Staff
Nicole Belle Isle Office Manager
Robyn Camp Vice President, Programs
Gillian Calof Director of Operations
Marta Escobar Controller
Katharine Fatton Marketing Assistant
Peggy Foran Program Associate
Kristen Garcia Program Assistant
Gary Gero President
Jill Gravender National and Operations Officer
Kristen Howa Accounting & Logistics Assistant
Joel Levin Vice President, Business Development
Jeannette Lindsay Grants & Finance Manager
Derek Markolf Senior Policy Manager
Marie Massa Program Associate
Syd Partridge Policy Associate
Josh Perlman Program Assistant
Kati Price Program Associate
Heather Raven Policy Associate
Sarah Stanner-Cranston Member Services Manger
Rachel Tornek Senior Policy Manager
Nancy Whalen Director of Marketing
Diane Wittenberg Executive Director - The Climate Registry
Nicole Belle Isle
Office Manger
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(213) 891-1444 x 100
As the CA Registry’s Office Administrator, Nicole answers the phones and performs a variety of tasks to keep the office running smoothly and efficiently. Before joining the CA Registry team, Nicole taught math for 4 years at Polytechnic School in Pasadena. She has several years of office management experience prior to that, and has also dabbled in the fields of tech support, tractor driving, and customer service. Her passion is the sport of ultimate, which she has played in Italy, Brazil, and several of the US states including Hawaii and Alaska. Although this is her first job in an environmental organization, she has a longstanding personal commitment to conservation and waste reduction. Originally from the Boston area, Nicole received her Bachelor’s degree from Harvard in Linguistics and French Language and Literature. Since then she has continued her education in such diverse areas as auto mechanics, Spanish & Portuguese languages, biology, chemistry and physics; she eventually plans to become a civil engineer with a focus on conservation and water resources.
Robyn Camp
Vice President
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(213) 891-6931
Robyn Camp is Vice President of Programs for the Registry. Her responsibilities include overseeing reporting and certification activities, developing and managing CARROT, the Registry's online reporting tool, and managing the suite of member services, including technical assistance, climate policy dialogues, and development of emission reduction strategies.
Robyn has a strong background in international energy & environmental policies and markets, including identifying and implementing climate change mitigation strategies. Her work experience has spanned the private and non-profit sectors, and has focused on analyzing and identifying market opportunities for advanced efficient technologies, the impacts of air quality and climate regulations, and strategies to promote sustainable technology choice.
Prior to joining the Registry, Robyn worked in San Francisco, providing business advisory services and market research to private clients. She previously worked as a consultant in the Technology & Markets Group of Energy Resources International in Washington, D.C., conducting domestic and international energy technology market analyses. Earlier, she helped create the World Energy Efficiency Association, and supported international energy and environmental policy dialogues sponsored by The Atlantic Council of the United States.
Originally from the Chicago area, Robyn earned her Master's degree in Economics and International Energy & Environmental Policy from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), and a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Brigham Young University.
Director of Operations
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(213) 891-1444 x 114
As the Director of Operations, Gillian is responsible for overseeing all personnel, finance, information technology, and legal operations of the California Registry. Gillian’s background is in nonprofit administration and environmental conservation. Prior to working at the California Registry, Gillian worked for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation where she developed and managed ecosystem restoration programs, which included individual projects with a carbon offset focus. Her work included oversight of all financial and programmatic aspects of project development and implementation including agency and partner relations, overseeing administrative staff, tracking complex financial information, and negotiating contracts, scopes of work and budgets. Gillian earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Geography from Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada, and is a graduate of the Master of Nonprofit Administration program at the University of San Francisco.
Controller
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(213) 891-1444 x 122
Marta is currently administering the Controllers position at the California Climate Action Registry. With her work experience of over 25 years her strengths are primarily concentrated in financial management and operations, contract and grant compliance, she has over 12 years experience in a non profit environment. Marta’s previous experience was at Barrio Action Youth & Family Center a private non-profit agency, delivering human and social services to at-risk and high-risk youth and their families for the Northeast area in Los Angeles. She provided execution and direction to the Centers day-to-day operation, manage employee relations and practices, employee health and company benefits. Produced and monitor contract grant compliance, budget development, cost allocations, cash management and financial statements. Review and administer all City of Los Angeles, Community Development Grants and State grants. Prepared of by-annual, annual audits, process expenditure and quarterly reports. She has coordinated over 150 volunteers for 14 annual events in the community for the past 10 years. Prior to that, she worked as a Controller for a manufacturing company managing a gross income of over 5 million dollars, in Temple City, California which closed its door’s in 1996 due to the owner selling to Japanese Company with its location in Japan. Marta earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from University of Tennessee in 1988 and an Accounting degree from Glendale College, 1991.
