Bio Coming Soon

A simple but effective philosophy has guided Becky’s career as an account manager in the energy industry and others: “Do the right thing for the right reason.”

With more than 25 years of experience helping customers, Becky has had a lot of practice honing her skills so they align with her beliefs. 

But it’s not all work all the time. 

For Becky, the right things also include paddle boarding, watching football on Sundays, and taking adventurous trips to interesting places. The right reason is that life is short and the right people to spend her free time with are her girlfriends, nieces, and her husband.

Hongtao Chen joined CPower from Johnson Controls / iDR, where he was also a senior Software Engineer for 5 years. Prior to that he spent another 15 years in the industry between ABB Systems Controls, and Commerce One, Inc., so he comes to us with a lot of experience in the business. He’s excited about the opportunity to grow with a relatively young company like CPower and to apply his experience to help accomplish that growth. When we asked about his personal work philosophy, Hongtao Chen replied, “A bend in the road is not the end of the road… Unless you fail to make a turn.” which we thought about for several minutes and determined to be a very true philosophy with many hidden meanings. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children as well as reading, listening to classical music and playing violin, which probably explains why he is so deeply philosophical.

“We’re not just a team. We’re a family.” -Rusty Since the day CPower opened its doors, team members have counted on Rusty for all things related to IT applications. Rusty holds a master’s degree in advanced information technology and has nearly 20 years of experience in the energy and applications industries. Each day he brings wisdom and positivity to CPower’s home office in Baltimore and spreads upbeat energy to both his fellow team members and to CPower’s customers. When he’s not thinking up ways to enhance the technological side of CPower’s customer experience, Rusty is a father to four children. Rusty is perhaps CPower’s best cook, and often lends his culinary skills to friends’ weddings and other festivities.

Karen has spent nearly a decade in the energy industry looking for patterns in what, at times, seems like chaos. Her ability to help customers understand their energy use and spend make her a natural fit at CPower. When she’s not helping customers get maximized results from their demand response, Karen enjoys yoga and cross country skiing. But not at same time. Then again, if you know Karen you know that anything’s possible

One of Mike’s favorite quotes is from Dr. Randy Pausch: “Be good at something. It makes you valuable. Have something to bring to the table, because that will make you more welcome.” Well, we can attest that over the past 15+ years with CPower, Mike has been bringing significant value to our customers. He has over 30 years’ experience in the design, installation, and service of mechanical systems, and energy management systems and SCADA equipment. Many of our most active DR participants nationwide also actively leverage Mike’s expertise in CPower’s real-time metering solutions for their clear advantages, including greater visibility and control overload reductions as well as better overall energy management and sustainability benefits for their facilities. A solid Orioles and Ravens fan, Mike is married with three daughters (including twins in high school and his eldest pursuing a Ph.D. at Indiana University). He loves spending time relaxing with family and friends while enjoying a well-crafted margarita…both on and off trips to Disneyworld (over 25 so far and counting)!

Ed’s bio coming soon.

Shanelle has developed both professionally and personally since joining CPower as an Accounts Payable Specialist. She’s tackled the energy management learning curve with enthusiasm, and she applies the same energy to her personal pursuits, which have included completing her bachelor’s degree. She loves the team atmosphere and appreciates the support of her teammates, and looks forward to many great years with CPower. When she’s not keeping track of accounts payable, Shanelle enjoys spending time with her daughters, one of whom spends her weekends at college prep classes at Johns Hopkins University. Shanelle is just a little proud of them both.

When Millie joined CPower, she brought with her a deeply held commitment to, as she says, “leaving the world a better place than we found it, and along the way ensuring integrity and equality remain central to any business solution.” At Tesla, she pursued renewable generation and energy storage projects, focusing on deploying these technologies across the U.S. and Canada. She brings that same desire and expertise in sustainability to CPower, where she develops new distributed energy resources (DER) solutions for CPower customers and partners. “I chose to join the CPower team because of its unparalleled reputation for delivering demand-side management solutions,” Millie says, “and because I support the mission of better managing energy consumption for a healthier and more sustainable electric grid.” This Palmetto State native earned her B.A. from the University of Virginia, and her Master’s in Environmental Change and Management from the University of Oxford in the U.K. “Outside the office” to Millie means just that: She likes to spend her free time in the great outdoors, backpacking, biking, triathlon-ing, working on a local food/agriculture project, and kayaking near her home on D.C.’s Anacostia River. 

