Meet the 11 candidates running for the national board

BY APRIL BOLDUC: PRESIDENT OF THE ELECTRIC AUTO ASSOCIATION

A “Meet the Candidates” forum was held on December 8, 2020 to meet the Electric Auto Association’s 11 members running for one of three national board positions. Ballots were emailed to members the same day from the nonprofit’s third-party election manager True Ballot.

View the forum recording

Listen to our candidates in this recorded session as they share how they’ll put their skills to work for this all-volunteer board. One of our candidates was unable to attend, so recorded this video prior to the session.

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Phil Barnhart, Oregon

I have owned and driven battery electric vehicles (BEVs) since October 2012 and have come to appreciate the contribution that EVs can make to transportation decarbonization as well as driving fun and lower cost. I am a founding member and President of the 14 month old EVEVA, the third EAA chapter in Oregon. I have found EAAs volunteer officers to be very helpful as we got started. EVs have become increasingly popular in the upper Willamette Valley. I believe my role here as organizer, motivator, and communicator may be valuable to EAA as well. Community based volunteer organizations must carefully renew themselves constantly. I want to support EAA in that effort in any useful way available.

Committed chapter leader

I have successfully prosecuted eleven political campaigns that require planning and communication skills as well as coherent and useful policy positions and the ability to speak and listen. I have had to learn how to influence disparate caucus members in order to promote my policy positions and learn and appreciate theirs. I believe my communications skills, my learned knowledge of political processes, and perhaps my fundraising background, may be useful to the organization. Do not depend on me to be a whiz at website development, social media and the like, although I may be helpful in writing or editing copy for those venues. You do not want me to attempt to take minutes.

The EAA indicated an interest in becoming more involved in governmental policy development and support. Based on my understanding of EAA that appears to be an effort I can help strengthen. My successful legislative background and my successful efforts to pass EV supportive bills over several sessions of the Oregon State Legislature may be of use here and with discussions with Members of other legislative bodies around the United States. Coincidentally, EVEVA is coordinating with the other chapters in Oregon to devise a legislative agenda and strategy for 2021 in Oregon which is likely to primarily support infrastructure development.

I have time for remote board and committee meetings and some additional hours per month for EAA. I am looking forward to attending the Annual Meeting. Since I retired from the Oregon House, I have founded EVEVA and coordinated the very talented volunteers we have now as well as renewing and establishing good relationships with local government, utility and educational institutions in aid of EV infrastructure development. I have joined one board in Portland involved primarily in tax matters. I already have a phone call or two a month from those interested in EVs who need some questions answered by a knowledgeable EV user.

Elaine Borseth, California

I grew up in Detroit and have always loved cars. I drove Hondas, Toyotas, Renaults, Triumphs and Datsuns when foreign cars were an anomaly. I worked my way through college working at GM making fenders and hoods. While there I bought a Silver Anniversary Corvette and kept it for almost 40 years. However, when I took a 2014 Tesla Model S for a test drive, I was hooked on electric cars.

After volunteering to talk EVs at the San Diego Auto Show in 2016, I was educating and advocating for the rapid adoption of electric vehicles became my passion and that continues today. Over 500 people have now test driven my Tesla Model S.

Today I’m Vice President and Membership Chair of the national Electric Auto Association, as well as President of the EV Association of San Diego. Being so involved in my local chapter has allowed me to understand the needs each of our chapters face and grow 10 new Chapters in regions across the globe. Now with 100 chapters we are exponentially meeting our mission of increasing the adoption of electric cars.

A passion for chapters success

My passion for seeing chapters succeed was put in full swing when Covid hit and chapters were having to cancel their test drive events. We quickly searched out the best tools to help move them online with new video conferencing, newsletter and email tools to continue educating about EVs.

I was able to put these tools and training to work as president of my local chapter and bring this real-world implementation experience to other chapters across the globe and help them overcome the challenges that Covid has presented us all.

Having run my own business for 30 years in San Diego, I approach my work for the Electric Auto Association with the same fiduciary responsibility. Since retiring in 2015 I have the time and dedication to continue with the board. Having taken many cross-country road trips over the years advocating for EVs wherever I travel, I’ve been able to visit many of our chapter locations and learn what makes their EV outreach efforts successful.

