CREED Board of Directors

Board Officers

Darryl Thayer, Chairperson - Darryl brings a wealth of experience in both teaching and installation of renewable energy systems to the Board. He is involved full time in renewable energy, working currently as an EERE consultant, designer, and teacher. He developed both a course and a teaching facility at the Minneapolis Electrical Training School (JACT). This course is one of the very few in the country that teaches solar energy for installers. The present course requires 100 hours of class time and includes hands on construction of solar electric systems.

Michael Eckhardt, Past Chair– Mike is Manger of Engineering with Energy Services Group, LLC. Mike’s work involves studying existing buildings and determining how to make them more energy and operationally efficient.

Greg Pusch, Secretary – Greg teaches physics and physical science at Orono High School. He has also taught physics and math in Minneapolis and in Munich, Germany.  Previously, Greg was an electrical engineer in the communications industry for several years.

Roger Aiken, Lead Instructor – is a CREED workshop instructor and founder of CREED. Roger has taught physics and energy issues at North Hennepin and Anoka Ramsey Community Colleges, Dunwoody Institute, Augsburg College, and the University of Minnesota.

Board Members

George Goblish

James Gross

Don Hanson – Don, Ph.D., P.E. is an Electrical Engineer and former college professor in electrical engineering.  He owns a solar panel and automation business, and helps with CREED activities. 

Martin Myers

Carl Sandness

Gary Connett – Gary is Manager of Resource Planning and Member Services at Great River Energy.  Since 1999 Gary manages a team of fourteen forecasters, economists, rates and pricing analysts, program coordinators, and key account representatives. The team is responsible for long and short-range resource plans, certificate of needs, contracts for power and rate tariffs, demand side planning and renewable energy programs.

Michael Strommen

Dean Talbott – Dean is Program Manager and Customer Service Representative for Minnesota Power, an electric utility, based in Duluth. Dean is responsible for the development and implementation of residential conservation and load management programs. He provides consultation and resource services to the utility’s customers such as building professionals, consumers, and manufacturers.

Executive Director

Rich Huelskamp - Rich has over 25 years of supporting, educating and assisting home and business owners in energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. He has his own off the grid home of which over 500
folks have toured to hear of the pluses and minus of the technologies used.