Robert McManmon joined the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) as the operations supervisor. He oversees the offices’ budget, human relations, operations, and communications functions.

Rob joined SETO in 2022 and brings 12 years of program management experience at DOE. With the Chief Financial Officer, he played a key role in the implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. He supported the DOE Office of Policy and International Affairs and Office of Management and Budget’s Performance Improvement Council. At the Energy Information Administration, Rob established and matured a Project Management Office that was recognized in a case study by the Project Management Institute. He also worked in the private sector in public affairs and government relations.

Rob holds a B.A. in political science from Washington University in St. Louis, a Master of Public Policy from George Washington University, and maintains several project management and contracting certifications.

Yaser Ahmed joined the Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) in January 2024 as a budget analyst on the operations team. He has been with the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) since December 2015 and has played a key role in various product and process improvement initiatives. Prior to joining SETO, Yaser was a product owner for the Knowledge Management and Systems Office, where he designed and developed business intelligence reporting products for EERE leadership.  

Yaser holds a master’s degree in international affairs and economics from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. 

Company: Redhorse Corporation

Jamal Ferguson is the executive assistant to the director of the Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) in the office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). He provides logistical and administrative support to SETO senior leadership staff and also serves as a liaison to the EERE front office. Before joining SETO, his tenure at DOE in the Office of Policy and International started in 2015. Jamal’s public service career began in Prince George’s County, Maryland at the Department of Social Services in 2012.

Jamal holds dual bachelor's degrees in business administration and international marketing from Delaware State University.

Company: Redhorse Corporation

Yuliya Korzh joined the Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) operations team in May 2022, where she supports the Workforce and Equitable Access team and manages AOP, SIMS, and onboarding/offboarding processes. Prior to that, Yuliya worked in the Office of the Under Secretary for Science and Innovation since March 2021, as an executive assistant/task leader project manager to the Under Secretary for Science and Innovation and her chief of staff. Yuliya was detailed from the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), where she supported the Assistant Secretary and his chief of staff as a scheduler and program specialist.

Earlier, Yuliya worked at the World Bank as a program assistant to the Director of Macroeconomics and Fiscal Management Global Practice. Yuliya joined the Energy Department in 2015 as a contractor in the Office of Electricity, where she supported the Deputy Assistant Secretary for R&D and the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Corporate Business Operations as an executive assistant. Yuliya also worked in the accounting department at ICF International, while working on her M.A. program at George Mason University.

Yuliya holds a B.A. in global affairs and an M.A. in international commerce and policy from George Mason University. In addition, Yuliya received a Certificate in “Britain, the EU, and the Challenge of Globalization” from Oxford University, where she attended a study-abroad summer program in 2013.

Company: Redhorse Corporation  

Kayla Lanier joined the Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) operations team in December 2023 as a senior operations specialist. Kayla is an eight-year United States Air Force Veteran, with experience serving overseas in South Korea and on special duty as a First Helicopter Squadron Mission Controller at Andrews Air Force Base. Following the military, Kayla gained several years of experience from various agencies within the U.S. Department of Defense, including the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Defense Health Agency, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. She possesses strong administrative and analytical skills, learns quickly, and is a self-starter.   

Kayla holds an A.S in emergency management from the Community College of the Air Force, and a B.S. in healthcare management from Park University. In her free time she enjoys teaching dance, mentoring, and spending time with her goldendoodle. 

Company: The Building People  

Candace Thomas joined the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) in August 2023. As a member of the operations team, Candace supports the Photovoltaics (PV), Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power (CSP), and Strategic Analysis and Institutional Support (SAIS) teams, as well as manages the onboarding and offboarding of staff. She is a seasoned human resource (HR) professional and administrative leader offering a breadth of experience managing complex operational and workforce activities to uphold organizational values and success. Candace possesses a strong attention to detail and keen eye for continuous improvement pivotal to maintaining business continuity while driving growth. Candace's background includes a robust history collaborating with HR and business teams to fortify core functions in recruitment, contracts, compliance, and development. Candace excels at maintaining transparency and compliance through superior communications and negotiations skills as a recognized thought leader and change advocate.  

Candace holds a B.S. in business administration with HR management from Trinity Washington University. 

Dawn Washelesky joined the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) in November 2015 and is a program communications specialist. She supports both the communications and operations teams, as well as senior leadership. Her role is focused on external and internal communication strategies in line with the advancement of clean energy technologies. This involves responsibilities in graphic design, stakeholder engagement, event and website management, and written communications across diverse mediums. Dawn also contributes to SETO's strategic planning and operational efforts.  

Prior to joining DOE, Dawn was the creative manager for two Software as a Service (SaaS) companies that served the nonprofit community globally and locally in Washington, D.C.  

Dawn holds a B.A. in graphic design from the University of WI – Milwaukee. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, four children (including a lucky set of twins), and border collie, exploring the D.C. metro area. 

Company: The Building People

Mianka Wilkins is a Senior Operations Specialist for the Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) in the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. She provides logistical, analysis, and administrative support to the SETO office and primarily supports the Manufacturing and Competitiveness (M&C) team. Additionally, Mianka joins SETO with several years of experience from the public and private sectors, with her most recent role as a federal employee with United States Secret Service in the Office of Presidential Protection where she managed over $40 million in property and various administrative tasks.

Mianka holds an A.A. in hospitality management from Morgan State University.