Katharine Fatton
Marketing Assistant
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(213) 891-1444 x 113
Katharine Fatton serves as the Marketing Assistant at the Registry. She assists in providing marketing and public relations services for the Registry and its members. Prior to working at the Registry, Katharine worked for the Delaware Valley Green Building Council in Philadelphia. At DVGBC, she worked on programs, advocacy, education and marketing for the USGBC Chapter. Additionally, she interned for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection in the Watershed Management Division. Katharine received her BS in Geo-Environmental Studies from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. She is also certified in Geographic Information Systems from Shippensburg University and continues to have a long standing interest in spatial and community mapping.
Peggy Foran
Program Associate
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(213) 891-1444 x 119
Biography forthcoming, please check back soon.
Kristen Garcia
Program Assistant
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(213) 891-1444 x 126
Kristen’s background is in environmental consulting, performing CEQA based environmental impact assessments for projects throughout California including major mixed-use developments and large-scale residential developments. She has an in-depth understanding of project-level air quality impact analysis. Kristen completed her Bachelor’s degree in health science with a concentration in community health at Cal State Dominguez Hills, and is currently pursing her Master’s degree at Cal State Fullerton in physical geography. Her research interests include greenhouse gas emissions management, climate change analysis, and environmental policy.
Gary Gero
President
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(213) 891-1444 x 102
Gary Gero serves as the President of the California Registry where is he is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of the Registry’s policy and programs, ensuring that the Registry’s activities meet the highest standards for quality, transparency, and environmental integrity. Gary is leading the California Registry’s efforts to build to a voluntary offset project registry that will operate throughout the United States.
Gary previously worked in local government for nearly twenty years, primarily in the City of Los Angeles where he served as Air Quality Director and subsequently Assistant General Manager for the Environmental Affairs Department. In that capacity, Gary developed and implemented numerous environmental policies and programs in the areas of climate change, energy, alternative fuel vehicles, air quality, and sustainable building practices. For the three years prior to joining the California Registry, Gary managed the Green LA programs at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power where he redesigned and restarted the LADWP Solar Program and tripled the Energy Efficiency programs. His role also included overseeing the tree planting, distributed generation, advanced transportation, and Green Power programs.
His work for the City of Los Angeles has been recognized by the Los Angeles City Council. Gary is a member of numerous environmental organizations and also serves as a Planning Commissioner in the City of Glendale where he promotes sustainable land use policies and affordable housing. A native of Los Angeles, Gary holds a Master of Science degree in Social Policy and Planning from the London School of Economics in London, England and a pair of undergraduate degrees from the University of California at Berkeley.
Jill Gravender
National and Operations Officer
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(213) 891-1444 x 103
Biography forthcoming, please check back soon.
Kristen Howa
Accounting & Logistics Assistant
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(213) 891-1444 x 104
Kristen Howa serves as the Accounting & Logistics Assistant for the Registry. Her primary accounting responsibilities include: accounts payable, accounts receivable, account reconciliation and assisting the financial manager in the annual audit and tax filing. As the Logistics Assistant, Kristen coordinates Registry meetings, events and workshops. Kristen’s background is in Social Gerontology and, prior to working at the Registry, Kristen worked for Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE) where she managed the business office for three facilities. Her work included being a liaison for the Board of Directors and Facility Administrations. She also worked closely with facility staff to provide the best care possible for residents. This work included establishing social networks for residents with different needs, managing resident’s personal funds and coordinating events for family members. Prior to moving to California, Kristen lived in Utah. Kristen received her Bachelor of Art’s Degree in Sociology from the College of Saint Benedict/St. John’s University in Minnesota.
Joel Levin
Vice President, Business Development
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(213) 891-1444 x 105
As the Registry's Vice President of Business Development, Joel Levin is responsible for recruiting participants from all economic sectors and regions of California to register and certify their greenhouse gas emissions. Through individual meetings, presentations at workshops and conferences and collaboration with other groups, he helps potential registrants and the public to gain a better understanding of the Registry's work. Joel has worked in government, private business and the non-profit sector. Immediately prior to working at the Registry, Joel was the Chief Financial Officer at Feeva Wireless in Berkeley. He has also worked in marketing at the Automated Power Exchange, a Santa Clara-based firm that provides an on-line exchange for wholesale energy trading. Joel served on the Capitol Hill staff of Senator Timothy E. Wirth (D-Colorado). He has also worked as a trainer and consultant to start-up businesses and non-profits overseas. As Chairman of the Energy Committee of the San Francisco Bay Chapter of the Sierra Club, Joel has been active in promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency as key elements in California’s energy future. He has written and spoken extensively on these topics. Joel holds an M.B.A. from the Haas School of Business at U.C. Berkeley and an M.A. in International Economics from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). He also holds a B.A. in the Political Economy of Industrial Societies from U.C. Berkeley.
