Staff

Jacqueline Berger has 25 years of experience designing and implementing research and evaluation projects. Her clients have included the Department of Energy and the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as state offices, utility companies, and nonprofit organizations around the country.

Education

Ph.D. in Economics from Princeton University in 1996
Bachelor of Science in Economics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1989

Areas of Expertise
Study design, data analysis, multivariate statistical techniques, program evaluation, and performance measurement.

Recent Project Experience
Jackie is currently directing New Jersey Natural Gas’ Home Performance with Energy Star and Moderate Income Weatherization Program evaluations, several low-income usage reduction program evaluations in Pennsylvania, and the PG&E PIPP Program evaluation. She recently directed research on Ameren’s low-income solar initiatives, the evaluation of the Illinois Solar for All Program, and the evaluation of BGE’s Prepaid Pilot Program.

David Carroll, M.P.A.

Managing Director
(609) 252-8010
david-carroll@appriseinc.org

David Carroll has more than 30 years of experience in energy research. Mr. Carroll serves as the project director for energy program evaluations, he works with the Federal LIHEAP Program Office on low-income energy research and policy issues, and he designs and implements survey research projects that deliver high quality and reliable information for decision makers.

Education

Master of Public Affairs from the Woodrow Wilson School of International and Public Affairs at Princeton University in 1984
Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Williams College in 1979

Areas of Expertise
Evaluation study design and implementation, performance measurement, policy analysis, and survey research.

Recent Project Experience
David is directing the Performance Management Technical Assistance project for the Federal LIHEAP Program office, overseeing research and policy studies for NYSERDA, and conducting program evaluation and survey research for state agencies, utilities, and nonprofit organizations. He recently has been engaged in evaluations in Oregon, Washington, DC, New York, Massachusetts, and Delaware.

Jim Devlin

Contract Manager / Senior Research Associate
(609) 252-8013
jim-devlin@appriseinc.org

Jim Devlin has over 30 years of experience in sample development, survey management, data collection, data processing, and technical writing. Mr. Devlin’s clients include the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, many large electric and natural gas utilities, and energy-related organizations and associations.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Trenton State College in 1977

Areas of Expertise
Project budgeting and administration, task management, questionnaire and forms design, spreadsheet design and manipulation, technical writing, and staff training.

Recent Project Experience
Jim is currently providing technical assistance to the Federal LIHEAP Program Office. He recently provided research support for the Massachusetts Energy Efficiency Programs’ Commercial & Industrial Evaluation Code Compliance Project and for the Supply-Side Market Actors Scoping Study, and for the National Weatherization Assistance Program Evaluation.

Nicole Costello

Business Manager
(609) 252-9008
nicole-costello@appriseinc.org

Nicole Costello has 20 years of business and office management experience.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Studies and Anthropology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 1996

Areas of Expertise
Financial analysis, bookkeeping, and account management.

Recent Project Experience
Nicole is responsible for budgets, invoicing, financial reporting, and information technology at APPRISE.

Kerice Robinson

HR & Marketing Manager
(609) 252-8012
kerice-robinson@appriseinc.org

Kerice Robinson has experience in branding, recruiting, and employee relations.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from George Washington University in 2018

Areas of Expertise
NJ labor law and compliance, workplace diversity and inclusion, and webpage development.

Recent Project Experience
Kerice is responsible for recruiting, onboarding new staff, managing employee benefits, and office events. She is also responsible for marketing and website management.

Program Evaluation Staff

Daniel Bausch, M.P.P.

Senior Project Director
(609) 252-9050
daniel-bausch@appriseinc.org

Daniel Bausch has over 15 years of experience in economic analysis, social science research methods, and survey research. Mr. Bausch recently served as the President of the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Chapter of the American Association of Public Opinion Research (AAPOR).

Education

Certificate in Survey Methodology from the University of Maryland
Master in Public Policy from Rutgers University in 2011
Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Rowan University in 2009

Areas of Expertise
Economic analysis, public policy research, survey research, and data analysis.