I am looking forward to this exciting time for EVs and hope to continue my work on the board of Electric Auto Association.

Scott Cunningham, Virginia

My interest in volunteering on the Board stems from a desire to more broadly apply my skills from a career in Government (Navy and civil service) along with a 6-yr stint with Accenture working on enterprise business systems development. I have a real urge to pivot how I contribute, and *what* I contribute for, after nearly an entire career in the National Security business. In recent years, it's become evident to me that our national security is tied to wiser use of our national resources, particularly as relates to renewable energy and evolving towards a more carbon neutral footprint.

Most of my career in strategic national security has been about researching, writing and persuasive argumentation with careful attention to overcoming hidden bias and focusing on data driven logic. I have some (but not deep) exposure to the Hill, including a half-dozen engagements with staffers and a course with Brookings Institution. I'm good for turning out 1-2pp whitepapers, whether originating the terms-of-reference (outline), or distilling down to 2-3 short paragraphs for a targeted audience. Overall, my skills would be best suited for the Communications Committee....whether writing for the layman, technical audiences or policymakers at the State or Federal level. Maybe...maybe, even editorials, if that's a direction you've considered.

Strengthening underserved communities

I think EAA can make their efforts even stronger by focusing on how EVs (to include sharing services and municipal vehicles) can bring transportation...and opportunity...to portions of society who have been left behind, or under-served by the gas-powered vehicle economy. On the local government front, I think there are ways to generate value for taxpayers and low-income communities...beyond a $50,000 sedan on every street corner.

My availability would be limited to 2-4 hrs a week, and perhaps more in surge times or for specific projects.

Rebecca Fisher, California

I currently work to accelerate EV adoption in the Bay Area through outreach and grant programs. My organization has implemented EV grant programs for many years, and most recently we are offering grants of up to $9,500 for low-income residents for new or used EVs through our Clean Cars for All Program. Implementing this program has allowed us to solve the largest barrier to EV adoption: sticker price. We also offer home charging, public transit vouchers, and e-bikes for our grantees. Our successes have been covered in the news and we are constantly learning about new ways to reach our communities that are disproportionately impacted by pollution. I am passionate about providing the cost savings opportunity of EV ownership to families in the greatest need.

I will bring this experience with me as a member of your Board of Directors, helping to improve equity within the EV market and develop policy recommendations for reframing EVs as something only the wealthy can afford. I believe my work in social media, communications, grant management, dealership relationships, State policy development, and economics will make me a valuable addition to your Board.

A background in outreach and partnerships

Rebecca Fisher is a Program Lead for Outreach and Partnerships, working with air pollution scientists, CBOs, grant administrators, and private companies to develop policies and programs that increase access to electric vehicles for all Bay Area residents.

After spending seven years working in international sustainable development in Washington, D.C., Rebecca moved back to California to work on local level climate actions, picking up the fight to reduce transportation emissions just as the federal government backed away from such policies. Rebecca envisions a future where all residents can participate in the EV revolution regardless of income, and thereby benefit from lower fuel and maintenance costs as well as improved local air quality.

Rebecca was previously an International Negotiator in the Obama Administration, covering finance related issues during several United Nations summits, including the Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Rebecca is an environmental economist by training, and holds a certificate in International Development Policy and Advanced Negotiation Skills. She holds a MA in Environmental Management and Policy from Duke University.

Brian Hatch, California

I would like to contribute my time and energy to improving and growing the Electric Auto Association. At 80 years of age, I still have a lot of energy and enthusiasm to devote to the cause. I am a retired governmental advocate of 35 years. My forte was making things happen, where creating and passing laws were concerned. I am sure that there will be ways that I will be able to put those skills to work. Working collaboratively is the key to success.

I currently drive a 2017 Chevy Volt, having also had the pleasure to have leased a 2014 Cadillac ELR and a 2011 Chevy Volt. I am waiting for GM to introduce an EV with more than 300 miles range. If that doesn't happen by next year, I will probably get a Tesla Model Y.

