Education and Certification

Stanford University · BS, Environmental Engineering

Holy Names University · MA, Culture and Spirituality

Registered Mechanical Engineer

Certified in Ecological Design (permaculture)

Certified Organic Farmer

Work History

Tactical Partners: 2000 to Present
Principal
Manage, launch and develop businesses and projects focused on environmental design, environmental improvement, energy efficiency or energy managment. Experienced in online energy efficiency technology and both high-tech and appropriate technology environmental improvement approaches. Specific assignments and projects include business and marketing plans, business models, business development, team development, and product launch. Specific significant business roles and key clients:

Ambature :
Business Development and Strategic Planning for innovative energy technologies

eMeter:
Vice President, Marketing
Responsible for Marketing for eMeter, an enterprise software company integrating advanced metering data into utility enterprise systems. enabling real-time energy monitoring & control.

Invensys Climate Control:
General Manager, Goodwatts
Responsible for P&L for Goodwatts home control technology business serving the online energy efficiency and demand-side power services market. Led market development for the "Conservation Power Plant" networked home control systems for energy and utility companies such as PECO, Nevada Power and PG&E and the launch of the business.

Sage Systems:
Vice President—Business Development
Responsible for all aspects of business development for Sage Systems, a technology start-up serving the emerging home networking and meter data services market. Reported to the CEO. Sage was sold to emWare in 2002.

Dancing TreePeople Organics:
Founder and Principal. Introducing and testing ecological agriculture, natural building, sustainable systems and organic farming methods.

Rockhaven Ecozoic Center :
Co-Founder and Board Member. Incorporated, financed and launched this not-for-profit ecological center. Established business and management systems, finance systems and developed ecological living and energy-efficiency programs.

CellNet Data Systems: 1996 to 2000
Executive Vice President
Responsible for all aspects of sales, marketing and business development for CellNet Data Systems serving the emerging meter data services market, including pricing, strategy, product marketing, marketing and corporate communications, revenue forecasting, customer support, consultative sales, alliances and licensing. Led sales of large-scale networked data collection systems for energy and utility companies such as CSW, PECO and PSE and the launch of successful partner and alliance programs. Reported to the CEO.
Director of Sales
Directed U.S. sales and technical support for CellNet. Clients included all major U.S. energy distribution companies: such as Northeast Utilities, NSP, PG&E, Puget Sound Energy, and Ameren. Managed six regional sales offices and customer technical support.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company: 1980 to 1996
Director—PG&E Marketing and Sales, 1993 to 1996
Directed product development, pricing, sales and technical support services for PG&E’s California small, medium and large business and residential segments. Managed $28 million budget and 90 people in six locations. Reported to VP of Marketing & Sales.

Manager—PG&E Energy Efficiency Services, 1990 to 1992
Responsible for Commercial, Industrial Energy Efficiency technology programs. Managed up to 30 people and $80 million annual budget.

Corporate Account Manager, PG&E, San Francisco, 1989-1990
Represented Food Processing Industries. Implemented Gas Industry Restructuring Program system-wide, negotiated Gas contracts for PG&E with industrial customers.

Customer Operations Manager, Shasta Division, 1987-1989
Managed Customer Services, Energy Efficiency Services, Marketing and Meter Reading for PG&E’s Shasta Division.

Major Account Executive, Colgate Division, Marysville, 1984-1987
Managed all aspect of energy service to 32 large industrial accounts

Regional Engineer, Sacramento Valley Region, 1981-1984
Introduced energy efficiency and alternative energy technology to businesses and contractors.

Engineer, PG&E Generation Planning, San Francisco, 1980
Investigated alternative technologies for PG&E’s generation plan.

Selected Key Accomplishments

Business:

Launched PG&E’s award-winning Commercial Energy Efficiency Services Program and PG&E’s Clean Air Vehicle Market Development. These efforts were instrumental in PG&E receiving the 1991 U.S. Presidential Award for Environmental Quality;

Launched and marketed multiple new technology and web-based product lines;

Participated and led in capital raising for start-up companies ;

Sold and negotiated large multi-year technology and system contracts with major utilities and municipalities;

Built new organizations and processes during start-up, growth and operational phases;

Led the introduction of in-home measurement and monitoring technology to the building and energy industry;

Successfully launched, developed and grew energy technology businesses and product lines.

