The following are confirmed presenters for the NASEO 2021 Annual Meeting:

Denise Abdul-Rahman
Regional Field Organizer for the Midwest and Plain States, Climate Justice Program, NAACP (Live-Stream)

Denise Abdul-Rahman is the Midwest and Plain States Regional Field Organizer for the National NAACP Environmental Climate Justice Program (ECJP). 

She holds a BS in management, MBA in healthcare management, and a health informatics designation from Indiana University School of Informatics and is a Black Women Foreign War Veteran of Desert Storm

Abdul-Rahman leads the support for building rooftop and community-owned solar,  energy efficiency projects; Just Transportation and Equitable Goods Movement, models the Black Green Pipeline initiative, and provides equity and inclusion clean energy policy language that ramps minority business enterprises, fair chance, and geographic imperatives. 

Abdul-Rahman's most recent honors and recognition are Community Service Award 2021, NAACP Medgar Evers Nominee 2021, Vote Solar Dr. Espanola Jackson Award 2020, Faith-Based Rev. Mozel Sanders Drum Major for Humanities Award 2020, Indiana University Robert McKinney School of Law Environmental Protector Award 2019, and the NAACP Indiana Hazel B. Hunter Award 2019. 

Abdul-Rahman serves the Environmental Resilience Institute Advisory Board and is the Vice President of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association Board. She has served in many other capacities, such as a Delegate to Paris COP 21 and a Delegate to Global Climate Action Summit.

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David Althoff Jr.
Director, Energy Programs Office, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

David has worked for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for over 27years.   David’s office, the Energy Programs Office, is involved in supporting, designing and implementing energy focused programs to encourage the development and deployment of energy efficiency and alternative energy projects in Pennsylvania.  The Energy Program’s Office’s mission is to support energy activities which result in environmental improvements including  mitigating the effects of and adapting to climate change.

During his career with DEP, David has led the development and implementation of several significant energy incentive programs including deployment of $125 Million of American Recovery and Reinvestment Stimulus funds, the $100 million Pennsylvania Sunshine Program, a $20 million Program focusing on encouraging natural gas use in on-road heavy duty vehicle fleets and a $15 million Green Energy Revolving Loan Fund.

David and his staff lead the very popular Pennsylvania Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Programs distributing nearly $5 Million annually to support alternative fuel use in the transportation sector in Pennsylvania.  In addition, Dave and a few key staff persons have spent the last two years developing Pennsylvania’s Electric Vehicle Roadmap and creating an EV focused stakeholder group, the Drive Electric Pennsylvania Coalition.  David is also the acting Executive Director for the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority and is currently working on behalf of PEDA to develop a Pennsylvania Green Bank Partnership.

Dave is a life-long Pennsylvanian, a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and lives in Hummelstown, PA.

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Beth Andrews
Vice President, Global Capital Markets, Wilmington Trust

Beth is  the Unit Leader for the large and complex transactions team in the Global Capital Markets Group  in Institutional Client Services. Beth managed the MLC GUC Trust and is responsible for the team administering the other relationships in  the group:  VW Environmental Mitigation Trust; SoCal Gas Emissions Mitigation Fund, among others.

Beth joined Wilmington Trust in 2012 and has over three decades of experience in the capital markets sector.  Beth’s career began with a 12 year-tenure at Morgan Guaranty in the Corporate Trust division. She then worked for The Bank of New York  and Citibank as a relationship manager in the broker/dealer clearing groups.  Most recently she worked at JPMorgan in the product management area of the custody group and then as a relationship manager in the securities lending group.

Beth holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Wheaton College in Norton, MA.

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Dr. Sumesh Arora
Director, Energy and Natural Resources Division, Mississippi Development Authority

Dr. Sumesh Arora is the director of the Energy & Natural Resources Division of the Mississippi Development Authority which is the state energy office.  Since assuming this position in November 2016, Sumesh has reorganized this office to focus on four areas: energy efficiency programs, energy education and workforce development, energy projects and policy development, and energy data and security.

Previously, Sumesh served as vice president of Innovate Mississippi, director of the Strategic Biomass Solutions, and the Energy-Economy-Environment (E3) program manager for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership of Mississippi.  He has led programs in cleantech commercialization, combined heat and power, innovation strategy development, STEM education, and technology-based entrepreneurship.  Prior to that, he worked for 13 years as a researcher and product development engineer in the chemical fertilizer industry.

Sumesh is the co-inventor of a patented technology to convert poultry litter into bioenergy and testified before the United States Senate in 2014 to lend support for advanced biofuels technologies.  He has over 125 presentations and publications including two book chapters.  Sumesh received his PhD in international development from the University of Southern Mississippi and his BS and MS degrees in engineering from the University of Central Florida.

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Shalanda H. Baker
Secretarial Advisor on Equity; Deputy Director for Energy Justice, Office of Economic Impact and Diversity, U.S. Department of Energy

Shalanda H. Baker was mostly recently a professor of law, public policy, and urban affairs at Northeastern University. She was the co-founder and co-director of the Initiative for Energy Justice, which provides technical law and policy support to communities on the front lines of climate change. Baker served as an Air Force officer prior to her honorable discharge pursuant to the then existing “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy, and became a vocal advocate for repeal of the policy. She earned a B.S. in Political Science from the U.S. Air Force Academy, a J.D. from Northeastern University, and L.L.M. from the University of Wisconsin.

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Elizabeth Beardsley
Senior Policy Counsel, U.S. Green Building Council


Sam Belknap
Senior Community Development Officer, Island Institute


Janine Benner
Director, Oregon Department of Energy

Janine Benner is the director of the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE). Janine joined ODOE in 2017 as assistant director for Planning and Innovation and was confirmed by the Oregon Senate as director in February of 2018. Janine came to ODOE from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), where she served as associate assistant secretary in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and deputy assistant secretary in the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs. Janine also spent 12 years working for Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), as energy and environmental policy advisor, legislative director, and deputy chief of staff. She grew up in Portland, OR and has a degree in history from Princeton University..

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Michael Berube
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy

Michael lead’s DOE’s transportation RDD&D team focused decarbonizing the transportation sector, from cars to heavy trucks to airplanes.  This includes vehicles, batteries, hydrogen fuel cells and bioenergy as well as how EVs and Hydrogen can help support the transition to a clean energy grid.  He created DOE’s Mobility research program (EEMS) focused on new mobility solutions, including connected & automated vehicles, transit, ecommerce and ride-sharing. He has over 20 years of experience as a senior executive in the automobile industry.  He has worked closely across the government with US DOT and EPA over his career.

I left the private sector and joined government because I believe in public service and I also believe that we will not achieve our ambitious goals without harnessing the power of the private sector, guided by smart public policy.

 

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David Bobzien
Director, Nevada Governor’s Office of Energy

David Bobzien serves as the Director of the Nevada Governor’s Office of Energy for Governor Steve Sisolak. Mr. Bobzien holds a B.A. in Government and Politics from George Mason University, and a Masters of Public Administration, natural resources and public lands policy emphasis, from Boise State University. He is currently the chair of the Western Interstate Energy Board.

David Bobzien served as the At-Large Council Member for the City of Reno City from 2014 to 2019 where he worked on climate planning and energy efficiency. Previously, Mr. Bobzien served four terms (2006-2014) as an Assemblyman representing District 24 in the Nevada Legislature and worked on clean energy policy including net metering, renewable incentives programs, energy efficiency, the renewable portfolio standard and coal generation retirement.

Mr. Bobzien lives in northwest Reno with his wife Julie, twin sons Luca and Finnegan, daughter Carly, and son David. David enjoys just about anything involving time spent outdoors, including running, backpacking, hunting and fly fishing.

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Ben Bolton
Senior Energy Programs Administrator, Office of Energy Programs, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation

Mr. Bolton serves as the Primary Emergency Services Coordinator for Energy for the State of Tennessee.  In his role as helps administer the Tennessee Office of Energy Programs activities related to energy security/assurance, critical infrastructure, & energy policy. In 2018, Mr. Bolton was selected as co-chair of the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) Energy Security Committee & serves on the FEMA's Mitigation Framework Leadership Group. Originally from Mule Capital of the World – Columbia, Tennessee, he has a B.A. in English and B.S. in biology from Birmingham-Southern College. 

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Joshua Broder
Chief Executive Officer, Tilson Technologies

Joshua Broder serves as CEO of Tilson, which under his leadership, has grown from less than 10 employees to over 550, earning a top spot on the Inc. 5000 list for the past eleven years. He is also the founder of Tilson’s public utility affiliate, which develops, owns, and leases back 5G infrastructure including poles, towers, dark fiber and neutral host indoor and outdoor wireless networks nationwide. Josh cut his teeth in leadership as an Army Signal Officer on missions in Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia, where he was awarded the Bronze Star for service in Afghanistan designing, building and operating the communications network for US forces. Josh holds a bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College and is a graduate of AT&T’s Operation Hand Salute at JFK University with a certificate in entrepreneurial studies. Josh is currently serving a gubernatorial appointment as the co-chair of Maine’s economic recovery committee, is on the board of Versant Power, VETRO Fibermap, Kleinschmidt associates, and Skowhegan Savings Bank.

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Michael Brown
Senior Managing Consultant, Building Technologies, ICF

Michael is a project manager with ICF, where he supports energy efficiency policy development and implementation for federal, state, local, and utility clients. Michael has supported the U.S. EPA’s ENERGY STAR Certified Homes program since 2012. Michael has also previously worked helping the U.S. DOE develop energy conservation standards and test procedures for appliances and equipment.

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Dan Burgess
Director, Maine Governor's Energy Office

Dan Burgess, was appointed as the Director of the Maine Governor’s Energy Office by Governor Janet Mills in March of 2019. Governor Mills has set an ambitious climate and clean energy agenda, including the recent signing of legislation that requires emissions reductions of 45% by 2030 and 80% by 2050 and increases Maine’s Renewable Portfolio Standards to 80% by 2030. Prior to his return to his home state of Maine, Burgess spent eight years working in leadership roles at the Massachusetts at the Department of Energy Resources and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Burgess has a business degree from the University of Maine Orono and a masters in Public Administration from Northeastern University.

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Jason Burwen
Interim Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Energy Storage Association

Jason Burwen is the Interim CEO of the U.S. Energy Storage Association. He has been with ESA since 2015, mostly recently as Vice President of Policy. Previously, Jason was the Associate Director for Energy Innovation at the Bipartisan Policy Center, where he directed research and advocacy on U.S. energy R&D and tax policy. He also served as staff director of the American Energy Innovation Council, a group of CEOs led by Bill Gates to advocate for greater U.S. federal investments in clean energy technology development. Jason has also consulted to utilities on demand response program design and evaluation for FSC Group (acquired by Nexant) and reviewed renewable energy procurement processes and trends for the California Public Utilities Commission.