Increasing the rate of EV adoption

I am interested in joining the EAA board because I have a desire to help increase the rate of EV adoption in the USA. Of course it follows that to do so, encouraging and empowering local Chapters will help to meet that goal. The EAA board can best leverage my organizing talents to grow and multiply our our EAA Chapters.

The EAA can be made stronger by organizing more Chapters and providing training and support to local leaders, who must be inspired and empowered. My availability is good. I am pretty generous with my time when it is needed.

Christopher Matos-Roger, Georgia

I am interested in joining EAA’s National Board because I would like to plug into a larger platform of what’s happening to advance consumer awareness of EVs. As a 6 year EV-only household, I know the advantages firsthand and live them daily. I do not see the clear message being spread by many of the organizations leading the effort.

In all I do, I am a bridge builder. I add a rich tapestry of diversity to any organization that I join, as I surround myself with a wide variety of people that are usually leaders in their respective community as well. I have launched new, misunderstood, and often politicized ideas in diverse spaces. Such as when I launched a new Sustainability Committee at the largest local REALTOR® Association in Georgia, the Atlanta REALTORS® Association. With over 10,000 members, we have now created a large movement of support in a slow moving and conservative industry, for high-performance homes and addressing climate change’s impacts on our communities. In addition to the efforts around sustainable housing, I advocate for REALTOR® awareness on the practicality and cost savings of driving EV. As an industry that stereotypically buys expensive cars and drives a lot, REALTORS® make one of the best use cases for driving EV. Through my role on the Sustainability Advisory Group at National Association of REALTORS®, there may be opportunities for crossover.

Adding strength to the EAA’s efforts

New energy and new perspective. The biggest challenge I see with EV perception is the optics. EVs are seen as more expensive and something for the white upper class. And largely this is reality. Most of EV Community leadership remains very white, straight, and surrounded by people just like themselves. While white myself, my journey to EV did not fit the stereotype as I bought my first EV while working in marine biology and earning the typical small salary for such a job. This was thanks to Georgia’s $5,000 state tax credit at the time that covered most of a 2 year lease of a Nissan LEAF. While my husband follows the stereotype of being a higher income tech employee, he is a person of color. We have been an EV only household for 6 years now, having owned 2 BMW i3, 1 Nissan LEAF, 1 BMW 330e, 1 Tesla Model S, and 1 Tesla Model 3. By bringing in diverse leadership and/or those with diverse networks and life experience, we can help spread the message to our larger society by having leaders at the table that know how to reach those communities.

My availability is flexible. Being self employed, and in an industry with varied workflows, I do not have stringent set schedules. Any volunteer leadership position I commit to, I make a priority and schedule around.

Jacob Melton, Oklahoma

I believe that EV’s are an important part of our future infrastructure, and a huge chance to create jobs, improve lives, and reshape our carbon footprint, plus they are a lot of fun. And I feel that having a ‘working group’ to help shape a technology or culture shift is vital to a common message, legislative support, engagement, and reinforcement.

When I was a kid, I wanted to be a scout, but my town did not have scouts. I talked with my mother and she called every other kid’s mom in town and then the scouts, to see what needed to happen to have our own chapter. We started our own troop (355), and had an amazing experience while learning a lot of life skills. When I was in high school, a friend of mine was kicked out of a local park for skateboarding. My brother checked the local code, and my family went to the local town hall, pointing out that the code said no skateboards on sidewalks, and no skateboards on city streets, so where to ride? We further pointed out that the baseball, basketball, tennis, etc players all had their own city funded fields or courts. The city agreed to match any fundraising we did, and we ended up with a $40,000 skateboard park. What these moments have taught me is that 1, asking or speaking up is half the battle, 2, if you don’t someone else will, and maybe not for as worthy a cause, or as effective, and 3, if your goal is for the common good, everyone wins. I thrive in problem solving, technically, and I believe that I can be of value in talking EV related tech, directions, and further to help communicate up or down to the appropriate audience, whether that be a group of ‘range anxiety’ potential consumers, ‘tight purse’ legislators, or the occasional Luddite.

