Meet the Team

Molly R. Cripps

Director

Molly is the Director of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s (TDEC) Office of Energy Programs (OEP). In addition to Molly’s energy-related work, she serves as the Director of Budget Operations for the Bureau of Environment (BOE) and oversees BOE’s emergency and environmental response efforts.

Molly leads teams that focus on the design and implementation of a variety of energy and sustainable transportation programs and projects. She has served on the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) Board of Directors since 2014 and is currently serving as the Chair of the Executive Committee. She also serves as a Co-chair of the NASEO & National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners Advanced Nuclear State Collaborative and NASEO’s Advanced Nuclear First Movers Initiative. She advised and supported Governor Lee’s Nuclear Energy Advisory Council and now collaborates with public and private partners to implement the Council’s recommendations to advance nuclear in Tennessee. Molly is a member of the Executive Committee for the Drive Electric TN Consortium and represents TDEC on various TVA information exchanges and working groups.

Prior to joining the State in 2010, Molly spent several years practicing law in Tennessee, with a focus on compliance and municipal liability defense. She holds a B.A. in History and Political Science from the University of Tennessee and a J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School.

Alexa Voytek

Deputy Director of Programs, Innovation & Transportation, Communications

Alexa is TDEC OEP's Deputy Director of Programs, Innovation and Transportation, and Communications. Alexa serves as the Principal Investigator for the U.S. DOE State Energy Program, oversees OEP’s sustainable transportation and alternative fuels programming, and assists with the administration of a variety of funding sources, including the State of Tennessee’s initial allocation under the Volkswagen Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust, the State’s annual allocation under the Environmental Protection Agency’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act Program, and the implementation of formula funding under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program. Alexa also serves as the Coalition Director for U.S. DOE’s Clean Cities and Communities Middle-West Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition, through which she acts as a technical resource for fleets and individuals evaluating alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies. Alexa is Co-Chair of the National Association for State Energy Officials’ (NASEO) Transportation Committee and also serves as the Governor’s designee to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Regional Energy Resource Council, which provides guidance on how TVA manages its energy resources against competing objectives and values. Alexa is also the Principal Investigator for the U.S. DOE Grid Resilience Formula Grant Program in Tennessee, funded under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The objective of this Program is to maintain and enhance the reliability and resilience of the electric grid, with the goal of minimizing the frequency and duration of power outages resulting from natural hazards. Since the passage of the IIJA and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), she has supported TDEC OEP with program design tied to the implementation of additional funding programs (e.g., Home Energy Rebate Programs, Solar for All, Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant Program, Revolving Loan Fund Capitalizations Grant Program, Training for Residential Energy Contractors, etc.).

Prior to joining TDEC, Alexa interned with the UN Division for Sustainable Development and the U.S. Consulate in St. Petersburg, Russia. Most recently, Alexa served as Asst. Account Executive for the public relations firm Ketchum, Inc., where she was assigned to energy and technology related projects. Alexa holds an M.A. from Columbia University in Russian, Eastern European, Balkan, and Eurasian Studies and graduated summa cum laude from Duke University, with a B.A. in History and Russian Language / Area Studies.

Emily H. Callahan

Chief Compliance Officer

Emily is TDEC OEP’s Chief Compliance Officer. Emily leads efforts to strengthen program oversight, subrecipient monitoring, and reporting in alignment with State and federal regulatory requirements and provides grant and contract support for TDEC OEP’s programs and operations. Emily comes to TDEC OEP from the U.S. DOE Office of the General Counsel. Prior to U.S. DOE, Emily was an attorney in TDEC’s Office of General Counsel and served as Deputy General Counsel from 2019 to 2023. She joined the State in 2004 as a legislative attorney in the Tennessee General Assembly’s Office of Legal Services. Emily holds a B.A. in History from the University of Tennessee, an M.S. from the University of Tennessee School of Information Sciences, and a J.D. from the University of Tennessee Winston College of Law.

Ben Bolton

Assistant Director of Energy Security, Emergency Preparedness, and Resilience 

As Assistant Director, Ben serves as the Primary Emergency Services Coordinator for Energy for the State of Tennessee. In this capacity, he manages TDEC OEP’s programming related to energy security planning, preparedness, and response, as well as its nexus with critical infrastructure. Since 2018, he has served as Co-chair of NASEO’s Energy Security Committee and represents Tennessee on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Mitigation Framework Leadership Group. Ben is the Principal Investigator for the State Heating Oil and Propane Pricing Program and vice-chair of the State Mitigation Policy Committee. Prior to joining TDEC, Ben was an environmental scientist providing technical support to private and public sector clients facing environmental compliance issues involving air, water, and environmental public relations. He holds a B.A. in English and B.S. in Biology from Birmingham-Southern College and has completed both the FEMA Emergency Management Institute’s Basic Academy and Advanced Academy.

