Board Bios

Claudia Rast, Board Chair
Claudia Rast is a shareholder in the Michigan-based law firm of Butzel Long. She has extensive experience counseling both start-up and established clients on emerging legal issues related to business and technology, particularly online and web-based companies. She blends the study of law, business, and technology to assist companies in their selection and use of technology to maintain a competitive edge. Ms. Rast is also an experienced environmental lawyer, focusing on alternative energy and sustainability practices, including work on the development of a global Rule of Law Index for environment and energy with the World Justice Project, an offshoot of the American Bar Association. Ms. Rast received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and her juris doctorate from the University of Detroit School of Law (cum laude), where she was the editor-in-chief of the Law Review. Immediately after law school, she clerked for Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice and former Michigan Governor G. Mennen Williams. Her other board memberships include the New Enterprise Forum and the Michigan League of Conservation Voters.

Jim Cain, Board Vice Chair
Jim Cain is a financial communications manager for General Motors. He draws on nearly two decades of experience in corporate and agency communications, crisis management, product launches and media relations. Most recently, he was senior vice president at The Quell Group, where he helped Clean Energy Coalition define and develop its brand and lead a variety of strategic marketing initiatives for clients in professional services, automotive and finance. Before joining Quell, Mr. Cain held senior public relations positions at Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Mich., where he managed several new vehicle launches, and in New York City for Lehman Brothers Investment Banking. Mr. Cain holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Michigan State University and serves on the board of directors of Breakfast at St. Andrew’s, an independent nonprofit organization based in Ann Arbor that provides breakfast 365 days a year to anyone in need.

Keith Johnson, Board Secretary
Keith Johnson is the associate director of transportation operations at the University of Michigan. Mr. Johnson has been serving the university in several capacities since 1989. His varied responsibilities include transit operations, alternative fuels, fleet and vehicle maintenance management, facility management and pursuing sustainable alternative transportation options for the school’s community. Mr. Johnson’s strategy of combining emerging technology with daily operations has resulted in significant improvements, and his involvement in the varied sustainability projects within the University of Michigan fleet has provided a valued experience for all those involved. Mr. Johnson has a bachelor’s degree in automotive and public safety from Siena Heights University.

Kathy Reed, Board Treasurer
Kathy Reed is a senior accountant with Merit Network, Inc., a nonprofit organization in Ann Arbor that has makes high speed networking available to all of Michigan’s universities and many of its colleges, schools, libraries and research organizations. Ms. Reed has worked at Salamonie Reservoir in Indiana for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Purdue University and is a licensed CPA.

Heidi Grix, Board Director
Heidi Grix is executive director of The Arbor Hospice Foundation and vice president of development for Arbor Hospice. In her dual roles, Ms. Grix provides leadership and direction for fundraising and donor-related activities and administers the policies, programs and personnel of the Hospice Foundation. Ms. Grix has served as director of financial development for the Washtenaw Regional Chapter of the American Red Cross and as development manager for the Ann Arbor Summer Festival. Ms. Grix holds a bachelor’s degree in English and language from Oakland University and a State of Michigan Teaching Certificate from Eastern Michigan University.

Yoshiko Hill, Board Director
Yoshiko Hill is manager of electrical engineering and energy management at the University of Michigan. Prior to her work at the university, Ms. Hill served as project manager at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and as an electrical engineer at the Illinois Power Company. Ms. Hill attended the University of Illinois, where she earned bachelor’s degrees in English and electrical engineering. Ms. Hill’s expertise includes electric utility power systems and contracts as well as electric utility rates.

J.D. Lindeberg, Board Director
J.D. Lindeberg is a LEED-accredited professional and vice president and chief financial officer at Resource Recycling Systems. Mr. Lindberg has worked for 25 years with leading United States nonprofit and private institutions on green business planning, financial assessment and project management. His extensive practical knowledge in biomass energy systems, capital project planning, design engineering, organics and “green” housing projects makes him invaluable to RRS. He has pursued the development of environmental and sustainable technology through his involvement in the Environmental Capital Network, and his own ventures in green home and resort construction. In addition to serving as board chair for Clean Energy Coalition, Mr. Lindeberg is a managing partner of the Cohousing Development Company and is a visiting faculty member at the University of Michigan, where he teaches sustainable economies. Mr. Lindeberg holds a master’s degree of public administration, with a specialization in domestic policy analysis, from Princeton University, a master’s degree in civil engineering from Stanford University and a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College.

Michal Lorenc, Board Director
Michal Lorenc is head of dedicated client services for Google Canada, where he leads sales and account management teams. Earlier in his Google career, Mr. Lorenc established Google’s regional office in Poland and was involved in Google’s entry to Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Turkey, Greece and Egypt. Mr. Lorenc started his career at a Chicago-based interactive agency and spent more than four years at AOL Time Warner where he was responsible for integration of Time Warner properties into AOL’s portfolio. Since 2009, he has taught an online marketing and social media course at Michigan State University. Mr. Lorenc also serves as a board member for Eastern Michigan University’s Computer Information Systems Department and is a frequent speaker at various events across Michigan and Canada. A graduate of Loyola University of Chicago, Mr. Lorenc majored in marketing and international business.

Sean Reed, Founder and Executive Director
As executive director and a board director, Sean Reed provides strategic planning, leadership and guidance to the organization’s operations and three divisions. Mr. Reed has successfully acquired, managed and completed more than 30 state and federal grants valued at more than $55 million. Before founding Clean Energy Coalition in 2005, Mr. Reed served as a program developer and energy analyst for the City of Ann Arbor’s Energy Office and the joint City of Ann Arbor/Washtenaw County Community Development Department. Mr. Reed has also worked for WARM Training Center as a program manager, at Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation, the Olkonorei Integrated Pastoralist Survival Program in Tanzania, Africa, and as an instructor at the Japanese Ministry of Education in Imadate, Japan. Mr. Reed has presented on the topic of energy efficiency at numerous statewide and regional conferences in Michigan.

Born in Malawi, Africa, Mr. Reed has traveled and worked widely, living in Africa, Asia and Europe. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Penn., master’s degrees in social work and urban planning from the University of Michigan, as well as certificates as a housing rehabilitation specialist and home energy rater.