Jeanette Lindsay
Grants and Accounting Manager
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(213) 891-1444 x 106
Jeannette Lindsay oversees the accounting and grant management functions of the California Climate Action Registry. She comes to the California Climate Action Registry with over 20 years of accounting experience, 10 years of which is in the nonprofit field. Jeannette received her BA from Antioch University and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree at Cal State Northridge.
Derek Markolf
Senior Policy Manager
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(213) 891-1444 x 107
As Senior Policy Manager for the Registry, Derek Markolf is responsible for the development of new Registry protocols for specific industries, including emissions reduction protocols, the management of the Registry’s existing protocols and and collaborating with other policy makers, government agencies, and stakeholders to help ensure the development of consistent, high quality GHG accounting standards. Derek joined the Registry after working as a consultant with Ryerson, Master and Associates, Inc. (RMA), one of the Registry and California Energy Commission approved GHG emissions certifiers. As a lead certifier for clients in the power and natural gas utility sectors, Derek became intimately familiar with the Registry’s protocols as they apply in real world applications. Additionally, Derek was a project manager for RMA’s diesel engine replacement program and he assisted with chemical risk management program development and support. Derek earned a Bachelors degree in Soil Science from California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo.
Policy Associate
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(213) 891-1444 x 112
As a Policy Associate for the Registry, Syd is responsible for assisting Senior Policy Managers with the development of new project emissions reduction protocols and with the maintenance of existing protocols. Syd’s background is in physics and interdisciplinary climate studies. He has held internships with Los Alamos National Laboratory, as well as The Earth Institute at Columbia University. While at Columbia, Syd contributed to research projects at the International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) on topics of long term regional flood prediction under climate uncertainty, and malaria risk mitigation in Sri Lanka. Recently, Syd also contributed to a Climate Change Gap Analysis research project for the United Nations Development Programme, where he was part of a team providing feedback to the UNDP regarding the organization’s role in combating climate change. He is particularly interested in applying his scientific background towards the development of real-world solutions to carbon management and emissions mitigation. Syd received his Bachelor’s degree in astrophysics from the University of New Mexico, and is a recent graduate of Columbia University’s Masters Program in Climate & Society.
Kati Price
Program Associate
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(213) 891-1444 x 125
Kati provides support to Registry members, serving as the main contact for state agencies, as well as working the Member Services Team to assist members in GHG reporting and verification activities. Prior to working at the registry, Kati completed a 27 month commitment as a Peace Corps volunteer in Paraguay, South America. Specializing in environmental education, Kati coordinated programs and trained officials from community schools, district offices, and local and national government ministries on a variety of green issues. Her main focuses included trash management, tree nurseries, and organic gardening. Before serving overseas, Kati earned her California Teaching Credential and M.Ed. in Cross Cultural teaching from National University and taught high school science for two years. Kati completed her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Evolution and Ecology from the University of California at Davis.
Josh Perlman
Program Assistant
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(213) 891-1444 x 115
As a Program Assistant for the Registry, Josh is responsible for providing a wide range of support for Registry members as they develop their GHG emissions inventories. As a part of the Member Services team, Josh helps with programmatic research and resource development for the Registry. Josh’s background is in environmental science and sociology. He has interned at Georgia Institute of Technology’s School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences as an NSF-REU undergraduate researcher and at the Urban Ecology Institute in Massachusetts as an urban forestry intern. Josh is interested in spatial and land use aspects of environmental problems, including climate change. Josh received his Bachelor’s degree at Cornell University, double majoring in Natural Resources and Development Sociology.
Marie Massa
Program Associate
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(213) 891-1444 x 108
As Program Associate at the Registry, Marie Massa is responsible for conducting New Member Orientations for Registry members, coordinating meetings and Registry events, and providing assistance for the Members Services Team of the Registry. Marie’s background is in Environmental Biology and she possesses several years of experience in both administrative and field capacities with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Washington DC and Panama as well as with other environmental NGOs. While at the Smithsonian in Washington DC, she worked closely with the director of STRI's Center for Tropical Forest Science (CTFS) in managing a world-wide network of tropical forest research plots. This work included coordinating a diverse group of projects including, but not limited to, management of CTFS's research grant program, coordination and planning of its annual analytical workshops, and production and layout of various CTFS newsletters and book projects. Marie completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental, Population, Organismic Biology at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Heather Raven
Policy Associate
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(213) 891-1444 x 124
Heather is from Alberta, Canada, but has recently moved to the United States in order to pursue her educational interests and career ambitions in the climate change field. Heather completed a Bachelor of Science with specialization in Atmospheric Science from the University of Alberta, Canada, and a Master of Arts in Climate & Society from Columbia University. Her background and interests lie in weather, climate, and climate change. Her experience includes internships at Environment Canada in the Air Quality Sciences division, the Global Roundtable on Climate Change with the Earth Institute at Columbia University, and most recently at First Environment, Inc. in the consulting field. Through her experience at Columbia and during her recent internships, Heather has learned to bridge the climate change gap between science and social science.
