Ep 14 - Chat with Jamie Barber

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Jamie Barber takes us through her background, how she transitioned from having studied accounting and going into policy to later moving to the electric area within the same company. She also gives insights into her role and how being in solar has helped her. Finally, she discusses the changes in IRP (Integrated Resource Plan) and running her team.

 

Sharon Lee

Sharon Lee taps over a decade of solar sales experience, having led the creation of a solar division for a leading manufacturing/construction firm, resulting in over 17 MW of solar in its portfolio, as well as solar ultimately becoming its highest-grossing revenue vertical. Lee has been involved in the GA Solar Energy Association, serving on the board of directors as the marketing chair, organizing the annual conference, as well as vice-chair, and ultimately the first female chair of the organization in 2015. She is also a charter member of the Professional Women in Building chapter of the Greater Atlanta Homebuilders Association, a member of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), and Women in Solar Energy (WISE). Lee earned her B.S. degree in communications with double minors in marketing and psychology from Middle Tennessee State University, after spending three years at the University of Tennessee in the pre-health curriculum. Lee is the mom of two boys, ages 14 and 11, and a rabid college football fan. She and her husband, John, spend most of their free time at the baseball or football fields unless they can steal away for a quick round of golf.

 

Jamie Barber

Jamie Barber leads the team responsible for making policy recommendations regarding Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (Utility Scale, Distributed Generation, Wind, and Biomass) matters related to Georgia Power Company before the Georgia Public Service Commission. This includes the recent 2,160 megawatts of additional renewable resources that were approved in the 2019 Georgia Power Integrated Resource Plan.

 

Insights from this Episode

• Jamie’s background
• Insights into what the public service commission of Georgia is
• Jamie’s role in IRP 
• Stopping to get her MBA
• The changes in IRP over the years
• How programs can be successful
• How the solar industry helped Jamie in her role
• Jamie’s team and how she runs it

 

Quotes from the Show: 

• “The public service commission regulates utility storm to power Atlanta gas line and some telecommunications, and they're basically responsible for making sure that the rates are reasonable and service is reliable” —Jamie Barber in “The Sunnyside Podcast”
• “The process itself hasn't changed. I mean, it's still the same. But what really has changed is the resources that are being added back” —Jamie Barber in “The Sunnyside Podcast”
• “In order for programs to be successful, you got to be able to have as many people to be able to participate as possible” —Jamie Barber in “The Sunnyside Podcast”
• On running her team: “It is a lot of work for a small number of people, but we're used to that we're used to staying really busy” —Jamie Barber in “The Sunnyside Podcast”

 

Stay Connected:

 

Sharon Lee

LinkedIn: Sharon Lee 

Facebook: Sharon Lee

 

Jamie Barber

LinkedIn: Jamie Barber

Website: http://www.southface.org

 

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This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry.