Staff
Executive Office
Gary Gero
President
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(213) 891-1444 x 102
Gary Gero serves as the President of the California Climate Action Registry where he is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of the organization’s policy and programs. This includes working to ensure the organization’s activities meet the highest standards for quality, transparency and environmental integrity and leading the establishment of the Climate Action Reserve, the premier voluntary offset project registry in the United States.
Prior to joining the California Registry, Gary managed the Green LA programs at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), the largest municipal utility in the nation. In that capacity, he redesigned and restarted the LADWP Solar Program and oversaw the tripling of Energy Efficiency programs, including creating targeted programs for low-income and small business customers. His role also included managing the distributed generation, advanced transportation, green power and tree planting programs.
Gary’s career includes nearly 20 years of work in local government, primarily in the City of Los Angeles where he served as Air Quality Director and subsequently Assistant General Manager for the Environmental Affairs Department. Gary developed and implemented numerous environmental policies and programs in the areas of climate change, sustainable development, energy and alternative fuel vehicles. His work for the City of Los Angeles has been recognized by the Los Angeles City Council.
A native of Los Angeles, Gary is a member of numerous environmental organizations and he has served as a Planning Commissioner in the City of Glendale where he promoted sustainable land use policies and affordable housing. 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.
Business Development
Joel Levin
Vice President, Business Development
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(213) 891-6927
As the Registry's Vice President of Business Development, Joel Levin is responsible for strategic development of the California Registry and has overseen the development of the Climate Action Reserve from inception to its current status as the recognized environmental standard for carbon offset projects in the United States. He is the California Registry’s primary liaison to the business community and is a frequent and popular speaker on the Registry’s programs and other climate change topics.
Joel has served as staff to the California Market Advisory Committee and the California Climate Action Team. Prior to working at the California Registry, Joel worked at Feeva Wireless in Berkeley and APX in Santa Clara. He has also served on the Capitol Hill staff of Senator Timothy E. Wirth (D-Colorado).
Joel is a member of the Sierra Club’s National Global Warming and Energy Committee and former chair of Energy Committee in both the San Francisco Bay and Los Angeles Chapters of the Sierra Club. In these roles, he has been active in promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency as key elements in California’s energy future. 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).
Marketing
Jennifer Weiss
Communications Director
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(213) 891-6934
Operations
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.
Gillian Calof
Operations Director
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(213) 542-0281
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.
Marta Escobar
Controller
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(213) 542-0289
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.
Kristen Howa
Accounting Associate
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(213) 891-6932
Kristen Howa serves as the Accounting Associate 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.
Policy
Derik Broekhoff
Policy Director
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(213) 542-0299
Derik is Vice President for Policy at the California Registry, where he is responsible for managing the policy development staff and overseeing the development of protocols for quantifying and registering greenhouse gas reductions from carbon offset projects. He also manages the development of climate change policies and programs for the California Registry, including assisting California Registry’s efforts to support the State of California in the implementation of AB 32, that state’s far-reaching global warming law.
Before coming to the Registry, Derik was a Senior Associate at the World Resources Institute (WRI) in Washington, DC where he led work on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Initiative (an internationally recognized standard for greenhouse gas emissions accounting), and managed WRI’s work on the design of greenhouse gas emissions trading programs, registry systems, and standards for carbon offsets. He is a primary author of the WRI/WBCSD GHG Protocol for Project Accounting, has advised numerous regulatory and voluntary programs on the development of carbon offset policies and standards, and has testified twice before Congress on carbon offset regulation and standard development.
Prior to joining WRI, Derik worked for eight years in the fields of energy and climate change consulting, including five years with Trexler Climate + Energy Services, Inc. in Portland, Oregon, where developed financial and economic analytical tools for carbon market forecasting, risk management, project evaluation and business strategy development for a wide range of private and public sector clients. Derik holds a Masters degree in Public Policy (MPP) from the University of California at Berkeley, and a Bachelors degree in International Relations from Stanford University.
