Electric Vehicle Association (EVA)

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EAA National Board nominations from across North America

Meet the 17 Electric Auto Association members nominated for the National Board

BY APRIL BOLDUC: PRESIDENT OF THE ELECTRIC AUTO ASSOCIATION

It’s the most board candidates in our history. Meet the 17 members from across North America who have been nominated for the 2022 National Electric Auto Association (EAA) Board, and will be voted on by members in early November.

The EAA is North America’s leading volunteer organization that accelerates the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) by supporting our 100 chapters and members as they talk one-on-one about the benefits of driving electric.

Members are invited to virtually meet the candidates on Nov. 2 and can register for the event.

You can join the EAA and become a future voting member for only $35 a year, or less than 10 cents a day. Your membership supports our EV education and outreach work.

Let’s meet the candidates.


Sterling Camp



Current Profession: Marine Assurance

How will you add value to the EAA Board? 

As a mariner, I have focused on Health, Safety, & Environment concerns.  As a Texan, I am aware and not discouraged by a reluctant EV adoption vision.

What is your most effective contribution toward the adoption of EVs?  

EV ownership promotes interest from the general public, which allows demonstrations. Test rides most always evoke a comment of future EV purchase. The end of ownership usually results in used sales, which increases affordability and adoption.

What type of leadership makes you thrive? 

Provide clear goals, committee independence

About Sterling:

Sterling drives a 2019 Tesla Model 3 Dual Motor AWD FSD and is an electric automobile enthusiast while employed as a vetting specialist for ConocoPhillips. While this may seem conflicted, his position is responsible for ensuring the safe operation of the ships contracted for product transport. Sterling's career in marine transportation also provides him experience in transportation logistics. These include voyage planning, fueling (charging), cargo operations, and task management, among other activities.

Sterling will bring a unique perspective to the Board, and expand the diversity of the Board to Texas. He understands the trend away from internal combustion engines (ICE) to electric-powered vehicles and realizes the tasks involved to decommission ICE infrastructure. He recognizes the diminishing power of the oil and gas industry, and embraces the imminent future of electrically powered transportation. His Texas roots honed his arguments supporting EV industry expansion.


Marc Geller

Current Profession: Retired, with a small side of consulting.

How will you add value to the EAA Board? 

As the spokesperson for the EVA, I endeavor to bring the EVA the prominence it deserves in the press as I frame EV issues with complete transportation electrification as the goal. 

What is your most effective contribution toward the adoption of EVs?  

Fighting to preserve the EVs that the automakers were crushing almost 20 years ago, saving up to 1,000 from the crusher, and helping keep the cause alive when the government, most environmental organizations, and the car companies had given up. 

What type of leadership makes you thrive? 

Working cooperatively in a coalition with diverse groups and individuals. 

About Marc:

Marc has been a long-time advocate of electric vehicles and drives a 2002 Toyota RAV4 EV, 2011 Th!nk City, and 2013 Tesla Model S.



Joe Helgert

 





Current Profession: Retired

How will you add value to the EAA Board?

I have a wide variety of organizational skills that contribute to achieving communication goals.

What is your most effective contribution toward the adoption of EVs? 

I would say my organization of EV events at community organizations.  I have had memberships in the EAA, Tucson EAA, and West Michigan EV and Plug-in Vehicle Enthusiasts.

 What type of leadership makes you thrive?

Clear goals with self-set strategies and tactics.

About Joe:

Joe has driven electric since 2017 with two BMWs: i3 REX and X5 40e. He has a 34-year career as a journalist, advertiser, marketer, publicist, event planner, teacher, and fundraiser for-profit and not-for-profit organizations including Motorola, Business Marketing Association, and Michigan State University. He has served on boards, consulted with associations, and written business plans. His education background includes degrees in communications and sociology along with an MBA and Ph. D. in Business Administration.


Zach Henkin

Current Profession: Director of EV/EV Integration Research for the Center of Sustainable Energy

How will you add value to the EAA Board? 

I have experience serving on non-profits and working for non-profits in many capacities. I also have direct experience advancing EV adoption, research, and EVSE utilization. I also bring a great perspective on EV organizational strategy.

What is your most effective contribution toward the adoption of EVs?  

I successfully doubled EV sales in the Pacific Northwest through a US Department of Energy project I was the principal investigator for. I've also designed and led some of the first equity-centered EV projects which have gone on to inform numerous other equity-centered efforts. 

What type of leadership makes you thrive? 

Servant leadership; I thrive when working to advance a cause or mission

About Zach:

Zach currently drives a Pacific Hybrid PHEV. He has spent the better part of the last decade developing EV pilot projects, leading clean transportation research, and evaluating EV programs. He currently is the Director of EV/EVI Research for the Center for Sustainable Energy where his time is largely spent identifying ways to advance EV adoption or plan for EV infrastructure.

