Making a green dream a reality.
The Montgomery County Green Bank is a publicly chartered 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation dedicated to accelerating energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean energy investment in Montgomery County, MD. We partner with the private sector to provide more affordable and flexible financing options for County residents and businesses for clean energy and climate-resilient projects. These projects save energy, lower greenhouse gas emissions, create healthy living and working environments, foster a more resilient economy and environment, and help the County achieve its environmental goals.
Our Mission
To help Montgomery County achieve its climate goals by leveraging capital and innovative partnerships to make clean energy and climate-resilient solutions more accessible and affordable for all residents and businesses.
Our Vision
A prospering, sustainable, and healthy Montgomery County where everyone participates in and benefits from clean energy and climate-resilient solutions.
The Team
Stephen Morel
Chief Executive Officer
Stephen Morel
Contact: info@mcgreenbank.org
Stephen Morel is the Chief Executive Officer and was formerly the Chief Investment Officer of the Montgomery County Green Bank (MCGB). He comes to the Green Bank with a professional background in corporate and project finance, with a particular interest in the use of public and private funds to fill market gaps and catalyze investment into high impact sectors. Stephen brings his strong skills in financial management and project-related investment to the MCGB in order to accelerate the deployment of programs and products towards achieving the Bank’s clean energy and energy efficiency objectives.
Prior to the MCGB, Stephen led a financial consulting company dedicated to connecting infrastructure developers with debt and equity financing sources. This role followed almost a decade of experience as an investment officer and project finance specialist for the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. Stephen began his financial career in investment banking at Taylor-DeJongh and Friedman, Billings, Ramsey. He lives in Alexandria, VA with his wife and two dogs.
Tim Zhang
Chief Investment Officer
Tim Zhang
Contact: info@mcgreenbank.org
Tim Zhang is the Chief Investment Officer at Montgomery County Green Bank.
Prior to joining the Green Bank, Zhang served as Principal and Vice President of Indirect Investments at Middleburg Community, a fully integrated multifamily developer and property management company based in Tysons, VA.
His professional background also includes roles in investment management at Sunac, Taikang Asset Management, and CMC in Asia. In these capacities, Zhang demonstrated expertise in making equity and credit investments across diverse sectors, including real estate, consumer, and clean energy.
Zhang received a Master of Business Administration from New York University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Business Management from the University of Maryland. He commenced his career as a CMBS analyst at SunTrust Bank, followed by a role as a structured finance associate at Merrill Lynch in New York City.
Mary Edwards
Chief Credit Officer
Mary Edwards
Contact: info@mcgreenbank.org
Mary Edwards serves as the Chief Credit Officer at Montgomery County Green Bank. Mary brings more than 18 years of commercial credit experience to Montgomery County Green Bank, including formal credit training at BB&T as well as senior credit positions at TD Bank and Burke and Herbert Bank.
Prior to joining Montgomery County Green Bank, Mary served as the Senior Director of Credit Administration at DC Green Bank where she was responsible for the bank’s credit policies, procedures, loan operations, and portfolio management. Mary is a long-time resident of Alexandria, VA and has an undergraduate business degree from Salem College.
In her spare time Mary enjoys spending time outdoors, especially hiking, biking, and scuba diving with her husband.
Rokas Beresniovas
Sr. Director, Commercial Business & Investments
Rokas Beresniovas
Contact: info@mcgreenbank.org
With over two decades of diverse experience spanning business-to-business, community engagement, and retail sectors, Rokas Beresniovas excels in team leadership, relationship cultivation, market analysis, and client asset expansion.
Originally from Lithuania, Rokas immigrated to the United States in 1998. He has primarily worked within the financial services realm, holding pivotal roles such as Vice President of Commercial Banking at Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Eagle Bank, HSBC Bank USA, State Bank of India USA, NIH Federal Credit Union, and most recently at Montgomery County Green Bank, specializing in Climate Financing within Capital Markets.