Tim Kidman
(213) 542-0295
As a Policy Associate, Tim focuses primarily on the Climate Action Reserve where he assists in all phases of emissions reduction project protocol development. This includes initial scoping, research and development of rigorous high-quality standards, and ensuring that CCAR’s protocols are periodically updated to reflect the best available science. Prior to coming to the California Registry, Tim worked as a Coastal and Marine Policy Advisor at The Nature Conservancy in New York, spent time in the Environmental Coordination Office at Toyota Motor Sales, and contributed sea turtle research in Mexico. Tim recently received a Master’s degree in Environmental Science and Management from UC Santa Barbara’s Donald Bren School where his broad academic pursuits included the use of life cycle assessment as a decision support tool, the economics of dedicated access fisheries, and climate science and policy. He received his Bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Wesleyan University.
Derek Markolf
Senior Policy Manager
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(213)542-0280
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.
Syd Partridge
Policy Associate
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(213)542-0294
As a Policy Associate for the Registry, Syd is responsible for assisting 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. While at Columbia, Syd contributed to a Climate Change Gap Analysis research project for the United Nations Development Programme, where he helped provide feedback to the UNDP regarding the organization’s role in combating climate change. Syd received his Bachelor’s degree in astrophysics from the University of New Mexico, and is a graduate of Columbia University’s Masters Program in Climate & Society.
Heather Raven
Policy Associate
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(213) 542-0282
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.
Rachel Tornek
Senior Policy Manager
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(213) 891-6930
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.
Programs
Peter Browning
Program Assistant
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(213) 542-0297
Peter, a Program Assistant at the California Registry, is a lifelong resident of California. As part of the Program Team, he is responsible for a wide range of member support services, aiding member in compiling their GHG inventories. He is a graduate of the UC Santa Cruz, where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Natural Resource Management. Peter interned at the California Coastal Commission, helping track coastal resource issues. An active member of the UCSC’s environmental community, Peter served on the campus’ Sustainability council, securing funding for important environmental initiatives such as the purchase of renewable energy and the recycling program. His interests include climate, energy and forestry policy.
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.
Joy Cernac
Program Assistant
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(213) 891-1444 x115
Joy Cernac is a Program Assistant at the Registry, assisting Members with reporting their greenhouse gas emissions, processing new members, and administering the Climate Action Reserve. She has worked for many environmental non-profits, businesses, and start-up companies specializing in a variety of fields, including air quality management, land conservation, green building, and biofuels. Most recently Joy served as General Manager at Conserv Fuel, where she acquired a substantial California Air Resources Board grant for developing a waste-beverage ethanol distribution operation. Also a long-time advocate of climate change mitigation, Joy campaigned for AB32, the California Global Warming Solutions Act, created Louisville, Kentucky's hazardous air pollutant electronic archives, and wrote the Personal Climate Action List for the book, “Antarctica: The Global Warning”. She holds a Bachelors of Arts in Environmental Studies from Oberlin College. Joy can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Katharine Fatton
Program Associate
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(213) 542-0286
Originally from the beautiful State of New Jersey, Katharine Fatton serves as a Program Associate at the California Registry. She assists in providing technical support on the Registry protocols and programs to its members. Katharine lives in the Los Angeles area and has a long-standing interest in sustainability education for low-income areas and green building programs. Currently, she is undertaking planning the Members Meeting and is the webmaster for this site. Katharine received her BS in Geo-Environmental Studies from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania.
Kristen Garcia
Program Associate
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(213) 542-0288
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.
Sarah Stanner-Cranston
Program Manager
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(213) 542-0293
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.
Laura Zahn
Program Associate
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(213) 542-0298
Laura Zahn’s responsibilities as a program associate include researching and writing reports, coordinating a conference call series on climate policy for members, and managing industry-specific member working groups. She recently received her master’s degree in urban planning from UCLA with an emphasis in environmental analysis and policy. While at UCLA Laura founded the Sustainable Urban Network (SUN) – a student group dedicated to urban sustainability – directed the Sustainable Resource Center, and co-taught a course on green building. Prior to joining the California Registry, Laura worked on climate policy for Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa as a Bohnett Mayoral Fellow and as a policy and planning associate for the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). After graduating from the College of William and Mary Laura lived-abroad in Chile where she taught English, traveled, and launched a study-abroad program for journalism students interested in environmental reporting.