News & events : executive director

Press Release:

For Immediate Release
   Media Contacts:
   Rebecca Ehlers
   Hoffman York
   414-225-9568 / 414-225-9522
   rehlers@hyc.com

Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation Appoints
Mary Schlaefer as Executive Director

MADISON, Wis. (February 11, 2008) - Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation (WECC), a national leader in the design and implementation of energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, today announced the appointment of Mary Schlaefer as executive director, effective March 3. Schlaefer will succeed Janet Brandt, who announced her retirement last November.

"It is with great pleasure that I announce the appointment of Mary Schlaefer as WECC's new executive director," said Brandt. "Mary is an accomplished manager with a proven track record for developing successful strategy, fostering innovation, building effective working relationships, and achieving results. She is well known and highly respected within both Wisconsin's business community and the environmental community, and a great choice to lead WECC into the next phase of its mission."

As executive director, Schlaefer will manage operations of the mid-sized nonprofit, which has general oversight of more than 35 regional, state and national contracts for consulting and energy services in more than 10 states. As administrator for Wisconsin's statewide Focus on Energy Program, WECC manages market-based energy efficiency and renewable energy programs for commercial businesses, farms, industry, schools, local government and consumers. Schlaefer brings to WECC 17 years of experience in policy, planning and management. Most recently, she served as deputy secretary for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), where she oversaw the Department's work on energy and climate change. Schlaefer has been a key advisor to the Governor's Office on energy issues. She served as the Governor's designee on the Climate Registry board and as a lead staff to the Governor's Task Force on Global Warming. Schlaefer also served on the Governor's bio-based energy work group.

Previously, Schlaefer served as executive assistant for the DNR and as deputy secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing. She also served as tobacco counsel for the National Association of Attorneys General, where she was responsible for overseeing nationwide implementation and enforcement of the multi-state tobacco settlement agreement. Schlaefer began her career as an assistant attorney general for Wisconsin, including serving as co-counsel on Wisconsin's tobacco litigation team.

"I am pleased and excited to join Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation, a leader in the energy efficiency field whose message and mission are so important, and getting more critical every day," Schlaefer said. "As an advocate of sound energy policy, I look forward to helping WECC promote energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources, not only to help residents and businesses save energy and money, but also to preserve and protect our environment."

Schlaefer earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, with distinction, from the University of Wisconsin- Madison in 1983 and a law degree, cum laude, from the University of Minnesota in 1989. She is a Wisconsin native, an avid mountain biker and backpacker who notes a special fondness for the state's Lake Superior shoreline.

About the Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation
Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation is a nonprofit organization based in Madison, Wis. Established in 1980, WECC is a national leader in designing and implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy programs that partner with private businesses to deliver value to consumers. It champions innovative energy initiatives that deliver short- and long-term economic and environmental benefits to consumers, businesses and policy makers. For more information about WECC, call 800.969.9322 or visit weccusa.org.

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