Scott Hennessey - Manager for Climate and Energy Markets

Scott Hennessey joined SEIA in December of 2006. Previously, he was the Special Assistant to the Chairman of The Brattle Group, an economic and environmental consulting firm. His background includes experience in civil litigation, social justice, and environmental policy. He received his JD from Boston College Law School and a BA in Politics from Oberlin College.

During his first year at SEIA, Scott was the Manager of Policy and Research, responsible for coordinating market and industry data for use by both the Government Affairs and Public Affairs divisions. Currently, Scott is Manager for Climate and Energy Markets. He is responsible for the association's work on climate change legislation. Additionally, Scott is the staff lead for SEIA's Climate Policy Working Group.

Scott enjoys cycling, guitar, disassembling computers, and watching the New England Patriots.

Katherine Gensler - Manager of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs

Katherine heads SEIA's work on transmission, public lands, and appropriations. She also serves as the staff liaison to the Utility-Scale Solar Power division. Previously Katherine spent six years at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, both in Washington, D.C., and in Folsom, Calif., where she advised the Commission on electricity and natural gas policies, particularly the redesign of market rules governing electricity sales in California and the West. She holds her Masters of Public Affairs from Indiana University and her Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin.

Katherine is a member of the Women's Council on Energy and the Environment and the Junior League of Washington. In her spare time, Katherine runs half-marathons, hikes and cheers for her beloved Wisconsin Badgers.

Matt Horowitz - Manager of Government Affairs

Matt Horowitz is Manager of Government Affairs and focuses on tax issues, including the ITC extension; appropriations; and field operations. Previously, he worked for 7 years on Capitol Hill, serving as the Legislative Director for Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (AZ-08) and as a Legislative Assistant for Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (NV-01). He has also served as the Targeting Director for a nationally profiled Congressional Campaign. Matt holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Johns Hopkins University.

Matt does not have spare time. If he did, he would enjoy playing soccer and cheering for the Yankees.

Riana Ackley - Legislative Assistant

Riana joined SEIA January 2008. Riana assists in the development and execution of grass root campaigns on taxation, appropriations, energy and climate issues respecting both congressional and executive branch advocacy efforts. Additionally she builds alliances and collaborates with state and local government, trade associations and interest groups on tactics to advance solar industry policy priorities. She is also the corporate liaison to SEIA Members on all government affairs issues. Riana received her B.A. in political science and philosophy from the University of North Carolina - Asheville.

Riana enjoys running, hiking, and practicing yoga.

Joel Meister - Legislative Assistant

Joel supports SEIA's work on utility-scale solar power, including issues related to transmission, public lands, and appropriations. Prior to joining SEIA, Joel worked as Outreach and Policy Assistant at the Center for Global Development focusing on clean energy financing in the developing world. He previously worked in the Communications department of the Joe Biden for President Campaign. Joel holds a BA in international affairs from the George Washington University. In his spare time, Joel tries to stay active in Virginia politics, attend the occasional concert, and sharpen his Guitar Hero skills.

Michael Rader - Legislative Assistant

Michael works on SEIA’s policy priorities, including the renewable electricity standard, net metering/interconnection, and renewable energy tax issues. Before joining SEIA, Michael worked as a reporter for an NPR station in Michigan, and on the Union of Concerned Scientists' clean energy program. He has a bachelor's degree in political science from Western Michigan University and is finishing a master's degree in public policy from American University. In his spare time, Michael enjoys reading, rock climbing, playing music and games of any kind, particularly poker.

Katherine Stainken - Legislative Assistant

Katherine Stainken has experience working on renewable energy policy, and in particular on renewable heating and cooling policy. A former Fulbright and ThinkSwiss Scholar, Katherine holds a M.A. in Global Environmental Policy from American University and a B.S. in Chemistry and German from Boston College. She loves to wake up early and row on the Potomac River.