About West Penn Energy Fund

The West Penn Energy Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that invests in the deployment of sustainable energy technologies that benefit West Penn Power ratepayers in Pennsylvania. WPEF investments are focused in three broad categories:

Deployment of sustainable and clean energy technologies
Deployment of energy efficiency and conservation technologies
Facilitating economic development, environmental betterment, and public education as they relate to sustainable energy deployment in the WPP service region

Service Region

The WPEF is focused on investing in the deployment of sustainable energy programs and technologies throughout the 23-county West Penn Power electric power service region. The 23-county region is over 10,000 square miles, has a population of approximately 1.5 million residents, and represents over 700,000 West Penn Power customers.

WPEF Zip Codes Service Territory Map

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors provides oversight to the Fund and approves all funding requests. Directors go through a formal nomination process and are approved by the PA Public Utility Commission. The WPEF Board is comprised of the following individuals:

Alan Neuner, Retired – Geisinger Health System (Chairperson)
John Walliser, Pennsylvania Environmental Council (Vice Chairperson)
John Kline, 1st Summit Bank (Treasurer)
Brandy Schimp, Borough of Kane (Secretary)
Robert Hosken, Building Performance Architecture
Edward Miller, FirstEnergy
Mike Pauly, Ventana USA

Administrative Staff

The administrative staff is responsible for the day-to-day activities of the Fund. The administrative staff includes:

Joel Morrison
Joel serves as the Fund Administrator. Joel is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund and provides technical oversight to the Fund. He has over 35 years experience in the energy sciences. Joel is located at Penn State’s University Park campus. Joel is assisted in his duties by Barbara Robuck (Marketing & Communications).

Jim Smith
Jim serves as the President of the Economic Growth Connection (EGC) of Westmoreland and is responsible for the oversight of the Fund’s financial efforts. Jim has over 20 years experience in the economic development community. EGC is located in Greensburg, PA. Jim is assisted in his duties by George App (Accounting) and Kyle Martin (Business Development).

FOUNDING BOARD (Emeritus Directors)

Linda McKenna Boxx (2000-2007)
Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation

William T. Hopwood (2000-2003)
Springhouse Energy Systems

Jim M. Stark (2000-2023)
Family Service Center

William Guyker (2000-2003)
Allegheny Energy Supply

Craig R. Kuennen (2000-2005)
Glendale Water & Power

Robert Kramer (2000-2004)
A.K. Steel

Robert J. Hosken (2000-2024)
Three Rivers Association for Sustainable Energy

Emeritus Directors

Pat O’Brien (2003-2017)
WesBanco

Ed Johnstonbaugh (2003-2006)
Allegheny Energy

Michele Ponchione (2004-2023)
World Kitchen

Cassandra Robinson (2006-2011)
Allegheny Energy

Gwen Auman (2010-2014)
Auman Weis Entreprises

Do you have a question concerning funding or a specific program? We would love to hear from you!