Janae Niechel Acker
Brea
Summary
Energy efficiency and compliance leader with 15+ years of experience driving regulatory strategy, program management, and operational excellence within the utility sector. Proven track record of leading complex programs that strengthen controls, enhance quality, and deliver defensible, audit-ready results in highly regulated environments.
Expert in gap analysis, risk mitigation, and compliance oversight—translating regulatory requirements into scalable processes that improve performance, accountability, and program integrity. Trusted partner to regulatory, legal, and cross-functional teams to proactively identify risks, resolve compliance issues, and strengthen governance frameworks.
Data-driven and solutions-oriented, known for optimizing processes, elevating metrics, and implementing sustainable controls. Recognized for clear communication, stakeholder alignment, and delivering impactful outcomes that advance regulatory compliance and support meaningful energy efficiency initiatives for customers and communities.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Advisor, Advanced Energy Solutions
Southern California Edison (SCE)
Irwindale, CA
01.2025 - Current
- Directed regulatory strategy and compliance for high-visibility EE programs, authoring Advice Letters and data responses in partnership with Regulatory and Legal; secured Energy Division approval with zero modifications for SWITCH, reflecting best-in-class program design and regulatory alignment.
- Transformed underperforming AgEE portfolio from 4M kWh pipeline and off-track delivery to 130%+ target achievement, delivering $30M–$34M+ TSB and 61–94 GWh in verified savings through disciplined execution, pipeline optimization, and stakeholder alignment.
- Executed multiple AgEE contract amendments (Amendments 02–03) to restore funding, realign performance metrics enabling sustained overperformance and long-term portfolio stability.
- Led end-to-end development and accelerated launch of the SWITCH program, aligning cross-functional teams under aggressive timelines to deliver customer relief for wildfire-impacted communities while maintaining strict regulatory, complance and operational readiness standards.
- Drove enterprise-wide stakeholder alignment across Regulatory, Legal, CX, IT/Systems, QA/QC, O&A, and external implementers; established governance forums and execution cadence that improved decision velocity, forecast accuracy, and on-time milestone delivery.
- Advanced enterprise process and system transformation as a key lead in iEnergy Deemed Workstream 2.0, enhancing workflow efficiency, scalability, data quality, and customer experience through platform, process, and notification improvements.
- Influenced executive decision-making and secured approvals through targeted leadership briefings, risk/mitigation reporting, and All-Hands presentations; recognized by senior leadership for delivering high-impact, scalable program outcomes.
- Strengthened external trust and program adoption by representing SCE in Altadena CAP and Town Council engagements, translating complex program requirements into clear, community-focused messaging to support equitable customer participation.
Operations Supervisor
Next Level Energy Management Systems
Whittier, CA
05.2024 - 12.2024
- Led Building Automation Solution operations across 800K sq. ft. portfolio, stabilizing performance and achieving ~98% system uptime within first 6 months
- Delivered 8–12% energy savings through HVAC schedule optimization, setpoint tuning, and control sequence improvements
- Supervised 5 technicians, improving service response times by 15% and enhancing first-time fix rates
- Reduced repeat service calls by ~15% by establishing preventive maintenance routines and improving alarm prioritization
- Resolved 40+ BAS/HVAC issues, minimizing occupant disruption while maintaining comfort and operational reliability
- Served as primary customer contact, improving satisfaction through faster issue resolution and proactive communication
Senior Manager, Business Operations
Therma (acquired by A.O. Reed-Role Impacted Due To Reduction in Force)
Irwindale, CA
04.2019 - 04.2024
- Directed end-to-end business operations for a $150M+ mechanical contracting portfolio, improving project delivery timelines by 10% and increasing on-time completion rates to 90%+.
- Directly managed a staff of 10. In addition led cross-functional teams (operations, estimating, field engineering, and procurement) to streamline workflows, resulting in a 15% reduction in project cycle time and $1.0M in annual cost savings.
- Implemented standardized project controls and KPI dashboards, enhancing visibility into cost, schedule, and risk—reducing budget variances by 3-5% year-over-year.
- Negotiated vendor and supplier contracts, achieving 5–10% cost reductions across key materials (HVAC, piping, and sheet metal) while maintaining quality and delivery standards.
- Spearheaded digital transformation initiatives (ERP and project management systems), increasing operational efficiency by 25% and improving data accuracy for forecasting and reporting.
- Optimized workforce planning across 100+ field and office staff, reducing labor overruns by 20% and increasing field productivity by 15%.
- Oversaw financial performance, including budgeting, forecasting, and margin optimization, increasing gross margins by 4–6 percentage points across major projects.
- Developed client relationship and account management strategies, increasing repeat business and improving customer satisfaction scores by 10%.
Advisor, Strategy & Operational Performance
Southern California Edison (SCE)
Rosemead, CA
05.2017 - 04.2019
- Drove strategy and operational performance for enterprise safety and Thomas wildfire-related initiatives by establishing KPI tracking, workstream governance, and executive reporting across complex cross-functional programs.
- Built leadership-ready dashboards and status updates for leading and lagging indicators, improving visibility into safety observations, high-hazard trends, incidents, corrective actions, and operational risk.