Zach spent a lot of time working on topics such as workplace charging and broad-based consumer adoption campaigns. He’s invested in seeing EV adoption succeed and is passionate about the work he’s able to influence. He’s had experience serving on previous regional non-profit boards, has previously served as a Planning Commissioner, and Economic Development Commissioner, and spends some of his time as a Startup Mentor for the Third Derivative.


Marc Marchioli

 




Current Profession: Physician Assistant

 How will you add value to the EAA Board?

I'm interested in helping further EV adoption and working to educate and empower others.  I am definitely invested in EV adoption and can connect with engineers and media because of my background in EV ownership and my master’s in mechanical engineering.

 What is your most effective contribution toward the adoption of EVs? 

Spent time with prospective owners at EV events to educate them and show them my EV. I have talked about the total cost of ownership for EVs compared with both hybrid and traditional ICE vehicles.

 What type of leadership makes you thrive?

Helping people live more full and enjoyable lives.

About Marc:

Marc wants to help further the adoption of education of EVs.  He currently works in medicine and has a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering. Marc is an advocate for clean energy, drives a Tesla Model S 100D, has solar panels and two Tesla Power Walls. 


Jonathan Macias

Current Profession: Grant Manager for County Government and CEO/Founder of Sky Island, LLC

How will you add value to the EAA Board? 

In the last six months, I’ve served the EAA National Board by sitting on the new logo design committee and developed partnerships with a workforce organization to bring on internships. I would add value to the EAA by contributing my social equity perspective potential for EVs and where possible, avail myself as a mentor for chapters seeking to startup. My philosophy is to for service is to leave organizations better than I found them.

What is your most effective contribution toward the adoption of EVs?  

The creation of the Rio Grande EAA chapter encompasses two countries and two states. Writing a grant to fund the expansion of 15 Level 2 community chargers within the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico. 

What type of leadership makes you thrive? 

Participative leadership, where ideas are followed by action. 

About Jonathan:

Johnathan has been a long-time advocate for EVs and owns a Tesla Model 3. Growing up in Sunland Park, New Mexico, Jonathan learned early the value of education, the strength of our community, and the power of investing in the future. His passion for leveraging his lived experience, his expertise in external funding, and his desire to create new and better opportunities for those around him lead him to launch Sky Island, LLC, in 2021.

Jonathan’s other professional experience includes working for local governments, start-ups, and institutions of higher learning in the El Paso-Las Cruces region. Most recently, he implemented strategies that secured approximately $30 million in funding for local government entities and non-profits in California, Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, and the District of Columbia.

Jonathan holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management, and Marketing from the University of Texas at El Paso and a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration and Leadership from Adams State University in Colorado.


Dale Miller


Current Profession: Retired

How will you add value to the EAA Board? 

I can add value by sharing my experience and enthusiasm for promoting EVs on a broad scale and contributing the time and effort to help EAA members and chapters be successful in promoting EVs in their communities.

What is your most effective contribution toward the adoption of EVs?  

My tenacious advocacy for EVs at local organizations, government agencies, schools, and organizing events has resulted in policy changes, charging installations, and more people driving EVs and more organizations promoting EVs in our area.

What type of leadership makes you thrive? 

Leadership by example including everyone to achieve objectives.

About Dale:

Dale drives a Tesla Model S and a Tesla Model 3. He has been driving electric for more than 10 years and has been active in the Golden Gate chapter since shortly after the chapter was formed in 2004. He has organized 12 National Drive Electric Week and Drive Electric Earth Day test drive events, organized EV displays at environmental organization meetings, and curated electric vehicle exhibits at 2 Marin County Fairs that were attended by 120,000 visitors. 

He has also served as a member of the Transportation Authority of Marin Clean Transportation Advisory Group for 9 years advocating for EVs for government agency fleets and helping to promote grants for charging at schools, city halls, and other local government facilities, and worked with San Rafael School District to take advantage of these grants to install 117 EV charging stations at the district’s 12 schools.



Alan Morgan

Current Profession: Director of Business and Market Development (Solar)

How will you add value to the EAA Board? 

Experience in business & market development.  Currently, works in the sustainable energy technology space.

What is your most effective contribution toward the adoption of EVs?  

Primarily, being an advocate for EV. I set up the partnership between ChargePoint and Solar Smart Living and helped many commercial and residential customers make the transition to electric charging. Grassroots selling and support is great!!

What type of leadership makes you thrive? 

Working in the trenches with the team I lead.