Sarah Stanner-Cranston
Member Service Manager
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(213) 891-1444 x 121
As Member Services Manager for the CA Registry, Sarah Stanner-Cranston provides technical assistance on the protocols and resources to help members successfully report and certify GHG emissions inventories. She will also coordinate and be the contact person for the annual conference and will act as a resource on a wide range of climate issues including project protocols and industry-specific protocols. Prior to joining the CA Registry Sarah worked in Sydney, Australia for IPART the State Government economic and prudential utility regulator that administers the NSW Greenhouse Gas Reduction Scheme, one of the world’s first mandatory carbon-based trading schemes. There Sarah managed compliance with the participants in the Scheme to ensure that all reduction targets and liabilities were met. She also maintained and managed the compliance section of the GHG Registry for certificate surrenders and emission offsets within NSW. In addition, she has experience with emissions reductions protocols, low emissions intensity generation and renewable energy projects. Sarah received her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at San Diego State University. She is also a member of several environmental and political organizations that promote environmental sustainability through economic action.
Rachel Tornek
Senior Policy Manager
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(213) 891-1444 x 109
As Senior Policy Manager, Rachel Tornek develops new GHG accounting standards for the Registry, including emissions reduction protocols and industry-specific protocols. Rachel also plays a leading role in liaising with the state of California as it develops GHG reduction policies, and represents the Registry with a variety of stakeholder groups to help ensure the development of consistent, high quality GHG accounting standards. Rachel was previously the Manager of Member Services at the Registry, where she provided technical assistance on the protocols and developed tools and resources to help members successfully report and certify GHG emissions inventories. She also acted as a resource on a wide range of climate issues. Prior to joining the Registry, Rachel worked on environmental issues with Toyota Motor Sales’ Environmental Coordination Office, the Climate Change and Wildlife campaign at the National Wildlife Federation and Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute. Rachel completed her Master’s degree in Environmental Science and Management at the Bren School at UC Santa Barbara. She earned her BS in Ecology, Behavior and Evolution at UC San Diego.
Nancy Whalen
Director of Marketing
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(213) 891-1444 x 110
Nancy Whalen serves as Director of Marketing and is responsible for creating and implementing strategic marketing plans and media relations campaigns that result in business development and increased public awareness of the environmental leadership of the Registry and its members. Nancy is also responsible for directing the Cool Planet Project, which is a collaboration between the Registry and utility companies that encourages large corporate and government entities to reduce their GHG emissions through the installation of energy efficiency projects. She is also responsible for recruiting new members to join the Registry through speaking engagements, presentations, and meetings. Prior to working at the Registry, Nancy owned a marketing and media relations firm for eight years providing business development, strategic planning, branding, marketing and media relations services to a wide range of environmental, political, cultural, music, and technology clients. Prior to that she worked for several years as a Director of Marketing and Sales for luxury hotels in San Francisco and Los Angeles where she directed international marketing efforts and sales teams. Nancy is nationally a published writer and an active member of several environmental organizations. She holds a BA in Organizational Management from Pitzer College, Claremont, CA.
Diane Wittenberg
Executive Director - The Climate Registry
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(213) 891-1444
As Executive Director of The Climate Registry (TCR), Diane oversees all operations and leads efforts to recruit TCR members and reporters. She ensures that TCR’s procedures and protocols result in valid and defensible data to support the goal of addressing climate change concerns, while improving efficiency and economic performance. Prior to coming on board as Executive Director, Diane spent 7 years as President of the CA Registry, 15 years with Edison International, where she played a key role in launching new businesses, including Edison EV (President), Edison Utility Alliances (President) and Edison Technology Solutions (Vice President, Business Development and Marketing). She also served as Vice President for Corporate Communications for Edison International, and was internationally recognized for her efforts to launch an electric vehicle industry. She has also served as vice president of a public relations firm. Diane has been honored by the Coalition for Clean Air, who presented her with the Clean Air Citizen Award. She also serves as an energy commissioner for Los Angeles County, and, in addition to being on the board of the Registry, is a past or present board member of EV Global Motors Company, a Lee Iacocca enterprise; TransMagnetics, a brushless motor manufacturer; Women’s Leadership Board, Kennedy School of Government; Thunderbird, the American Graduate School of International Management; L.A. County Sheriff’s Youth Foundation; L.A. Women’s Foundation; and Partners in Care Foundation.