Marin Clean Energy Names Acting CEO During Executive Leave

## MCE Navigates Leadership Transition Amidst Growing Scrutiny

This blog post digs into the recent leadership shakeup at Marin Clean Energy (MCE) and the ongoing chatter about how the organization handles its operations and finances. After a period of mounting scrutiny, MCE’s longtime CEO, Dawn Weisz, is on leave.

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Chief Operating Officer Vicken Kasarjian has stepped up as acting chief executive. The transition feels a bit murky, and it’s sparked a lot of conversation throughout Marin County, from Sausalito to Novato and all over the North Bay.

### A Shift in Leadership for MCE

Marin Clean Energy, which serves a ton of Marin County residents and businesses, just announced a major change in leadership. If you’ve followed MCE’s story from Tiburon to Mill Valley, you might find this pretty surprising.

Vicken Kasarjian is now the acting CEO, filling in while Dawn Weisz takes an undisclosed leave of absence. The details about Weisz’s leave are private, but she has said it’s related to a car accident.

The agency hasn’t shared anything more, and a spokesperson wouldn’t comment further. It’s understandable to want privacy, but this lack of detail has made people in the community even more curious and eager for answers.

Table of Contents

Internal Deliberations and Performance Review

The MCE board of directors has been deep in discussions about Weisz’s time as CEO. Board members reportedly spent a long closed session talking over her performance.

Afterward, the board chair said there were “no reportable actions” taken. Still, the time and focus spent on these talks show how seriously the board is treating the situation.

This review comes at a time when MCE’s management is under a brighter spotlight than usual, especially around transparency and procurement practices. Some Marin directors and local environmental advocates have raised these concerns and want to make sure the region’s clean energy efforts stay on track.

People are talking about it not just in city halls like Larkspur and San Rafael, but also in community forums and stakeholder meetings.

Allegations and MCE’s Response

In late April, MCE revealed that CEO Dawn Weisz had been overpaid by $60,000 in 2024. She returned the money after an internal review flagged it as a one-off mistake.

Even so, this disclosure has become a lightning rod for critics who have brought up broader claims about how MCE operates.

Some of the allegations floating around include:

Overstating the clean energy content of its offerings.
Overpaying for market credits meant to support carbon-free claims.
Underreporting its reliance on natural gas generation.
Not addressing these big issues openly with the public and stakeholders in Sonoma, Napa, and Marin counties.

Earlier this year, MCE pulled back a “100% fossil free” claim in response to concerns. The board has also set up a permanent finance committee and started a full governance review.

This move shows MCE wants to address feedback and keep its operations in line with the values of environmental advocates in places like Belvedere and Kentfield.

Commitment to Governance and Future Direction

You can see MCE’s commitment to better governance in the way they’re working to strengthen internal controls. In the past, people raised concerns about multimillion-dollar contracts getting signed without the board’s approval.

MCE is determined to fix that. This push for tighter oversight really matters, especially for an organization playing such a big part in Marin’s sustainable future.

Right now, an ad hoc committee is busy vetting consultants for a governance review. They’ll start by looking at how the board and its committees are set up, hoping to make decision-making clearer and more effective.

If all goes as planned, they’ll present a proposed contract for the consulting services in June. That should move MCE another step closer to real accountability and transparency, whether you’re out in West Marin or down by the Novato shoreline.

Here is the source article for this story: MCE appoints acting leader with chief executive on leave

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Joe Harris is the founder of MarinCountyVisitor.com, a comprehensive online resource inspired by his passion for Marin County's natural beauty, diverse communities, and rich cultural offerings. Combining his love for exploration with his intimate local knowledge, Joe curates an authentic guide to the area featuring guides on Marin County Cities, Things to Do, and Places to Stay. Follow Joe on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.