Rokas’s commitment to community service is evident through his board memberships in various non-profit organizations. Notable affiliations include the Georgetown Business Association (GBA), Kids 4 Peace International, End Violence Against Women International, The Embassy Series, and most recently, the Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce.
His outstanding contributions have garnered prestigious accolades, including the 2016 SmartCEO Washington DC Executive Management Award and recognition as a finalist for the 2015 SmartCEO Washington DC Money Manager Award. Additionally, Rokas has been honored with the Global Tassels Community Innovator Award in 2015 and The Eurasia Center Golden BRICS Award in 2014.
As the founder of the Lithuanian non-profit entity Global Lithuanian Leaders (GLL), Rokas champions youth mentoring initiatives, earning commendation from the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for his exceptional leadership.
Tyniah McDuffie
Director, Communications & Community Engagement
Tyniah McDuffie
Contact: info@mcgreenbank.org
Tyniah McDuffie is the Director of Communications and Community Engagement at Montgomery County Green Bank. As an innovative, dynamic, and results-driven visionary, she brings 10 years of experience in communications and community outreach to the Green Bank.
Working primarily in the non-profit sector, Tyniah has managed the development and implementation of successful communications and marketing strategies for organizations, such as American Society for Microbiology and American Association of Blood Banks. With expertise in social media management, media relations, digital marketing, public relations, event coordination and project management, she adds a unique dynamic to the Green Bank team.
Scott Dicke
Director of Clean Energy Programs
Scott Dicke
Contact: info@mcgreenbank.org
Scott Dicke is the Director of Clean Energy Programs at the Montgomery County Green Bank (MCGB). Scott’s 20+ year background spans the energy, consulting, and software industries and public-private partnerships (https://www.linkedin.com/in/scotthunterdicke). He comes to the Bank with an interest in integrating Montgomery County property owner and community needs with the Green Bank’s energy objectives to design, implement, and scale innovative C&I sector programs.
Prior to the MCGB, Scott’s recent work centered on using software and services to advance building sustainability in the mid-Atlantic region. In 2015, he launched West Arlington Analytics, a consulting business dedicated to accelerating energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in support of governments and private sector clients. In 2017, he partnered with Sustainable Real Estate Solutions (SRS) to launch and administer Virginia’s first Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing program in Arlington County, and subsequently led SRS’s regional marketing strategy for integrating its cloud-based SAAS product into government-sponsored, commercial sector energy efficiency programs. Scott holds bachelor’s degrees in finance and management science from Virginia Tech and a master’s degree in applied economics from John’s Hopkins University. He lives in Arlington, VA.
Cindy McCabe
Director, Renewable Energy
Cindy McCabe
Cindy McCabe is the Director of Renewable Energy Programs for the Montgomery County Green Bank, joining the team in September of 2020. Cindy comes to the Green Bank after working as Residential Solar Sales Manager with Tesla in Maryland and as Residential and Commercial Solar Project Manager with Ipsun Solar in Washington, DC and Virginia. Cindy brings a wealth of experience in solar customer acquisition, contract management, and utility relations, as well as high level knowledge of solar project design, operations and maintenance.
Originally from New Jersey, Cindy attended the Graduate School of Education at Rutgers University. After graduating from Rutgers, Cindy served in the Peace Corps in Bolivia where she became fluent in Spanish and completed a successful large environmental project for her site and for the surrounding areas. Cindy later attended the School of Public Affairs at American University where she studied Environmental Policy and Statistics. Cindy lives in Rockville with her two rescued cats and she fosters dogs from a local animal shelter.
Laura Mondragon
Director of Climate Resilience & Adaptation
Laura Mondragon
Contact: info@mcgreenbank.org
Laura Mondragon is the Director for Climate Resilience and Adaptation of the Montgomery County Green Bank (MCGB). She comes to the Green Bank with a professional background in international climate finance, with experience in designing, assessing, and implementing climate and sustainable finance programs with public stakeholders in emerging economies.
