that make a tangible impact, drive innovation, and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future.
Martijn holds a Bachelor’s in Public Administration and Organization Science, a Master’s in Political Science, and certifications as a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) and an Energy Efficiency Practitioner (EEP).
Michelle Zakin Leclerc
Global Development
Business Development & Sales
Catelyn McGovern
Catelyn joined AEE in 2024 as the US Business Development Director and is currently responsible for developing new US business opportunities, partnering with local, state, and federal agencies to support workforce development initiatives, and pursuing grant opportunities to reach underserved workers. She is passionate about developing sustainable and accessible training and certification courses for young energy professionals.
Prior to joining AEE, Catelyn spent many years working with Energy Services Companies (ESCOs) and the federal government on energy conservation improvement construction projects, that included commercial sized solar systems, battery systems and microgrids both in the continental US and outside the continental US. She also worked closely with utilities and community choice aggregators (CCAs), residential solar and battery financiers, and energy commissions to support, develop and improve residential grid services programs nationwide.
Catelyn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics from Wofford College and a Master of Business Administration from The Citadel, Military College of South Carolina .
Kristen Creel
Marketing
Raquel Mideau
Raquel Mideau joined AEE in 2026 as Director of Marketing. She brings over two decades of experience across agency and in-house leadership roles, supporting mission-driven organizations through strategic marketing and brand development. In her role, she leads AEE’s global marketing strategy, brand positioning, and integrated campaigns supporting membership engagement, certification programs, and events.
Before AEE, Raquel led marketing for a professional services firm operating within the AEC industry and focused on the social and economic impacts of creative placemaking, where she built its first in-house marketing function.
Raquel earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of North Florida. She is passionate about connecting strategy with creativity and leading with empathy, collaboration, and kindness in service of strong, mission-driven organizations.
A proud daughter of Dominican immigrants, Raquel is fluent in Spanish. Outside of work, she enjoys yoga and meditation, spending time in nature, exploring arts and cultural events, traveling to the ocean whenever possible, and brunching with her family.
Andrea Taylor
Andrea joined AEE in 2023 as Marketing Director. She is responsible for driving and delivering strategies and activities to advance the growth of AEE. Andrea brings over 20 years of marketing and communications experience in very diverse spaces like advertising agencies, large multinational corporations, the state government and the association industry. Bilingual English-Spanish, Andrea also speaks conversational Italian and Portuguese.
Laurie Beth Nix
Laurie Beth Nix joined AEE in 2021 and is currently the Marketing and Communications Manager, focusing on propelling AEE’s brand forward through social media and digital marketing. Laurie Beth holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Middle Georgia State University in Interdisciplinary Studies concentrating in New Media and Communications.
Paulina Cervantes
Paulina joined AEE in August 2023 and supports the organization through cross-departmental coordination and communications. In her role, In her role, she manages documentation updates across all departments, supports AEE’s email marketing efforts, and manages paid ad campaigns, helping keep initiatives organized and moving forward.
She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing with an Area of Emphasis in Digital Marketing from the University of Georgia. Paulina is passionate about learning from different cultures and perspectives and values the opportunity AEE provides to connect with professionals from around the world. She finds it especially inspiring to see the global energy community come together around a shared mission and common goals.
Paulina is fluent in Spanish.
Training
Samar Al Tekreeti
Samar joined AEE in 2022, building on nearly a decade of experience working closely with AEE through The British University in Dubai (BUiD), an AEE UAE training partner, where she began serving as a Training Partner Manager in 2014.
In her current role as Director of Training, she leads the implementation, management, and continuous improvement of AEE’s global training programs. She oversees both U.S. and International Training Teams, ensuring operational alignment, high-quality program delivery, and a strong customer experience across all territories.
On the U.S. side, Samar oversees the annual public training schedule, pricing strategy, instructor relations, and venue partnerships. She manages budgets, approves training-related agreements and invoices, and ensures consistent standards nationwide, supported by analytics and operational oversight to drive continuous improvement.