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Dr. Thomas Butcher
Chief Scientist, National Oilheat Research Alliance Research Laboratory


Stephen Callahan
Executive Vice President, Grid Modernization and Chief Marketing Officer, GridBright

Stephen J. Callahan is Executive Vice President for Grid Modernization and Chief Marketing Officer at GridBright, Inc (https://gridbright.com/). His Utility Industry experience spans forty years in industry management and consulting. He has led the creation of business and technology strategy and implementation of complex processes and systems for several top global utilities spanning the areas of T&D, network operations, Smart Grid, customer operations, finance, and telecommunications networks. Mr. Callahan is a GridWise Alliance (GWA) Board Member Emeritus and DistribuTECH Advisory Committee member. In addition, he is a frequent contributor to industry conferences and publications focusing on electric utility industry transformation.

Prior to his current position, Mr. Callahan was Vice President of Global Strategy and Solutions for the Energy, Environment & Utilities (EE&U) industry within IBM and a member of IBM’s Industry Academy. He was IBM’s global executive driving IBM’s EE&U industry growth strategy.  He led the creation of IBM’s point of view and managed solution and offering development, large deal sales support, ecosystem partner relationships, policy, eminence, and thought leadership across all IBM business units. Prior to his global role, Mr. Callahan was a Partner for Coopers & Lybrand, PwC, and IBM (via successive acquisitions) for fifteen years focused on electric utility restructuring and industry business and technology strategy. He has led numerous large, complex process and system implementations.  Steve was the lead partner for implementing the California ISO and the lead US partner for the IMO in the Provence of Ontario, Canada. He led the creation of the Utility e-procurement consortium Pantellos.  Mr. Callahan was a pioneer in the large-scale deployment of AMI technology. As Account Partner, he led several large system integration projects for clients in the domains of real-time T&D, financial, asset management/GIS, and customer systems in California and Texas.

Before IBM, Mr. Callahan held various management positions over fifteen years at Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) Company in San Francisco in the areas of commercial and industrial energy management, telecommunications network planning, and financial systems. He held positions of Director of IT Strategy and Budget, Director of Network Planning, and was the project manager for PG&E’s SAP implementation.

Mr. Callahan holds degrees in Applied Physics and Mechanical Engineering and a business and technical communication certificate from Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia.  He is a registered Professional Engineer and resides in San Francisco, California.

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Thom Carter
Energy Advisor and Executive Director, Utah Office of Energy Development

Thom Carter has a diverse policy background, having served as an elected official in New Jersey and worked all over the country on initiatives ranging from healthcare to transportation, to the environment. He has been in Utah for the last six years spending time on infrastructure and environmental issues – with the last three years leading the state’s premier air quality nonprofit, the Utah Clean Air Partnership (UCAIR).

Carter grew up in the Northeast and went to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. At UCAIR, Carter sits on the Board of Governors for the Salt Lake Chamber, the Governor’s Energy Advisory Council and co-chairs the Healthy Salt Lake Steering Committee. Carter was named a Utah Business Forty under 40 in 2019. Carter married the former Andrea Mayo in April of 2018. She gave birth to their first child, a son named Isaac, in October of 2019.

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Julie Cerqueira
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of International Affairs, U.S. Department of Energy (Live-Stream)

Julie Cerqueria most recently served as the Executive Director of the U.S. Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of governors working together to advance the most ambitious state climate agenda in our nation's history. As its inaugural director, Ms. Cerqueira played an integral role in building the coalition from the ground up and provided the tools, resources and technical expertise to help two dozen governors deliver on their climate and clean energy priorities. Prior to that, she served as a Senior Advisor to the Special Envoy for Climate Change at the U.S. Department of State where she led U.S. engagement in strategic partnerships, such as the Climate and Clean Air Coalition and the U.S.-Brazil Climate Change Working Group. Among other things, she also helped negotiate climate deliverables for high profile events such as the North American Leaders Summit, created the climate pillar of the U.S. Chairmanship of the Arctic Council, and launched the Brazil Climate Innovation Lab to mobilize climate investments overseas.  Prior to her work in the federal government, Ms. Cerqueira worked with developing countries to design and implement climate policies and financial instruments at the climate think tank Center for Clean Air Policy, advised U.S. companies at the American Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia to expand U.S. investments overseas, and served as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines working with teachers and farmers to promote economic development and environmental stewardship. Ms. Cerqueira also worked in the private sector and for non-profits. She has a M.A. in International Political Economy and Development from Fordham University, and a B.S. in Biotechnology from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

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John Chatburn
Administrator, Idaho Governor's Office of Energy and Mineral Resources

Prior to being appointed Administrator of the Idaho Governor’s Office of Energy and Mineral Resources (OEMR) in September of 2014, John Chatburn had served as Interim Administrator and Program Services Manager for OEMR from 2009 - 2014.

Mr. Chatburn's duties for the State of Idaho currently include; US Department of Energy- State Energy Advisory Board, Western Interstate Energy Board Executive Committee, Co-Chair Committee on Regional Electric Power Cooperation, Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance Board of Directors, National Council on Electricity Policy Executive Committee, National Association of State Energy Officials Board of Directors, Idaho Strategic Energy Alliance Board of Directors, Leadership in Nuclear Energy Commission member, and serves as Governor Little’s Energy and Mineral Policy Advisor.

During his career with the State of Idaho, he has served as the Special Assistant for Energy under Governor Otter from 2007- 2009; Deputy Administrator, for the Idaho Department of Agriculture, in the Division of Animal Industries from 2002-2007; Special Assistant to the Director, Idaho State Department of Agriculture from 1999 – 2002; and Energy and Natural Resource Policy Advisor for Governor Phil Batt, 1995 – 1998.

He is a graduate of Boise State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.

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Lenwood Coleman
Chief Program Officer, Groundswell

Lenwood Coleman is the Chief Program Officer for Groundswell, a nonprofit that builds community power through equitable community solar projects and resilience centers, clean energy programs that reduce energy burdens, and pioneering research initiatives that help light the way to clean energy futures for all. His commitment to community development shows through his drive to develop programs and projects in partnership with communities. Bringing more than 20 years of experience in project delivery, capital budgeting, quality control, and community outreach, Lenwood oversees transformational programs and initiatives grounded in the communities they serve.  His dedication to building wealth and hope through education, training, jobs, and entrepreneurship opportunities has had an immeasurable impact on the communities where he has worked during his almost two decades of community service with faith-based organizations within the DC area.  Providing opportunities for individuals in underserved and underinvested communities throughout the country, he supports programs geared toward advocacy, personal and workforce development, housing, and community outreach.

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Ben Conniff
Co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer, Luke’s Lobster


Molly Cripps
Director, Office of Energy Programs, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation

Molly oversees the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s (TDEC) Office of Energy Programs (OEP).  OEP promotes the efficient, effective use of energy to enhance the environmental and economic health of the state.  Efforts and activities include education, outreach, technical assistance, and/or funding and financing opportunities that focus on energy efficiency and conservation, renewable energy, utility data management, energy security planning and preparedness, and energy in transportation.

Molly is the Administrative Lead for Tennessee’s Volkswagen Diesel Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust (VW Settlement EMT) allocation and a member of the Executive Committee for the Drive Electric TN Consortium.  She serves as Governor Lee’s designee to the State Energy Policy Council and represents TDEC on the Energy Efficient Schools Council and various TVA information exchanges and working groups.  She has served on the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) Board of Directors in various capacities and is currently serving as the Treasurer of the Executive Committee and a member of the Government Affairs Committee.

In addition to Molly’s energy-related work, she serves as the Department’s Compliance Coordinator for Internal Audit and the Director of Operations for the Bureau of Environment, including emergency response efforts.  She holds a B.A. in History and Political Science from the University of Tennessee and a J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School.

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Celina Cunningham
Deputy Director, Maine Governor's Energy Office

Celina Cunningham serves as the Deputy Director of the Governor’s Energy Office in Maine. Before joining GEO, Celina most recently was Vice President/Chief of Staff at the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), where she worked on overarching strategies and policies. Before joining SEIA, Celina spent a decade in public service at the federal level handling energy and environmental issues, including at the U.S. Department of the Interior and as staff at the U.S. House of Representatives.

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Dr. Habib Dagher
Executive Director, Advanced Structures and Composites Center, University of Maine

As the founding Executive Director of the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center, Dr. Dagher is a world-leading advocate for developing advanced structural systems which simultaneously optimize structures, materials, and construction. Under his leadership, the UMaine Composites Center has gained national and international reputation from major research and development projects and has grown to 220 full and part-time employees and students, with over 500 clients and partners globally, and is housed in a 100,000 ft2 ISO 17025 accredited testing laboratory.

Dr. Dagher earned his Ph.D. in structural engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, as well as two Masters Degrees in Structural engineering and engineering mechanics and joined the University of Maine faculty in 1985.

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Dr. Robert Dixon
Senior Advisor, Office of International Affairs, U.S. Department of Energy

Dr. Robert K. Dixon is currently Senior Advisor, Office of International Affairs.     He was formerly, Director, Strategic Programs, US Department of Energy.

From 2008-2015 he was a Lead Investment Banker at The World Bank Group.   He directed a multi-billion dollar portfolio of energy, transportation, infrastructure and natural resources projects in 165+ client countries worldwide.

In 2007-2008 Dr. Dixon was Senior Coordinator, White House Task Force on Energy Security, National Security Council, Executive Office of the U.S. President, in 2007-2008.  He addressed a range of domestic and international energy, trade, economic and security topics.

He was Head, Energy Technology Policy Division, International Energy Agency, Paris, France, in 2005-2007.   Under his leadership, energy technology and policy assessments were conducted for world leaders and other high level clients.

In 2007, Dr. Dixon was co-recipient the Nobel Peace Prize.

He served as Associate Director for International Activities, Council on Environmental Quality, Executive Office of the U.S. President in 2004-2005.   Dr. Dixon addressed a range of domestic and international energy, environment, human health, natural resources, national security, trade and other issues at the White House.

He was Executive Director, International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy, Washington, DC, in 2003-2004.  In 2004 the U.S. President honored Dixon with the U.S. government Gold Award for international energy service to the nation.

Dr. Dixon served as U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Power Technologies, 1999-2002.  He led and administered a $1 billion dollar portfolio.   Prior to serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary he was appointed to several other leadership positions at DoE.

He led two U.S. Presidential Initiatives from 1992-1998: the U.S. Country Studies Program and the U.S. Initiative on Joint Implementation to advance U.S. strategic interests in energy, economic and environmental security.

Dr. Dixon served on U.S. negotiating teams to various international agreements, protocols, conventions and treaties 1990-2008.  He has also served in a variety of senior U.S. diplomatic assignments (e.g., Beijing, Brasilia, Moscow, New Delhi, Tokyo).

From 1989-1992, Dr. Dixon served at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Research and Development, Office of Policy, and Office of International Activities.   In 1991, he was seconded to the Executive Office of the U.S. President National Economic Council.  He was awarded the EPA bronze medal for his contributions.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) employed Dr. Dixon in 1986-87 to lead energy sector and natural resource management policy reform across 16 southern Asia nations.