Prior to the MCGB, Laura worked at an international development bank supporting Public Banks in their actions transitioning to a net zero business model. She coordinated the technical assistance program related to climate risk management. She also supported the design and preparation of regional green bonds programs and worked with international climate funds and donors. Laura is from Colombia, South America and has lived in Montgomery County for 15 years.
Myra Cobb-Davis
Sr. Manager, Portfolio Administration
Myra Cobb- Davis
Contact: info@mcgreenbank.org
Myra Cobb-Davis is the Senior Loan Administration Manager for the Montgomery County Green Bank. She has over 20 years of experience in Loan Portfolio and Risk Management in the non-profit and for-profit sectors. Myra’s work in the non-profit sector consisted of managing teams, building relationships, and managing grant programs for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), as well as providing technical assistance and training for HUD and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development programs.
Oksana Agba
Sr. Manager, Finance & Administration
Oksana Agba
Contact: info@mcgreenbank.org
Oksana is a seasoned accounting professional with over 15 years of experience in the finance industry, specializing in Prince George’s and Montgomery County. Armed with an MBA, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her work, excelling in financial analysis, budgeting, and strategic planning.
Outside of the corporate world, Oksana finds solace and joy in the great outdoors. Hiking through lush forests, running along scenic trails, and immersing herself in the beauty of nature are her cherished pastimes. Her love for nature not only rejuvenates her spirit but also reflects her adventurous and resilient personality.
With a strong foundation in accounting and a passion for the outdoors, Oksana embodies a perfect balance of professionalism and personal fulfillment. Her dedication to her craft and her adventurous spirit make her a valuable asset in both the business world and her outdoor pursuits.
Lucy Chihandae
Communications & Events Coordinator
Lucy Chihandae
Contact: info@mcgreenbank.org
Lucy Chihandae is the Communications and Events Coordinator for the Montgomery County Green Bank, having joined the team in August 2022 in the role of Administrative Specialist. Prior to her role at the Green Bank, Lucy accumulated experience working in various corporate offices as an administrator and media related positions.
Before relocating to the United States, Lucy pursued a career as a multimedia journalist in Kampala, Uganda. Her versatile roles included being a radio show host, television news anchor, show producer, reporter, and freelance newspaper columnist.
Lucy is also the founder of FUNsBEE (First Uganda National Spelling Bee), a company aimed at addressing the issue of low grades among school-going children, particularly those aged 10 to 18, due to a lack of proper comprehension of English examination questions. In this capacity, she focused on making learning enjoyable and instilling a sense of corporate social responsibility in elementary school children through fun social activities.
Additionally, Lucy played a pivotal role in creating an educational school series in collaboration with Fountain Publishers, a Ugandan publishing house. The series focused on educating primary school children about the dangers of HIV/AIDS through storytelling and included the release of a book titled ‘Brave Kemi’ as part of the syllabus series.
In 2022, Lucy achieved a significant milestone by self-publishing and internationally releasing her debut novel, ‘The World is Ours.’
Lucy currently resides in Germantown, where she enjoys various book-related activities in her free time, such as blogging, hosting a podcast for book enthusiasts, and exploring bookstores in search of new stories to read.
Josh Myers
Investment Specialist
Josh Myers
Josh Myers is the Investment Specialist for the Montgomery County Green Bank, he joined the team in March of 2019. Josh comes to the Green Bank having interned at Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain as an Advocacy Intern where he worked on Capitol Hill and authored blogs and advocacy materials submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Council. Josh began his career working as an Administrative Assistant at the Upper Occoquan Service Authority. Josh lives in Frederick with his wife and two dogs.
Brianna Bolen
Digital Marketing & Communications Specialist
Brianna Bolen
Brianna Bolen is the Digital Marketing and Communications Specialist at Montgomery County Green Bank. She is a recent graduate from The University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, with a concentration in Creative Media.
