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Contact Us

Ed Thomas

Ed Thomas is the Director of UtilityExchange.org, a affiliate of the Electric & Gas Industries Association (EGIA). The UtilityExchange.org produces in-person and web-based activities where utilities, energy-related organizations, and contractors can learn and network regarding energy efficiency, renewable energy, customer service, marketing, sales, and enhanced business operations.

Ed is perhaps best known in the energy utility industry as an engaging presenter and innovative program designer. Most recently, Ed helped EGIA develop and implement a successful Home Performance Makeover Contest with Anaheim Public Utilities to showcase its Home Investment Program that leverages the national Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® initiative. Also, Ed has produced a series of regional workshops titled "Beyond Home Energy Audits with Home Performance" and "Utility Efficiency Exchange" as well as the Peak Load Management Alliance Web Workshops.

Prior to founding UtilityExchange.org, Ed Thomas was Managing Partner of Market Development Group, a leading utility energy industry consulting firm that provided strategic and tactical program design, implementation and evaluation services, as well as event and publications management for utilities and public agencies delivering energy efficiency, renewable energy and demand response programs.

Ed was the Manager of Intermountain Energy, a subsidiary of the 30,000-member Delta-Montrose Electric Association (DMEA) in Montrose, Colo. He was instrumental in DMEA becoming the first electric cooperative to receive a national ENERGY STAR® Award. Ed served as Marketing Director for Association of Energy Services Professionals where he revitalized its Corporate Sponsor program, launched a Group Member recruiting program, and transformed its Strategies newsletter.

For MainStreet Networks, Ed helped reposition the company from an automatic meter reading manufacturer to an affinity marketer of residential Internet gateway services. For Volt VIEWtech, Ed helped reposition the company from being a demand side management program provider to a residential customer program implementer. For the Edison Electric Institute, Ed revitalized meeting activities; doubling attendance to over 2,500 for 20 annual conferences.

Ed earned a Master's of Science degree in Marketing from The American University, Washington, DC, and a Bachelor's of Science degree in Communications from Butler University. Ed served as a U.S. Navy spokesperson during Desert Storm, frequently quoted in USA Today and other national publications. Ed performs in community theatre and is a co-founder of the Timshel Theatre Company.

Juanita McConkey

Juanita McConkey is a Communications Professional specializing in the energy and residential building sectors.

From 2004 through 2009 Juanita worked at the Smart Energy Living Alliance (SELA), formerly the Colorado Energy Science Center. Juanita’s most recent role was as Communications Director, where she coordinated the rebranding of SELA during its name change, including the redesign of the SELA website and the creation of the new marketing and communications plan. During her tenure there Juanita provided high-level communications products and support that included websites, newsletters, magazine layouts, corporate graphical elements, and a variety of other collateral material. In addition Juanita served as a project coordinator, organizing and assisting with 8 home energy makeover contests and over 100 energy related educational workshops and events.

From 2001 through 2004 Juanita worked as Marketing Assistant for the Advertising Director of the Publishing House, Home Builder division. While there Juanita worked closely with residential building professionals providing advertising design consultation, ensuring contract deliverables, creating marketing materials and providing sales support.

Juanita joined the UtilityExchange.org team in 2009 as a web and graphic design consultant. She is excited to be part of this talented team and looks forward to working with utilities and industry on the advancement of service.

Sharon Dobson

Sharon Dobson has been involved with the planning and production of conferences, workshops and events for the last 20 years. She began her career as the business manager of the Hatch Cover Restaurant in Colorado Springs. During her fourteen years in that position, Sharon oversaw the opening of four additional restaurants in Wichita, Albuquerque, Denver and Colorado Springs by setting up the systems, hiring and training employees. During this period, Sharon participated in organizing the Cystic Fibrosis Walk from 1989-1993. She also helped to found the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation in Colorado Springs and JDF Walk from 1994-1997.

In 1991, Sharon became a CSU certified master gardener and started her own landscape design business, Slate River Designs. The primary client is High Valley Farm, a private, outdoor, botanical garden located in Colorado Springs.

Since 2007, Sharon has enjoyed working in the professional conference planning business with Robin Spaulding in their business, Cascading Connections, Inc.
 

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