CEE announces new board member Jimmy Loyd, local community development leader
December 9, 2021 — The board of directors of the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) recently welcomed new member Jimmy Loyd.
Loyd currently serves as senior director of community development at Pillsbury United Communities. Loyd oversees Justice Built Communities, Pillsbury United’s community development corporation, where he focuses his efforts in the cultivation of partnerships with other CDCs, neighborhood associations, and business district councils to co-create new land-based solutions to the challenges that historically underinvested communities face. Throughout his career, Loyd has consistently paired his work in real estate development and business with a deep commitment to racial equity.
Board chair Tom Garry said, “Thanks to his work with Pillsbury United Communities and more, Jimmy Loyd brings deep expertise in housing, real estate, city planning, and economic development — all highly relevant to CEE’s goals. We are fortunate to have him join the board and look forward to all we can accomplish together.”
Despite challenges navigating residential and commercial field work, lending, independent research, and community energy planning during a pandemic, CEE achieved notable strategic growth and program success in recent years. Under the guidance of its board, President Chris Duffrin, and COO Stephanie Haddad, CEE continues to invest in employees and community relationships, opening doors to learning, policymaking, and financing that lay groundwork for a more equitable clean energy future.
At its November meeting, CEE’s seven-member board also elected officers and affirmed its governing course for the coming year, including explicit focuses to improve existing programs, reach new audiences, and leverage opportunities to further strengthen the organization’s efforts through practical actions tied to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
CEE’s current board roster and roles are:
Tom Garry, Chair. Garry serves as senior attorney at The Nature Conservancy. Previously, he was an attorney at Best & Flanagan working in real estate, civil litigation, and environmental law. Garry graduated from Princeton University, earned his law degree from the University of Minnesota, and in 2011 joined the board of the Neighborhood Energy Connection (NEC), which merged with CEE in 2017.
Amanda Novak, Vice Chair. Novak is vice president of real estate for the YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities. Novak previously served as associate vice president of development at CommonBond Communities. Novak earned her bachelor's degree in biology and environmental studies from St. Olaf College, Northfield and her master's in urban and regional planning from University of Iowa.
Nancy Tyra-Lukens, Treasurer. Tyra-Lukens is the former mayor of Eden Prairie, a role she served in 2002–2006 and 2011–2018, after serving on the city council 1994–2001. Tyra-Lukens earned a master’s degree in nutritional biochemistry from the University of Michigan and a second master’s in finance and business administration from the Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota.
LisaBeth Barajas. Barajas is executive director of the community development division of the Metropolitan Council, where she has worked as a regional planning expert for over a decade. Barajas earned her bachelor's degree in environmental studies and geography at Gustavus Adolphus College and her master’s in urban and regional planning from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs.
Ralph Dickinson. Dickinson is principal at Dickinson Associates and provides customers with energy consulting and analysis. Earlier in his career, he was a product developer for Xcel Energy (formerly NSP). Dickinson is a Minnesota-registered mechanical engineer and joined the NEC's board in 2010.
Julia Donaldson. Donaldson is senior vice president of program services and mission advancement at Volunteers of America Minnesota and Wisconsin, bringing more than 15 years’ experience in nonprofit administration. She earned her master’s degree from Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Donaldson has served on CEE’s board since 2009.
Jimmy Loyd. Loyd serves as senior director of community development at Pillsbury United Communities, building local partnerships to co-create land-based solutions to challenges that historically underinvested communities face. He brings deep experience in real estate development and business, paired with a long-standing commitment to racial equity.
About CEE
Center for Energy and Environment is a 501(c)(3) clean energy nonprofit with special expertise in energy efficiency that stretches back 40 years. Complementary areas of focus include independent technical research, program development and implementation, community engagement, policy advocacy, and project financing. Working across homes, businesses, and communities, CEE discovers and deploys the most effective energy solutions to strengthen our economy and improve our environment.