She has over 5 years of experience in Graphic Design, Video Editing, and Social Media Management. While in college she was the Social Media Manager and Graphic Designer for 6 student films, a small black owned business in Maryland, an apartment complex, and a Youtuber who has reached over a million views. Her advanced computer skills, photo and video editing knowledge, creativity, and eye for detail make her a great addition to the MC Green Bank Team.
Claudia Hirsekorn
Program Manager, Portfolio Administration
Claudia Hirsekorn
Contact: info@mcgreenbank.org
Claudia Hirsekorn is the Program Manager, Portfolio Administration at Montgomery County Green Bank.
She graduated from the University of Maryland- Robert. H Smith School of Business with a degree in Finance and International Business.
She has over 4 years of experience in the Mortgage Industry and earned her designation as a Certified Residential Underwriter through the Mortgage Banking Association.
She comes to the Green Bank with experience from a VA Mortgage Lender where she gained experience in Loan Management, Risk Management, and Internal Auditing.
Claudia is from Venezuela, South America and currently lives in Arlington, Virgina.
Sylvie Favret
Administrative Specialist
Sylvie Favret
Contact: info@mcgreenbank.org
Sylvie Favret is the Administrative Specialist for the Montgomery County Green Bank. She has over 20 years of experience supporting high-performance chief executives who require “executive level” work commitment, communication, performance and sensitivity within international organizations, as with the World Bank Climate Change Department.
Born in France, Sylvie emigrated to the U.S. after studying in France and Germany. She has been an environmental supporter since her time studying and working in Germany.
Over the years her community service has included board and committee roles with several non-profit and green organizations including the town of Washington Grove and other smaller organizations.
Sylvie brings expertise and energy for the Montgomery County Green Bank.
Join the Green Bank team
Board of Directors
Marcene Mitchell
Chair
World Wildlife Foundation
Marcene Mitchell
Marcene D. Mitchell is a seasoned financial professional with over 30 years of experience in international corporate and project finance with a specialty in clean energy. Ms. Mitchell has provided funding and assistance to companies who are reducing their global carbon footprints by investing in clean technologies, energy efficiency and supply chain management. Marcene has deep experience in the energy industry and scaling clean energy technologies in the emerging markets.
Ms. Mitchell is currently Senior Vice President for Climate Change at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). In this role, Marcene is working at the intersection of conservation and climate change where she is expanding finance for nature-based solutions to address global warming. She works with corporate leaders and Governments in building new markets for renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, the blue economy, and sustainable forestry. She is innovating and expanding the use of climate finance instruments including green and blue bonds, blended finance, and carbon credits. As WWF’s champion on climate change, Ms. Mitchell leads the organization’s climate agenda across organization’s corporate network, philanthropic and government partnerships, and impact investing portfolio.
Previously, Ms. Mitchell was Global Head of Strategy and Business Development for the Climate Business Department of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank. Marcene was responsible for growing IFC’s investments in sustainable business with an emphasis on renewable power, industrial energy efficiency, green buildings, electric vehicles, climate-smart agriculture, and nature-based solutions. She was responsible for the growth of IFC’s climate volume reaching 30% of IFC’s total annual investments.
In addition to her work in climate business and sustainability, Ms. Mitchell has substantial international investment experience in corporate and project finance. Before joining IFC, Ms. Mitchell was a Finance Manager with BP and was responsible for financial transactions for BP’s Power and Petrochemical divisions.
Ms. Mitchell sits on the Boards of the Green Bank of Montgomery County, the Center for Resource Solutions, the Steering Committee for the UN Sustainable Energy for All Building Efficiency Accelerator and the Renewable Energy Committee of the World Business Council on Sustainable Development.
Ms. Mitchell holds an MBA from Stanford University Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Brown University.