Dr. Dixon is co-founder Plant Health Care, Inc. (1987).  Plant Health Care, Inc., a biotechnology research and development firm, markets or licenses processes and products in all 50 U.S. states and more than 30 foreign countries.

He started his career in the early 1980s with the Fortune 25 firm Allied Corporation and managed a large-scale research, development and technology deployment program for four years.  He is the co-author of two U.S. patents.

Dr. Dixon earned his B.S, M.S. (1979) and Ph.D. (1982) degrees from the University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri.  He was a tenured faculty member at the University of Minnesota and Auburn University from 1982 to 1989.   He was Adjunct Professor at Oregon State University 1990-1991.

Dr. Dixon was awarded an Exxon Fellowship in 1984 and a Smithsonian Fellowship in 1985.  He also served as a Visiting Professor at Oxford University, United Kingdom, Humboldt University, Germany, Delhi University, India, and Kasetsart University, Thailand.

Dr. Dixon is an Adjunct Professor at American University, Washington, DC, and offers undergraduate and graduate courses in energy, environment economics.   He also teaches Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced and International Studies (SAIS), Columbia University and Georgetown University.

Dr. Dixon has been an advisor to various philanthropic organizations including the International Foundation for Science, CARE, Soros Foundation and other philanthropic organizations.

He also has been a consultant, contributor to the U.S. National Academy of Science and the U.S. National Academy of Engineering activities during the past three decades.

Dr. Dixon served with Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), Executive Office of the US President, in 1986-87.

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Corey Ershow
Senior Manager, Public Policy and Senior Counsel, Rivian


John Ferland
President, ORPC, Inc.

John Ferland joined ORPC in 2008 and has served as President since 2017. As part of ORPC’s senior management team, he helps oversee the company’s growing team, now numbering 32 employees and soon to expand to 45, working in four countries on three continents. He brings specific expertise to company activities in business and project development, worker safety, public communication and government affairs.

With over 35 years in technology commercialization, renewable energy development, port emergency response operations and coastal resources management, John has served as CEO of an oil spill response company, mentored numerous startups as director of a technology entrepreneur assistance program, and was the founding president of the Environmental & Energy Technology Council of Maine (E2Tech), now the leading industry association for clean technology companies in northern New England. John has an undergraduate degree from the University of Maine and a Master of Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island.

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Alexandra Fisher
Policy Analyst, Energy Administration, District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment

Alex Fisher is a Policy Analyst at the District of Columbia's Department of Energy and Environment. She supports the Department on energy policy, including a special focus on microgrids. She also represents the Department at the grid modernization working groups (MEDSIS) in the District. Alex undertakes GIS modeling of renewable energy resource and energy efficiency potential in the District to assist with the implementation of the District's Clean Energy DC goals. Previously, Alex worked as an energy and environmental consultant with eight years' experience, including extensive international work on green minigrids.

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Kyle Fleming
Director, Virgin Islands Energy Office

Kyle Fleming was born and raised on St. Croix, USVI. His academic trajectory took a multi-disciplinary path that has provided him with a holistic understanding of the energy industry. It began at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA, where he majored in Mechanical Engineering and minored in Energy Engineering. Inspired by a career within the Renewable Energy industry, he furthered his education and pursued a Master’s of Science Degree in Energy Systems at Northeastern University in Boston, MA. This program equipped him with an in-depth understanding of the technology within the renewable energy industry and the economics and policy that enable viable deployment.

Mr. Fleming utilized his education to propel his career as a Senior Engineer and eventually Director of Mechanical Engineering for a start-up energy storage company in Boston, MA. While this opportunity was extremely beneficial, his ultimate goal was always to return home and develop progressive energy initiatives within the Virgin Islands. In 2016, he returned to St. Croix to fulfill this personal and professional goal. Upon his return, he took on the role as Director of Operations for ProSolar Systems on St. Croix, USVI. During his tenure with ProSolar, Mr. Fleming designed, contracted, and managed the installation of over 700 kW of distributed solar and 1+ MWh of distributed battery storage systems throughout the island of St. Croix. Following Hurricane Irma and Maria, Mr. Fleming’s efforts relieved the dependence on generators for many Virgin Islanders suffering through the extended black-out, by transitioning homes to renewable energy solutions. Mr. Fleming plans to continue this effort and much more as the Director of Virgin Islands Energy Office. During the first phase of his tenure as Director he has focused on developing policy that promotes resilient renewable energy adoption and energy industry workforce development throughout the Virgin Islands.

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Rebecca Foster
Chief Executive Officer, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation

Rebecca Foster is VEIC’s CEO. Heading up the leadership team, Rebecca guides the organization’s strategic planning, corporate goal setting, business development and performance.

With more than two decades of experience in the clean energy industry, and 10 years at VEIC, Rebecca is a trusted leader, dedicated to the organization’s success. Throughout her career she has focused on fostering collaboration and engaging tough challenges head-on. She encourages creativity and innovative thinking at all levels of VEIC.

Rebecca is a true convener, cultivating strong partnerships and making sure every stakeholder is heard. Her vision is for VEIC to become the leader in decarbonization while centering equity and accessibility.

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Michael Furze
Assistant Director, Energy Division, Washington State Department of Commerce

Michael joined the Department of Commerce in 2014 and is assistant director for the Energy Division, which includes policy, initiatives, energy emergency management and the weatherization program. Michael joined the weatherization network in 2009, drawn by the convergence of social justice and environmental sustainability.

After working for five years in New Mexico Energy$mart Program, he transitioned to Washington’s weatherization program in 2014 and has been actively involved in the weatherization network’s Weatherization Advisory Committee. Michael earned his master’s degree in community and regional planning from the University of New Mexico.

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Dr. Brian Gemmell
Chief Clean Energy Development Officer, National Grid

Dr. Brian Gemmell brings more than 25 years of experience in the electric power transmission industry to his role as Chief Clean Energy Development Officer. In this role, Brian leads National Grid’s pursuit of clean energy business opportunities for customers and regulated energy networks in support of future New York and New England State goals.

He joined National Grid in 2017 as Vice President of Strategy and Performance for National Grid’s FERC-regulated businesses, and most recently as Vice President of Transmission Asset Management & Planning and Capital Delivery Electric across New England and New York. In this role, Brian led the development, prioritization and management of 10-year transmission $10B CAPEX plans, execution of $800M annual complex electrical project portfolio, as well as operations and maintenance of our 2GW HVDC facility.

Previously, Dr. Gemmell was Vice President of Transmission Solutions at Siemens, enabling the adoption of new, complete turnkey technologies to improve the reliability and efficiency of transmission systems across the US. He also was general manager of Siemens’ US-based Power Technologies International, as well as Business Development Manager in FACTS and HVDC Solutions for Siemens and ALSTOM (now GE). 

His career began at ScottishPower in the UK, where he held positions in Substation Engineering, Asset Management and Transmission Planning. 

Dr. Gemmell has an MEng (1990) and a PhD (1995) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, UK. During 1992, he spent six months as a Visiting Engineer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 

He is a past President and currently on the Board of Director of WIRES, an international non-profit trade association that promotes investment in electric transmission and progressive state and federal policies that advance development of electric power infrastructure. Dr. Gemmell has been a member of IEEE since 2000.

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Jeffrey Genzer
General Counsel, National Association of State Energy Officials

Jeff Genzer has been Counsel to NASEO since the organization began in 1986.  He represents the organization before Congress and the Administration, working closely with David Terry and the NASEO staff.  He has also practiced energy and environmental law since 1985 at the law firm of Duncan, Weinberg, Genzer and Pembroke, PC.  Mr. Genzer serves as President of the law firm.  Prior to going into private law practice, he served as counsel and energy lobbyist for the Energy and Environment Committee of the National Governors Association.  Mr. Genzer also worked on low income energy issues for the National Consumer Law Center.  He began his energy career as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Micronesia 41 years ago.

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Scott Glenn
Chief Energy Officer, Hawaii State Energy Office

Scott Glenn serves as the Chief Energy Officer for the State of Hawaii, leading the Hawaii State Energy Office (HSEO) in its mission to promote energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean transportation to help achieve a resilient, clean energy, decarbonized economy. Scott specializes in innovative, consensus-oriented problem solving for difficult challenges. He is especially focused on climate change, energy, environment, and sustainability that improves decision making and enhances public engagement.

Gov. David Ige designated Scott to be the co-chair of the Sustainable Hawaii Initiative and liaison to the U.S. Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of state governors working to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. In these roles Scott works with state, county, and federal agencies, as well as communities across the state, and stakeholders nationally and internationally to coordinate state policy development on energy, climate change, and key sustainability initiatives.

Prior to joining the HSEO, Scott served as the Director of the Office of Environmental Quality Control, where he led the modernization of the state environmental review process. Scott also worked in the private sector as a professional environmental planning consultant on environmental and energy projects and volunteered on numerous boards.

Scott received his master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Hawaii in 2009 and his bachelor’s degree in philosophy and archaeology from the University of Evansville (IN) in 2000.

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Mark Glick
Specialist, Energy Policy and Innovation, Hawaii Natural Energy Institute

Mark Glick is a tenure track faculty of the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, overseeing energy policy and innovation and coordinating State and University of Hawaii assets towards fulfillment of Hawaii’s ambitious energy transformation and supporting similar objectives in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.  Glick previously served five years as Administrator of the Hawaii State Energy Office where he led Hawaii’s internationally regarded clean energy transformation efforts.  He also served as Vice Chair of the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO), the only national non-profit association for energy officials from each of the 56 states and territories with the purpose of advocating for the interests of the state energy offices to Congress and federal agencies.  Selected highlights of his tenure as Hawaii’s Energy Administrator include: 1) exceeding Hawaii’s 2015 interim renewable portfolio and energy efficiency portfolio standards; 2) contributing to passage of the nation’s first 100 percent renewable portfolio standard and interim goal of 30 percent RPS by 2020; 3) leading the nation for five consecutive years in the per capita value of energy savings performance contracts; 4) spearheading the statewide Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement process culminating in publication by the U.S. Department of Energy of a programmatic EIS that examines the potential environmental impacts of energy efficiency activities and renewable energy technologies that could assist the State of Hawaii in meeting the goal established under the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative; and 5) overseeing all energy related regulatory filings and legislative testimony of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

Glick served as senior advisor to the Texas Land Commissioner from 1987 to 1991, during which time he played a decisive role in passage of amendments to the Texas Clean Air Act and similar provisions in the federal Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990.  For the next decade, Glick was a successful small business owner focused on reducing urban air pollution in the U.S. and abroad in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy, the Gas Research Institute, Petrobangla, Southern California Gas Company, Pacific Gas & Electric, Transco, Southern Union Gas Company and the New York City Department of Transportation among others.  Returning to the public sector in 2003, Glick headed operations and economic development for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs from 2003 to 2010.  Glick serves on the Board of Directors of the Washington Place Foundation and previously served three terms as Executive Committee Chair of the Hawaii Chapter of the Sierra Club and as Vice Chair of the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority.  Glick has a Master of Science, Public Management & Policy from Carnegie-Mellon University and a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Lamar University.

