Nick Hylla, Executive Director, Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA)

As the Executive Director of the MREA, Nick Hylla leads the organization’s strategic planning, manages the budget and finances, and serves as the staff representative on the MREA Board of Directors.  He is currently the Priniciple Investigator on two US Dept. of Energy awards through the SunShot Initiative working to grow solar photovoltaic (PV) markets in the Midwestern US as part of the Grow Solar Partnership and the Solar University Network.  He has also led the MREA's regional instructor training efforts as part of the Solar Instructor Training Network.

Over the past ten years, Nick has worked for the Charles Darwin Foundation, the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education, and the Wisconsin Forest Resources Education Alliance developing and managing adult educational programs. He is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, has a MS degree in Natural Resource Management from the UW-Stevens Point, and is active in the local food movement as a founder and board member of the non-profit educational organization Farmshed. 

Nick spends his free time with his family, mostly cooking, eating, playing outside, and laughing.