Our Team
We’re a dedicated team bringing diverse skill sets to empower the heartland to achieve sustainable energy use and cleaner air.
Administration and Operations
Kelly Gilbert
Executive Director
Metropolitan Energy CenterKelly directs MEC’s work to improve the health of our ecosystems and to fight climate change in local communities across Kansas and Missouri.
Kelly left her first career in book publishing to pursue work in sustainability. She has filled various roles at MEC, from program coordinator to project manager and program director. She was inducted into the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Hall of Fame in 2017 and was named an Agent of Change for her leadership in transportation sustainability by the Kansas City Regional Clean Cities Advisory Board in 2010. She serves on the Metro KC Air Quality Forum and participates in climate and energy policy groups across Kansas and Missouri.
Her passion for the environment was cultivated early in life on her family’s farm in Kentucky. In her free time, she enjoys supporting area farmers markets, barn dancing, and cheering on Sporting KC and the KC Current.
Royce Martin (she/her)
Director of People and Operations
Metropolitan Energy CenterOriginally from Topeka, KS, Royce earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Information Systems from St. Louis University and her Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies from the American Institute in Phoenix, AZ. She graduated at the top of her class earning a Master of Science in Human Resources Management from Franklin University.
Royce has 11+ years of experience as a subject matter expert in all areas of human resources. She served on the Board of Directors for The Nia Project, a nonprofit dedicated to changing the perception, outcomes, and norms for Black girls and women in our community and our country. She has also been an umpire/referee for the states of MO/KS for the past 35 years, is a motivational speaker, loves to mentor, and is an avid exerciser. Her motto is: 1% better every day.
She has worked in the manufacturing, insurance, transportation, and printing industries. She looks forward to the growth of the team and success of MEC and its commitment for bringing awareness and action to the sustainable energy sectors.
Austin Taylor
Senior Public Affairs Coordinator
Metropolitan Energy CenterAustin R. Taylor was recently promoted to Senior Public Affairs Coordinator at Metropolitan Energy Center, driving strategic initiatives that connect sustainability, policy, and community engagement. With a track record of successfully elevating local efforts to national and international prominence, Austin has represented MEC on the national stage. His efforts on the global stage have included multiple Think Tanks and conferences spanning four continents outside of North America. His expertise spans policy advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and high impact coordination, exemplified through his leadership in the Clean Cities Energy and Environmental Justice Initiative and other transformative projects. Austin’s innovative approach will continue to position MEC as a leader in environmental justice and sustainability.
Kasi Darnell
Impact Data Specialist
Metropolitan Energy CenterKasi Darnell is an Impact & Data Specialist previously serving as an Americorps VISTA with MEC as a Sustainability Officer helping build organizational capacity within the development department. With a Master’s degree in Sustainability Leadership from Arizona State University, Kasi excels in creating impactful strategies utilizing research and data.
When she’s not working, you’ll find her spending time with her family, dancing, enjoying music, lifting weights, or curled up with a Jane Austen novel.
Inspired by John Lewis’ words, “Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble,” Kasi is passionate about MEC’s mission and the positive change it brings.
Layne Stracener
Communications Coordinator
Metropolitan Energy CenterAs the communications coordinator, Layne executes MEC’s communications strategy, crafting compelling content across various platforms. With a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in marketing, she brings nearly a decade of experience in communications, working as a journalist in reporting and community engagement roles before joining MEC in October 2024.
A proud native of the Kansas City metro area, Layne spent nearly five years as a journalist in Jefferson City before returning to her roots. She is passionate about MEC’s mission and is excited to contribute to the organization’s role in transforming energy use in the Kansas City region and beyond.
In her free time, you can find Layne immersed in a good book, enjoying walks with her dog, Lulu, or spending quality time with friends and family.
Greg Betzwieser
Contract Specialist
Metropolitan Energy CenterGreg brings over a decade of experience in philanthropic operations and legal compliance to his role as contract specialist at MEC. In his current position, he handles post-award contract management, risk assessments, operational workflows, and plays a key role in developing and issuing solicitations for services and products, ensuring everything aligns with federal acquisition regulations to keep the organization running smoothly and efficiently.
Before joining MEC, Greg worked as manager of grant operations at The California Endowment, where he focused on trust-based grant-making aimed at advancing health equity for all Californians. His approach was rooted in the belief that philanthropy can drive meaningful, systemic change and empower communities.
Outside of work, Greg enjoys escaping with his wife to their off-grid homestead cabin near Joshua Tree National Park where you can find him taking in the tranquility of Southern California’s desert landscape —a place that offers him peace and inspiration.
Rohan Raj
Development Intern
Metropolitan Energy CenterRohan is a Junior at Pembroke Hill. He is active in Tennis, Envirothon, Debate, and Science Olympiad. He has been involved in Boy Scouts from a young age and is currently an eagle scout. His experiences from camping throughout his life led to a deep appreciation for the environment. This passion led to his interest in the impactful efforts MEC.