“Honesty, integrity, transparency, and hard work are the only basics to success,” Paul says. He builds on these basics every day at CPower, traveling the length and breadth of Texas to ensure our customers succeed. He has been a part of CPower in its various forms since 2008, and except for a brief stint in Virginia, Paul has spent his professional life in the Lone Star State. Paul has a Bachelor’s of Applied Science, with a concentration in applied Corrosion Technology studies, and his roles and titles are practically too many and varied to mention. He’s done just about everything in the energy industry, from national sales to installing gas compression, remote monitors. But one thing has remained constant. Paul is all about the customer. Daily interaction with customers and CPower teams keeps his daily experience new, fresh, challenging, and rewarding. Paul keeps applies these same qualities to his off-work hours. You’ll find him on any given holiday or weekend riding and camping cross-country on an antique motorcycle, occasionally taking his dog for a local sidecar ride. You’ll also find him at hot rod shows, fishing, hiking, and building and flying remote-controlled aircraft (he’s an avid member of his local R/C club). Perhaps this quote describes Paul best: “Passion, curiosity, and the desire to continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty separate the top from bottom.”

Stephen is the Compliance department at CPower and has a varied background in the energy industry across a few companies. In his role, he has the pleasure of working with all team members to make a great company even better. Stephen held several risk, financial, and strategy roles at Westinghouse Electric and Eaton Corporation. Mr. Oyler holds a B.S. in Accounting and International Business from Penn State and an M.S. in International Business and MBA from the University of Pittsburgh. Avoiding complacency risk and supporting the perpetual cycle of learning, he also has completed executive education programs at Carnegie Mellon University and Stanford University. Stephen and his wife Kate reside in the Pittsburgh area and enjoy traveling extensively. Stephen has been to all 50 states and over 30 countries. Don’t be concerned, but maybe you will see him at your office soon!

Bio Coming Soon!

“ As a critical moving part of our Dispatch team, Charles helps watch over nearly 9,000 customer facilities, day and night, to ensure they maximize every opportunity to save and earn, no matter where they are. What Charles loves most about CPower is the people and the commitment to sustainability. He believes one should “Never stop learning and [to not] be afraid to share what you know”.

Charles received his Bachelor’s of Science in Financial Economics from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, followed by his Master’s of Science in Applied Information Technology from Towson University. When he’s not in the office, he tries to get outside for a walk when he can. He also enjoys staying in and cooking or baking.

Being part of the solution is a big part of what drew Christine to CPower. “I was really intrigued by the industry when I did my initial research,” she says. “I really like the environmental aspect of what we do.

Companies can participate and contribute to green initiatives in the different states and markets—reducing greenhouse gas emissions and their carbon footprint.” Christine also found herself drawn to the CPower culture. “I like joining a small, nimble team with a lot of opportunities to make great things happen,” she says. “I see the people here really putting their best foot forward every day, really hard-working people,” she says. Christine is excited about applying the extensive insights she’s gathered through working with agencies in-house for CPower and its customers. Christine enjoys spending time with family and friends, camping and going to the beach. But there’s a nomadic side to Christine as well. “If money were no object, I would love to travel extensively, work odd jobs and move from town to town.” For now, though, she’s happy to stay put and help our customers do some good in the world.

When it comes to what he enjoys most in his professional life, Andrew says that it’s “learning and being challenged.” He certainly found the right place for that. His role puts him at the crossroads of the ever-evolving demand-side energy management world (microgrids, renewables, storage) and the ever-threatening cybersecurity world. Fortunately, Andrew’s the right person for the job. He appreciates CPower’s positive culture, as well as the opportunity to work on a lot of new and exciting projects that in advance of what most companies would be doing. In the office, customers are his focus. “Working in IT support, I get to talk to people having problems every day, sometimes in very frustrating situations,” he says. “I look at this as an opportunity to help fix problems and hopefully make someone’s day better.” In his spare time Andrew enjoys traveling with his girlfriend, building computers, playing guitar, and Baltimore sports. At home or at work, Andrew has one constant secret to success: “Be patient, and be polite.” That’s a philosophy we can all live by.

Corinne comes to CPower with a background in Demand Response from her time with Constellation Energy, and the more technical side of DR from her time with Mad Dash, CPower’s energy management technology partner. After some time away from the energy arena to start a family, Corinne is back in an industry she’s grown to love. “The fact that I will always be learning, since the business is constantly changing, is exciting to me,” she says. “CPower encourages an atmosphere where solutions are proposed and discussions are had, work is a constant collaboration, and every day is different.” Corinne believes that “There is power in knowledge, and learning is an integral part of success. If I don’t know the answer, I will find it.” Corinne has an arts degree and dance and is a classically trained dancer. She no longer performs but still teaches at a performing arts school in New Hampshire. (You can be sure she instills in her students her unwavering belief that “To be the best, you have to work the hardest.”) At home, Corinne manages a “family circus” that includes two young sons and three happy dogs. She enjoys family time, beach time, and of course teaching dance.