Internationally, she manages agreements with Training Partners, Training Providers, and Authorized Trainers, oversees Train-the-Trainer (TTT) programs, leads special projects including government bids and global client initiatives, and collaborates closely with Certification, Product Development, Marketing, and Business Development to drive sustainable growth worldwide.
Samar holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design from the American University in Dubai (2007), completed in collaboration with American InterContinental University Georgia. She earned her Master’s in Sustainable Design of the Built Environment from The British University in Dubai (2015), delivered in collaboration with Cardiff University, UK, with a strong focus on energy efficiency and sustainable interiors. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Architecture and the Sustainable Built Environment at BUiD. She is fluent in both Arabic and English.
Kate Feltgen
Kate joined AEE in 2007 as a part-time team member and transitioned to a full-time role in 2008. She plays a central role in supporting AEE’s global training and certification efforts by managing international training partners, leading the international team for certification candidates, and overseeing certification and training logistics to ensure smooth delivery worldwide.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance on Viola from the University of New Hampshire and a Master of Music in Music Performance on Viola from Georgia State University. Kate is also a Certified Energy Efficiency Professional (EEP), bringing both technical expertise and a strong foundation in discipline and performance to her work.
Kate is passionate about creating opportunities for individuals to expand their knowledge of energy efficiency and energy management and empowering them to apply that knowledge to support sustainable energy infrastructure in their communities and around the world.
Emily Kimis
Emily joined AEE in 2024 and currently serves as the U.S. Training Manager. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Leadership Studies from the University of Central Florida, as well as a master’s degree in educational psychology.
In her role, Emily manages U.S. training operations, aligning programs with market demand and supporting data-driven decision-making. She oversees the day-to-day activities for the US training team in addition to course scheduling, instructor coordination, and venue logistics while retaining training records and performance metrics to enhance program delivery and effectiveness.
With a background spanning education and operations, Emily is passionate about promoting accessible learning opportunities and creating meaningful training experiences.
Teniece Price-Williams
Teniece joined the AEE International Team in 2017 and plays an integral role in managing international training and certification processes for AEE’s international programs and Training Partners. With a strong commitment to operational excellence, she ensures seamless coordination and delivers consistent support across all aspects of AEE’s global certification initiatives. Her focus on efficiency, accuracy, and service helps uphold the high standards that define AEE’s international portfolio.
Ryan Ayala
Ryan joined the AEE in March 2024 and serves as the U.S. Training Coordinator, where he plays a key role in supporting and managing AEE’s domestic training operations. He is responsible for coordinating all public Certified Energy Manager (CEM) trainings, overseeing professional development courses, and administering AEE’s learning management system (LMS).
With a strong focus on organization, accuracy, and service, Ryan helps ensure seamless delivery of training programs and a high-quality experience for instructors, partners, and participants across the United States.
Annie Sandlin
Annie joined AEE’s International Team in 2023 and serves as an International Project Coordinator, supporting the delivery and coordination of training and certification activities across AEE’s global programs and Training Partners. She plays a key role in maintaining projects’ operational flow, ensuring processes are executed accurately and on schedule.
With a strong attention to detail and commitment to excellence service, Annie supports cross-functional collaboration and contributes to the consistency and quality that defines AEE’s international portfolio.
Anne Krapf
Anne joined AEE in 2021 and serves as the U.S. Training Project Coordinator, supporting AEE’s training operations through coordination of U.S.-based private and chapter training. She provides dedicated support to trainees and clients, helping ensure efficient processes and positive training experience. Anne holds an ATD Instructional Design Certificate and is committed to supporting professional growth and learning.
Noor Abdulkarim
Noor Abdulkarim joined AEE in 2024 and is a member of the AEE International Team, where she plays a key role in managing certification renewals and application processing for AEE’s global programs. With a strong focus on accuracy, efficiency, and clear communication, she helps maintain consistency and reliability across AEE’s international certifications.
In addition, Noor coordinates international department workflows and act as a central point of contact, supporting task finalization as needed while ensuring efficiency, well-aligned, and seamless department operations.
