Our Mission
5 Lakes Energy supports nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies in pursuing their clean energy goals, designing and implementing climate solutions, and delivering economic, public health, and other benefits to the people they serve.
About us
We serve our clients with innovative strategies and deep expertise in utility regulation and ratemaking, policy research and development, energy modeling and analysis, and project planning. The 5 Lakes Energy team also offers comprehensive management and communications services to dynamic organizations that are leading the Great Lakes states into the clean energy future.
Liesl Eichler Clark and Stanley “Skip” Pruss—two veteran Michigan public policy leaders—founded 5 Lakes Energy in 2010 to build on the momentum from the State’s 2008 adoption of its first-ever renewable power and energy efficiency standards. Reflecting their vision, 5 Lakes Energy has spurred ongoing progress on climate and clean-energy policy for more than a dozen years by strengthening the leadership capacity, technical expertise, and collective voice of Michigan’s clean-energy business and nonprofit communities.
The 5 Lakes Team
5 Lakes Energy team members are recognized experts in public policy, utility regulation, energy system modeling, and organizational leadership, communications, and engagement. We take great pride in helping our clients achieve their climate and clean-energy goals.
Matt Bandyk
Consultant
Matthew Bandyk is a Consultant with 5 Lakes Energy where he advises clients on energy policy and corporate finance issues.
Elizabeth Boatman
Consultant
Elizabeth Boatman joined the 5 Lakes Energy team in November 2023 with a focus on advancing industrial decarbonization including accelerating the transition to “green steel.”
Rick Bunch
Senior Consultant
Rick Bunch is a Senior Consultant with 5 Lakes Energy, where he serves as Executive Director of the Michigan Municipal Association for Utility Issues.
ANDY DRAHEIM
Senior Consultant
As a senior consultant with 5 Lakes Energy, Andy Draheim assists local communities and other partners in securing and deploying resources to implement their climate resiliency plans and achieve their decarbonization goals.
David Gard
Senior Consultant
David Gard is a Senior Consultant with 5 Lakes Energy, focusing on energy policy analysis, utility system modeling, and business advocacy.
Eli Gold
Senior Consultant
Eli Gold is a Consultant at 5 Lakes Energy focusing on modeling and land use policy for utility-scale renewables in the Midwest.
Douglas Jester
Managing Partner
Douglas Jester is Managing Partner at 5 Lakes Energy, where he specializes in economic analysis and modeling for energy policy, and in expert witness testimony before utility regulatory commissions.
Rob Ozar
Senior Consultant
Rob Ozar is a Senior Consultant with 5 Lakes Energy, focusing on energy policy analysis, utility system modeling, and business advocacy.
Ram Veerapaneni
Senior Consultant
Ram Veerapaneni is a senior consultant with 5 Lakes Energy focusing on natural gas regulatory and pipeline safety issues.
Graham Woolley
Consultant
Graham Woolley is a Consultant at 5 Lakes Energy, with a focus on statistical modeling for utilities & energy optimization.
Get in touch
5 Lakes Energy is looking for partners and clients who want to make a difference on climate and energy issues in their states or communities. Please drop us a line and let’s get to work.