Jeff Danielson Named Notable Military Veteran
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ST. PAUL, MINN. (October 8, 2024) – Clean Grid Alliance (CGA) Vice President of Advocacy, Jeff Danielson, was selected as a 2024 Notable Military Veteran Executive in the Twin Cities Business October/November issue.
"We are enormously proud of Jeff and thankful for his service to this great nation," said CGA Executive Director Beth Soholt.
"I am honored to have been nominated and selected to receive this recognition," said Jeff Danielson, CGA Vice President, Advocacy. "It has been my great pleasure to serve my country and to now serve the members of CGA through advocacy. Energy policy is extremely important to the future of this country, and I'm proud to be part of the transition to an economy powered by clean, affordable energy."
In the Midwest, approximately 11 percent of clean energy workers were veterans?in 2022.
Jeff served in the United States Navy as an Electronics Warfare Technician 2nd Class (Surface Warfare). As a Gulf War era veteran, he received the Armed Forces Expeditionary, Good Conduct, and Southeast Asia Service medals.
Jeff served four terms as a State Senator in Iowa and is a retired career firefighter. Prior to serving in the Iowa Senate, Jeff was a gubernatorial appointee to the Iowa Department of Transportation Commission and a mayoral appointee to the Waterloo, IA Planning and Zoning Commission.
"Since Jeff joined Clean Grid Alliance (CGA) in 2022, he has led the state policy and advocacy team to new heights by encouraging their personal and professional development," said Soholt. "Under his leadership, significant, far-reaching legislation has been passed in Minnesota, including the 100% Clean Energy by 2040 Act in 2023, and the historic Permitting Reform bill in 2024. Both bills are nation-leading public policy and best practices to move Minnesota forward in capturing the benefits of developing new clean energy projects for communities, providing good-paying jobs, and delivering carbon-free electricity for all Minnesotans."
Jeff spearheaded the formation of CGA's 501(c)(6) trade organization, which enables greater advocacy of the business case for clean energy in the Midwest. His business development efforts have increased CGA's membership by 11 percent. In a short time, Jeff has become a trusted leader and provided much additional value for CGA's membership.
Jeff earned his Master of Public Policy and BA in Public Administration (summa cum laude) from the University of Northern Iowa, where he also taught as an adjunct professor in the policy program. He serves on the Board of Directors of Tate's Army, a nonprofit organization dedicated to education and advocacy for lawn mower and machinery safety for kids. Jeff was a fire fighter responding to Tate's accident and wants to help other families and prevent future accidents through education and advocacy.
# # #
Clean Grid Alliance (CGA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in St. Paul, Minn., whose mission is to advance renewable energy in the Midwest. CGA has been an active stakeholder in the MISO process at the state and regional levels and a leading organization working on transforming state energy policy. CGA's membership includes industry representatives working in wind, solar and storage as well as environmental nonprofit organizations, public interest groups, clean energy advocates, farm groups, and businesses providing goods and services to the clean energy industry who come together to reduce carbon and deliver a clean energy future.