Sam Georgecink
Sam joined the AEE Training Team in 2025 as the U.S. Training Program Coordinator. In this role, he oversees administration of all U.S. certification programs other than the CEM.
Utilizing a strong background in psychology and environmental studies, he handles requests from trainers and trainees with the upmost professionalism in a timely manner. He also focuses on seamlessly integrating our database, LMS, web publishing, and logistics to ensure a smooth delivery of training content and materials.
Member Experience
Events
Rachel Hobson
Rachel Hobson serves as AEE’s Event Manager, where she manages logistics and contributes creative planning for major conferences and special events, including AEE World and Legends. Since joining AEE in 2022, she has played a pivotal role in delivering exceptional guest experiences and overseeing registration from start to finish. In her current role, Rachel is responsible for exhibitor and sponsor services, expo hall operations, and signature events such as banquets and receptions. She also supervises the registration function and supports the Events team’s growth as AEE expands its international programming. Rachel holds an associate degree in veterinary technology from Oklahoma State University and brings over a decade of experience as a registered veterinary technician.
Caroline Martz
Ian Oliver
Membership & Chapters
Ian Watsky
Ian joined AEE in 2023 and now serves as Membership Development Manager. In this role, he leads AEE’s Corporate and Academic Member programs, hosts and organizes member webinars, contributes to strategic initiatives for membership growth and retention, and supports AEE’s global community of over 18,000 professionals.
Ian holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational and Professional Communication with a minor in Leadership Studies from Kennesaw State University. With a background in communications, quantitative research, and science writing, Ian is passionate about expanding the energy efficiency and sustainability sectors by supporting global organizations, empowering the next generation of professionals, and providing platforms for members to share impactful ideas.
Outside of work, Ian enjoys running, playing tennis, exploring national parks, and spending time with friends and family.
Lisbeth Paglialonga
Lisbeth joined AEE in 2022 and is currently responsible for supporting and growing AEE’s professional and student chapters, managing the chapter awards program, and providing essential support to AEE members. She is passionate about promoting sustainable practices, helping the next generation of energy students succeed, and living creatively.
Before joining AEE, Lisbeth honed her skills in creative and organizational leadership, bringing a unique perspective to her role. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Printmaking from the University of West Georgia, blending her artistic background with a dedication to sustainability and professional development in the energy sector.
Lisbeth thrives on fostering meaningful connections within the AEE community and is committed to empowering students and professionals alike to achieve their goals in energy efficiency and sustainability.
Cameron Sonefeld
Cameron joined AEE in August of 2022 as Conference Speaker Coordinator and currently serves as the Senior Member Programs Coordinator. She is responsible for coordinating a range of member-focused initiatives, including the Mentorship Program, member divisions, online communities, and special interest programs. Cameron earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies from Wofford College in May of 2022 and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Sustainable Development through the University of Sussex.
Nicole Harris
Nicole Harris joined AEE in 2025 and manages AEE’s Award and Recognition Programs, overseeing day-to-day membership administration, and providing exceptional customer service to members. She is dedicated to creating meaningful connections within the AEE community and ensuring a seamless experience for all members.
Nicole holds a Master of Science in Industrial Organization Psychology, which equips her with a strong foundation for understanding and enhancing organizational dynamics and member engagement.
Passionate about helping people, Nicole thrives on making a positive impact both within and outside of her professional life. When she’s not at work, she enjoys staying active by going to the gym and taking peaceful walks in the park.
Operations
Operations & Finance
Nina Palmieri
Nina joined AEE in 2024 and serves as a key point of connection for both AEE staff and customers. In her role, she manages day-to-day operations at AEE’s headquarters, including welcoming visitors, coordinating shipping and receiving, overseeing utilities, and supporting on-site events. She also serves as the primary point of contact for AEE’s database and handles all incoming phone calls and general email inquiries, helping ensure smooth communication across the organization.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Film and Media with a minor in Journalism from Georgia State University. Nina is passionate about nature and climate change, as well as history, art, and culture, and she brings a thoughtful, people-centered approach to her work.
Khyla Porter
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