Bonnie Norman
Vice-Chair
E3 International, LLC
Bonnie Norman
As President of E3 International, LLC, Bonnie Norman directs strategic energy advisory services, sustainable energy project development, capacity building, and financial solutions—resulting in over $500 million in clean energy and energy efficiency investment in developing and transition countries. She was a Co-founder in 2010 and CEO of E3’s U.S.-focused affiliate, EnerCon Solutions, LLC. Both in her current roles and formerly as a corporate real estate services executive with JLL and management with IBM, Norman has lead transformative transactions and initiatives, launched and grown enterprises, and built partnerships with businesses, governments, and donors at a senior level to achieve shared objectives. She is passionate about innovation to improve environmental quality and health for all.
Since 2006, Norman has served as a Board Officer at Children’s National Health System. She is a Past President of Children’s Health Board, a 501c3, and a founder of a Kenya-based women’s microfinance nonprofit. A LEED AP, she received both her BA and MBA from Harvard University.
Stacy Swann
Vice-Chair
Climate Finance Advisors, Benefit LLC
Stacy Swann
Stacy Swann is the CEO and Founding Partner of Climate Finance Advisors, a benefit LLC based in Washington, DC recently acquired by WSP, a global sustainability, engineering, and design firm.
She has more than twenty-five years’ experience in finance, banking, impact investment, climate change, and sustainability. Her executive experience includes building and shaping organizations, leading teams, and delivering practical approaches to organizational and operational management. As CEO of Climate Finance Advisors, she managed the firm through its early establishment, achieving more than 100% average annual growth since its founding in 2015, and in 2022 she shepherded the firm through a successful acquisition.
During her career, Ms. Swann has held senior and executive positions with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), as well as with the US Department of Treasury, Enron Corporation, and other organizations. More recently she has worked with financial institutions, investors, corporations, and policymakers develop climate investment strategies, and operational approaches to mainstream climate considerations across investment and portfolio management. Key experience through her career includes blended finance, project finance, impact investment, fund management, as well as financial policy and regulation that underpin and accelerate net-zero, climate-resilient investment.
In addition to leading Climate Finance Advisors, Ms. Swann currently serves on several Boards including the Montgomery County Green Bank where she is a Board Director and Chair of its Investment Committee. She is the Chair of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM Bank)’s Climate Council, and is a member of the Design Funding and Investment Committee for Convergence Blended Finance, an organization supporting blended finance approaches globally, with a goal of increasing private sector investment in developing countries. She also sits on the Board of the Global Water Partnership, an international NGO with goal to advance investment, governance and management of water resources for sustainable and equitable development.
Marissa Ramirez
Vice-Chair
Natural Resources Defense Council
Marissa Ramirez
Marissa Ramirez is the Director of Community Strategies for the Equity, Environment, and Justice Center at the Natural Resources Defense Council. Since coming to NRDC in 2010, Marissa has worked with neighbors and local leaders, primarily in underserved communities of color, on revitalization efforts by providing best practices and tools for a more equitable and sustainable future. She believes that meaningful change happens locally.
Marissa is co-author of “4-Steps to a Climate Savvy Community,” which is designed for communities to find solutions to climate, health, and racial equity issues. She is also author and co-author of “Green Neighborhoods: Advancing Strategies that Create Strong, Just, and Resilient Communities” and “The Sustainable Square Mile Handbook: Cultivate Your Green Village with Community-Based Principles and Practices.” Marissa takes great pride in leading new research to uncover the links between climate change, displacement, and gentrification in U.S cities.
Marissa’s work enables community stakeholders to obtain the knowledge and power to adapt to climate change and collectively design solutions to advance local priorities. She knows building communities that are green and provide opportunities for everyone involves bringing thought leaders together from diverse fields and perspectives. Forming these intersecting and innovative ideas is what inspires her daily work to bring positive and lasting change. Her work has advanced policies and investments for creating communities that are walkable, green, healthy, and just.