Rohan got involved with MEC as a Sophomore. He initially researched solar panels and the challenge of the duck curve when integrating them into the grid. He is currently working on a project concerning grid resiliency and the impact renewable energy has on the grid.
In his free time, he enjoys reading, archery, and watching tennis.
Building Peformance
Mary English
Program Manager
Metropolitan Energy CenterPrior to joining MEC, Mary worked in the building performance industry conducting energy assessments, testing, and consultation in both the residential and commercial sectors.
Mary founded Small Step Energy Solutions which became a leading home energy assessment provider. Small Step worked with municipalities – including Kansas City, MO – to review and update their building energy code. She also worked closely with area developers to create sustainable developments and multifamily housing based on equity goals. Mary then moved into commercial-business sustainability, helping start-up businesses in passive house design, energy benchmarking, and efficiency upgrades in HVAC systems. She currently serves on the Programs Committee for USGBC Central Plains and the Equity Committee for Climate Action KC.
In off hours Mary enjoys the great outdoors with her husband and dog; practicing aerial arts; and watching Royals baseball.
Brittanie Giroux
Sr. Program Coordinator
Metropolitan Energy CenterAs part of the Building Performance team, Brittanie oversees the Healthy Housing Taskforce, co-leads the Energy and Water Benchmarking service, creates social content and newsletters, and conducts community outreach and events on topics from urban heat to healthy home retrofits and building codes.
Brittanie joined MEC as an AmeriCorps VISTA member in 2020. She came to MEC after completing a previous AmeriCorps service year in the City of Evanston, IL’s Office of Sustainability where she led climate education initiatives and facilitated the city’s compost program.
Brittanie received her bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from Vanderbilt University. When she has free time, Brittanie enjoys going to concerts, cooking Caribbean dishes, and canoeing in many of Missouri’s lakes.
Justice Horn (he/him)
Program Coordinator
Metropolitan Energy CenterJustice is a community leader, social justice activist, and political strategist. He fights for representation everywhere and broke barriers as the first openly gay multicultural college wrestler in the NCAA. Now in politics, he worked on the Biden campaign in the African American, LGBTQ, and Pacific Islander division of the 2020 Joe Biden Presidential campaign. He was also senior advisor to the Missouri for Biden team as well.
As an African American, Caucasian, Pacific Islander, Native American, and LGBTQ individual, he represents the many communities he comes from and currently serves on the Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Advisory board and the Kansas City Streetcar Advisory committee. Justice is one of the many voices of the future here in our community.
Jacob Moore
Program Coordinator
Metropolitan Energy CenterBorn and raised in Kansas City, Jacob is a dedicated professional with a passion for community work and a track record of success in various industries. He has a degree in Public Relations and a Minor in Business Administration. His unique blend of skills is a perfect fit to implement MEC’s 8 Principles of a Healthy Home program in partnership with Children’s Mercy Hospital.
Throughout his career, Jacob gained valuable experiences in technology sales, radio promotions (starting at one of the city’s oldest stations), and community work. Jacob also took on roles in the nonprofit sector. Recently, he worked in the very neighborhood where he grew up teaching youth the importance of financial literacy. He also worked at one the largest and most active neighborhood associations in Kansas City.
Jacob runs a small print shop named One and Only Prints. He enjoys quality time with family and friends, music, and his favorite sports teams (Chiefs, Spurs, and Royals).
Danielle Wells
Energy Benchmarking Supervisor
Metropolitan Energy CenterDanielle is one of two Customer Service Representatives at MEC who help local building owners and property managers input their energy and water data into Energy Star Portfolio Manager.
In November of 2011, Danielle began working in the energy efficiency and building performance industry as an Administrator for Small Step Energy Solutions. Going out in the field and assisting with energy audits and HERS Ratings were two of her favorite duties. During her time at Small Step and prior, she contracted and volunteered for several local Kansas City nonprofit organizations such as United Services and Smiles Change Lives to name a few.
In Danielle’s spare time, she enjoys cooking and hosting family and friend events, relaxing on her patio with great music, trips out of town, and football season.
Ashley McDonald
Energy Benchmarking Customer Service Representative
Metropolitan Energy CenterAshley is one of two Customer Service Representatives at MEC who conducts outreach to local building owners alerting them about the Energy Empowerment Ordinance.
Ashley has more than 7 years of experience in the customer service field working as a collection agency representative. With outstanding communication skills and an incredible work ethic, Ashley is eager to reach out to property owners in the Kansas City region and help them understand how to comply with this ordinance. She will also share suggestions on what next steps might look like for those wanting to make their buildings more energy efficient.
In Ashley’s spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, painting and listening to music.
Adrien Townsend (they/them)
Project Manager
Metropolitan Energy CenterAdrien (they/them) manages the energy code training MEC offers in partnership with the City of Kansas City, MO and Energy Smart Institute and assists with other workforce development initiatives and community outreach. They have a passion for the nonprofit sector that drew them to MEC.