Recent Project Experience
Dan is currently overseeing technical and performance management assistance to grant recipients for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), leading data collection planning and implementation for several studies with the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority, and assisting with an evaluation of the District of Columbia’s energy and water assistance programs. His recent experience includes designing and fielding a survey to collect income and demographic data from NY-Sun solar participants, managing research activities for the Essential Use of Electricity Study conducted for California’s large investor-owned electric utilities, and conducting an impact analysis for Philadelphia Gas Work’s Home Comfort Program.

Pragya Chauhan, M.S.

Senior Policy Analyst
(609) 252-2082
pragya-chauhan@appriseinc.org

Pragya Chauhan has experience in energy policy research and data analysis.

Education

Master’s in Energy Science, Technology and Policy from Carnegie Mellon University in 2018
Bachelor of Technology in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Manipal University Jaipur in 2016

Areas of Expertise
Energy policy research and data analysis.

Recent Project Experience
Pragya is currently analyzing the American Community Survey (ACS) data for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s Low-Income Bills and Usage Study. In addition, she is providing technical assistance to LIHEAP state grantees as a part of the LIHEAP performance management project.

Catherine Chen, M.S.

Senior Policy Analyst
catherine-chen@appriseinc.org

Catherine Chen has over 10 years of experience in quasi-experimental and experimental research design, data analysis and management, qualitative research, and large-scale assessments.

Education

Master’s in International Educational Administration and Policy Analysis from Stanford University in 2014
Bachelor of Arts in Law and English from Nanjing Normal University in 2012

Areas of Expertise
Statistical analysis, experimental research and design, and coding.

Recent Project Experience
Catherine is conducting analysis and performing needs assessments for the Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Community Services’ programs, including the Community Services Block Grant Program (CSBG), the Community Economic Development Program (CED), the Rural Community Development Program (RCD), and the Diaper Distribution Demonstration and Research Pilot (DDDRP).

Megha Datta, M.P.A.

Senior Policy Analyst
(609) 252-8014
megha-datta@appriseinc.org

Megha Datta has experience in econometrics, coding, and survey analysis.

Education

Master of Public Affairs from Brown University in 2023
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California San Diego in 2022

Areas of Expertise
Data analysis, coding, and data visualization.

Recent Project Experience
Megha is currently supporting program evaluations for Pacific Gas & Electric’s Percentage of Income Payment Plan and UGI’s Customer Assistance Program.

Shameir Skipworth-Hanson - Program Specialist

Shameir Skipworth-Hanson

Senior Policy Analyst/Program Specialist
shameir-hanson@appriseinc.org

Shameir Hanson has experience in case management for programs assisting unhoused, formerly incarcerated, and other vulnerable populations at the local and state level.

Education

Masters of Science in Industrial Organizational Psychology from Kean University in 2023
Bachelor of Science in Clinical Psychology from Kean University in 2017

Areas of Expertise
Community engagement, case management, and social work.

Recent Project Experience
Shameir is working directly with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as a program liaison with the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) state administrators.

Caroline Kacmarsky - Senior Policy Analyst

Caroline Kacmarsky

Senior Policy Analyst/Program Specialist
caroline-kacmarsky@appriseinc.org

Caroline Kacmarsky has experience in community engagement and project management within the nonprofit and government sectors.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Tulane University in 2019

Areas of Expertise
Strategic communications.

Recent Project Experience
Caroline is working directly with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as a program liaison with the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) state administrators.

Elena Kotanchyan

Elena Kotanchyan, M.P.A.

Senior Policy Analyst
elena-kotanchyan@appriseinc.org

Elana Kotanchyan has experience with policy research and financial analysis.

Education

Master of Public Administration in Public Policy from California State University, Long Beach in 2022
Master of Arts in Economics from California State University, Long Beach in 2021
Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Business Administration from Hartwick College in 2019

Areas of Expertise
Economic analysis, market research, and data analysis.

Recent Project Experience
Elena is working with the Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Community Services to assess and document the impact of the Community Services Block Grant Program (CSBG) at the national, state, and local level.

