RenUSA is a unique and formal affiliation of accomplished business entrepreneurs, energy experts, public policy professionals, campaign directors, communications specialists and coalitions builders working together with select clients in the energy industry who share our commitment to building and advancing America’s renewable energy infrastructure.
With personal experience on all levels of projects, campaigns and business, our team is ready to help get your project approved.
John Wright is a seasoned Project Manager with over a decade of experience in the renewable energy sector, particularly in residential solar. With a strong background and certification in Agile methodologies, John has guided multi-regional teams and managed complex projects from concept to completion. He has a proven track record of optimizing processes, reducing timelines, and enhancing stakeholder engagement across utilities, government agencies, and community organizations.
Tom Schwarz has worked for over twenty years in community outreach, communications, and project management for political campaigns, government agencies, elected officials, and the private sector. He’s managed campaigns and large field operations for political candidates in various states across the country and served as a consultant to various organizations.
Tom has spent the last ten years managing political engagement and lobbying efforts for national labor unions, most recently serving as the Executive Director of SAG-AFTRA’s DFW Regional Office. He enjoys working on land-use projects, particularly in rural communities, making him a natural fit for RenUSA. Early in his career, he spent considerable time working on environmental and land-use issues in his home state of Idaho, and he is excited to use this experience to support RenUSA’s clients.
Tom lives in Dallas County, Texas, with his family. In his free time, you can usually find him at a park or a birthday party.
As a Project Manager for RenUSA, Ashley brings a wealth of diverse experiences and a deep-rooted passion for community empowerment.
After majoring in Health Education at Truman State University she went on to take roles in human rights advocacy and political campaigns. As a health educator, she facilitated vital health education and healthcare access for rural Coloradans. Her commitment to sustainability led her to work as an Operations Director for a sustainable brand in Cambodia, sourcing recycled fabric and establishing an ethical supply chain; while also working with agricultural communities to fund and set up a literacy school and nutrition program.
Ashley’s experiences have cultivated a profound respect for rural communities and relationship building that elevates community voices and helps create accessible education and opportunities for its members.
Jereme Grzybowski brings more than 15 years of senior leadership experience, including campaigns, public policy, and labor and workforce development work, to his role at RenUSA, where he supports the company’s western U.S. client base.
Jereme excels at building teams and executing projects, most recently in the renewable energy technology space. He has managed a variety of large, complex projects focusing on public policy and field campaigns for diverse populations using digital communications, data analytics, and organizing strategies.
Jereme holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon and is a Project Management Professional (PMP) with additional certifications in agile project management, data analytics, and change management. He enjoys time in the mountains and on the water with his wife and kids from his home base of Hood River, Oregon.
As a lifelong resident of the desert landscapes of Arizona and the Southwest, Arcelia has been drawn to improving the management of our limited resources, especially in light of our looming climate crisis. After double majoring in Environmental Science and Biology at New Mexico State University, Arcelia went on to take leading roles in successful political and advocacy campaigns to pass 100% clean energy legislation at the state level in New Mexico, forming robust and diverse coalitions and building support for some of the largest renewable infrastructure projects in the country.
Arcelia continues working to bridge the gap between environmental initiatives, renewable energy development, and local community engagement. In both her professional and personal capacities, she strives to bring people to the table to work together and drive the advancement of utility-scale wind, solar, battery, and transmission projects.
Arcelia currently resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she helps lead our Western project portfolio.
Gillian Kelahan is a talented and passionate RenUSA Senior Project Manager with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland. Currently based in Northern Virginia, she dedicates her time to representing clients primarily in the MISO and PJM territories. On any given week, you can find her on the ground in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, building relationships with residents and stakeholders on behalf of RenUSA’s clients.
Gillian’s knack for cultivating relationships in local communities has fostered a deep respect for her among stakeholders and elected officials within her project areas; Gillian recently saw the fruits of her efforts pay off when she successfully helped get the first-ever wind project in Arkansas across the finish line!
Bri is a Mountain State native who began her career working as a journalist for The Associated Press before transitioning into state government as the Outreach Specialist for West Virginia’s Secretary of State. Bri brings a range of experience to her role at RenUSA–from marketing to strategic communications to stakeholder and community engagement.
Bri is passionate about working with rural communities and building relationships that strengthen local renewable energy project development. To date, she has helped RenUSA’s renewable clients across the Midwest and mid-Atlantic win successful land use campaigns, bringing them one step closer to securing permits for their utility-scale wind and solar projects.
