Aaron Hanson
Energy Transition Lab Energy Program Associate
Prior to college, Aaron earned experience in residential construction, and real estate finance and sales. For the Institute on the Environment, Aaron is the Energy Program Associate, coordinating research projects for the Energy Transition Lab. Recently, Aaron completed a Master’s in the field of Science, Technology, & Environmental Policy, with a Minor in Law from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. While there, he worked as a Research Assistant on projects for Sustainable Healthy Cities in the areas of distributed infrastructure, combined heat and power for district heating, and alternative design for affordable housing. Broadly, his studies focused on the business of sustainability and the implications energy efficiency has on the advancement of a clean energy economy. More specifically, given his background with houses, he took a deep dive into residential energy efficiency and the systems based approach to sustainable buildings. He has lived in Minnesota all his life. In his free time he cares for his pets and garden, and enjoys attending local sporting events. Go Gophers!
Akisha Everett
Energy Transition Lab Energy Storage Project Coordinator
A natural convener and all-around social butterfly, Akisha Everett has found her way onto the Energy Transition Lab team. She is the Energy Storage Project Coordinator for the Energy Transition Lab. She has 15 years of project management experience working in Minneapolis with state and city Health Equity initiatives and performing Non-Profit Management. She is currently a student pursing her degree in Business Management with a minor in Human Resource Management. She proudly lists North Minneapolis as her hometown and firmly believes in the richness and potential of her community. As an engaged community resident, she participates as a board member of the Hawthorne Neighborhood Association as well as PRG, Inc., with a focus on creating possibilities for all communities and engaging residents from all neighborhoods.
Heidi Ries
Energy Transition Lab Analyst
Heidi Ries has 20 years of experience working on air quality, climate change and clean energy programs. Her areas of technical expertise include: climate change policy, clean energy options, carbon offsets, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and electric utility financial analysis. Prior to joining the Energy Transition Lab, Heidi managed all aspects of multiple EPA and environmental group consulting projects including marketing, developing and maintaining client relationships, analysis, staffing, budgeting and deliverables. Specific projects involved climate change modeling, state clean energy policies, carbon offsets, international and domestic climate policy, as well as carbon dioxide emissions inventories for an electric utility and US public lands. Heidi enjoys politics, travel and spending time with her family.