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Karen Glitman
Director, Transportation and Infrastructure Markets, Center for Sustainable Energy

Karen Glitman has more than 35 years of policy advocacy and public service experience, having served as a state legislator, Deputy Secretary of Transportation, Director of the University of Vermont University Transportation Center and Director of Efficiency Vermont. Currently she leads CSE efforts to uncover new opportunities to support entities around the nation in meeting a shared goal of decarbonization.

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Elizabeth Glynn
Managing Director, Community Solar Partnerships, BlueWave Solar

Elizabeth (Betsy) Glynn is the Managing Director for Community Solar Partnerships at BlueWave Solar, working to help more residents, businesses and public institutions to save money and be part of the energy revolution.  Collaborating with public and private stakeholders, Betsy ensures that BlueWave's solar customers meet program eligibility requirements and investor underwriting thresholds to maximize project viability.

Based in Boston, Betsy has worked with multifamily building owners to implement energy efficiency and water conservation measures, healthy housing practices and renewable power installations to benefit low- and moderate-income communities. She was an appointed voting member of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (2014-2017), served as a member of the steering committee of the Network for Energy, Water and Health in Affordable Buildings (NEWHAB; 2015-2017), co-chaired the BuildingEnergy Boston conference (2017-2018) and currently sits on the board of directors of the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA).
Betsy holds a master’s degree in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University and a bachelor’s degree in Geosciences from Franklin & Marshall College.

Betsy holds a master’s degree in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University and a bachelor’s degree in Geosciences from Franklin & Marshall College. Outside the office, her passions include running, hiking, skiing, singing, and family adventures with her husband, 2 kids, and dog named CoCo.

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Peter Grandgeorge
National Security and Resiliency Advisor, Berkshire Hathaway Energy

Peter Grandgeorge, a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, manages resiliency-related programs for Berkshire Hathaway Energy.

Pete has led a multinational cybersecurity enhancement initiatives, development of strategic relationships and business continuity projects driving toward a more resilient organization and community. Pete serves on numerous industry committees at both the state and national level, including chairing the Transformer Transportation Working Group, Cyber Mutual Assistance Executive Committee and participating in the Electric Sub-sector Coordinating Council Senior Executive Working Group. He is in his 14th year in the utility industry.

During his career, Pete has responded to more than federally-declared disasters in multiple U.S. States. Pete previously worked at Iowa Homeland Security & Emergency Management and three law enforcement agencies. Pete maintains certifications including the Certified Protection professional, Certified Business Continuity Professional and Certified Information Systems Security Professional.

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The Honorable Jennifer M. Granholm
Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy

Jennifer M. Granholm was sworn in as the 16th Secretary of Energy on February 25, 2021, becoming just the second woman to lead the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

Secretary Granholm will lead DOE in helping America achieve President Biden’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 by advancing cutting-edge clean energy technologies, creating millions of good-paying union clean energy jobs, and building an equitable clean energy future. Secretary Granholm will also oversee DOE’s core missions of promoting American leadership in scientific discovery, maintaining the nuclear deterrent and reducing nuclear danger, and remediating the environmental harms caused by legacy defense programs.

Prior to her nomination as Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm was the first woman elected Governor of Michigan, serving two terms from 2003 to 2011.

As Governor, Jennifer Granholm faced economic downturns caused by the Great Recession and meltdown in the automotive and manufacturing sectors. She successfully led efforts to diversify the state’s economy, strengthen its auto industry, preserve the manufacturing sector, and add emerging sectors — such as clean energy — to Michigan’s economic portfolio. Today, one-third of all North American electric vehicle battery production takes place in Michigan, the state is one of the top five states for clean energy patents, and 126,000 Michiganders were employed in the clean energy sector prior to COVID-19.

Secretary Granholm was also the first woman elected Attorney General of Michigan and served as the state’s top law enforcement officer from 1998 to 2002.

After two terms as governor, Jennifer Granholm joined the faculty of the University of California, Berkeley as a Distinguished Professor of Practice in the Goldman School of Public Policy, focusing on the intersection of law, clean energy, manufacturing, policy, and industry. She also served as an advisor to the Clean Energy Program of the Pew Charitable Trusts.

Jennifer Granholm began her career in public service as a judicial clerk for Michigan's 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. She became a federal prosecutor in Detroit in 1990, and in 1994, she was appointed Wayne County Corporation Counsel.

Secretary Granholm, an immigrant from Canada, is an honors graduate of both the University of California, Berkeley and Harvard Law School. She and her husband, Daniel G. Mulhern, have three children.

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Michelle Gransee
State Energy Office Director, Energy Division, Minnesota Department of Commerce

Michelle Gransee serves the MN Department of Commerce as the State Energy Office Director for the Energy Division. She is an experienced energy manager with a demonstrated history of working in government administration. She has particular expertise in program development and evaluation, energy policy, clean energy technologies, training and conflict resolution. She has worked for the state since 2009. She received her B.A. from Concordia College – Moorhead in philosophy and art history, post-baccalaureate certification in education from the University of Minnesota-Duluth, and M.S. in natural resource from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point.

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Ryan Harry
Weatherization Assistance Program Director, Colorado Energy Office

Ryan Harry is the Director of Colorado's Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). He is grateful for having the opportunity to help launch Colorado's low-income rooftop solar efforts as part of WAP, providing residents across Colorado with the opportunity to participate in the green economy while saving money on their energy bills. Ryan's background is in government, engineering, design and small business. He has a master's degree in Energy and Environmental Policy and a bachelor's degree in Physics, both from the University of Delaware. When not working, Ryan most enjoys being with his family, riding bikes, and handbuilding steel bike frames for himself and friends.

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Jennie Hatch
Natural Resources Defense Council


Christina Hayes
Christina Hayes, Vice President, Federal Regulatory Affairs, Berkshire Hathaway Energy

Christina Hayes is Vice President for Federal Regulatory Affairs for Berkshire Hathaway Energy, the parent company of MidAmerican Energy Company, NV Energy, and PacifiCorp, as well as interstate pipelines and independent renewable resources. Ms. Hayes previously worked at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, including serving as an advisor to Chairman Wellinghoff, and as an administrative law judge at the Public Utility Commission of Oregon. She earned a law degree from the University of Oregon and a bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary.

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Patricia Hoffman
Acting Assistant Secretary, Office of Electricity, U.S. Department of Energy

Serving as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Electricity (OE) at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Ms. Patricia A. Hoffman also served as Acting Under Secretary for Science and Energy from January 2017 until November 2017 when the U.S. Senate confirmed Mark Menezes as Under Secretary of Energy. Ms. Hoffman served as Acting Assistant Secretary for OE from January 2017 until October 2017 when the OE Assistant Secretary was confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Ms. Hoffman was named Assistant Secretary for OE from June 2010 to January 2017, after serving as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary since November 2007. The focus of her responsibility was to provide leadership on a national level to modernize the electric grid, enhance the security and reliability of the energy infrastructure and facilitate recovery from disruptions to the energy supply both domestically and internationally. This is critical to meeting the Nation’s growing demand for reliable electricity by overcoming the challenges of our Nation’s aging electricity transmission and distribution system and addressing the vulnerabilities in our energy supply chain.

Prior to her current position, Ms. Hoffman served in a dual capacity as Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for Research and Development (R&D) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) within OE. During her tenure as the DAS for R&D, she developed the long-term research strategy and improved the management portfolio of research programs for modernizing and improving the resiliency of the electric grid. This included developing and implementing sensors and operational tools for wide-area monitoring, energy storage research and demonstration and the development of advanced conductors to increase the capacity and flexibility of the grid. She also initiated a new research effort focused on integrating and distributing renewable energy through the electric grid, such as promoting plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and implementing smart grid technologies to maintain system reliability. As COO, she managed the OE business operations, including human resources, budget development, financial execution, and performance management.

Prior to joining OE, she was the Program Manager for the Federal Energy Management Program within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at DOE. This program guides the Federal government to “lead by example” promoting energy efficiency, renewable energy and smart energy management. Complementing her building energy efficiency experience, she also was the Program Manager for the Distributed Energy Program, which conducted research on advanced natural gas power generation and combined heat and power systems. Her accomplishments included the successful completion of the Advanced Turbine System program resulting in a high-efficiency industrial gas turbine power generation product.

Ms. Hoffman holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Ceramic Science and Engineering from Pennsylvania State University.

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Dr. Lola Infante
Executive Director, Government and External Affairs, Electric Power Research Institute

Dr. Lola Infante is Sr. Advisor, External Relations and Strategic Initiatives at the Electric Power research Institute (EPRI) where she leads stakeholder engagement for strategic areas such as EPRI’s Low Carbon Resource Initiative (LCRI).

Previously, Infante was Sr. Director, Clean Energy Technology and Policy at the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), where she focused on market and policy developments in clean and alternative energy resources as well as other critical fuels for power generation. Among other things, she launched and managed EEI’s energy storage practice and led many initiatives on renewables and distributed energy resources. Before joining EEI, Infante worked at the Center for the Advancement of Energy Markets, a Washington DC think tank, and at GAB-Robins in Paris, France, where she worked in marketing and corporate finance.

Infante is a frequent speaker on these issues at many technical and policy groups, has authored several articles and papers on energy related topics, and participates in several industry committees.

Dr. Infante holds a PhD with Distinction in International Relations from the Johns Hopkins University, an MA in Energy, Environment, Science and Technology from the School of Advanced International Studies division of Johns Hopkins University, an MA in International Economics and Finance, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance from Sciences Po Paris, France.

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Robert Jackson
Director, Energy Office, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Robert Jackson is a chemical engineer with over 20 years of industrial energy efficiency and environmental engineering experience.  Mr. Jackson is currently the Director of the Michigan Energy Office.  He is directly responsible for the state of Michigan’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Revolving Loan Program, and the State Energy Program’s Clean Energy Advanced Manufacturing, Technology Demonstration and Deployment Programs, and Agricultural Energy Programs.

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Jennifer Kallay
Senior Associate, Synapse Energy Economics

Jenn Kallay has more than a decade of professional experience analyzing the benefits and costs of energy efficiency and renewable energy for jurisdictions in the United States and Canada. She is currently supporting Rhode Island’s ratepayer advocate in assessing the cost effectiveness of energy efficiency and renewable energy programs to guide policy development, program design, and investment decisions. Ms. Kallay also has direct experience with municipal utility governance as an elected member of the municipal utility regulatory board in Wakefield, Massachusetts.

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Lloyd Kass
Vice President of Market Development and Regulatory Strategy, Franklin Energy

Lloyd Kass is a 25-year veteran developer and implementer of clean energy policy and programs with utilities and government, and as a private sector consultant. Since 2015, Lloyd serving as Lime Energy's Senior Vice President for Utility Strategy, growing the company into a national leader in the deployment of utility programs serving commercial customers. Lloyd also launched the New York office of Willdan (Lime Energy's parent company) growing it from 1 employee into a $40 million dollar business in 4 years.