About Alan:

Alan drives a Tesla Model 3 and Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid. He has always been a big proponent of the electrification of transportation. He works in the sustainable energy technologies industry and he is an advocate for change.  Alan has 30+ years in business development and marketing.  He worked for SolarCity and Tesla between 2015 and 2018 and now for Solar Smart Living (since 2018). He also designed a virtual world game from the ground up (since 2008, still a work in progress) 


Angelina Rodriguez


Current Profession: Project Manager, Transportation Electrification at El Paso Electric Company, El Paso, TX

How will you add value to the EAA Board?

I have built partnerships with major automakers such as GM and Nissan, home builders associations, fleet managers, charging companies, all of which could be leveraged for the development of additional EAA resources benefiting EAA chapters nationwide.

What is your most effective contribution toward the adoption of EVs? 

A partnership with automakers that now offer discounts on EVs to 400,000 customers, dealerships training, an educational EV website: www.epelectric.com/ev, EV-ready homes training for home builders, dozens of educational events in TX, and NM. Angelina also drives a Tesla Model 3.

 What type of leadership makes you thrive?

A combination of transformational and servant leadership.

About Angelina:

Angelina is very passionate about accelerating EV adoption, improving customer understanding and awareness about EVs, developing charging infrastructure and attractive EV rates, as well as developing strategies for EV grid integration. She is currently a member of the New Mexico Transportation Electrification Working Group, several EV working groups organized by Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA), El Paso, and Borderplex Tesla Owners Club, and serves as a Vice-President of Rio Grande EAA.


Gerard Schulte






Current Profession: Independent Consultant

How will you add value to the EAA Board?

I have 35 years of experience as a Mechanical Electrical Plumbing Specialist in the construction industry. I am a "car guy" from Detroit and have worked in the auto industry from both a construction and facility service standpoint.

What is your most effective contribution toward the adoption of EVs? 

Taking people for rides in my battery electric vehicle (BEV) and talking to them have been effective. Studying "smart grids" with emphasis on co-joining BEVs with houses and commercial buildings. Personally meeting Sandy Munro to exchange ideas of the future of BEVs.

 What type of leadership makes you thrive?

When it is part of an organization that emphasizes honesty and integrity.

About Gerard:

Gerard has been a BEV owner and enthusiast for 3 years. He is a sports car and driver enthusiast, having completed over 10 high-speed driving courses at various road circuits.


Wade Sewell



Current Profession: Sustainability Consultant

How will you add value to the EAA Board?

I am a creative planner and operations-minded leader that has held Board positions in multiple non-profits. I am dedicated to the mission of the organizations that I serve and am very passionate about EV adoption.

What is your most effective contribution toward the adoption of EVs? 

I hosted an EV summit at my children's elementary school for parents and children to experience the cars first hand. I explain the features of electric cars and provide test drives to anyone that wants to drive ours.

 What type of leadership makes you thrive?

I thrive in a mentoring environment that provides space for me to grow.

About Wade:

Wade has an environmental background stretching back 30 years. Academically, he earned a Masters in Environmental Science from Drexel University and an MBA with a focus on Sustainability from the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School. For the past six years, he’s been building a sustainability consulting practice working with mainly residential clients and a few commercial clients to identify sustainability opportunities and put together a plan to adopt them.

Every chance he gets, he provides individuals the opportunity to test drive his family's EV. He currently owns a Tesla Model 3 and loves to educate individuals and families about the great driving experience of EVs. He’s organized EV summits at his elementary schools and has participated in others to educate the general public and dispel myths about EVs. He is currently working with his County's public schools to evaluate the opportunity of electric buses.


Tracy Smiley

 




Current Profession: IT

How will you add value to the EAA Board?

The EAA’s presence in Toronto is very low. There are many opportunities in this large market and I would help advocate on the EAA's behalf with both public and private local sectors.

What is your most effective contribution toward the adoption of EVs? 

I am constantly promoting the positive experience I have with EVs. In my conversations, I focus primarily on the overall total cost of ownership and I have encouraged some friends to convert.  Plus, I let anyone use my charger if they ask :)

What type of leadership makes you thrive?

I look for leaders that are always striving for continuous improvement.

About

Tracy is an avid EV owner, on his second electric-only vehicle (fourth electric/hybrid) with no plans on turning back. He is a seasoned operations and IT professional with over 20 years of experience in a high-tech manufacturing organization. He brings both a strong passion and drive for improvements in any organization with which he is associated.


Mark Smith



Current Profession: Systems Architect/Engineer (part-time, retired from full-time)

How will you add value to the EAA Board?

My expertise in implementing and teaching Systems Thinking principles could assist the EAA Board in defining projects, prioritizing and organizing interactions with members, their chapters, and EAA partners.