Joel Robinson

Senior Policy Analyst
(609) 252-0035
joel-robinson@appriseinc.org

Joel Robinson has experience in public policy research, survey research, and data analysis.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics from the University of New Mexico in 2021

Areas of Expertise
Public policy research, survey research, and data analysis.

Recent Project Experience
Joel is assisting with the evaluation of New Jersey Natural Gas’ and Atlantic City Electric’s energy efficiency programs. He also provides support to evaluations of Pennsylvania’s Low Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP) and Pacific Gas & Electric’s Percent of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) Pilot.

Kevin Schwartzbach, M.P.A.

Senior Policy Analyst
(609) 252-9031
kevin-schwartzbach@appriseinc.org

Kevin Schwartzbach has experience in policy and political research, data analysis, and professional writing and editing.

Education

Master of Public Administration in Public Policy Analysis from the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy, University at Albany in 2022
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from McGill University in 2012

Areas of Expertise
Data analysis, policy research, and professional writing and editing.

Recent Project Experience
Kevin is currently providing technical assistance and data analysis for the LIHEAP performance management project. In addition, he provides support for the program evaluations for Atlantic City Electric, New Jersey Natural Gas, and the NYSERDA Low-Income Energy Bill and Usage Analysis.

Julia Tache-Senior Policy Analyst

Julia Tache, M.A.

Senior Policy Analyst/OCS Special Initiatives Coordinator
julia-tache@appriseinc.org

Julia Tache has experience in data analysis and strategic communications.

Education

Master of Arts in Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences focusing on Data Science from Columbia University in 2020
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Barnard College in 2019

Areas of Expertise
Data analysis.

Recent Project Experience
Julia supports the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Community Services’ programs including the Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) and Low-Income Health & Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Xun (Julia) Wang - Senior Policy Analyst

Julia Wang, M.P.H.

Senior Policy Analyst
(609) 252-2081
julia-wang@appriseinc.org

Julia Wang has experience in benefit-cost analysis and data analysis.

Education

Master of Public Health in Environmental Health Services from Yale University’s School of Public Health in 2023
Bachelor of Science in Psychology & Geography from the University of California Berkely in 2021

Areas of Expertise
Data analysis.

Recent Project Experience
Julia contributes to APPRISE research for New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) on low-carbon technology implementation in multifamily buildings and the health benefits of energy efficiency upgrades.

Naina Bhargava

Policy Analyst
(609) 285-5820
Naina-bhargava@appriseinc.org

Naina Bhargava has experience in climate and energy policy research.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Quantitative Economics & Government with an environmental concentration from Smith College in 2023

Areas of Expertise
Economic research.

Recent Project Experience
Naina is currently assisting with the UGI Customer Assistance Program and FirstEnergy Low Income Usage Reduction Program evaluations.

Joseph Cuomo

Policy Analyst
(609) 252-9057
joseph-cuomo@appriseinc.org

Joseph Cuomo has experience in economic research and sustainability research.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Providence College in 2022

Areas of Expertise
Economic research and data analytics.

Recent Project Experience
Joseph is contributing to the program evaluations for Pacific Gas & Electric’s Percentage of Income Payment Plan Pilot Program and Atlantic City Electric’s energy efficiency programs. In addition, he is providing technical assistance for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Adam Hollanek, M.S.

Policy Analyst
(609) 252-9051
adam-hollanek@appriseinc.org

Adam Hollanek has experience in economic research and statistical analysis.

Education

Master of Economics from the University of Amsterdam in 2023
Bachelor of Science in Economics and Business from the University of Amsterdam in 2022

Areas of Expertise
Economic research.

Recent Project Experience
Adam is contributing to the program evaluation for Pacific Gas & Electric’s Percentage of Income Payment Plan Pilot Program. Additionally, he is providing technical assistance for the Federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Jeb Jacob

Policy Analyst
(609) 252-0005
Jeb-Jacob@appriseinc.org

Jeb Jacob has experience in statistical analysis.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Mathematical Economics from the University of Pennsylvania in 2023

Areas of Expertise
Economic research.