Mr. Kass has also had a long career in state and local government. With the New York Power Authority, Lloyd directed a strategic initiative, ordered by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, designed to accelerate energy efficiency improvements in NY state buildings and agency operations. He also served 10 years at the New York City Housing Authority during the Administration of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, where he was responsible for capital planning and energy management and retrofit programs.

Since 2009, Lloyd has been an Adjunct Associate Professor at Columbia University, in the School of International and Public Affairs, instructing graduate students in public administration and environmental policy.

Mr. Kass also serves on the boards of the Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance and the Energy Efficiency Alliance of New Jersey.

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Erin Kempster
Regional Manager, Energy Solutions


The Honorable Angus King
Member, U.S. Senate

In January 2013, Angus King was sworn in as Maine’s first Independent United States Senator, filling the same seat once held by storied Maine leaders Edmund Muskie, George Mitchell, and Olympia Snowe.

A strong believer in the need for greater bipartisan dialogue and relationship building, Senator King is proud to join the long line of thoughtful, independent leaders from the State of Maine, and he works hard every day to bring Republicans and Democrats together to find common-sense solutions for Maine and America. He is a proven consensus-builder who “calls ‘em like he sees ‘em”, putting civility and respect ahead of political ideology.

Senator King is a member of the Armed Services Committee, the Select Committee on Intelligence, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and the Committee on Rules and Administration. He has made it a priority not to miss Committee hearings, earning him praise from his colleagues and the reputation as a workhorse in the Senate. The late Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.), who served as Armed Services Chairman, once called Senator King “one of the most serious and hard-working members” of the Committee.

In his time in the Senate, Senator King has worked to strengthen America’s national security, conducted critical oversight of the nation’s Intelligence Community, supported common-sense budget priorities that promote prosperity and reduce the national debt, fought the national opioid and heroin epidemic, coordinated efforts to revitalize Maine’s forest economy, advocated for policies that contribute to cleaner, cheaper energy and mitigate climate change, railed against the corrosive effect of unchecked money in politics, fought to improve access to health care, worked to strengthen the government’s support of veterans, and promoted increased access to critical community resources like rural broadband.

Senator King has achieved significant legislative victories since taking office. He led efforts to draft and pass the Student Loan Certainty Act of 2013, which averted drastic increases in student loan interest rates, saved students across the country more than $50 billion in interest payments, and set the program on a path to long-term financial stability. In 2018, Senator King successfully included a number of provisions in the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, legislation focused on improving the federal government’s response to the opioid epidemic. The legislation, which passed overwhelmingly, included language backed by Senator King to make medication-assisted treatment more readily available and adjust federal restrictions to allow residential treatment facilities to increase treatment capacity. Earlier this year, in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, he introduced the Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act to improve the Paycheck Protection Program and provide additional flexibility for business owners who’ve received PPP loans; the legislation was signed into law in June.

A leading voice on the importance of improving America’s cybersecurity, Senator King was selected by Congressional leadership to co-chair the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, a bipartisan effort established by Congress to review the threats facing America in cyberspace and develop a forward looking plan on how to defend ourselves against cyber threats. The commission, which consisted of bipartisan members of Congress, top Executive Branch officials, and nonpartisan industry leaders, laid out more than 75 recommendations to improve the cybersecurity of U.S. critical infrastructure and prepare the nation for future challenges in an increasingly digital world.

In fact, it is in small working groups like this that Senator King has focused much of his work. Senator King is committed to working across the aisle in small, bipartisan working groups that bridge partisan divides to address the challenges that face the nation. He co-founded the Former Governors Caucus, which brings together the Senate’s former Governors to chart pragmatic approaches to solutions, as well as the Senate Arctic Caucus, which hones in on Maine and America’s growing interest in the Arctic. Senator King also tries to informally bridge the partisan divide in Washington by frequently bringing his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to his home for barbeque dinners, where political talk is banned and the focus is getting to know one another. The bonds that are formed through these relationships often lay the foundation for successful legislation.

Prior to taking office, Senator King served as the 72nd Governor of Maine. During his two terms in the Blaine House, he focused on economic development and job creation.  Then-Governor King also achieved significant reforms in education, mental health services, land conservation, environmental protection, and the delivery of state services. He was re-elected in 1998 by one of the largest margins in Maine’s history.

Senator King is married to Mary Herman and has four sons, Angus III, Duncan, James, and Ben, one daughter, Molly, and six grandchildren. He attended Dartmouth College and the University of Virginia Law School. In his free time, he enjoys exploring the Maine outdoors, either on his Harley or with his family in their camper.

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Matthias Kurwig
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Enervee

Prior to founding Enervee, Matthias was global COO of Neo@Ogilvy, managing 700 staff across 30+ offices. At Neo@Ogilvy, he led development and implementation of the TEM Control Platform, a large scale social media tracking tool serving clients including American Express, Amazon, Cisco and IBM. Over the past 20 years, he has founded, built, and sold multiple web businesses, including one of Europe’s leading full-service digital agencies. As a German, the “greenest country by design” (Newsweek), he has a deep understanding of the environmentally conscious consumer.

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Jason Lanclos
Director, Technology Assessment Division, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources

Jason Lanclos, P.E. (Jason) has worked at the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (LDNR) since August of 2018.  After serving as the Deputy Executive Director of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) for the Governor’s Office since 2014, Mr. Lanclos took the opportunity to return to working in the oil and gas and emerging energy technologies sector at LDNR after working in private industry for almost 13 years.  Mr. Lanclos currently serves as the director of the State Energy Office and Technology Assessment Division of LDNR.  Mr. Lanclos is currently serving as the coalition representative for the State and Midwest region on CCUS technologies and is a central board member for the National Association of State Energy Officials.  Mr. Lanclos has worked on and managed a variety of projects/programs in the oil and gas sector during his time in private industry and managed one of the largest ecosystem restoration efforts for the State of Louisiana while at CPRA.  He holds a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Louisiana State University and is a licensed Professional Engineer.

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Karen Lasure
Energy Development Specialist, Office of Energy, West Virginia Department of Economic Development

Karen Lasure is an energy development specialist with the West Virginia State Energy Office, housed within the recently formed WV Department of Economic Development. Karen directly manages 85% of West Virginia's State Energy Program activities. The office's largest SEP-supported program provides comprehensive statewide energy efficiency and workforce education. Most recently, Karen provided technical assistance and guidance to the West Virginia Legislature that led to the passage of HB 2667 (Energy Savings in Public Buildings). This bill sets the state’s first energy reduction goal of 25% by 2030, as well as establishes the first benchmarking and disclosure policy. Karen has over 20 years' experience in program administration and grants management, extensive experience in pre- and post- awards management, as well as university research compliance. Karen has worked directly in the energy sector since 2015. She received a bachelor’s in science from West Virginia State University and a master’s in organizational management from Emmanuel College in Boston, MA.

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Dr. Taresa Lawrence
Deputy Director, Energy Administration, District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment

Dr. Taresa Lawrence is the Deputy Director of the Department of Energy and Environment’s Energy Administration, which is charged with developing energy plans, policies, and programs to achieve the District’s ambitious energy and climate goals.  Her experience includes the sustainable use of energy in the residential, commercial and institutional sectors, and she specializes in strategic planning, energy management and analysis, program design and implementation, and evaluation methods. Taresa currently oversees the implementation of the Clean Energy DC plan, as well as a variety of energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, including the District’s Solar for All Program and the energy assistance and affordability programs. Prior to joining the District Government, Taresa was a Regulatory Economist at the Maryland Public Service Commission, and Center Director of the Small Business Development Center at the Howard University Center for Urban Progress. Taresa holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Howard University and a Master’s Degree in Development Economics from University of Manchester, England.

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Megan Levy
Resilience Strategist and Energy Assurance Coordinator, Office of Energy Innovation, Public Service Commission of Wisconsin

A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Madison; Megan has spent more than a decade working with building energy efficiency both with the low-income weatherization program and with the Wisconsin State Energy Office (now known as the Wisconsin Office of Energy Innovation). Megan is currently the Resilience Strategist and Energy Assurance Coordinator for the state and also oversees the Energy Independent Communities program which counts more than 147 communities as members. Megan designed and is the manager of the Municipal Energy Efficiency Technical Assistance Program (MEETAP) in which the Energy Office provides expertise to municipalities, tribes, and schools across the state to facilitate successful energy efficiency projects.  Megan served on the Board of Directors of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association in 2016-17 (www.midwestrenew.org).  In August of 2017, Megan was named Co-Chair of the National Association of State Energy Officials Energy Security Committee. A chanteuse for the last 20 years, Megan performs jazz, jump blues, and swing all over Wisconsin under the moniker Madison Red, with her four piece band.

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Dan Lloyd
Bureau Chief, Energy Office, Montana Department of Environmental Quality

Dan Lloyd has led the Montana Energy Office (MEO) at the Department of Environmental Quality since August of 2020. Prior to this, Dan was employed by an energy development company working on transmission and storage projects and has served the state of Montana state for nearly a decade including positions with the Montana Governor’s Office of Economic Development and the Department of Commerce. Dan has a business degree from the University of Notre Dame and served as an AmeriCorps VISTA member focused on improving access to energy efficiency. He lives with his wife and two dogs in Helena, Montana.

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Dr. Charles Lloyd
President, White Mountains Community College

Dr. Chuck Lloyd is currently the President of White Mountains Community College. In addition to his role in administration, he crosses over to the faculty side of the college by teaching in the Business Department. Chuck was recently selected as one of New Hampshire’s “Forty under 40” by the Union Leader and was previously awarded the NHTI Service Learning Award and Commissioner’s Award for Service Excellence. In addition to administration and teaching, he maintains a strong passion for leadership and service. In the past few years, Chuck has offered dozens of workshops and presentations both internationally and in the States on a variety of leadership and management-focused topics. Chuck prides himself on relationship-building and actively participates in numerous community organizations. Originally from Franklin, New Hampshire, Chuck graduated from Keene State College with a Bachelor of Science, earned his Master’s Degree in Education and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies from Plymouth State University, and Chuck’s Doctorate is in Higher Education Administration from Northeastern University.

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Suzanne MacDonald
Chief Community Development Officer, Island Institute

As Chief Community Development Officer, Suzanne oversees strategy development for the Institute’s programs, with a focus on the organization’s climate and economic resilience initiatives. She has been a catalyst and leader of several national and global networks focused on island sustainability, bringing a skillset and passion for sharing solutions and building relationships along and beyond the coast of Maine.

For nine years, Suzanne directed the Institute’s Community Energy Program, partnering with island communities in Maine, New England, and beyond to develop and implement practical strategies to lower their high energy costs. She remains active on climate and clean energy issues, currently serving as the Chair of the Efficiency Maine Trust Board of Trustees and on various groups of the Maine Climate Council. In 2015, Suzanne gave a TEDx Talk entitled, “What Islands Can Teach Maine About Energy.”