What is your most effective contribution toward the adoption of EVs? 

For over 40 years I have organized demos and exhibited EVs, especially light EVs, at in-person EVents to thousands of people. My teams brought hands-on EV activities to schools, universities, maker fairs, businesses, et al, as well as radio shows!

What type of leadership makes you thrive?

8th habit leadership: inspiring teams & leaders to "Find Their Voice".

About Mark:

Mark and his family own a baker's dozen Light EVs from an Optibike Helia to mini Segways, GoKarts, and HoverKarts. They also have a Chevy Bolt and Kia Niro PHEV. In addition, Mark has worked for decades as senior staff to both for-profit organization leaders & boards as well as non-profit leaders & boards.

For over 50 years, he has had a passion for building, operating, repairing, teaching, and advocating for Light EVs & Light EV technology. Now he seeks to give back to the EAA, the pre-eminent organization whose members bring EV experiences to a broad audience. He plans to bring his prior experience working with organizations and increase regional collaboration across the EAA chapters, as well as increasing collaboration with the national organization and partner organizations.


Julie Sparacio






Current Profession: C-suite executive at EV charging company

How will you add value to the EAA Board?

I have firsthand customer knowledge of EV purchases, range anxiety, trepidations about the experience. I have a full understanding of why adoption is taking as long as it does despite consumers understanding the value of reducing emissions, etc.

What is your most effective contribution toward the adoption of EVs? 

I have not only purchased an EV but help run an EV charging company for Level 2 and Level 3 chargers in partnership with CA dealerships that sell EVs.

What type of leadership makes you thrive?

Mentorship to help grow this industry.

About Julie:

Julie drives a 2021 Hyundai Kona EV and is a partner at an EV start-up in the Level 2 and Level 3 charging space for both residential and commercial businesses in Westlake Village, California. Her organization, like EAA, is extremely passionate about helping people reduce their carbon footprint and live sustainable lives. They are expanding their charging infrastructure across the state, soon to be nationwide with key EV brands, and have just completed a partnership in Switzerland.


Frederick (Rick) W. Walker


Current Profession: I am a retired surgeon, now learning how to repair EVs.

How will you add value to the EAA Board?

I am an educator at heart. I would bring the perspective of a resident of a small, non-EV-friendly state in the Eastern US, of retired (fixed income) citizens, and of the educational community. I have served on multiple Boards of Directors.

What is your most effective contribution toward the adoption of EVs? 

I have given a number of talks, both live and virtual, about EVs including presentations to national and international students, community groups, energy conferences, first responders, and electricians. In addition, I have made two YouTube videos.

What type of leadership makes you thrive?

I prefer an open exchange of ideas creating consensus decisions.

About Rick:

Rick has been driving electric for over 3 years and currently drives a 2017 Chevy Bolt EV. He has also been the Secretary for the West Virginia EAA since 2017.  Rick has served on multiple Boards of Directors and would bring that experience to the EAA’s Board.


Chakradhar Yallamalli

 



Current Profession: Director of Technology and CEO of KAASU

How will you add value to the EAA Board?

As an industrial subject matter expert and being passionate about clean energy, I believe my experience could add value to the board. Coming from military, ecommerce, Search Giant and Technical Management consulting adds a value proposition for the EAA Board.

 What is your most effective contribution toward the adoption of EVs? 

I would say EVangelizing about clean energy in the workplace and hosting one on one meetings for first-time EV buyers.

 What type of leadership makes you thrive?

Servant and fairness.

About Chakradhar:

Chakradhar graduated from Northwestern Poly with a Master’s in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence and is a huge advocate of electric automobile technology and new sustainable technology. He created three business startups at the age of 21 and worked with Google, Microsoft, BlackBerry, US Army, City of San Jose and is now serving as an Executive Management Consultant for American Water. He also made the first IoT-based agricultural bot in India to help farmers monitor and control soil fertility levels.


Michael Yared









Current Profession: CEO, Echobind, Software Development Agency

How will you add value to the EAA Board?

I've spent 17 years helping companies build software and marketing campaigns. This includes startups who cannot afford to miss use their limited funds and fortune 500 companies who are competing globally. I want to bring this experience to EAA.

What is your most effective contribution toward the adoption of EVs? 

Being a shareholder in Tesla since 2012 and telling everyone who will listen why electric is the future. I've convinced a dozen friends and family to purchase an EV over the years and it gets easier every day.

 What type of leadership makes you thrive?

The ability to enact data-driven change.

About Michael:

Michael has been a long-time advocate of EVs and drives a Tesla Model 3. He also currently has reservations for Model X and a Cybertruck.