Utilities consulting

Elin Swanson Katz serves as Tilson's Managing Director, Energy Consulting and Associate General Counsel. As a senior member of Tilson's Consulting division, Elin brings new prospective and capacity to Tilson’s energy and utility consulting practice for both government and industry clients. Additionally, Elin provides regulatory support for Tilson’s legal team to help speed fiber and 5G deployments, as well as support merger and acquisition due diligence. Prior to joining Tilson, Elin served as Connecticut Consumer Counsel and head of the Connecticut State Broadband Office, where she represented the interests of utility consumers before the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority and other venues, including the Connecticut General Assembly. Prior to becoming Consumer Counsel, Elin practiced law in Hartford, Boston and Washington, D.C. and previously served as Assistant Counsel at the former state Department of Environmental Protection (now the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection). She was formerly Vice-Chair of the West Hartford Board of Education. Elin holds a law degree from Boston University, a B.S. from Cornell University and a master’s from Trinity College.

Chris Campbell is a Principal Consultant for Tilson. Since 2015, he has provided strategic consulting expertise to clients seeking to improve telecommunications infrastructure and services. At Tilson, Chris has worked with state and federal broadband programs, utilities, counties, municipalities and private investors. Chris joined Tilson with 20 years of experience in technology, public policy and community development. Prior to joining Tilson, Chris was the Executive Director of the Vermont Telecommunications Authority (VTA) for almost five years with a mission to to build new fiber networks and expand access to broadband and cellular service.  Previously, Chris served as Director for Telecommunications at the Vermont Department of Public Service, Assistant Chief Information Officer for the State of Vermont and oversaw American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) investments in broadband and smart grid for the State of Vermont during recovery during the Great Recession. He holds a B.A. in Economics and Environmental Studies from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in Regional Planning from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.

Well-versed in federal and state broadband initiatives, Lisa is a seasoned broadband consultant. Prior to joining Tilson, Lisa served as the Executive Director of Distance Minnesota, implementing online learning initiatives for 32 colleges in the Minnesota state system. Prior to that, she was Director of the National Digital Equity Center, providing communities at all levels the expertise to mobilize broadband technologies through digital inclusion, literacy efforts, infrastructure leveraging and stokehold engagement. Lisa also spent many years managing the state Connect Maine Authority (ConnectME), expanding broadband infrastructure through dedicated and federal funding initiatives and mandates. In this role, she created one of the nation’s first broadband planning grant programs to help communities realize the full benefit of broadband adoption. While at ConnectME, Lisa also acted at Maine’s State Point of Contact for the FirstNet federal initiative, which brings dedicated broadband resources to America’s first responder community. Lisa holds a Master’s of Public Administration from the University of Maine, and a B.S. from North Dakota State University.

Kristin Gazzo serves as the Project Manager for Tilson’s Utilities Consulting practice and is experienced in leading system and infrastructure projects. Skilled in organizing and executing high-visibility projects, Kristin is a seasoned consultant capable of strategizing big picture as well as developing detailed tactical plans. At Tilson, Kristin strives to serves a Utility’s project goals as well as perform business analysis, community outreach and stakeholder communication. She has a B.S. in Business Administration from University of Colorado at Denver and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

Drew Freme serves as a Consultant in Tilson’s Energy and Utilities practice and has experience working on infrastructure projects around the country with a strong focus on project finance. Prior to Tilson, Drew served as a Senior Advisor to the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services, where he was responsible for overseeing several strategic financial initiatives for the state, and as an aide to U.S. Senator Susan Collins focused on finance and economic policy. In addition to his public service, Drew also brings capital markets experience having worked for large institutional investors and in private debt. He holds a BA in economics and political science from St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia and an MBA in finance from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin.

Erin Teehan serves as Junior Broadband Consultant for Tilson’s Utilities Consulting practice. She specializes in business case analysis and financial analysis. At Tilson, Erin strives to achieve the Utility’s Team mission by performing project research and analyzing high level business cases. She has a B.S. in Business Administration from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.