Jeremy Caron
City of Des Moines (Des Moines, IA)

As Sustainability Program Manager for the City of Des Moines, Jeremy leads the development and implementation of the City’s climate action and adaptation plan, ADAPT DSM and sustainability strategies, programs, initiatives. Working closely with elected leadership, management, and staff, he works across the organization to identify risks, quantify impacts, and harness opportunities to reduce emissions and build a stronger, more equitable and vibrant community. Energy efficiency and clean energy play an important role in meeting the City’s ambitious goals to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and 100% communitywide 24/7 carbon free electricity by 2035. The Sustainability Office works closely with other City departments to reduce energy use in city facilities, operations, and fleet vehicles, while providing education, support, and incentives to the private sector, community-based organizations, and the public.

Prior to his work with the City of Des Moines, Jeremy was the Director of Energy Services at the Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities (IAMU) where he worked with municipal utilities throughout Iowa to develop, implement and improve energy efficiency, demand response, distributed generation, and electric vehicle programs and resources. Before moving to Iowa, Jeremy worked for the Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance, where he managed $90 million worth of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects at state facilities including universities, courthouses, and prisons. He also helped lead statewide hazard mitigation and climate adaptation master planning efforts to prepare state agencies to address natural hazards amplified by climate change, ensuring continuity of services to the public.

Jeremy holds a Masters in Design Studies - Sustainable Design from Boston Architectural College and received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of New England with a focus on Environmental Studies and International Relations. He also holds an associate's degree from Southern Maine Community College in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Building Construction Technology.

In his spare time Jeremy also serves as a Board member of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Iowa Market Leadership and Advisory Board and as Vice President of the Central Iowa Trails Association board. He’s also an active Alpine Patroller with the National Ski Patrol and is thoroughly enjoying introducing his 1-year-old daughter to the fascinating world around her.