 

Recent achievements in the County and District 3 which Denise initiated, advocated or supported with the Board of Supervisors and the community:

• Secured funding for energy efficiency on County buildings through major grants and funding programs
• Initiated energy efficiency and solar financing program for Lake County residents and businesses
• Championed 3.2 MW of county-sponsored solar installations
• Supported County purchase of 1500 acres atop Mt. Konocti, preserving the iconic mountain in perpetuity
• Supported and advocated for the County General Plan of Development update
• Buy-Local programs: advocated for the County's preferential purchasing policy, keeping dollars in Lake County
• Led Development of Lake County Community Wildfire Protection Plan
• Led and supported County Marketing & Economic Development efforts to actively promote County to investors (create high-quality jobs)
• Initiated Konocti Regional Trails project
• Initiated Food Security Council, leading to Lake County Local Food Summit
• Initiated Energy Policy Council
• Sponsored renewed Code Enforcement effort in the economic corridor
• Advocated Environmental clean-up throughout the County
• Sponsored the Mobile Home Sale Disclosure Ordinance
• Actively supported the grading ordinance to protect lands and waterways
• Helped create Invasive species prevention task force to protect Clear Lake (Quagga & zebra mussel task force)
• Helped create Creation of new water quality director position
• Spearheaded Lake County Cool Counties initiative
• Helped secure funds dedicated for algae clean-up
• Supported and encouraged rural broadband program participation

District Three Specific:

• Shoreline Communities Area Plan
• Dramatic ramp-up of redevelopment activity throughout the District
• Regular town hall meetings to inform and set priorities
• Volunteer projects for community and youth
• Clearlake Oaks Plaza/Nylander Park and other Route 20 corridor and town center redevelopment projects
• Clarks Island clean-up and transformation
• Support set-aside commitment to rebuild Live Oak Senior Center
• Initiated and advocated enforcing codes on commercial economic corridor including demolition of dilapidated motels
• Lucerne Creek bank stabilization
• Lucerne Alpine Senior Center stabilization funding
• Lucerne Promenade construction along Route 20 corridor
• Plaza, pier and seawall at Third Avenue in Lucerne
• Purchase of land adjacent to the Lucerne castle to ensure positive reuse
• Initiated Harbor Village Artists Colony
• Initiated Redevelopment Agency Purchase of Holiday Harbor
• Actively supported Lucerne Community Garden
• Morrison Creek clean-up
• Controlling substandard older subdivision (SOS) lots, installed gates
• Development and beautification of public spaces along Route 20 corridor
• Advocated enforcement of illegal off-road vehicles
• Spearheaded planning to address substandard older subdivision (SOS) lots
• Took action to address illegal dumping including the installation of gates
• Formed CSA2 Advisory Board in Spring Valley to improve service delivery
• Advocated development of Spring Valley fire protection plan to protect community and encourage property owner involvement
• Supported Spring Valley emergency response planning
• Initiated actions to improve Upper Lake flood protection
• Supported efforts to secure State Funding for Middle Creek restoration
• Supported and advocated for Upper Lake Main Street Restoration

Community

Current activities include:
· Lake County LAFCO Board
· Chair, Lake County Complete Count Committee
· Energy Policy Council, Food Security Council
· Lake County Health Policy Cabinet
· Lake County Area Agency on Aging Board Member
· Lake County IHSS Public Authority Board
· CALAFCO Board Member
· Board of Directors: LACOSAN
Past activities include:
· Chair, Lake County Board of Supervisors
· Chair, Lake County Firesafe Council
· Lake County Area Planning Council, 2005 to 2006
· Leadership California, 1996
· Team California 1990
· Board Member: Shasta County Economic Development Corp.—1988

Additional Information

Other Information:
· Licensed Private Pilot
· National Merit Scholar

Personal:

· Mother of two young adults: Brian and Teresa
· Domestic Partner: Loretta McCarthy