A graduate of West Virginia University, Bri is currently based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Amber Clayton is RenUSA’s Chief Administrative Officer. She has over twenty years of experience serving in executive administration and human resources roles for a variety of business industries, including energy, law, and manufacturing. Amber currently manages RenUSA’s human resources, executive assistance, and finance departments.
Amber is a graduate of Hamline University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management. She resides in Minnesota with her husband and son.
Kate Briefs (she/they) is a seasoned community engagement expert with a foundation in education and community organizing. At RenUSA, Kate builds community and voter support for new and ambitious multimillion-dollar infrastructure projects and economic development initiatives for utility-scale renewable energy projects nationwide.
She is tasked with designing and executing plans for local renewable projects based on community needs and creating partnership connections to help clients successfully receive the permits they need to build.
Kate lives in Nashville, Tennessee, and holds an undergraduate degree in women’s and gender studies from Keene State College, complemented by a MED in community development and action from Vanderbilt University.
As RenUSA’s Regional VP & Central Team Lead, Grace Lacke has a proven track record of coaching and leading staff to successfully bring wind and solar projects through permitting. Grace excels at the engagement of stakeholders and building public support for RenUSA-managed renewable energy projects; namely, she has secured wins on behalf of several clients in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa, among other states.
An experienced campaign manager and coalition builder, Grace helps guide RenUSA’s staff in the management of their client projects and campaign plans to ensure goals are met and wins are achieved. Most recently, Grace led the community and stakeholder engagement program for one of PJM’s largest on-shore projects and received a permitting win for the client.
A native of Madison, Wisconsin, Grace has a B.A. in Political Science and spent the first few years of her professional career working in local politics, helping to elect women at the county commissioner and state level.
Dave D’Onofrio has worked for over thirty years as a communications, government, and community relations professional. Dave has overseen a wide range of professional campaign initiatives, from those concerning obscure regulatory matters to billion-dollar infrastructure project proposals. His clients have included Pattern Energy, ESA, Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, AT&T, Ford Motor Company, the Carlyle Group, HCA, and many more.
Dave worked for several Washington, D.C.-based trade associations and the Mills Corporation before serving as one of RenUSA’s Senior VPs. Dave founded The Casey Group and has been strategic partners with RenUSA since 2020. He currently resides in Loudoun County, Virginia.
Kate Peters is an accomplished communicator and proud Tar Heel based in Colorado. With her reporter’s curiosity and expert instincts, Kate brings client stories to life, building support among stakeholders in the process. With nearly two decades in public relations and communications within the energy industry, working for clients including Pattern Energy, Steelhead, AES, Shell, Encana, BP, and Devon Energy, Kate’s areas of focus include communications trainings, crisis communications, media relations, stakeholder engagement, events, and strategic messaging support. Kate’s creativity and insights give RenUSA clients a distinct advantage.
As President, Kate leads the organization’s client advocate efforts, ensures a high standard of consistency and value, and supports the best team in the business.
Jeremy Jones is a Project Associate based in Monroe, Louisiana. Jeremy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and a Master of Arts in Public Relations from Full Sail University. Jeremy’s professional journey is marked by a dedicated involvement in community engagement across nonprofit and government sectors, political campaigns, and social services.
In his capacity as a project associate for RenUSA, Jeremy excels in cultivating relationships with political leaders and grasstops organizations. His track record includes successfully securing several resolutions of support for a multi-billion dollar transmission project in the South and executing local community benefits programs on behalf of RenUSA’s clients.
Ben Kelahan is the CEO & co-founder of RenUSA. He has over three decades of experience in federal, state, and local legislative advocacy campaigns. Ben’s specialties are coalition building, grassroots organizing, government relations, community engagement, political consulting, and lobbying. To that end, Ben also currently serves as Chairman of the Board for The Advocacy Group (TAG), which brings together top-tier lobbyists nationwide to exchange best practices and compare client issues.
He is also the founder and executive director of ReNew Mexico and co-founder of Western Freedom, two Western coalition-based organizations fighting for legislative and regulatory changes within the energy sector.
Ben resides in Loudoun County, Virginia, with his wife and kids.
(1970 – 2023)
The RenUSA family lost our co-founder, colleague, mentor, and friend, Larry Holdren, in November 2023. Larry was an essential part of us and will be remembered always for his love of this team and our work.
So many of our achievements, advancements, and relationships started with an introduction made by Larry, a man who never knew a stranger. He brought unmatched talent as a communicator, energy expert, and powerful connector, and an unwavering passion for advancing the cause.
We miss him greatly and will carry his spirit forward.
