About Us
Mission Statement
Providing Oberlin With Efficiency Responsibly (POWER), founded in 2008, is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) grassroots environmental justice organization whose mission is to increase the energy efficiency of homes, small businesses, non-profit organizations, and churches in Oberlin, Ohio and the surrounding area.
Vision Statement
Creating a community of comfortable, affordable, and healthy homes.
POWER has helped over 400 homeowners weatherize and repair their homes to make them comfortable, affordable, and healthy.
POWER seeks to:
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Make low-income individuals more financially secure in the face of rising utility costs
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Improve the quality of life for Oberlin residents by creating a more comfortable home
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Reduce the amount of pollution and CO2 emitted by Oberlin housing and businesses
Resident Quote
“I thought financially I could not keep my home because the gas bills were so high … My latest gas bill was … less than half of what I was paying before, and I have been able to keep my home.”
- Owner of an insulated home in Oberlin
POWER Board of Directors
(2023 updates coming soon)
Board member
Peter Jensen
Peter is a data specialist in workforce development programs at Lorain County Community College, having previously served as POWER’s Program Administrator for two and a half years.
Board member
Rebecca Bandy
Rebecca is an Oberlin resident passionate about social justice and the environment. She is a mother to four homeschooled children, member of the city's RCRC Commission, and of the First Church Green Team. Rebecca is a fiber artist, and enjoys hiking and learning new languages.
Board member
Paul Brehm
Paul Brehm is jointly appointed in the Economics Department and Environmental Studies Program at Oberlin College. He teaches and researches in energy and environmental economics.
Board member
Margie Longsworth Flood
Margie grew up in Oberlin and after many years away is happy to be back in town, serving on the POWER Board and as Executive Director of Oberlin Community Services.
Board Chair
Ben Hobbs
Ben is the current Facility Manager and Community Outreach Coordinator for the Adam Joseph Lewis Center for Environmental Studies at Oberlin College.
Board member
Jeanne McKibben
Dr. Jeanne McKibben is retired from the healing art of medicine, now dedicated to healing our world. Jeanne previously served as liaison to POWER from the Zion CDC board. She also serves as OHC honorary trustee, member of Oberlin public library, the Green team at First Church and has solar panels on her roof.
Board member
Ralph Thompson
Ralph is the retired Executive Director of Pathways Counseling and Growth Center of Elyria. He loves cycling, landscaping and playing Pickleball.
Former member
Fred Bell
A long-time resident of Oberlin, Rev. Fred Bell is retired from a 27 year career in academic advising at Lorain County Community College, and serves as pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Oberlin.
Treasurer
Martin Buck
Board Secretary
Cindy Frantz
Cindy Frantz is a founding member of POWER and former Board Chair. She teaches social and environmental psychology at Oberlin College.
Former Vice Chair
Gene Matthews
Gene Matthews is retired from 40+ years in Facilities Management at both Oberlin College and Case Western Reserve University.
Former member
David Snyder
David is a retired mental health counselor, and was a founding board member of POWER in 2008.
Board member
Howard Washington