Leveraging my talents to support the board

I have been working in energy for over a decade, doing software engineering, data science, and machine learning, and have been leading a US based electric bike company for the last few years, aiming to build an electric bike/motorbike completely in the USA. My background is largely engineering and computer science, but I have lended myself to help organizations and nonprofits over the years. I’ve been on boards to help move business accounting methods towards greater transparency, helped the IEEE on SOA (Service Oriented Architecture - backend internet stuff) as a working group, helped with blockchain in energy working group, have given speeches regarding machine learning in energy, and artificial intelligence dynamics, been on PodCasts, and am currently plugged into the Oklahoma Electric Auto Association, ACOG, OCAST, DOE, and local news stations. I can help in the following ways:

• Chapter Dev - currently working with local chapter to promote events, generate interest

• Communications - help educate consumers, elected officials, industries; could do presentations, talks, etc on the tech - I have detailed electronics experience in BEV, Solar Generation, Wind Generation, Conversion b/t AC/DC systems, GPS, encryption, AI driven EV software, J1772 EVSE, supply chain/vendor ops, and hybrid energy systems

• Financing - down the line, would love to sponsor events, the org as we grow

The following ideas can make the board even stronger:

• Communication: Communication via a cultural level is necessary for change (Kurt Lewin - father of change theory), where behavior is only altered through an unfreezing/shifting/freezing of existing methods to altered methods, and really only effective through local group behavior. In that regard, if it is vital to shift the World’s Carbon Footprint, then it must be done culturally (making it cool).

  People fear the loss of carbon based jobs that have supported many communities and built vast amounts of economy over the last 100 years. There are many industries currently devoted to a carbon value chain, that can easily still profit and thrive in an EV world. And there are many more workers and communities that can benefit. If companies are doing their SWOT analysis, they should see this not as a threat, but as a huge opportunity. EV’s aren’t just about replacing internal combustion engines, it’s about rebuilding our workforce, generating a new era of wealth, promoting good health, innovation, and hope for a better tomorrow. Messaging is key, and that message should be that our future success is through EV.

• Outreach: Whatever happened to Science Fairs? There is so much opportunity in reaching schools through programs that promote EV innovation, understanding, or ‘hacking’. Consumer markets generally target ages 10-40, and almost half that range can be reached in our public school system. Encouraging kids in EV science could be huge to influence their impact circle (parents/friends/neighbors), and it could inspire the next gen of EV tech or science influencers.

• Frequency of Events: Once the current pandemic is mitigate, EV related events should increase in frequency, to promote community. Branding relies on community, and increasing visibility, or creating that ‘Friday night drag spot’, (like the ‘cool’ crowd you want to hand with) will instill the desire and anticipation one generally surrenders to while clicking ‘Buy’.

I can generally be available anytime with a few days notice. I have no standing commitments.

Michael Peters, Ohio

I am CEO and co-founder of Sway Mobility Inc. and believe we are in a critical period that will impact the pace of adoption for EVs in North America over the next decade, and I'd like to add my experience and perspective to complement the broad skillset the Board currently possesses. Specifically this is insight from starting an electric vehicle carshare business that works with real estate developers, cities, and nonprofits that are looking for additional avenues to expose their tenants and residents to EVs.

Prior to co-founding an electric vehicle carshare startup, I was an investment banker for two decades. I have also served as treasurer for an international non-profit board and as chair of two different non-profit boards. Additionally, I have served for the last several years as the lead volunteer for Drive Electric Northeast Ohio, a grassroots EV car club that is affiliated with the state's EPA Clean Cities Coalition organization. That work has included raising sponsorship funds to exhibit at the last three Cleveland Auto Shows and numerous events and ride & drives.

A focus on stakeholder engagement

As a small business owner focused on EVs and EV charging, I think there is a tremendous opportunity to engage both the ever-growing EV business interests and their stakeholders. I have also worked with numerous municipalities on strategies to expand access to EV charging infrastructure and believe there is an opportunity to share best practices among this group, potentially even an "EV Friendly" community certification strategy for the EAA.

I have the ability to commit to the meeting schedule.

Mark Scribner, Massachusetts

I want to join the EAA board because I feel I could effectively collaborate with and support EAA chapters in the Northeast region and beyond, and coordinate with chapter activities to be able to leverage existing state, municipal and utility EV advocacy and outreach efforts.

My brief professional background is as a Program Manager of Electric Vehicles with Energy New England (ENE), leading their growing portfolio of municipal EV awareness and incentives programs. I earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Transportation from the University of Maryland College Park School of Business. Before joining ENE in 2018, I worked for two decades in Information Technology and Learning Management Systems in the highly regulated pharmaceutical industry.

A respected EV advocate

During the past decade, I developed the reputation in New England of a respected EV advocate and policy thought leader while providing direct support to Northeast states and various municipalities in their EV outreach and policy initiatives. I previously co-founded the EEA chapter Drive Electric Cars New England in 2013 along with Al Dahlberg (Brown University/RMI Project Get Ready) and John Gilbrook (ChargePoint, former National Grid), and in 2017 launched Drive Electric America, an online EV education resource and EV advocacy community.

Melissa Taylor, Kentucky

I honor the work of the EAA and consider it a privilege to apply for an opportunity to serve with you on the Association board. As requested, I am submitting responses to the application questions and ask for your serious consideration of my candidacy as a board member.

I am a seasoned healthcare professional living in the northern Kentucky area, who has recent training in non-profit board participation. I want to join the Electric Auto Association Board for a wonderful opportunity to serve with like-minded individuals committed to the betterment of our environmental and fiscal health through educating and inspiring communities to consider driving electric.

Our family has membership in the EAA and EVolve KY and we have been driving electric since the year 2013. We understand the benefit of driving electric and feel passionate about the future of electric vehicle ownership and utilization throughout communities across the U.S.

An experienced communicator and event planner

My education and professional background in healthcare and public health may support your board efforts as I do have experience in communication, research and writing, team participation, customer service and satisfaction, and inclusive education for diverse populations. I have experience in event planning and have supported several electric vehicle community education events over the past several years and have supported fundraising efforts for academic organizations. My hope is that my eclectic background may be leveraged to help our chapter grow and succeed. Because the drivers of success are always changing, I understand the importance of researching and staying current on the electric vehicle industry and I have the flexibility and resourcefulness to critically look at avenues that build on past successes of the chapter and innovate new avenues for future success, as well.

Some ideas I have on strengthening our efforts include:

• Increase affordability of electric vehicles and make EV ownership more accessible and inclusive including up-front credits for trading-in gas fueled vehicles that can be applied or substantially cover the cost of new or used electric vehicles for auto consumers. This would be different to tax credits.

• Expand (or develop) programs that facilitate electric ambulance and emergency transport vehicles to reduce fuel emissions and polluted air entering hospitals and possibly harming patients, visitors and employees.

• Bring increased benefit of EVs to rural emergency care transport

• Increase simulation education, allowing consumers to “see” the difference in emissions, fuel economy and benefit of driving electric. Simulation would take oral and didactic communication much further in educating consumers of various learning styles

• Expand the conversation to include electric bicycles and developing trade-in programs for up-front credits to cover consumer costs of electric bicycles.

• Include community members in the conversation of what would help them buy and drive electric. Help remove stigma around inaccessibility.

• Open-up discussion and planning regarding autonomous electric vehicles and increased assistance for citizens with disabilities who may benefit through increased independence and personal freedom.

I am available to meet once a month, preferably by zoom or outdoor during the pandemic at this time, and can participate in committee work during the month.

Dan Wyman

I am very excited about the evolution of the electric car ever since I saw the movie “Who Killed the Electric Car”. I was fascinated by all the possibilities, improvements and ease of ownership of an electric car. The people in the movie were so excited about EV1 and I fell in love with that car. Also the movie also started my interest in the technological advantages of an EV.

In March of 2015 I leased my first EV a Ford Focus EV. Because of the limited range I keep my 2009 Minicooper Clubman. My first light bulb experience with an EV was when I asked the salesmen when do I come back for service? I was told there is no need for regular scheduled visits. What a game changer! My Focus EV took care of all my driving needs except for trips over 65 miles. In August 2017 I traded my Minicooper in and turned in early my Focus and leased a 2017 Bolt Premier. I am very excited about all of the many environmental and technical benefits over an ICE car. I am an accountant and work as a contract manager for Ellis Medicine for over 20 years.

I look forward to hearing from your organization on this very exciting and meaningful opportunity.