Welcome to AST On the Move where we spotlight our amazing staff and what makes them tick. Today, meet Senior Finance Specialist and Account Management Specialist Andrew Isaacs.
What does your role supporting NYSERDA look like day-to-day, and where do you see your work making the biggest impact?
Our role supporting NYSERDA focuses upon providing outstanding customer support and technical assistance to meet the ever-changing needs of the client. Our biggest impact is ensuring NYSERDA remains in compliance with the regulatory rules and guidelines established by DOE to oversee two large Inflation Recovery Act (IRA) grants totaling approximately $235 million dollars for residential energy efficiency improvements.
Also of note, the majority of the population served by these grants have household incomes under 80% of the state of New York’s area median income (AMI) guidelines with many customers at or below 50% of AMI. The grant funding helps many energy and income burdened program participants by providing clean, healthy and safe energy efficient improvements.
You recently received a very nice shoutout and recognition; what was the work or moment that sparked this?
The focus of this recognition was consistent high level technical assistance and support that routinely exceeds the clients’ expectations. In addition to providing high level support, our team helps the client navigate the complex rules, the guidelines that not only keep NYSERDA’s programs in compliance but also consider how to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness of program delivery at the same time. We work collaboratively with the client to ensure the grant is utilized to benefit those served with clean energy solutions and help meet NY state’s climate goals. At the same time we help ensure NYSERDA successfully achieves market transformation while improving NYSERDA’s ability to fulfill their mission.
NYSERDA is tackling big challenges around clean energy and sustainability. How does your work connect to that mission in a tangible way?
In addition to providing energy efficient residential retrofits, the resulting work is a win-win in that consumers save money, are more comfortable, and NYSERDA helps meet the state’s carbon reduction climate goals. The programs also reduce load on NY’s electric grid.
Collaboration seems to be a big part of this effort. Can you talk about working alongside Mark and others, and what makes that partnership effective?
In addition to having over 17 years’ experience in the energy efficiency industry, both Mark and I have extensive mission driven backgrounds in affordable housing program finance, operations and delivery including both single family as well as multifamily housing experience serving mostly low and very low-income populations. We have worked together in different capacities for years and bring unique and different skillsets to the team.
Working together along with a very talented and effective NYSERDA Program Manager plus other key AST support staff helps NYSERDA effectively serve the targeted population by ensuring effective program operations and grant management. We maintain a collaborative approach working with the client to remain in compliance with the grant and maximize the effectiveness of the program delivery achieving long term market transformation.
When you step back, what motivates you most about contributing to something as large-scale and future-focused as NYSERDA’s work?
It is a gift having the opportunity to help make a tangible difference in the lives of those served, making a positive impact achieving climate reduction while meeting and exceeding the high level of service AST provides to our clients.
We heard you’re a soccer fanatic! Tell us when this started and how deep your obsession goes…
Soccer was an integral part of our family’s lives for years and one of the ways we stayed grounded and spent meaningful time together as a family. Our two daughters played traveling club soccer and were also fortunate to play for one of the top high school soccer programs in the state of KY. In addition, I was fortunate to be able to play adult league soccer until I was 52 years old. Along the way, I stayed active in the local soccer community—managing youth and adult teams, serving on the board of Lexington’s local soccer club, and helping raise funding to build and maintain a full-sized field for youth training.
I’m now enjoying soccer retirement!