Prior to coming to NRDC, Marissa was a Science Researcher at Albert Einstein College of Medicine focused on developing novel cancer therapies. Marissa holds a Master of Environmental Management degree from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, where she focused on Urban Environmental Economics. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Yale University. Marissa continues to bring both her passion for human and environmental health to her professional work.
Kyle Danish
Secretary
Van Ness Feldman, LLP
Kyle Danish
Kyle Danish is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Van Ness Feldman, LLP.
He advises a range of clients on environmental and energy matters, with a special focus on regulation, permitting, enforcement, and legislation under the Clean Air Act and corporate climate strategy, and development of major infrastructure projects. Kyle’s clients include energy companies, manufacturers, financial institutions, think tanks, NGOs and coalitions.
He has been recognized by Chambers USA, Chambers Global, the International Who’s Who of Environmental Lawyers, and Best Lawyers in America.
Kyle is a Senior Associate (Non-Resident) in the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ Energy and National Security Program. He is also on the editorial board of the Carbon & Climate Law Review.
Kyle has a J.D. from Temple University’s Beasley School of Law and a Masters in Public Affairs from Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs. He is a graduate of Haverford College.
Bert Hunter
Member
Connecticut Green Bank
Bert Hunter
As Chief Investment Officer of the Connecticut Green Bank, Bert Hunter leads the finance team’s development of new and innovative financing programs that attract more private capital to scale-up the state’s clean energy investments, including energy efficiency, renewables and alternative fuel vehicles and associated infrastructure.
Hunter was Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Spectrum Capital, Ltd, an investment bank focused on commercial aircraft finance and investment in U.S. electric power generation. He was accountable for all financial control and served as the company’s senior risk officer, overseeing all extensions of credit and investment of the firm’s capital. Prior to Spectrum, Hunter was the treasurer of the international leasing company of Chemical Bank, where he managed the funding for a ion-dollar portfolio of aircraft and equipment loans and leases outside the United States.
Hunter is an alumnus, a former Trustee and former member of the Board of Visitors of Wake Forest University (BS) and received his MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Robert Sahadi
Member
GreenSpace Investment
Robert Sahadi
Bob Sahadi is a recognized contributor to national initiatives to incorporate energy efficiency into real estate finance. He is currently managing principal of GreenSpace Investment, a green residential financial advisory service. GreenSpace’s mission is to provide financial leadership in sustainable residential investment by working with local governments, developers, builders, and lenders to create projects that meet workable standards for green and sustainable development.
Previously he led the Institute for Market Transformation’s (IMT) work to develop and expand energy efficiency financing solutions for homes and commercial buildings. IMT is a Washington, DC-based nonprofit organization promoting energy efficiency, green buildings, and environmental protection in the United States and abroad. IMT’s work addresses market failures that inhibit investment in energy efficiency and sustainability in the building sector.
He has held senior positions at Fannie Mae, where he was vice president of product development and vice president of mortgage-backed securities. While at Fannie Mae, Sahadi oversaw the development of the corporation’s energy-efficient mortgages and green innovations, including Smart Commute for location efficiency, HomeStyle for renovation lending, and a patented protocol to measure residential energy efficiency. He has developed customized housing strategies for over 65 cities while at Fannie Mae and previous positions.
Sahadi has held multiple positions in the federal government at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, in the Executive Office of the President, and at the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, where he was chief economist. He has an MBA in finance and an M.A. in economics from the University of Cincinnati.
Jon Monger
Member
Montgomery County
Jon Monger
Jon I. Monger serves as the Director of the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, appointed by County Executive Elrich and confirmed by the Montgomery County Council in June 2023.
Jon has dedicated his career to addressing significant environmental issues, including serving as Counsel to the presidential commission formed to investigate the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, White House Liaison, and policy advisor to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under President Barack Obama, and as Oversight Counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce. Prior to joining the Department of Environmental Protection, Jon served in the administration of President Biden as Assistant Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, where he oversaw agency policy, management, and operational priorities.