While not born in KC, Adrien has planted roots here after graduating from Rockhurst University with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, with a History minor. They previously worked for the City of Kansas City as a policy aide and for Legal Aid of Western Missouri as a paralegal, with a focus on eviction prevention.
In their spare time, Adrien enjoys listening to true crime podcasts, solving the daily Wordle, and hanging out with their wife.
Sustainable Transportation
KT Engle
Program Manager
Metropolitan Energy CenterAs the Sustainable Transportation Program Manager, KT guides the organization’s efforts to decarbonize the transit economy across Kansas and Missouri. Originally from North Carolina, KT relocated to the Kansas City area in 2023 after a dynamic career in Philadelphia. There, they began their journey managing projects for a nonprofit that provided essential home repairs to low-income residents, before transitioning to real estate development to oversee the construction of mixed-use buildings aimed at increasing affordable housing. In their most recent role, KT worked on specialized pharmaceutical facility projects, ensuring that sustainable design and construction practices were implemented.
KT’s long-standing commitment to sustainability and climate justice motivates their work at MEC, where they are thrilled to return to mission-driven work that supports a just energy transition. Their passion for creating a better future is fueled by their connection with the next generation, particularly their nieces and nephews, whose imaginative futures inspire them daily.
Outside of their professional life, KT co-manages a hand-scale seed and produce farm with their partner, and enjoys fishing, basketball, and cycling. Their favorite books, Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler, reflect their dedication to community resilience and adaptability in the face of social and environmental challenges.
David Albrecht
Sr. Program Coordinator, Kansas City Regional Clean Cities Director
Metropolitan Energy CenterAs the Director of the Kansas City Regional Clean Cities Coalition, David helps manage clean fuel deployment programs for the U.S. Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency, working with everyone from small school district bus fleets to national long-haul trucking companies. He also manages MEC’s energy efficiency demo home, Project Living Proof, and would love to give you a tour.
David has a B.A. in History and German from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a Master’s in East Asian Studies from the University of Kansas. Prior to MEC, he was Director of Business Research at the Greater Kansas City Chamber and before that, Executive Assistant at the Consulate-General of Japan. When time permits, he enjoys keeping bees, bicycling, gardening, and whitewater kayaking.
Taylor Corn
Sr. Program Coordinator
Metropolitan Energy CenterTaylor specializes in electric vehicle (EV) deployment and serving overburdened communities. His work on the DRIVE Eletric USA program and other projects focused on EVs, such as coordinating local ride & drive events, helps pave the way for making new technology more accessible to all communities in Kansas City. His roots in the area stem deep, and combined with his collegiate journey in environmental science, he understands the importance of sustainability in the KC metro and the world.
He fills his free time with everything music and is a solo artist by the stage name Tay Dreamin. Producing original songs from start to finish, his drive is making waves in the local scene and catching the attention of professionals and fans alike as he discovers himself through music and performance.
Drew Arends
Program Coordinator
Metropolitan Energy CenterDrew is a Program Coordinator in the Sustainable Transportation Department for MEC’s Clean Cities Program. Originally starting as an intern in 2022, Drew performed campaign outreach, event coordination, and other organizational work, even when he was studying abroad. Drew also contributed to MEC efforts through newsletter production and blog-writing.
In the midst of his internship, Drew was a student at Truman State University where he studied Environmentalism. At Truman, he was involved in a variety of environmental clubs and efforts, including being a part of a campus-wide climate inventory, teaching a class about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and helping to lead the university Sustainability Office.
In his free time, Drew enjoys reading, writing, exploring the outdoors, traveling, and hanging out with friends and family.
Djessicka Saintil
Project Manager
Metropolitan Energy CenterDjessicka works with MEC’s staff in Wichita, KS to promote sustainable transportation to underserved markets and communities throughout the Midwest, notably in Kansas.
Djessicka is a recent graduate from Wichita State University with a bachelor’s degree in information technology and management information systems. Soon, she wishes to pursue a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in finance.
In her free time, she enjoys reading, trying out new restaurants, going on walks and spending time with family and friends.
Jenna Znamenak
Senior Program Coordinator, Greater Kansas Clean Cities Director
Metropolitan Energy CenterAs a Wichita, KS native and Kansas State University graduate, Jenna is excited to serve her home state by working with underserved markets and central Kansas communities to promote sustainable transportation. Some of her work at MEC includes helping develop electric vehicle infrastructure in communities, promoting and implementing biodiesel, and providing expertise for grant application assistance.
Jenna’s bachelor’s degrees are in Natural Resources and Environmental Science and Apparel Textiles with a specialization in Marketing and a minor in Strategic Communications. Soon, Jenna wishes to pursue a master’s degree in business administration.
Liz Foose
Program Intern
Metropolitan Energy Center