Leigh Anne Ratliff has been in the energy industry for fifteen years and the demand response industry for the last nine. She received her engineering undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois and followed it with a master’s in financial markets and trading from the Illinois Institute of Technology. Leigh Anne worked for York International in their industrial sales department, traded short-term interest rate options on the floor of the Mercantile Exchange, risk-managed a 24/7 global options trading team, worked for a major utility as a liaison between trading, IT and risk, co-owned an energy hedge fund, and finds it interesting how all of those disparate industries are applicable to demand response! She is currently working on a second masters in Energy Regulation and Environmental Law and in her free time (what there is of it) enjoys judging speech and debate tournaments, reading, cooking, gardening, taking walks and attending her kids’ many swim meets

Bio Coming Soon

Aimee’s roots in the energy industry are deep. Since 1997, she’s held positions at Duke Energy, Pacific Gas & Electric Energy Services, Pacific Gas & Electric Company, Constellation Energy—and Consumer Powerline, one of CPower’s earliest incarnations. In fact, she’s been with CPower through its various transformations since 2008. She may be a Californian at heart, but her head and professional focus are firmly planted in the national energy scene, and the many CPower national accounts that she manages.

Joe has been with CPower since 2017, leading the high performing Marketing organization. He lives and promotes what has become a CPower philosophy, “Without great customers, we are just a group of really smart people”. His measure of the customer experience spans from the CPower brand all the way through the renewal and beyond. “Every touchpoint with our customer is an opportunity to be awesome or awful. There just really isn’t a choice to be made.”Joe brings 15 years of marketing experience to CPower with a BA in Advertising from the University of South Florida and an MBA specialized in Marketing from Florida Institute of Technology. He holds multiple digital marketing certifications. Joe spends his free time with his family, playing with his two sons, hiking, and doing landscape design.

“Comfort zones are cozy, but nothing ever grows there.”

Stephanie loves a good challenge. When she came on board the CPower team, she had no previous experience in the energy industry. 

Undaunted by the industry’s steep learning curve, Stephanie hit the ground running by soaking in the wisdom of her experienced team members. 

Today, she’s the one the energy veterans at CPower turn to when they seek answers to their HR questions. Stephanie wouldn’t have it any other way and loves that CPower is team-oriented and committed to maintaining their family-oriented culture.

Stephanie holds a BS degree from the University of Maryland University College and is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management. 

When she’s not honing her HR skills, she enjoys teaching her two dogs, Minnie and Benny, new tricks. She is also an avid dancer, snowboarder, tennis player, and traveler. 

Prior to joining CPower, James participated in an interview process that was unique, to say the least. “I interviewed under the new COVID-19 restrictions,” he says. “In total, I had nine interviews with 14 different team members — all online (with one exception). This gave me a great opportunity to meet so many people and gain great insight into the company culture. The positive attitude and can-do spirit of the CPower Team attracted me in the first place,” he adds. “By the time the interview process was over, I was completely sold on CPower.” The feeling is mutual. To start, we’re sold on James’s firmly-held belief in connecting with people, finding solutions, and making a positive difference. Not to mention his unwavering stance on customer focus. “To be customer-focused means to be ethical and honest with your actions and words,” he says. “And to demand that from others.” James brings a rock-solid 20+ years of energy experience to ERCOT: gas and power operations, power trading, and microgrids, to name a few standout achievements. James earned his B.B.A. in Marketing Master’s in Land Economics and Real Estate from Texas A&M. He’s also earned a Graduate Certificate in Energy Risk Management from the University of Houston. When not managing energy risk for customers, James embraces the physical and mental challenges of the great outdoors. “I’m an avid hiker,” he says, “I love the beauty of hiking mountain ranges, canyons, and fjords.” His credo, on the road and on the trail: “Never be scared to ask for help. Life is too short to live in fear.”

bio coming soon

A huge advocate for work-life balance, Tonya understands it’s CPower’s people who are central to our—and our customers’—success. “You can have the best strategies and processes in the world,” she says, “but if you don’t have the hearts and minds of the employees, none of it comes to life.” She’s devoted her professional life to those hearts and minds, with a BS in human resource management and 15 years’ experience managing a full spectrum of HR programs, services, and functions in both the private and public sectors. She’s also a member of the Society for Human Resource Management. Tonya loves CPower’s perfect blend of engaging culture and a family-oriented environment and is passionate about helping businesses maintain a structured work environment for its employees, a rewarding team member experience, and offering a positive organizational structure. Tonya balances her work time with family time, traveling, and (on occasion) baking from scratch.

What attracted Brad Widdup to CPower? “I have the ambition to learn and do something different that has a positive impact on the world,” he says. “I like that we’re big enough to deliver but small enough to care.” These are strengths that he feels will open up new opportunities as he helps CPower expand into the Canadian market. Throughout his 25 years in the energy industry, which includes serving as regional vice president for Oracle’s Utilities Global Business Unit, Brad has excelled by practicing some very basic rules. “I just always try to take the best care of my customers (and employees) as possible, do the right thing for them, treat people with respect and in the same manner that I would expect to be treated, and conduct myself in the most honest and ethical manner possible,” he says. CPower’s family-oriented culture is a perfect fit for Brad, who has been heavily involved in managing his daughters’ rep/all-star soccer and basketball teams in their community of Flamborough, Ontario. When he has time, he enjoys playing hockey and golf, skiing, fishing, and family camping trips.