Jon received his B.A. from the University of Michigan and graduated magna cum laude from the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law. During law school, he clerked for the U.S. Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division and the Honorable James J. Brady of the Middle District of Louisiana.
Jon is an avid naturalist and boater on the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay.
Brian Marconi
Member
Cohn Reznick LLP
Brian Marconi
Brian Marconi, CPA, is a member of the Firm’s Renewable Energy Industry Practice and has more than 11 years of public accounting experience with 8 years specialized in the renewable energy industry servicing closely held and publicly traded clients.
Marconi has led the audit of various renewable energy developers, project entities, tax equity investment funds and engineering, procurement and construction contractors. In addition, Marconi has provided accounting consulting services to renewable energy companies assisting them with developing accounting policies and writing technical accounting positions on various topics impacting the renewable energy industry such as hypothetical liquidation at book value, asset retirement obligations, variable interest entities, and various commodity contracts. Marconi has completed numerous cost certification examinations of eligible basis on both Investment Tax Credits under IRC Section 48 and US Treasury Grants under Section 1603 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Brian holds a Bachelor of Science, Accounting from the University of Delaware.
Andrea Longton
Member
Opportunity Finance Network,OFN
Andrea Longton
Andrea Longton, CFA, brings over 15 years of experience in community investments, banking and lending, fund management, and climate finance to Montgomery County Green Bank.
Andrea is a seasoned financial professional who has raised over $500 million for community investments in the United States and has advised on over $1.5 billion in sustainable finance campaigns worldwide.
Her experiences and relationships enable her to translate the needs of multiple stakeholders – communities, investors, and government leaders – to deliver tailored solutions that tackle complex issues.
Andrea is currently Senior Vice President of Development & Capitalization at Opportunity Finance Network (OFN), a trade association of community lenders focused on driving affordable capital to low-wealth communities across the country. Prior to OFN, Andrea held positions at Freddie Mac, Capital Impact Partners, and Delphos International.
She holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder designation from the CFA Institute, a BA from Centre College, and an MA from The George Washington University.
Andrea and her family are proud to reside in Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve.
Zachary Marks
Member
Housing Opportunities Commission
Zachary Marks
Zachary Marks is the Director of Development at the Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC). Marks is directly responsible for the execution of the acquisition and development activities of the Real Estate Division at HOC, which currently has nearly $1 billion of active real estate development transactions in the pipeline. He has over ten years experience in real estate acquisition and ground-up development preserving and delivering a combination of market rate, mixed-income, and affordable housing in more than a dozen major markets throughout the United States.
Marks has seasoned expertise with multiple financial instruments and structures including tax-exempt bonds (both publically sold and privately placed), 4% and 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credits, Payment in Lieu of Taxes, Tax Increment Financing, HOME funds, Total Return Swaps, hedges, conventional private equity and debt, mezzanine financing, and many other sources of soft funding.
Marks received his MBA from UNC Chapel Hill with a concentration in Real Estate. He also holds a master’s degree in Education from Johns Hopkins University and an undergraduate degree in Journalism from the University of Richmond.
William Bumpers
Member
Boards of ERT, ART & Neighborhood Sun
William Bumpers
William Bumpers practiced environmental law for over thirty years, focused primarily on Clean Air and Climate Change issues. Mr. Bumpers withdrew from the practice of law in 2018 but continues to be actively involved in climate change markets both domestically and globally.
He currently serves on the Board of Directors of ACR, the premier CO2 offset registry in the US.
He is WinRock International’s representative on the Board of Directors for the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (“ART”), the leading registry in the world for jurisdictional-based reductions in deforestation and degradation.
He is the Chairman of the Board of Neighborhood Sun, a community solar marketing and management company in Maryland and runs Antietam Community Solar, a small community solar company in Hagerstown, Maryland.
Julie Abrams
Member
NatureVest, The Nature Conservancy
Julie Abrams
Julie Abrams has more than 30 years of experience as an impact investing expert. She is Managing Director, Impact Investments, NatureVest, The Nature Conservancy.
Her expertise includes designing, structuring, and executing innovative impact investments, due diligence, risk management, corporate governance, environmental and social impact measurement and management, and strategy.
Ms. Abrams’ career spans startups, corporates, and non-profits. She was previously Founder and Managing Director, Impact Investing Analytics, and served as Investment Lead, CATALYZE, The Palladium Group.
She served as Senior Advisor to the Omidyar Network, structuring and executing innovative finance transactions and advising portfolio founders and C-suite executives on finance and investment.
For FINRA broker-dealer impact fintech startup ImpactUs Marketplace, she designed and led due diligence and investment operations.
She previously worked at PwC with Fortune 500 companies and governments on sell-side equity investments, due diligence, strategy, and privatizations.
Ms. Abrams started in microfinance’s early days at Women’s World Banking.
She is an impact investing industry pioneer and thought leader, having authored more than 25 publications and participated in 12 industry standards-setting groups including the inaugural Global Impact Investing Network’s (GIIN) Impact Investing and Reporting Standards (IRIS).
Ms. Abrams sits on Apollo Global Management’s Impact Advisory Committee, MicroBuild Fund’s investment committee, as Black Lab Studio Impact Investing Advisor, and previously served on Calvert Impact Capital’s investment committee, and UNOPS Advisory Group on Investments focused on renewable energy investments.
She served on her local town’s Stormwater Study Committee.
Ms. Abrams earned an MBA from Wharton and an MA in International Studies from the University of Pennsylvania, as a Fellow at the Lauder Institute of Management and International Studies.
She is a Certified Expert in Climate & Renewable Energy Finance and a Certified Expert in Risk Management from the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management. She holds a BA from Oberlin College.
David Crow
Member
Montgomery County
David Crow
David Crow has worked for Montgomery County and the Department of Finance since 2012, starting as General Accounting Manager through 2014. He currently serves as Fiscal Projects Manager in the Division of Fiscal Management and also stepped in as the Acting Controller in the Controller’s Division from December 2021 until May 2023. Prior to joining the County, Dave worked as an auditing manager at Clifton Larson Allen. Dave has extensive experience in public and government accounting and holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Towson University.
Our Funders
The Green Bank leverages funding from the County, public, and private funders to provide County residents and businesses with access to more affordable, flexible lending and investment funds for clean energy projects.
Town Creek Foundation
A private philanthropic foundation that made grants to non-profit organizations that worked to promote ecological sustainability. The Green Bank was a grant recipient in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
The JPB Foundation
A private philanthropic foundation dedicated to transformational initiatives that empower those living in poverty, enrich and sustain our environment, and enable pioneering medical. Environmental initiatives address energy, environmental health, green infrastructure, and environmental justice. We were pleased to be a grant recipient in 2019.
General Motors
A philanthropic funder and global company focused on advancing an all-electric future that is inclusive and accessible to all. The Green Bank was awarded a General Motors Climate Equity Fund grant in 2022 to help increase access to more sustainable transportation, including EVs and EV infrastructure.
Our Partners
Collaboration is fundamental to our work. As a nonprofit corporation dedicated to accelerating affordable clean energy and energy efficiency investment in Montgomery County, MD, the Montgomery County Green Bank partners with lenders, private and nonprofit sector professionals, and funders to promote investment in clean energy projects throughout the County.
This collaboration fuels our work to increase public-private partnerships for the purpose of making clean energy financing more affordable and accessible to residents and businesses throughout the County. We are currently engaging with partners across many sectors within the County and beyond, including lenders, contractors, investors, government officials, developers, nonprofits, and community representatives.
