ABOUT US | STAFF BIOS
Robert Camoin
Over the past 27 years, Rob Camoin has developed a comprehensive understanding of the business investment decision making process and the important role that public and quasi-public sector organizations play in creating healthy business environments. In 1999, Rob formed Camoin Associates to assist businesses and developers in pursuing public financing and tax incentives for expansion and industrial development projects, and to help economic development organizations and local governments foster private investment. Since then, Camoin Associates has assisted hundreds of private businesses in securing millions of dollars in financing and tax credits, and has guided more than 30 local communities through strategic planning processes with the goal of strengthening their competitiveness in an increasingly global economy.
As a result of the changing economic landscape, Rob started Advanced Energy Economics (AEE) to assist alternative energy developers and communities in capitalizing on the growing opportunities for energy-led economic development. To date, AEE has assisted energy providers in measuring the economic impact of proposed projects and pursuing funding for energy efficiency upgrades for private businesses. AEE has also worked with communities that want to explore alternative energy projects as a means to lower power costs to facilitate business expansion and attraction.
Rob has spoken to numerous organizations on topics such as economic development planning, commercial market analysis, economic and fiscal impact analysis, cost/benefit analysis of energy efficiency, and managing economic development organizations. In addition, he currently serves on the Northeastern Economic Developers' Association (NEDA) Board of Directors and is Chair of the International Economic Development Council's (IEDC) Membership Advisory Committee.
Rob has a B.B.A. in Finance and Economics from St. Bonaventure University, a Masters of Planning from the State University of New York @ Buffalo and is a certified economic development professional (CEcD) through the IEDC. Rob also leads Camoin Associates, a full service economic development consulting firm.
R. Michael N'dolo
Michael has provided assistance to numerous businesses and developers with financial forecasting and the optimization of available public financing and tax incentive programs. In addition, Michael has developed a detailed understanding of economic forecasting models and has been involved in the firm's economic and fiscal impact analysis work, including impact assessments of both specific energy projects as well as industry clusters. Doing so has allowed clients to provide the public with a clear understanding of the fiscal costs and benefits of policy and public investment decisions relating to the energy sector.
Michael holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the Maxwell School of Syracuse University. He previously worked in both the public and private sectors on property development projects.
Carmen Lorentz
Carmen plays a lead role in all of the firm’s energy-led economic develop planning projects. Her international development experience complements her skills as a project manager to furnish Advanced Energy Economics’ (AEE) clients with someone who builds community consensus while completing plans on time and within budget. Carmen’s ability to synthesize economic and market data, identify key development opportunities, and utilize a wide range of economic development tools make her an extremely effective economic development practitioner.
Carmen joined AEE after participating in New York State’s prestigious Public Management Institute, which afforded her the opportunity to analyze state economic development policies and local government issues at the Division of the Budget.
Carmen holds a Master of Public Policy degree from the University of Maryland, with a specialization in public sector financial management. She finished her undergraduate work in international affairs at The George Washington University and spent a number of years in Washington, DC, lobbying Congress on foreign policy issues and working for the Soros Foundation Network, where she managed a $5 million grant portfolio.
Jim Damicis
Jim Damicis has over 20 years experience providing research and analysis to support action in economic and business development. Jim specializes in technology-related economic development, including alternative energy. He has worked with both public and private sector clients to provide market research, feasibility analysis, grant acquisition, business development, and analysis and strategy development for growing energy related sectors. Recent projects include providing business development and government relations services for an Energy Eco-Park for the Maine Renewable Energy Consortium and assessing the feasibility of creating a municipally operated heating district in the Town of Madison, Maine to provide low-cost heat as an incentive for business attraction. In addition to serving as a Vice President for Advanced Energy Economics, Jim also leads PolicyOne Research, Inc. based in Scarborough, Maine.
Ben Zimmerman
Ben’s experience with community planning and project financing make him uniquely suited to help implement projects that can benefit from public funding sources. He has worked with a number of businesses to leverage public funding and tax credit programs in combination with private sector financing to make projects financially feasible in today’s tight credit market.
Ben has advanced technical skills in economic impact modeling, fiscal impact analysis and Geographic Information Systems, which he has used to assist local government officials in understanding the costs and benefits of energy and real estate development projects and determining the long-term impact of such projects on community economic health and government revenue streams.
Ben holds a BA in geography from the University of British Columbia, and an MS in Planning from the University of Arizona. His graduate coursework included the study of market forces driving development of residential distributed energy generation.
Rachel Selsky
Rachel’s experience at Advanced Energy Economics includes completing multiple economic impact analyses on wind farms in New York State. The studies included an analysis of how the temporary construction and installation jobs and the permanent operation and maintenance jobs that would be created with these wind farms would impact the local economy. In addition to the economic impact studies, Rachel has completed economic development strategic plans and helped communities identify ways to better position themselves to attract alternative energy sources to provide residents and businesses with lower-cost energy. Some of the suggestions included zoning changes and the completion of a wind energy potential study.
Rachel holds a Masters in Regional Planning from the University at Albany. In addition to a Masters degree, Rachel is certified through the National Charrette Institute. Rachel's background also includes facilities planning for the New York State Department of Corrections, as well as work with the Planning Bureau of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Rachel also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies & Planning from the University at Albany.
Christa Ouderkirk
Christa holds a Masters in Geography, with a concentration in Natural Resource Planning and Management, from Binghamton University. She finished her undergraduate work at the SUNY College at Oneonta where she received dual Bachelors of Science degrees in Environmental Science and Geography. Her interdisciplinary training has provided her with a variety of experiences, including participation in watershed management, natural hazard mitigation, energy utilization, low impact design, green building, and environmental planning projects. Her background also includes Geographic Information System (GIS) support for the NYS Tug Hill Commission and the Oswego County Planning Department.
Before joining Advanced Energy Economics, Christa worked as an environmental planner in the New York Capital District where she gained extensive experience conducting environmental impact analyses in accordance with the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). As part of these projects, Christa performed fiscal impact studies evaluating potential impacts of various development projects on local municipalities, emergency and utility service providers, and local school districts. She also conducted preliminary energy consumption analyses according to the Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC’s) draft policy for assessing greenhouse gas emissions. These experiences have provided Christa with a thorough understanding of the interrelationship between energy advancement, economic development, and sustainable communities.
