NCSL Staff Directory

As an associate director in NCSL’s Environment, Energy and Transportation Program, Kim Tyrrell leads a team of environmental policy experts and uses her expertise to support research and policy insight on air and water quality, climate resilience, waste management and other issues. Tyrrell also manages a Department of Energy program that facilitates cooperation among federal, state and tribal governments on a number of energy and environmental issues. She served two terms on Colorado’s Pollution Prevention Advisory Board, worked at the state and national levels on a variety of environmental policy issues and played a key role in the development of the Colorado Electric Vehicle and Infrastructure Readiness Plan. She has her MBA from the University of Denver and is a LEED Accredited Professional. 

In her role as senior program coordinator, Melanie Horton supports NCSL's Environment Program as well as several state and tribal working groups, which NCSL supports through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy. Horton has nearly 15 years of experience providing administrative and program support to mission-driven organizations in both the public and private sectors. She earned her bachelor’s degree in media studies from the University of Southern Maine in 2006 and her master’s degree in environmental leadership from Naropa University in 2011. 

Philene Taormina leads a team of energy analysts who specialize in state and federal energy policy and legislative, statutory and regulatory research. The team delivers energy policy expertise and nonpartisan research and analysis for state legislators, legislative staff and stakeholders. Taormina holds a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and has more than 25 years of experience working with federal and state policymakers and cultivating public policy.

Sarah Chavez is a dedicated program coordinator with NCSL's Energy team. With more than a decade of experience in hospitality, event planning and administration support, she has honed her skills while working for esteemed law firms and nonprofit organizations in Denver and New York City. Chavez is deeply committed to NCSL's mission, finding fulfillment in contributing to an organization dedicated to enhancing the legislative institution through education and research.

As a tribal working group specialist, Tansey Moore provides staff lead support to the Nuclear Energy Tribal Working Group by planning and facilitating meetings to address nuclear energy issues as it relates to tribal nations. Moore has more than 20 years of experience working with tribal nations on a variety of issues such as environmental impacts and tribal-state relations. Moore is dedicated to bridging communication between tribes, federal agencies and states.