Mark Finlay

Senior Energy Analyst

As a Senior Energy Analyst for TDEC OEP, Mark contributes to a number of OEP’s sustainable transportation programming efforts, including activities under the Middle-West Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition and administration of the VW Settlement EMT. Mark also assists in the development and distribution of several OEP communications deliverables, including OEP’s monthly newsletters. Mark joined TDEC in 2019 after earning both an M.P.A. from Syracuse University with a focus on Environmental Policy and Administration as well as an M.P.S. in Sustainable Energy from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. In Syracuse, Mark worked with the Central New York Clean Cities Coalition to promote the use of alternative fuels in the region. Mark graduated with distinction from the University of Michigan with a B.S. in Earth and Environmental Sciences.

Erik Schmidt

Energy Program Administrator

Erik Schmidt serves as an Energy Program Administrator for the TDEC OEP, supporting the management and implementation of competitive and formula fund grants such as the U.S. DOE Grid Resilience Formula Grant Program in Tennessee, programming under the IIJA SEP, and clean fuel technology programs. Erik also supports TDEC OEP through technical review and analysis and has previously represented TDEC OEP on the TVA Regional Energy Resource Council and through the TVA Connected Communities program. Prior to joining OEP, Erik served as the Director of the Office of Sustainability for the City of Chattanooga and led the development of the City of Chattanooga’s Climate Action Plan, Regional Resilience Report, and participation in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings and Better Climate Challenges. He also served in key roles with the City’s participation in the U.S. State Department Cities Forward program and the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities Program. Before working for the City, Erik served as a lead ecologist for the Chattanooga, Tennessee office of Arcadis and as a compliance ecologist for the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), Environmental Compliance Bureau. Erik holds a B.A. in Biology with a minor in Environmental Studies from Baylor University.

Moriah Lee

Program Manager, Compliance

As the Compliance Program Manager for TDEC OEP, Moriah manages compliance with State and federal regulations. She leads efforts to strengthen program oversight, subrecipient monitoring, and reporting in alignment with evolving State and federal regulatory requirements. Prior to joining TDEC, Moriah served at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Office of Inspector General Human Exploration Directorate for six years, where she supported and authored reports on compliance, internal controls, and program management. Prior to her work at NASA, she served for two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Senegal, working on energy grid strengthening through solar-powered well installations for her rural community. Moriah is a Certified Fraud Examiner and holds an M.A. in Global Finance, Trade, and Economic Integration with a concentration in Monitoring and Evaluation from the University of Denver, and a B.A. from Ball State University in Public Policy.

Dwayne Breeding

Budget Controller

Dwayne is the TDEC OEP Budget Controller and manages the budget activity for all of OEP’s programs. Before joining TDEC in 2024, Dwayne spent three and a half years as Director of Finance for a non-profit, overseeing everything financial, including budgets and grants. Prior to that role, Dwayne was Vice President for Finance and Operations at Watkins College of Art, where he worked for over ten years and led the closeout of the merger with Belmont University. Throughout his career, he has held many roles, expanding his knowledge and experience in all areas of accounting. Dwayne holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Mississippi State University.

Bradley Smiddy

Grants and Contracts Administrator

Brad Smiddy is the Grants and Contracts Administrator for TDEC OEP, providing grant and contract support for all of OEP’s programs and implementations. Brad transitioned to OEP in 2024 after serving three years as a Grants Analyst with TDEC’s Office of Outdoor Recreation (OREC), with prior experience as lead administrator at the Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park. Overall, Brad has twelve years of experience with the State of Tennessee, including eight years spent with TDEC and the remaining with the Tennessee Department of Human Services and Human Rights Commission, bringing over a decade of experience to the position. Brad is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the University of Tennessee-Knoxville with a B.A. in History and Religious Studies. 

Hannah Carroll

Grants Program Coordinator

Hannah is a Grants Program Coordinator for TDEC OEP. She contributes to OEP’s sustainable transportation programming, including supporting the Middle-West Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition, administration of the VW Settlement EMT, and assisting with various alternative fuel activities, outreach, and reporting. Hannah joined OEP in 2024 after working for the Upper Cumberland Development District, focusing on economic development through tourism and downtown improvements for rural communities. She graduated from Lincoln Memorial University with an M.S. in Biomedical Science after earning a B.S. in Biology from Tennessee Tech University.