Suzanne holds an M.A. in urban and environmental policy and planning from Tufts University and a B.A. in international development and political science from McGill University. She and her family live in Rockland, Maine and enjoy a close connection to the Monhegan Island community.

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Kate Marks
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response, U.S. Department of Energy (Live-Stream)

Kate Marks oversees CESER’s efforts to secure critical energy infrastructure against manmade or physical hazards, reduce the impact of disruptive events, and respond to and facilitate recovery from energy disruptions. Marks began her federal service in 2014 as part of the DOE’s Energy Policy and Systems Analysis office, analyzing state and local government energy policy and managing stakeholder engagement. Prior to joining DOE, Marks served as Managing Director at the National Association of State Energy Officials in Arlington, Virginia, and as Director of the Energy Program at the National Conference of State Legislatures in Denver.

Marks holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from James Madison University and a Master of Resource Law Studies in Energy Law and Policy from the University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law. She has authored numerous publications and testified before state legislatures on energy and climate policy issues.

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Dr. Andrew McAllister
Commissioner, California Energy Commission

Andrew McAllister was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown in May 2012. He fills the Economist Member position on the five-member Commission where four of the five members by law are required to have professional training in specific areas - engineering or physical science, environmental protection, economics, and law.

Mr. McAllister has over 20 years of technical, programmatic and policy experience in the fields of energy management, efficiency and renewable generation. Before joining the Commission, he worked at the California Center for Sustainable Energy for six years, most recently as managing director and director of policy and strategy. Previously, he worked with NRECA International Ltd. in the electric sectors of countries in Central and South America, Southeast Asia and Africa on a variety of load management, generation and utility planning projects. He was a project manager at an energy consulting firm and worked as an energy efficiency analyst at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. He has published on various energy topics in academic, trade, and popular journals.

Andrew studied both engineering sciences and art history at Dartmouth College and holds M.S. and PhD degrees from the Energy & Resources Group at UC Berkeley. He is a returned Peace Corps Volunteer.

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Gina McCarthy
White House National Climate Advisor, Executive Office of the President

Gina McCarthy was appointed by President Biden as the first White National Climate Advisor. In 2020, she served as president and CEO of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). President Obama appointed Gina McCarthy as the 13th Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) where she served from 2013 to 2017. Her leadership at EPA led to significant federal, state, and local actions on critical issues related to the environment, economy, energy, and transportation. At the state level, she served as commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, deputy secretary of the Massachusetts Office of Commonwealth Development, and undersecretary of policy for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs. In Connecticut, she was instrumental in developing the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a multi-state effort to reduce emissions contributing to global warming, which has spurred economic growth, improved public health, decreased energy demand, and helped mitigate electricity price increases across the region. In Massachusetts, McCarthy advised five governors on environmental affairs, worked at the state and local levels on critical environmental issues, and coordinated policies on economic growth, energy, transportation, and the environment.  Gina. McCarthy holds a master's degree in environmental health engineering and planning and policy from Tufts University and a bachelor's in social anthropology from University of Massachusetts at Boston.

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The Honorable Janet Mills
Governor, State of Maine

Janet Trafton Mills was sworn in as the 75th Governor of Maine on Wednesday, January 2, 2019.

A fighter for Maine people and a fighter for a better future, Janet Mills ran for governor because she believed it was time for change -- a new direction for the state based on bold ideas and courageous, independent-minded leadership.

As governor, she is fighting to see that every Maine person has affordable, high-quality health care, that Maine has a strong economy with good-paying jobs in every part of the state, that every Maine child has access to a world-class education, and that Maine is a place where families can put down roots and raise their kids.

Janet was born and raised in Farmington, Maine, where she still proudly lives today. The granddaughter of Aroostook County potato farmers and the daughter of a long-time high school English teacher and the U.S. Attorney for Maine, Janet learned the value of hard-work at an early age, venturing out early every morning to deliver newspapers along her route and serving meals in the evening at the local diner. She graduated from Mt. Blue High School in Farmington, the University of Massachusetts at Boston, and the University of Maine School of Law.

Janet first entered public service as an Assistant Attorney General, where she prosecuted homicides and other major crimes. After a few years, she was elected District Attorney for Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford Counties, making her the first woman to be elected as a DA in New England.

In that role, Janet saw firsthand how the criminal justice system frequently failed victims of domestic violence. Frustrated by the legislature’s failure to take action, Janet co-founded the Maine Women’s Lobby to advocate for battered and abused women, and won election to the Maine House of Representatives herself in 2002.

In 1985, she met and married the love of her life, her husband, Stan Kuklinski, a widower with five young daughters ages four to sixteen. Janet and Stan moved back to Farmington, and she became a full-time mom to five daughters who she helped raise while working full-time herself. She is now the proud grandmother to three grandsons and two granddaughters.

After a devastating stroke, Stan passed away in 2014. In the last year of his life, Janet learned firsthand what thousands of Maine families go through every year—a complex and confusing health care system, rejection letters from insurance companies, and unaffordable prescription drugs even for those lucky enough to have coverage. This is one of the reasons why Janet is so determined to ensure that every Maine person and every Maine family has access to affordable, high-quality health care.

Prior to becoming governor, Janet served as the Attorney General of Maine – the first and only woman to hold the job. As Attorney General, Janet has made it her mission to stand up to those who have tried to exploit Maine people—from fighting dishonest mortgage lending companies to help keep Maine people in their homes, to fighting big Pharma for their role in creating the opioid crisis and then using that money to purchase overdose-reversal kits that have saved more than 500 lives, to fighting to protect health care coverage for young adults.

Governor Mills is the first woman governor of Maine. In her historic victory, she earned more votes than any governor in state history and is first governor since 1966 to win a majority of the vote for her first term.

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Maggie Molina
Branch Chief, State and Local Climate and Energy Program, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Live-Stream)

Maggie Molina is Branch Chief of the State and Local Climate and Energy Program at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  She leads the program's efforts to provide critical tools, resources and technical assistance for state, local, and tribal stakeholders.  Prior to joining the EPA, Maggie served as Senior Director for Policy at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), where she oversaw federal, state, utility, and local policy. In her 15 years at ACEEE, Maggie provided technical assistance to state and local policymakers, businesses, utilities, and non-profits on efficiency programs and policies. She led research including ACEEE’s State Energy Efficiency Scorecard, EE potential studies, utility business models, the cost of saved energy, and best practice efficiency and electrification programs. She completed a Master of Engineering and Public Policy (MEPP) at the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Arts at Colgate University.

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Alejandro Moreno
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Renewable Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy

Alejandro Moreno directs EERE's renewable energy applied research, development, and demonstration activities for the geothermal, solar energy, and wind and water power technology offices. In addition, he oversees EERE's energy system integration efforts. Previously, Moreno was the Director for the Water Power Technologies Office. In this role, he managed efforts to develop and commercialize innovative technologies and market solutions for clean, domestic power generation from hydropower and marine energy resources across the United States.

Working with DOE's national laboratories, academia, and industry, the program funds research, development, and deployment of water power systems through competitively selected, cost-shared projects with businesses, federal, state, and other stakeholder groups. Between his stints at DOE, he served in the energy groups of the World Bank and International Finance Corporation, where he designed and led regulatory reform programs to spur investment in clean energy and rural electrification.

Moreno holds a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and a master’s degree in economics and energy policy from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.

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Jeff Morris
Senior Director, State Government Relations, Schneider Electric

Jeff Morris joined Schneider Electric North America in 2019 and is Senior Director of State Government Relations. Prior to that, Jeff worked in cleantech commercialization through his own business, Energy Horizon Corporation, as Director of Northwest Energy Technology Collaborative, and 23 years as a Washington State Representative. He recently completed six years as a USDOE OE Electricity Advisor and is an Associate member of the Gridwise Architect Council.   While a legislator, he was named one of the most Tech Savvy Legislators in the United States by Governing Magazine, was Chair or Leader in several legislative associations and his public/private energy policy work recognized by the Canadian Government.  Morris co-founded the Northwest Energy Angels now called Element 8 in 2005 and created the Legislative Energy Horizon Institute that has trained over 300 state and local policymakers in Energy 101.

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Galen Nelson
Chief Program Officer, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center

Galen is the Chief Program Officer at the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center where he leads overall strategic direction and programmatic efforts in the built environment, transportation, and grid modernization realms. Over his nearly 10 years at MassCEC, Galen has played a central role in developing many of the organization’s technology and market development programs, which provide targeted, strategic, and timely resources to help clean energy companies and entrepreneurs develop technologies, move closer to commercialization and market growth. Galen launched MassCEC’s microgrid and energy resilience initiatives and played a central role in shaping and launching the organization’s business and finance model innovation programs, in the energy storage and clean transportation sectors. Prior to joining the MassCEC, Galen designed and managed an array of clean energy, green building, and sustainability programs at the City of Boston, and co-developed the City’s green building affordable housing policies. Galen has co-founded two cleantech startups and has over 10 years’ experience developing programs, policies, and pilots at the city and state levels often at the intersection of urban planning, economic development, and clean energy. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Colby College.

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David Nemtzow
Director, Building Technologies Office, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy (Live-Stream)

David Nemtzow brings to the Building Technologies Office (BTO) of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) more than three decades of experience in energy, including in industry, government, utility, non-profit associations, and consulting. As Director of BTO, David is responsible for leading this $200 million per year office that helps develop innovative, cost-effective energy efficiency R&D and other solutions for U.S. building technologies, equipment, systems and whole buildings.  Previously, he was Director-General (CEO) of the Department of Energy, Utilities, and Sustainability for New South Wales?Australia’s most populous state?where he played a central role in the State’s electricity, greenhouse, energy, and water strategies and policies. He also served as President of the Alliance to Save Energy, a prominent Washington, D.C.-based association of industry, government, utility, consumer, and environmental executives that promotes invest¬ment in energy efficiency. In addition, he has been a member of the executive committee of a distributed energy storage startup company, an independent energy consultant, and a senior congressional energy staff member. David has served on numerous governmental advisory committees and the boards of energy associations and organizations. He has published and speaks regularly in the field. He earned a master’s degree from Harvard University in public policy and a bachelor’s from Brown University in environmental policy.

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Nam Nguyen
Associate Director, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, Virginia Department of Energy

As manager of the Virginia Energy Management Program, Nam Nguyen works to reduce energy consumption and costs for state facilities. As part of Virginia Energy, the state’s energy office, he serves as technical lead for the Governor and Executive Branch on energy issues.

Nguyen promotes renewable energy projects on public facilities across the Commonwealth.He and his team serve state agencies and localtities to help reach energy efficiency goals through the Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC) program. In June 2021, that program celebrated $1 billion in energy savings for the Commonwealth. They also ensure the grid is secure during peak times by working with state facilities that can go “off the grid” when demand for electricity is high.

