TCERC Team
Karin Wadsack - Technical Director
Karin Wadsack is the project director for NAU's
Tribal Clean Energy Resource Center. She works with TCERC staff to develop collaborative partnerships with NAU's community of
renewable energy technical experts to advance tribal initiatives. Karin also directs NAU's Arizona Wind for Schools project and
manages a number of research projects for the Institute for Sustainable Energy Solutions (ISES). Her interests include utility-scale
renewable energy grid integration, energy education, and state and federal energy policy. Outside the University, Karin serves
as a senior scientist and project manager at EN3 Professionals, an engineering firm in Flagstaff. She also chairs the energy
project team for the regional Sustainable Economic Development Initiative and is a Water Commissioner for the City of Flagstaff.
In her free time she enjoys mountain biking, rock climbing, snowboarding, and camping with her dogs.For more information about NAU's Institute for Sustainable Energy Solutions please visit:
http://nau.edu/CEFNS/Centers-Institutes/Sustainable-Energy-Solutions/Welcome-to-ISES/
Debby Tewa - Technical/Instructional Specialist
Debby Tewa, Hopi tribal member, has been working in the
tribal renewable energy industry for 30 years. She brings with her a great diversity and wealth of experience. In 1996 Ms.
Tewa managed NativeSUN, a 501 (c) 3 not for profit enterprise promoting renewable energy technologies. The business offered customers
off-grid photovoltaic systems, small wind turbine, solar water pumping, composting toilets, and propane refrigerators; including
operation and maintenance. Since that time Ms. Tewa has worked with Sandia National Laboratories, assisting with the Department of
Energy Tribal Energy Program, providing tribes technical assistance and educational workshops. She has also worked with the Arizona
Department of Commerce Energy Office as the coordinator for renewable energy and tribal programs, planning and organizing energy
related workshops for Arizona Tribal entities on: Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant; Green Building; tours of large
scale solar generating facilities in Arizona; Peer Exchange – networking opportunity on utility scale renewable energy systems,
financing, renewable energy credits, business development, and related topics; and facilitate a 40 hour theory and hands-on off-grid
photovoltaic workshop.Ms. Tewa is currently a faculty member with the Central Arizona College providing classroom and practical instruction in designing and installation of both off-grid and grid-tied residential photovoltaic system, including operation and maintenance. Given her teaching commitment with Central Arizona College, Ms. Tewa role with TCERC will be limited to the summer months and focus on providing training, technical assistance and outreach to tribes working to advance their renewable energy programs.
Last updated: May 8, 2013