Shannon Gluck

Administrative Services Manager

Shannon is the Administrative Services Manager for the TDEC OEP. She assists with the State Facility Utility Management (SFUM) team. Shannon is responsible for assisting in the collection of utility bills for both State agencies and higher education through the UDM platform. Shannon focuses on maintaining working relationships with both the vendors and stakeholders by ensuring bills are entered into the platform in a timely manner. Shannon started with OEP in August 2024. Prior to joining the team, Shannon worked for Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools for over thirteen years in the federal programs department, as well as in other areas within the district. She concluded her tenure as a Grant Analyst for the Extended Learning Program, where she managed five grants and one revenue account. Shannon graduated from Grand Canyon University with a B.S. in Hospitality Management and an M.S. in Leadership.

Kaitlyn Jauch

Grants Analyst

As a Grants Analyst for TDEC OEP, Kaitlyn contributes to OEP’s sustainable transportation programming, including activities under the Middle-West Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition and the administration of the VW Settlement EMT, and the implementation of the Tennessee Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (TEVI) Program. Kaitlyn assists with alternative fuels education and outreach as well as stakeholder engagement. Prior to joining TDEC, Kaitlyn graduated from the University of South Carolina with a B.S. in Environmental Science. While at the University of South Carolina, she interned for the South Carolina Energy Office and Palmetto Clean Fuels, the Clean Cities and Communities Coalition in South Carolina. 

Greg Jones

Data Entry & Platform Maintenance Specialist

Greg is the Platform Maintenance Specialist for the TDEC SFUM team. He is responsible for organizing and analyzing the utility costs and consumption data for over 8,000 State-owned and managed buildings within the Utility Data Management (UDM) Platform. His current focus is on utility data collection, Utility Data Management (UDM) platform maintenance, and customer support. Prior to joining the TDEC SFUM team, Greg served for sixteen years as a statistical analyst with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development; there, Greg oversaw the review and compilation of Tennessee’s employment and wage census data for publication and submission to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. His focus was on data quality, timely deliverables, training staff, and process improvement. Greg holds a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Will Livingston

Energy Analyst

Will is an Energy Analyst for the TDEC SFUM team. He is responsible for organizing and analyzing the utility costs and consumption data for over 8,000 state-owned and managed buildings within the Utility Data Management (UDM) platform. Will also manages SFUM’s Energy Liaison Program (ELP), where he seeks to provide continuous improvement by keeping up with and communicating new policies, resources, and best practices to the professionals who work directly with each of the buildings and sites within the UDM platform. Prior to this position, Will served as a Grants Program Manager for Tennessee’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development, working as a data and policy specialist. He is a LEED Green Associate, WELL AP, and Fitwel Ambassador. Will holds an M.S. in Sustainability Science with a focus on Sustainable Building Practices and an M.B.A. from Lipscomb University. He received his B.A. in Economics from Maryville College.

Ryan Shen

Energy Innovation Fellow

Ryan is a U.S. DOE Energy Innovation Fellow working with TDEC OEP to administer the Grid Resilience Formula Grant Program funded under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Ryan works on TDEC OEP’s evolving data needs with experience in geospatial analysis, statistics, and applied machine learning. Prior to joining TDEC, he spent two years working in merchandise planning and buying for Macy’s in New York City. He transitioned into public policy, working as a Pittsburgh Coro fellow, where he worked on overdose prevention and economic development across sectors. He graduated with a B.S. in Marketing and Statistics from NYU Stern and received an M.P.P from Carnegie Mellon’s School of Public Policy and Information Systems in the data analytics track.

Audrey Jackson

Communications Officer

Audrey is the Communications Officer for TDEC OEP. She leads the development of OEP’s communications and outreach materials and serves as the primary author and designer of the OEP website and Annual Reports. She also works to advance OEP’s sustainable transportation programming and serves as a Committee Co-chair for Drive Electric Tennessee’s Awareness Working Group. Audrey came to TDEC in 2022 from the State's Department of Tourist Development, where she served as the Manager of Team Development.  Audrey graduated from Naropa University with an M.A. in Environmental Leadership, and before that, from Vanderbilt University with a B.A. in Environmental Science and Sociology. 

Dana Taylor

Administrative Assistant

As an Administrative Assistant for TDEC OEP, Dana provides support for various programs and is responsible for fiscal, compliance, procurement, records management, inventory, and other administrative tasks. Dana approaches all aspects of her job with a positive, hard-working mindset, and is passionate about helping others and supporting all program operations of TDEC OEP. Before joining the OEP team in January 2024, Dana worked for over 27 years with an extensive background in customer service from managing multi-unit merchandising and retail environments and supervising entire operations of retail chain stores. Dana is excited to bring these experiences and enthusiasm to the TDEC OEP team.