- Coordinated stakeholders across regulatory, legal, operations, systems, digital, QA/QC, and communications to align priorities, manage dependencies, and keep high-visibility initiatives on track.
- Strengthened execution discipline through milestone tracking, risk escalation, and workstream reporting that enabled faster decisions, clearer accountability, and more consistent delivery against strategic objectives.
Project Manager, Strategic Solutions
Southern California Edison (SCE)
Irwindale, CA
06.2015 - 05.2017
- Developed and implemented strategic program frameworks aligned with CPUC regulatory requirements, ensuring compliance while accelerating approvals (e.g., Advice Letters, program amendments).
- Optimized portfolio performance through data-driven planning, forecasting, and KPI tracking, improving cost-effectiveness and enabling early achievement of multi-year program goals aligned with statewide energy strategy.
- Led enterprise-wide stakeholder engagement (internal leadership, regulators, and external implementers), driving consensus and advancing high-impact initiatives across regulatory, operations, and customer solutions teams.
- Designed and improved operational processes (budget planning, contract management, performance tracking), reducing administrative burden and increasing program execution efficiency.
- Played a key leadership role in transitioning programs toward integrated, outcome-driven portfolio models, supporting electrification, affordability, and grid-responsive energy solutions ex. Port of Long Beach, Tribal Power Purchase Agreement.
- Recognized for strategic thinking and execution excellence, combining portfolio management, regulatory strategy, and operational leadership to deliver measurable customer and business outcomes.
Energy Efficiency Technical Specialist II
Southern California Edison (SCE)
Irwindale, CA
01.2014 - 06.2015
- Reviewed and approved 50+ SBD projects annually, verifying energy models achieving 10% above Title 24, enabling over $1.2M+ in incentives.
- Influenced commercial new construction projects, driving adoption of high-efficiency HVAC, lighting, and envelope measures across 50+ buildings.
- Reduced project review cycle time from 30 to 18 days (40% faster) by streamlining technical review workflows and standardizing modeling assumptions.
- Maintained 97% incentive approval rate across 50+ applications, ensuring full compliance with CPUC and program requirements.
- Served as SME on emerging technologies, supporting projects that achieved 15% portfolio-wide efficiency improvements and accelerated adoption of advanced design solutions.
Account Executive
Johnson Controls
Cypress, CA
02.2012 - 12.2013
- Doubled service sales revenue from $2M to $4M within 12 months.
- Generated new business through strategic prospecting, relationship management, and customized solutions.
- Consistently exceeded sales targets across service and retrofit HVAC energy efficiency offerings.
- Leveraged Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools to track pipeline performance and optimize sales strategy.
Account Executive
Siemens
Cypress, CA
10.2008 - 02.2012
- Grew territory revenue from $1M to $5M (5x growth) with ~50% YoY increase.
- Consistently exceeded sales targets through new business development and account expansion.
- Strengthened client relationships, driving repeat business and upsell opportunities.
- Produced performance analyses to guide strategic sales planning.
Education
Master of Science - Business and Organizational Management
University of La Verne
La Verne, CA01-2012
Bachelor of Arts - Communications (Public Relations)
California State University, Fullerton
Fullerton, CA01-2009
Skills
- EE Program Strategy, Design & Delivery
- Regulatory Compliance & CPUC Alignment
- Portfolio Performance Management
- Stakeholder & Implementer Coordination
- Risk Management & Issue Resolution
- Data Analysis & Reporting (TSB, TRC, KPIs)
- Cross-Functional Leadership & Alignment
- Customer-Centric Program Development
Certification
California State University, Sacramento - Contract Management Certification (2015)
Timeline
Advisor, Advanced Energy Solutions
Southern California Edison (SCE)
01.2025 - Current
Operations Supervisor
Next Level Energy Management Systems
05.2024 - 12.2024
Senior Manager, Business Operations
Therma (acquired by A.O. Reed-Role Impacted Due To Reduction in Force)
04.2019 - 04.2024
Advisor, Strategy & Operational Performance
Southern California Edison (SCE)
05.2017 - 04.2019
Project Manager, Strategic Solutions
Southern California Edison (SCE)
06.2015 - 05.2017
Energy Efficiency Technical Specialist II
Southern California Edison (SCE)
01.2014 - 06.2015
Account Executive
Johnson Controls
02.2012 - 12.2013
Account Executive
Siemens
10.2008 - 02.2012
Master of Science - Business and Organizational Management
University of La Verne
Bachelor of Arts - Communications (Public Relations)
California State University, Fullerton
SCE Business Resource Groups
S.A.F.E. 24/7 - Chief of Staff
Safety Ambassador promoting a strong, proactive safety culture—both at work and beyond.
- Season of service volunteer 2025 &2026
- SCE company picnic/lineman's rodeo volunteer 2025 & 2026
Networkers Professional Development & Advancement Ladder Leadership Program - 2025 Cohort #9 Graduate
Women's Roundtable - Member 2025 & 2026
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer: Jill Anderson's Book Club - Member 2025 & 2026