The UA Team
Laurie Wiegand-Jackson, President & CEO
Laurie Wiegand-Jackson is a successful entrepreneur with over twenty five years of experience in the energy industry. She is the President, CEO and founding member of Utility Advantage. Laurie brings a broad range of national experience in
wholesale and retail energy markets, utility rates and regulation, demand side management, CHP and renewable energy project development. She regularly speaks at industry and private and public sector programs on the importance of sound energy policy, energy management strategies and the benefits of energy programs. She has been recognized for her contributions to the energy industry, where she served as the President of the International Association of Energy Engineers in 2007. Laurie received the prestigious Distinguished Service Award from AEE and she was also honored in 2008 by the Executive Women of New Jersey as a leading Policy Maker. Laurie was inducted into the AEE Energy Manager Hall of Fame in 2016.
Laurie is very active in promoting the professional advancement of women in the energy industry. She is the founder of the Council for Women in Energy and Environmental Leadership (CWEEL) and currently co-chairs the CWEEL Board of Directors.
wholesale and retail energy markets, utility rates and regulation, demand side management, CHP and renewable energy project development. She regularly speaks at industry and private and public sector programs on the importance of sound energy policy, energy management strategies and the benefits of energy programs. She has been recognized for her contributions to the energy industry, where she served as the President of the International Association of Energy Engineers in 2007. Laurie received the prestigious Distinguished Service Award from AEE and she was also honored in 2008 by the Executive Women of New Jersey as a leading Policy Maker. Laurie was inducted into the AEE Energy Manager Hall of Fame in 2016.
Laurie is very active in promoting the professional advancement of women in the energy industry. She is the founder of the Council for Women in Energy and Environmental Leadership (CWEEL) and currently co-chairs the CWEEL Board of Directors.
Gerald Jackson, VP, Business Development
Gerald Jackson is the Vice President of Business Development for Utility Advantage. He is responsible for the development of sales channels and new products for the company and its clients.
Gerald brings over ten years of energy experience in his role at Utility Advantage. He has experience in the IT and security sectors where he led related programs for North America Power Partners, G Line Fitness of PA, and Jazz Security as well as being a key team member of a local diplomat. He has traveled extensively and provides support on a global basis to Utility Advantage.
Gerald brings over ten years of energy experience in his role at Utility Advantage. He has experience in the IT and security sectors where he led related programs for North America Power Partners, G Line Fitness of PA, and Jazz Security as well as being a key team member of a local diplomat. He has traveled extensively and provides support on a global basis to Utility Advantage.
Deb Lenny, Director of Program Management & Consulting Services
Deb Lenny is the Director of Program Management and Consulting Services for Utility Advantage. With over thirty (30) years of expertise in the energy sector, Deb is focused on advancing innovative energy & renewables solutions for industrial and commercial customers. She is an outcome-driven leader with a proven track record of delivery and excels at building highly effective & diverse teams and leading change.
Deb graduated from Rutgers University with a B.S. in Industrial Engineering. She also has an MBA from LaSalle University.
She is a Six Sigma Green Belt (2005) and Lean Practitioner (2007). Prior to joining Utility Advantage, she worked as an engineer and in various leadership positions at PSE&G, HESS Corporation, Direct Energy and NRG Business.
Deb graduated from Rutgers University with a B.S. in Industrial Engineering. She also has an MBA from LaSalle University.
She is a Six Sigma Green Belt (2005) and Lean Practitioner (2007). Prior to joining Utility Advantage, she worked as an engineer and in various leadership positions at PSE&G, HESS Corporation, Direct Energy and NRG Business.
Allison Muehe, Energy Engineer
Allison Muehe is a licensed professional engineer with over fifteen years of engineering experience and seven years of energy consulting services work. She currently works as a senior consultant/engineer for Utility Advantage.
Prior to working with Utility Advantage, Ms. Muehe has a background of working in energy conservation, analysis and process optimization for the commercial, agriculture, wastewater and waste management sectors.
Dr. Stephen Roosa, PhD, Senior Consultant
Dr. Stephen Roosa provides energy engineering and sustainability consulting for Utility Advantage. With over 35 years of energy industry experience, he is s well respected expert in his field.
His experience includes completing energy studies and projects for over 3,500 buildings with over $100 million in energy conservation, management and alternative energy projects developed for industrial, institutional and commercial customers. Dr. Roosa has authored numerous books including The Sustainable Development Handbook, Carbon Reduction – Policies, Strategies and Technologies, International Solutions to Sustainable Energy, Policies and Applications.
His experience includes completing energy studies and projects for over 3,500 buildings with over $100 million in energy conservation, management and alternative energy projects developed for industrial, institutional and commercial customers. Dr. Roosa has authored numerous books including The Sustainable Development Handbook, Carbon Reduction – Policies, Strategies and Technologies, International Solutions to Sustainable Energy, Policies and Applications.
OUR GOVERNMENT & UTILITY PROGRAMS TEAM MEMBERS
Casey Fitzgerald, Program Manager
Casey Fitzgerald is a Program Manager for Utility Advantage. He is responsible for the NJ Benchmarking Program Help Desk team.
Casey made a career shift to the energy industry building on his prior project management experience. He started working with Utility Advantage as a project coordinator in 2022. Prior to working with Utility Advantage, Mr. Fitzgerald has a background of working in project coordination, insurance claims, and sales. He has held prior positions with Servpro of Harrisonburg County, Cvent and PerformYard.
Casey made a career shift to the energy industry building on his prior project management experience. He started working with Utility Advantage as a project coordinator in 2022. Prior to working with Utility Advantage, Mr. Fitzgerald has a background of working in project coordination, insurance claims, and sales. He has held prior positions with Servpro of Harrisonburg County, Cvent and PerformYard.
Andrea Pontani Snider, Help Desk CSR
Andrea Pontani Snider serves as the lead Customer Service Representative for our Program Help Desk operations. She supports the NJ Benchmarking Program Help Desk team by responding to inquiries and tickets, processing exemptions, and ensuring accurate information in the program systems. She is proficient in the BEAM platform. She also supports training of interns and administration of all program materials.
Prior to joining Utility Advantage, Andrea worked in the real estate sector as a Transaction Coordinator and she is a licensed Real Estate broker.
Prior to joining Utility Advantage, Andrea worked in the real estate sector as a Transaction Coordinator and she is a licensed Real Estate broker.
Kelly Vazquez, Trade Ally Coordinator
Kelly Vazquez is responsible for developing and managing the Trade Ally network for utility energy efficiency programs. She works with Trade Allies and Large Commercial, Industrial, Institutional and Government sector customers to support and encourage their participation in Atlantic City Electric's energy efficiency programs. Kelly brings over five years of experience in project management and operations. Prior to joining Utility Advantage, she worked in the solar industry and facilities operations sectors. She graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Urban Studies. She is also a US military veteran having served in the US Army National Guard from 2000-2008.
Nikoleta Girgis, Program Coordinator - EE Progams
Nikoleta Girgis joined Utility Advantage in 2025 and is responsible for processing project applications through all phases from application receipt to incentive distribution in the Prescriptive & Custom Commercial & Industrial (“C&I”) Energy Efficiency programs to meet the energy savings targets across the Atlantic City Electric (“ACE”) service area. She provides insights on how to improve program design and processing for better overall delivery and value. She brings seven years of experience in utility incentive programs implementation. Prior to joining Utility Advantage, Nikoleta was a Program Coordinator and Technical Assistant with DNV Energy USA supporting utility programs in Nevada. She graduated from Golden-Beacom College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.