Recent Project Experience
Jeb is contributing to the PECO Low-Income Usage Reduction Program Evaluation and providing technical assistance for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Marla Khishigsuren

Policy Analyst
(609) 252-9053
Marla-Khishigsuren@appriseinc.org

Marla Khishigsuren has experience in behavioral economic research.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Williams College in 2023

Areas of Expertise
Economic research.

Recent Project Experience
Marla is contributing to the FirstEnergy Low-Income Usage Reduction Program evaluation, and providing technical assistance for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Nicolas Mititelu

Policy Analyst
(609) 252-9055
nicolas-mititelu@appriseinc.org

Nicolas Mititelu has experience in economic research and data analysis.

Education

Bachelor of Science in International Political Economy from Georgetown University in 2021

Areas of Expertise
Economic research and data analysis.

Recent Project Experience
Nicolas is currently providing technical assistance for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). He recently provided support for the NYSERDA State Multifamily Baseline Study and the NYSERDA Product Development Study.

Anisha Sahni, M.P.P.

Policy Analyst
(609) 454-3777
Anisha-Sahni@appriseinc.org

Anisha Sahni has experience in economic research and statistical analysis.

Education

Master of Public Policy in Social Policy from The George Washington University in 2023
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies from The George Washington University in 2022

Areas of Expertise
Public policy research.

Recent Project Experience
Anisha is assisting with the Federal Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) data warehouse and census analysis, contributing to the production of LIHEAP Reports to Congress, and conducting research for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) on low-income energy usage and energy burden.

Survey Research Staff

Anne Worth

Senior Programmer

Anne Worth has developed database applications for over 10 years. These applications include data entry screens that are used for evaluation data entry and data cleaning.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in 1985

Areas of Expertise
Microsoft Access.

Recent Project Experience
Anne develops database applications and online customer surveys. She recently developed applications in support of the NYSERDA 2016 R&D Demonstration Survey, Peoples Natural Gas Evaluation, the FirstEnergy Universal Service Program Evaluation, and the Massachusetts Code Compliance Study.

Kathy Davis

Senior Research Associate
(609) 252-8008
kathy-davis@appriseinc.org

Kathy Davis has over nine years experience in small office management and marketing.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Apparel Marketing from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2001

Areas of Expertise
Project management, consumer marketing and staff development and training.

Recent Project Experience
Kathy is currently assisting with the LIHEAP Web-Based Data Collection Tool. She previously participated in survey research activities for the Connecticut Commercial and Industrial Market Study, the National Weatherization Assistance Program Evaluation, the New Jersey Comfort Partners Program Evaluation and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

Jim Devlin

Business Manager / Senior Research Associate
(609) 252-8013
jim-devlin@appriseinc.org

Education

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Trenton State College in 1977

Areas of Expertise
Project budgeting and administration, task management, questionnaire and forms design, spreadsheet design and manipulation, technical writing, and staff training.

Gianluca Bruzzese

Research Assistant
(609) 252-9009
Gianluca-Bruzzese@appriseinc.org

Gianluca Bruzzese has experience in customer service and policy research.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from John Cabot University in 2021

Recent Project Experience
Gianluca is currently assisting with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Heat Pump Pilot research.

Griffin Gude

Research Assistant
(609) 454-5094
Griffin-Gude@appriseinc.org

Griffin Gude has experience in teaching and customer service.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in East Asian Languages and Cultures from Florida State University in 2022

Recent Project Experience
Griffin is currently assisting with New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) surveys on industrial facilities energy usage, heat pumps, and residential audits.

Claire Michael

Research Assistant
(609) 252-9059
Claire-michael@appriseinc.org

Claire Michael has experience in health research, including interviewing, survey management, and sample management.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh in 2020

Recent Project Experience
Claire is currently assisting with New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) surveys on industrial facilities energy usage, heat pumps, and residential audits.

Teneesha Jenkins

Research Assistant
(609) 252-8011
Teneesha-Jenkins@appriseinc.org

Teneesha Jenkins has experience in data collection and data visualization.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics and Information Technology from Rutgers University in 2023

Recent Project Experience
Teneesha is currently assisting with New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) surveys on industrial facilities energy usage, heat pumps, and residential audits.