The Cypress Team - Management

As one of the founding partners of Cypress, Tom has personally supervised and directed the development of the company and has transformed Cypress from a start up company into a significant contributor in the utility industry. His oversight includes organization of all client projects and partners, strategic, expansion of financing solutions, additional resource acquisition, as well as supervision of quality and commitment fulfillment processes. Under his leadership, Cypress has successfully planned, launched and implemented DSM programs and non-regulated energy services start-ups for utilities. Prior to founding Cypress, Tom was Director and General Manager for Corporate Market Development for Square D Company, a worldwide manufacturer of electric controls, power equipment, factory systems and distribution equipment. He has also held positions in General Management and Sales Management at Honeywell and developed and managed both divisional and corporate sales plans for its energy business. Tom holds a BS, Pre-Med and Psychology and an MS, Psychology from the University of Wisconsin.

Gordon is a key asset in Cypress' efforts to develop the new construction channel market, AC upgrades, and other efficiency programs. Gordon helps coordinate the distributor/builders, work with the trade associations, assists in training, and provide ongoing project management. Before joining Cypress, Gordon was New Construction Services Manger and Energy Services Technical Support Manger for Southern California Edison and Regional Sales Manager for Robur Corporation. He is currently a member of the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB), the Building Industry Association (BIA) Greater Los Angeles and Ventura County Chapter, the Central Coast Homebuilders Association, the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Associate Member - San Fernando Valley Chapter, and the Mechanical Engineers Association (MEA) - Los Angeles Chapter. Gordon holds a BA in Political Science from California State University at Northridge.

Ruby manages the Cypress Customer Service Center, including all call center activities, scheduling, CRM, process development, and customer assistance. She is responsible for the delivery of billing and customer care services, demand side management, and energy efficiency programs. Additionally, she is responsible for market planning, national sales, and advertising. She develops long-term financial projections by project, develops rates, rules, and procedures for delivery of electric, gas, and water products and services. Before her work with Cypress, Ruby was Director for Edison Utility Alliances, Edison International and Edison Enterprises where she co-developed the alliances business plan for a new unregulated business. She has also served as Manager of Program Development for Load Growth & Mass Markets; Sales Manager; Manager, Customer Technology Application Center; and Customer Services Manager for Southern California Edison. And has more than 27-years distinguished service in the customer care industry. Ruby holds a BS in Administrative Science from Pepperdine University and an AS from Mount San Jacinto College, Gilman Hot Springs, California as well as numerous sales leadership and executive sales management courses and certifications.

Mike spent eleven years working as a Research Engineer, Senior Research Engineer, and a Senior Technology Consultant in the research department of a major Midwest regional gas and electric utility company. He was also Director of Engineering/Vice President of Engineering for a start-up communications technology company and a Project Manager, Principle, and CIO of a Systems Integration and Engineering consulting firm. In his work as an independent engineering consultant, he specialized in process analysis and design, information systems design, control systems design, and technology application analysis. He has designed and managed the development and installation of a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) for a major international producer of electrical enclosures and served as a design architect and project manager for the development of an eCommerce, Digital Marketplace site for a large, hard goods manufacturing company that included 3D CAD design capabilities, product quotation, and a number of leading edge web based applications. He has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering - Institute of Technology from the University of Minnesota and is a past advisor to the Engineering Experiment Station at the University of North Dakota and the Pre-Engineering Curriculum Committee at St. Thomas College.

Treena assists the Cypress team in identifying and securing new business opportunities, marketing and positioning Cypress services in its target markets. To this end, she helps clients understand the availability of new business services and technologies in energy and sustainability related markets. She brings a unique combination of research, writing, business development, marketing, and event/project management skills. She has a deep knowledge of clean technology clusters, sustainability firms and those sectors promoting or adopting strategic sustainability.

Before her work with Cypress, Treena worked with Athena, a research, consulting and events company that focuses on strategic sustainability for utilities, businesses and communities. She was the event manager of Discover Brilliant International Conference & Expo and the Urban Waterfront Revitalization Conference. She also aided with regional inventories of sustainable firms and has experience in both quantitative and qualitative research into sustainable firms and practices. Treena was also the business development and investment researcher for the Seattle Consulate of the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, assisting companies to find customers, partners and opportunities in the Pacific Northwest and Canada. Additionally, she was an Associate Advisor at Giga Information Group (now Forrester Research), providing objective research, advice and continuous coaching on technology for e-Business to Fortune 500 and FTSE 100 companies. Treena earned her BA in Environmental Studies from Colorado College with extensive field research in Belize, focusing on sustainable development.