Working Group Leaders

Dr. Craig Becker is a professor of over 20 years in East Carolina University’s Department of Health Education and Promotion. He earned his Ph.D. from Arizona State University, his master’s degree in wellness management from Ball State University and his B.S. in business/accounting from Purdue University. Craig’s research and teaching emphasize salutogenesis and the positive aspects of health. His work explores how individuals and communities can thrive, and he has generated over 100 scholarly international and national publications and presentations about the origins of health.He is devoted to advancing salutogenic principles to benefit people and the planet. Craig actively participates in the ECU Sustainability program and recently completed ECU’s first faculty workshop on Integrating Sustainability into the Curriculum.

Heather Brutz joined the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center in 2015, after receiving her MBA from the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. Previously, she lived in the Washington, DC, region, where she worked on federal transportation policy. At the center, she runs the transportation team and is the lead in their fleet consulting work. She also oversees the Clean Fuel Advanced Technology (CFAT) grant program and provides oversight on the team’s educational efforts. Heather lives in Chapel Hill, where she is chair of the Chapel Hill Transportation and Connectivity Advisory Board.

Reid Conway is director of energy and utilities at Western Carolina University, overseeing the energy management program and the Office of Sustainability and managing the university’s steam and water plants. Additionally, Reid serves as general manager of the electric utility company Western Carolina Power. Before joining WCU, Reid worked for 15 years at the North Carolina Energy Office. During this time, Reid directed the state’s Guaranteed Energy Saving Performance Contracting Program and the Utility Saving Initiative Program. Reid also created and managed a technical assistance program for the state of Tennessee’s Office of Energy Programs. Reid continues to serve as the technical expert on energy-related topics, primarily focusing on energy efficiency strategies within local and state governmental sectors, providing on-site energy assessments, strategic energy planning and performance contracting consultation services. His background is in the electric utility industry, performance contracting, facility maintenance, building codes and HVAC. Reid is a licensed commercial HVAC contractor and was one of the first professional energy managers at the Institute of Energy Professionals. Reid holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Mercer University in Atlanta, Georgia, and an energy management diploma from North Carolina State University. He is pursuing a master’s degree in construction management from WCU.

Mike Kapp grew up in North Carolina and earned his bachelor's degree in architecture from NC State University. After working a few years for local architects and builders, he moved to the West Coast, where he practiced architecture for 23 years. He returned to NC in 2013 to manage building projects for NC State’s Capital Project Management department. In 2022, Mike joined App State’s Planning, Design and Construction office as a project manager, and in 2023 he managed the opening of App State’s Hickory campus. Over the course of his 37-year career, he has directly managed architecture projects totaling nearly half a billion dollars in North Carolina, California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho and Washington, DC.

Mike and his wife, Renee, are building the first net-zero energy Certified Passive House home in Watauga County.

Lanie Karstrom serves as the sustainability outreach director at Appalachian State University, having joined the Office of Sustainability in 2022. Her previous experience in campus outreach, zero waste programming and student-led initiatives has successfully equipped her with the tools necessary to foster sustainability-based programming, curriculum and operations. Originally from Charleston, South Carolina, Lanie earned a bachelor’s degree in marine science with a minor in environmental science from Coastal Carolina University in 2019. Her passion is student engagement, guiding each student toward their goals while helping form the connection between App State’s mission and applicable sustainability impact in a university setting. Her favorite sustainable practices are her vegetarian diet and biking, using them as ways to reduce emissions and get a great mental and physical boost — as self-care is a form of sustainability too! Outside of work, Lanie enjoys outdoor activities, hiking, camping, kayaking and biking.

Dr. Michael Lizotte has served as the university sustainability officer at UNC Charlotte since 2013.  Previously, he served in that same role at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, where he was also a professor of ecology, director of the Aquatic Research Laboratory and helped found the environmental studies program. He continues to teach sustainability for an online graduate business degree program. Michael also has substantial experience in science administration as a research director for an oceanography institute and as a consultant for NASA Headquarters on the effectiveness of interdisciplinary science teams. In his research career studying the ecology of algae in polar regions, he made 12 trips to Antarctica and one to the Arctic. A stream in Antarctica — Lizotte Creek — is named in his honor.

Jennifer Maxwell joined Appalachian State University in 2006 and leads many campus sustainability programs, including the university’s zero waste commitment,  Mountaineer Food Hub and Free Store, GreenSuite engagement programs, green labs program development, sustainable purchasing, event planning and Sustainability Film Series. She is a founding member of the App State Sustainability Council and Living Green Residential Learning Community. Jennifer sees the importance of volunteering her time in the community and region. She serves as chairperson for the Regional Waste Management Committee of the High Country and the Collegiate Recycler's Coalition of North and South Carolina. She is also vice chair of the Town of Boone Sustainability Committee. She holds an M.A. in higher education with a concentration in community college and university leadership and a B.S. in sustainable technology with a minor in business, both from App State. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys live music, the great outdoors and time with her family.

Shelly Parker is a senior project manager at NC Clean Energy Technology Center,with 15 years of experience in sustainable transportation and transportation demand management. She has managed regional TDM coordination with local providers in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, municipalities in Wake County and five universities across the Triangle region.

Shelley is a certified Project Manager Professional and holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Georgia and a sustainable communities and transportation certificate from the University of Washington. A TDM Certified Professional, Shelley has served on the Association for Commuter Transportation Board of Directors and the development task force for the Transportation Demand Management Professional Certification, and currently serves on ACT’s Governance Committee. She was formerly executive director of Leadership Alexandria in the Washington, DC, region and with the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce in Georgia.

Jonathan Pierson is Appalachian State University's energy manager, specializing in large-scale energy efficiency projects. His work through the university’s Facilities Operations encompasses HVAC and building automation optimization, LED lighting upgrades and building envelope improvements. He actively seeks funding for further energy improvements and serves as an advisor for the student-led Renewable Energy Initiative, fostering the development of on-campus renewable energy systems. Jonathan holds certifications as a Certified Energy Manager and a Certified Building Commissioning Professional from the Association of Energy Engineers, which have helped him to implement cost-effective energy solutions at App State.

For the last 16 years, Miriam Tripp has worked in UNC System’s Finance Division, in support of capital projects, including the 2000 Higher Education Bond Program and, more recently, the Systemwide lighting performance contract and implementation of the Interscope statewide capital project reporting system. During her 20-year career at North Carolina State University, Tripp worked in purchasing and then in progressively responsible leadership roles in telecommunications, space planning and management, and facilities planning and design. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from UNC, a master’s degree in management from NC State and the Professional Energy Manager certification.