Origin of Chapters

The Clean Energy Co-op started in northeast Pennsylvania with the Cooperage Project in 2015. A couple of people from Philadelphia, in southeast Pennsylvania, joined and invested in projects up in the northeast in 2018. Then in 2021 some people from Havertown, near Philadelphia, decided to identify projects in the southeast part of the state and worked with the board to create a new entity called the Southeastern Chapter. Other chapters could be formed in other parts of the state if an interested group of people come forward.
Chapters have their own board of directors and a representative on the main coop’s board. Members of each chapter are also members of the main coop.

Southeastern Chapter

The Southeastern Chapter is focused on the five county region including Philadelphia, Delaware, Montgomery, Bucks and Chester counties. This chapter was established in March 2021. Leadership positions are shown below:

Chapter Co-Chair: Joy Baxter

Joy is a full-time volunteer implementing climate solutions in her Haverford Township community, local and wider Lutheran church, and the Clean Energy Co-op. She grew up in Florida, earned degrees in Chemical Engineering and Violin Performance at Northwestern University, and went on to earn a Ph. D in Chemical Engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). While there, Joy met her husband who does basic research on solar cells.  Their home has had a solar installation for over ten years. During the pandemic, Joy became passionate about helping nonprofit organizations go solar. In addition, she loves to spend time with her family: playing games and traveling. She continues to play violin as concertmaster of the Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra.
Serving through 2026

Chapter Co-Chair: Carlyn Nelson

Havertown, PA
Avid Naturalist, Birder, Environmental Action Advocate
Grew up in Delaware County, PA. Earned Associates Degree in Natural Science at DCCC.
Resided in Lansdowne Borough for 20 years, raising two sons, who have added four grandchildren
Chairperson of Lansdowne Planning Commission (10 years)
Volunteer Member of Natural Resources Study Committee for UD Area League of Women Voters 1995-2002. Museum Educator At Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences.
2003 Extended Day Program Manager, Chestertown Middle School, Chestertown, MD
Volunteer educator at Easter Shore Wildlife Refuge, Rock Hall, MD
2005-2012 STEM Program Director and Property Manager of LEEDS Plantinum Certified Technology Center, Hockessin, DE. Live with over 60% solar energy production.
2012-2018 owner/Executive Director Bridge Extended Day Enrichment Program at SWS@Goding Elementary School, Washington, DC.
2018-2024 PreK and K educator in Wetherill School Gladwyne, Lower Merion, PA
Retired June 30, 2024
Serving through 2026

Chapter Secretary: Mary Felley

Mary is a Pennsylvania native, living in Montgomery County.  She holds degrees in Asian studies and environmental management.  Her professional career was mainly spent in environmental consulting in East Asia, and in running a land conservancy in the upper Susquehanna watershed in northeast Pennsylvania.  She currently volunteers with the League of Women Voters and the Tookany-Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership.  Her family has installed solar on their home in Susquehanna County, and she is eager to promote wider deployment of the technology.
Serving through 2026

Brent started out on a conventional career path with mechanical engineering and graduate business degrees.  After years as a telecom product manager, that path morphed into stints as an inner city math teacher, co-founder of an economic development non-profit in Uganda, furniture maker, and then a turn to sustainability and renewable energy.  Most recently he worked in various capacities at a Philadelphia-based solar installer.  He holds a NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification.
Serving through 2026

Chapter Representative: Marion Biddle

Marion is passionate about solar energy and electric vehicles. For 29 years, Marion worked for the City of Philadelphia; beginning in the Recycling Office and ending as the IT Director for the Streets Department. Marion left the city in November of 2016 to follow her passion for solar energy and alternative fuels, initially stepping up to join the board of the Northwest Philly Solar Co-op. She is now an active participant with Solarize Southeast PA a part time employee with Green Bridge Energy. She has been a long time Pennsylvania resident living in Berwyn, Havertown, Philadelphia, and briefly in New Derry. She received an undergraduate degree from Harvard University, an electricians license in West Virginia, and a Masters In Education from Temple University and taught high school science for two years before working for the City of Philadelphia.
Marion is certified as a PV Associate by The National American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP)
Serving through 2028

Southwestern Chapter

The Southwestern Chapter is focused on the metropolitan Pittsburgh area. This chapter was established in 2026. Leadership positions will be shown below:

Chapter Chair: Daniel Berg

Daniel Berg is an international development and finance professional with experience in renewable energy, infrastructure and development banking. He has advised financial institutions, governments, businesses, and international organizations across Central and Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans, including work involving the EBRD, EIB, EU, and other development partners. His recent assignments have focused on mobilizing investment for clean energy, expanding access to finance for small businesses, and structuring innovative financing and guarantee products.

Based in Pittsburgh, Daniel is also active in civic and community development initiatives. He helps lead the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Clean Energy Cooperative and supports community-based solar and energy-efficiency projects. He is involved in efforts to promote resident-led neighborhood investment in Polish Hill and regularly contributes to public discussions on clean energy, equitable development, and responsible local government. Daniel also volunteers in Pittsburgh cultural trust and organises bike and walking tours of Pittsburgh's history and cultural scenes.  When he is not busy, he is gardening, pickleballing and walking his dog.

Chapter Secretary: Madeline Darnell

Madeline Darnell is a retired arts educator and still a practicing artist and active grandmother of 6. She has been very interested in energy conservation and environmental and social justice issues since the Jimmy Carter days. After earning her MAEd with emphasis on Community Arts Education she participated in two IMLS National Leadership grants which facilitated community engagement through the arts with newly arrived immigrants and positive participation through creative programming of baby boomers as they aged.

Chapter Treasurer: Matt Mahoney

Matt Mahoney is an Energy and Climate Planning Manager that supports sustainable solutions to complex energy issues by advancing equity-centered strategies. Matt’s advocacy for clean energy policies across Pennsylvania has led to increased accessibility to our region’s growing clean energy economy.
Matt’s work has led to the adoption of local clean energy programs that have directly supported long-term investments in Pittsburgh's communities. He’s also worked with dozens of state legislators and NGO partners to strengthen Pennsylvania’s renewable and energy efficiency laws while also teaching energy policy for sustainability as an adjunct professor.Matt holds a Master’s degree in Renewable Energy and Sustainability Systems from Penn State University and is an AmeriCorps Public Allies Pittsburgh Alumni, PA Army National Guard veteran, and lifelong Allegheny County resident.
When he’s not operationalizing new clean energy strategies, Matt can be found playing pool in The Run, coaching soccer at Schenley, taking his daughter to dance class at St. Stephen, or relaxing with his wife at home in Greenfield.

Chapter Representative: Greg Winks

Greg Winks brings more than 40 years of business and leadership experience, including15 years working in the renewable energy and solar industry. His solar experience has included business development, project evaluation, financial analysis, risk management, and helping organizations and clients navigate projects from initial feasibility through implementation.
Greg previously cofounded and operated SolBridge Energy Advisors, an independent solar consulting practice serving residential and commercial clients, and most recently held business development and contracts and risk leadership roles with Envinity, Inc. A Pittsburgh-area resident for more than 50 years, Greg has witnessed the region’s transformation from its steel and heavy-industrial roots into a center for technology, medicine, and innovation. He is a strong supporter of continued clean energy growth and the economic and community benefits it can bring to the region. Greg joined the Clean Energy Co-op to apply his industry experience toward advancing practical, community-based clean energy projects across southwestern Pennsylvania.