Nguyen joined Virginia Energy with 20 years experience in the electric utility industry. He holds an electrical engineering degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

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Emily O’Connell
Director, Energy Markets Policy, American Gas Association

Emily O’Connell is the Director of Energy Markets Policy at the American Gas Association, where she also serves as the staff executive of the Sustainable Growth Committee, a member committee focused on advancing opportunities to expand the direct and distributed use of natural gas in the residential, commercial and industrial markets. Her work with this committee has heavily focused on the role that renewable natural gas can play in decarbonizing the natural gas pipeline and maximizing the value proposition of gas utilities in a lower carbon future.

Prior to joining AGA, Emily served as the manager, federal affairs for America’s Natural Gas Alliance where she advocated for policies favorable to increasing market opportunities for natural gas.  She began her career in public affairs at Rasky Baerlein Strategic Communications, where she worked on behalf of clients in the energy and environmental sector.  Emily graduated from Providence College with a B.A. in Political Science and earned her M.A. in Global Security Studies from Johns Hopkins University where she concentrated on Energy and Environmental Security.

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Stacey Paradis
Executive Director, Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance

Ms. Paradis is the Executive Director of the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) and is responsible for overseeing the operations of MEEA’s 25 person staff and $6+ million budget. MEEA is a membership-based nonprofit organization advancing energy efficiency in the Midwest for sustainable economic development and environmental stewardship. MEEA is a leader in raising and sustaining the level of energy efficiency in the Midwest by fostering market penetration of existing energy-efficient technologies and promoting new technologies, products and best practices.

Stacey has been with MEEA since 2008, most recently serving as Deputy Director where she was responsible for MEEA’s public policy, membership, government, corporate and foundation fundraising, marketing, organizational events and marketing. She has 20 years’ experience in the government relations, public affairs and non-profit management.

Prior to MEEA, Ms. Paradis was a Government Relations and Policy Consultant for the YMCA of the USA managing the state and local advocacy programs for states in the Midwest and South. Earlier in her career, Ms. Paradis was the Director of Public Affairs for Orbitz LLC leading the issues management team as the organization underwent reviews by the U.S. Departments of Justice and Transportation. She started her career in Chicago working with the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce as a Government Relations Manager managing the organization’s work in environment, transportation and economic development.

Ms. Paradis has a Masters’ degree in Public Administration (MPA) from the George Washington University and a Bachelor’s degree (BA) in political science from Loyola University Chicago. She is the President of the Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund and received the 2017 Damen Award from Loyola University Chicago for the Institute for Environmental Sustainability. She lives in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood with her husband, Brock, and two sons, Maxwell and Emmit.

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Joe Pater
Director, Office of Energy Innovation, Public Service Commission of Wisconsin


Tucker Perkins
President and Chief Executive Officer, Propane Education and Research Council

Tucker is the president and chief executive officer of the Propane Education & Research Council. He has worked in the propane industry for 26 years, having served as the director of business development for Inergy, chief executive officer of Premier Propane, and the chief operating officer of Columbia Propane, a unit of the Columbia Energy Group. Tucker is also the former chairman of a PERC advisory committee on engine fuel matters and is active with the National Propane Gas Association and the Virginia Propane Gas Association.

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Jacob Peterson
Senior Manager of State Engagement, National Propane Gas Association

Jacob Peterson serves as the Senior Manager of State Engagement at the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), where he is a propane industry advocate on key state-level legislative and regulatory issues. Prior to joining NPGA, he spent six years working in the U.S. House of Representatives. As a Legislative Assistant, Jacob oversaw policy matters pertaining to energy, environment and science.

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Chris Rice
Chief of Staff, Maryland Energy Administration

Chris Rice currently serves as the Chief of Staff to the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA).  Prior to his current role, Mr. Rice served as the Director of Programs at MEA, leading a team which implements more than 20 state wide programs and initiatives involving energy conservation and production. He brings over a decade of experience in the energy sector impacting all areas of Maryland's economy.  Chris Rice was appointed to the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council and was a Clean Cities Coordinator for over 8 years.  He also sat on the North East Regional Biomass Steering Committee, ARC Energy Committee, Renewable Fuels Taskforce, LNG Taskforce and the Chesapeake Bay Commission’s study on cellulosic ethanol. Mr. Rice attended the University of Georgia, where he earned an undergraduate degree in Biology.  In 2017 Chris was awarded a certificate of completion for the Senior Executives in State & Local Government Program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

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Jack Riordan
Strategic Initiatives Manager, Efficiency Maine


Malinda Sandhu
Director of Business Development, Lion Electric Company

Energized by the rapid interest in medium and heavy duty vehicle electrification Malinda Sandhu joined the Lion Electric team in 2018 to build the US school bus division and establish Lion as the first-to-market leader in all-electric school buses.

Malinda’s role recently expanded as the Director of Business Development to increase growth of Lion’s electric vehicle line-up in the truck, utility and refuse markets. Malinda, a native of Vancouver, BC, loves football and is passionate about nature, clean air and equity. She is a co-founder of Women Accelerating School Bus Electrification (WASBE) which serves the purpose of advancing the electrification of school bus transportation, with the founder’s shared interest in racial and gender equity.

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Glenn Schatz
Chief Revenue Officer, BlocPower

Glenn Schatz is the Chief Revenue Officer at BlocPower, a smart buildings platform that markets, engineers, and finances energy efficiency, renewable energy, IoT, and other technologies to buildings and communities in underserved market segments. BlocPower partners with governments, utilities, building owners, philanthropies, and community members to generate energy bill savings and reduced carbon emissions, and generates financial returns and improved public health.

Prior to joining BlocPower, Glenn was Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Link Labs, a leading provider of an end-to-end IoT platform for locating and monitoring equipment, supplies and assets anywhere at any time. As one of Link Labs’ first employees, Glenn held various senior-level positions in the company across operations, strategy, sales, and business development. In his tenure at Link Labs, he was responsible for building the company’s initial go-to-market plan and sales strategy, building up key channel and distributor relationships, and forging lasting relationships with mobile network operators around the globe.

Before Link Labs, Glenn worked at the U.S. Department of Energy, where he started and led Agency initiatives to empower small commercial buildings to cut energy use by leveraging technology and best practices from industry leaders and national laboratories. Earlier, he co-founded Energy Conversion Research (ECoRE) Ventures, a provider of engineering consulting and project development services that specializes in clean technology development and renewable energy solutions. Glenn also previously worked as an adjunct professor at the U.S. Naval Academy, where he personally developed and taught a senior-level elective on energy policy and security, in addition to teaching the introductory government course taken by all midshipmen.

Glenn started his career as an officer in the Navy, where he worked as an engineer-qualified nuclear submarine officer on a guided missile submarine, where he served as Quality Assurance Officer, in addition to his core duties y managing nuclear and non-nuclear mechanics.

Glenn received his master’s degree in national security policy from Georgetown University and his bachelor’s degree from The United States Naval Academy. He is a Commander in the Naval Reserves, primarily supporting the U.S. Selective Service. In his free time, he works with a veterans’ nonprofit organization that advocates for civic engagement and speaks out against veteran extremism.

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Arah Schuur
Executive Director, Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships

Arah Schuur is the Executive Director of NEEP, succeeding Founder Sue Coakley.

Arah brings a background of leadership in energy efficiency and clean energy. Before joining NEEP in March of 2021, Arah led organizations in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Most recently, Arah was Managing Consultant at Optimal Energy, a clean energy consulting firm supporting government energy offices, program administrators, and utilities in developing and executing energy efficiency programs.

Arah served as Director of the Energy Efficiency Division at the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) where she led the state’s energy efficiency-related policy and program portfolio. Arah served in the federal government in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy as the Director of the Commercial Buildings Integration program within the Building Technologies Office. She also served as Senior Energy Advisor at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Prior to her work in Washington D.C., Arah directed a global non-profit program that advised governments and private building owners on energy efficiency retrofits.

Arah holds master’s degrees in City Planning and Real Estate Development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Yale University. She lives in Somerville, Massachusetts, where she volunteers her time advocating for safe streets and equitable mobility, and works on decarbonizing her own life.

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Richard Sedano
President and Chief Executive Officer, Regulatory Assistance Project

RAP President Richard Sedano ?brings decades of industry and regulatory experience in developing creative, context-specific energy policies, and he continues to advise governments on the “power sector of the future” and energy efficiency policy. Mr. Sedano works collaboratively with our regional leadership to advance power sector reform and environmental policy, cost-effective paths to a low-carbon energy sector, and practical solutions to the challenges of integrating renewable energy sources into the grid and scaling up energy efficiency resources.

Most recently, Mr. Sedano was director of RAP’s U.S. program, where he advised state utility commissions and other decision-makers, often working with them in workshop settings, on energy efficiency, demand response, renewable energy, pricing, grid modernization, transmission and wholesale electric market issues.

Prior to joining RAP in 2001, Mr. Sedano served as commissioner for nine years and held various engineering staff positions with the Vermont Department of Public Service. The department represents utility consumers in all regulatory matters and acts as the state’s energy office and consumer advocate. He also worked as an engineer in power generation for Philadelphia Electric Co.

In November 2009, Mr. Sedano was awarded the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners’ Mary Kilmarx Award. In September 2011, the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) presented him with an award for his service. Mr. Sedano served as chair of NASEO from 1998-2000. He is an advisor to the Rocky Mountain Institute’s e-Lab — an assembly of thought leaders and decision-makers focused on collaborative innovation to address critical barriers to the economic deployment of distributed resources in the U.S. electricity sector.

Mr. Sedano attended Stuyvesant High School in New York City and received his bachelor’s in engineering from Brown University and his master’s degree in engineering management from Drexel University.

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Nancy Seidman
Senior Advisor, Regulatory Assistance Project

Nancy L. Seidman is a Senior Advisor at the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP). With more than 30 years in energy and environmental policy, Seidman works with RAP’s US team advising policymakers, advocates and other utility sector participants on the intersection of environmental and energy policies.  Her work focuses on air quality and climate change policies, the benefits of energy efficiency, and beneficial electrification, and transportation. She works to ensure that our clean energy future will be equitable.  Prior to joining RAP in 2017, she was the assistant commissioner for the Bureau of Air and Waste at the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).  Earlier, Ms. Seidman worked at NESCAUM and US EPA’s Regional office in Boston.   Ms. Seidman holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from Cornell and an MBA from Boston University in Public Management.

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Brian Selinger
Team Leader, Energy Office, Iowa Economic Development Authority

Brian Selinger manages the Iowa Energy Office, a division of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA). The Energy Office manages a diverse mix of state, federal and utility-funded programs and initiatives that provide energy-economic benefits for Iowa’s citizens, businesses, and organizations. Brian led the daily activities in the development of the state’s most comprehensive, strategic energy roadmap, the Iowa Energy Plan.

Selinger joined IEDA in 2015 after serving as the Deputy Director of Policy and Research for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. His professional experience includes work with Lockheed Martin as part of an Energy Efficiency partnership with a St. Louis utility.

