New York Solar Energy Industries Association (NYSEIA) Appoints Hudson Valley Solar Company Executive

Online, September 21, 2009 (Newswire.com) - KINGSTON, NY -- The New York Solar Energy Industries Association (NYSEIA), the trade association representing the New York solar energy industry, has appointed Ron Kamen, a solar energy executive from the Hudson Valley, as president.

Kamen of Rhinebeck is a founding partner and senior vice president for business development and public policy of EarthKind Solar, the leading solar thermal energy company based in Kingston. He has more than 20 years of experience in the energy industry in policy, sales and marketing, consulting and public education.

Prior to his current position with EnergyKind, Kamen has held positions as vice president of Starphire New Energy Technologies (Starphire.NET, Inc.); sales and marketing consultant at Community Energy, Inc.; consultant at Wind Energy Development Strategy; co-director of NJ Sustainable Business Alliance; and research and education director, Environmental Energy Resource Center.

As NYSEIA board president, Kamen aims to effectively grow the industry in New York and build the association into the most effective solar trade organization representing the interests of solar energy professionals and related businesses in the country.

"It is exciting to lead the board of NYSEIA as the solar industry undergoes a dramatic transformation and increasingly becomes mainstream," Kamen said. "NYSEIA will be an active and involved voice for the industry as solar emerges as a critical component to the economic health and energy independence of our state and country, and the sustainable future of our children."

Among the association's goals are advocating to ensure solar technologies are key in New York's future standards and energy plans; creating long-term strategies and developing a self-sustaining market for solar; and continuing to strengthen relationships with other related trade groups, regulatory agencies and sources of solar incentive and purchasing programs.

"As the solar industry in New York moves toward its achieving its full potential, NYSEIA also is experiencing tremendous growth," said John Siciliani, executive director of NYSEIA. "With Ron Kamen as board president and our active membership, NYSEIA is energized to lead the state's solar industry into a bright future."

Kamen began his career as an energy policy expert in the 1980s, where he worked to create Demand Side Management programs that gave the utility industry profits for investing in energy efficiency, helping spurring New York's multi-billion dollar efficiency programs.

In the 1990s, he developed energy efficiency projects with Fortune 1000 companies and government entities, including The World Bank, U.S. Military Sealift Command and the Marsh Companies. From 2000 to 2006, he played a key role in creating New York's wind power market.

Kamen holds a bachelor's degree in business administration and a master's degree in systems science from SUNY Binghamton.

About NYSEIA
The New York Solar Energy Industries Association, founded in 1994, is the only statewide non-profit membership and trade association dedicated solely to advancing solar energy use in New York State. For information, visit http://www.nyseia.org

Media Contacts:
Ron Kamen, President
917-453-5740
[email protected]

John Siciliani, Executive Director
518-495-1454
[email protected]

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