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Anne Smart
Vice President, ChargePoint

Anne Smart is the Vice President of Public Policy for North America for ChargePoint, one of the world’s largest network of electric vehicle charging stations. In this role, Anne leads federal, state and local policy teams in US and Canada, utility partnerships and regulatory policy, and the development and execution of grants, incentives and public-private partnerships. Before coming to ChargePoint, Anne was the Executive Director of The Alliance for Solar Choice (TASC), a rooftop solar advocacy group founded by SolarCity and Sunrun. She also served as Director of Energy at the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, a public policy trade association representing Silicon Valley employers. Anne has a Master of Energy and Environmental Policy from the University of Delaware and Bachelor degrees in Public Administration and Environmental Studies from Miami University in Ohio. She lives in Portland, Oregon.

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Kelley Smith Burk
Director, Office of Energy, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Kelley Smith Burk has been with the Florida Office of Energy since 2008 and oversaw the development and administration of over $176 million of federal and state grants to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy.  Kelley serves as the director for the Office of Energy.  Kelley is responsible for leading the Office of Energy as it develops energy policy and implements programs as well as promotes the use of renewable energy, energy efficient technologies, and alternative transportation technologies for the state of Florida.

Prior to joining the department, Kelley worked with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Strategic Projects and Planning as a policy analyst for the Governor’s Action Team on Energy and Climate Change. Kelley has also served as the director of Scheduling in the Executive Office of the Governor. Kelley received her bachelor’s degree in history from Florida State University and her master’s degree in public policy from Pepperdine University.

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Dr. Carolyn Snyder
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy

Dr. Carolyn Snyder is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. In this role, she leads a diverse energy efficiency program and R&D portfolio that includes advanced manufacturing, building technologies, federal energy management, low-income weatherization, and intergovernmental partnerships.

Previously, Dr. Snyder served as the Director of U.S. EPA’s Climate Protection Partnerships Division. She led voluntary partnerships with thousands of industrial, commercial, utility, state, and local organizations to remove market barriers for energy efficiency and renewable energy and accelerate emissions reductions.  She oversaw the ENERGY STAR program, the Green Power Partnership, the Combined Heat and Power Partnership, the Center for Corporate Climate Leadership, and the State and Local Climate and Energy program.

Prior to EPA, Dr. Snyder supported both public and private clients on strategic management and environmental projects at McKinsey & Company.  She served as a White House Fellow in the U.S. Office of Management and Budget working on cross-agency policy and management initiatives for the OMB Director.  She also was the Director of Delaware's Division of Energy and Climate, where she created and led the new division and managed a wide range of energy efficiency, renewable energy, climate policy, and low-income weatherization programs.  She earned a Ph.D. in Environment and Resources from Stanford University, Masters Degrees as a Marshall Scholar from Oxford and Cambridge, and a B.A. from Amherst College.  Her scientific research has been published in Nature, Paleoceanography, and Climatic Change.

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Pat Stanton
Director of Policy, E4TheFuture

A nationally recognized, award-winning expert in regulatory policy analysis and advocacy, Pat Stanton works tirelessly to improve public policies related to energy efficiency, renewable energy, and the full range of demand resources.

Among other initiatives she is leading the Faces of EE campaign. Prior to E4TheFuture she served as policy advocacy lead at CSG (2003-2015) and led a consulting service for Clean Energy Markets participants. Before CSG, she was Deputy Commissioner at Massachusetts Dept. of Energy Resources (DOER). She was Assistant Commissioner of Waste Prevention at Massachusetts Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) where she contributed award-winning program design, and was a director of DEP’s Division of Water Supply. Stanton earned master’s degrees from Harvard University’s JFK School of Government (Public Administration) and MIT (Civil Engineering). She is also a power knitter and a cyclist in the American Lung Association’s Trek Across Maine the past few years.

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Michael Stoddard
Executive Director, Efficiency Maine Trust

Efficiency Maine is the independent administrator for energy efficiency programs in Maine. Efficiency Maine’s mission is to lower the cost and environmental impacts of energy in Maine by promoting cost-effective energy efficiency and alternative energy systems. Executive Director Stoddard was appointed Executive Director in 2010. He manages an annual budget of $50 million, provides in-house counsel and acts as liaison to Maine Legislature and Board of Trustees.

Michael Stoddard was appointed by Public Utilities Commission to represent environmental interests on the Maine Energy Conservation Board (2008-2010), Provided legal and policy analysis and representation in regulatory matters for non-profit environmental advocacy groups (the Clean Air Task Force, the Clean Energy Group, the Conservation Law Foundation and Environment Northeast) and “green power” marketing companies (Green Mountain Energy, the Renewable Energy Alliance) on issues relevant to deceptive trade practices regarding “green marketing” of energy, electricity deregulation, fuel cell assured power supply systems, and renewable energy policies. Coordinator of Parliamentary Assistance Programs, Johannesburg, South Africa (August 1995 – August 1996). Assistant Counsel for Election Processes, Washington, D.C. (August 1992 – August 1994) supporting projects in Burundi, C.A.R., Ghana, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, S. Africa, Togo, and Zambia. Education: Juris Doctor, University of Maine School of Law, May 1992.

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Erin Taylor
Program Planning Bureau Chief, Energy Conservation and Management Division, New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department

Erin Taylor joined the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department Energy Conservation and Management Division, also known as the New Mexico State Energy Office, in December 2019. As the Energy Planning and Program Bureau Chief, Erin manages the State Energy Program and oversees program efforts related to climate sustainability and resilience, grid modernization, alternative fuel and electric vehicles, economic and energy diversification, and energy conservation and renewable energy financial incentives. Erin has over 10 years of experience in project planning and management, with an emphasis on environmental compliance and mine reclamation. She has led reclamation efforts on multiple high priority abandoned mine land sites throughout New Mexico. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Science in Environmental Policy and Management from University of Denver.

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David Terry
Executive Director, National Association of State Energy Officials

David Terry is the Executive Director of the National Association of State Energy Officials and has worked with NASEO in a variety of capacities since 1996. Mr. Terry leads NASEO's policy actions and programs in support of the 56 governor-designated state and territory energy directors and their offices. NASEO communicates the states' views on virtually all national energy issues. Mr. Terry has participated in governor-led policy meetings, testified before U.S. Congressional Committees and presented at White House and international energy forums.  Mr. Terry has 25 years of experience working on a range of energy issues for such organizations as the Governors’ Wind and Solar Energy and Coalition and Energy Services Coalition. Prior to working in the energy area, Mr. Terry was researcher at the National Academy of Sciences and a statistical analyst for a consumer products market research firm. He received a BA degree from Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, and he has completed graduate coursework in statistics and marketing at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia.

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Dr. Will Toor
Executive Director, Colorado Energy Office

In January 2019, Will Toor joined the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) as its Executive Director appointed by Governor Jared Polis. Will’s background spans transportation electrification, sustainable transportation, smart growth, electric vehicle policy, clean energy finance, green building policy, local government policy and regional planning. Prior to CEO, Will was Transportation Program Director at the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP). Before SWEEP, Will served as Boulder County Commissioner for eight years where he led the effort to create and adopt a countywide Sustainable Energy Plan, the BuildSmart green building code, the EnergySmart program, and the ClimateSmart Loan Program. Prior to being elected Boulder County Commissioner, Will served as Mayor of Boulder for six years where he developed Boulder's community transit network, EcoPass unlimited access transit pass programs, and policies for denser, mixed-use urban infill development as an alternative to sprawl. Will previously served on and chaired the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG). He was appointed by Governor Ritter to the state Transportation Funding and Implementation blue ribbon panel, the Governor's Climate Action Panel, and the Regional Air Quality Council. He was appointed by Governor Hickenlooper to the Air Quality Control Commission and the state oil and gas taskforce. Will spent 12 years as Director of the University of Colorado Environmental Center, where he developed campus sustainability programs in the areas of solid waste, building energy use, and transportation planning. Will holds a BS in Physics from Carnegie Mellon University and a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Chicago.

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Eddy Trevino
Director, State Energy Conservation Office, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

Eddy Trevino is the Director of the Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO).  In addition to his daily management and oversight activities, he oversees the State Energy Program activities, the LoanSTAR revolving loan program, and the Clean Energy Incubator initiative. 

Under Mr. Trevino’s management of the LoanSTAR revolving loan program, fund value has increased to $230 million with over 310 loans.  There have been no loan defaults over the life of the loan program.

Between September 1, 2018 and July 31, 2019, the Clean Energy Incubator program activities resulted in an economic impact of $28,435,933 to the state of Texas and supported 499 new jobs.

Mr. Trevino’s professional designations include a registered Professional Engineer and a Certified Energy Manager. He has 29 years of engineering and management experience. 

While attending the University of Texas at Austin, Mr. Trevino earned the following degrees: Bachelor in Architectural Engineering (1980), an MBA (1986), and a Master in Technology Commercialization (2001).

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Michael Turner
Director of Building Innovation and Energy Finance, Colorado Energy Office

Michael Turner has been working on renewable energy and climate change projects and policy for over 15 years. He began his career in sustainability working for the United States Peace Corps in Camiri, Bolivia in 2007, helping to establish an environmental commission—CLIMA (La Comisio´n Local Interinstitucional Del Medio Ambiente) to research and address environmental challenges in the community. While studying at Columbia University to attain his Masters in International Affairs, he was awarded a fellowship through the Millennium Villages Project in partnership with the United Nations Development Program to establish carbon markets for the Uganda Carbon Bureau. While working for the Center for Clean Air Policy in Washington, DC, he worked on a Waste-to-Energy national policy proposal for the Colombian National Government that was approved by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. He is now the Director of Building Innovation & Energy Finance at the Colorado Energy Office, where he advances Colorado’s 100% Renewable Energy goal by 2040 through emerging market development and technology adoption in the buildings sector. Additionally, Michael is a founder and co-chair of the Chaco Fund, a nonprofit contributing to the well-being of Bolivian Chaco communities by supporting women’s education and professional development.

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Dr. Timothy Unruh
Executive Director, National Association of Energy Service Companies

Dr. Timothy D. Unruh is the Executive Director of the National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO). In this role, he manages the representation of its member Energy Service Companies. NAESCO provides advocacy for the industry at the Federal, State and Local levels, and provides for member company Accreditation.

Prior to this role, Dr. Unruh was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Renewable Power at the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Office of the US Department of Energy (DOE). As the Deputy Assistant Secretary, Dr. Unruh managed the nation’s renewable power research, while also providing oversight to the Grid Modernization Initiative.

Also while at the DOE EERE, Dr. Unruh Directed the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP). As FEMP Director, Dr. Unruh oversaw the implementation of policy and actions that result in energy efficiency implementation, renewable energy adoption, and reductions in energy and water use in Federal government operations. Dr. Unruh coordinates with DOE national laboratories and other Federal agencies in this capacity.

Dr. Unruh has doctorate, master’s, and bachelor’s degrees in electrical engineering from Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas.

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Paul Vrabel
Vice President, ICF


Tom Watson
Co-Founder, eviAir


Chris White
Senior Manager, Frontier Energy

Chris White has been with Frontier Energy since 2004. As a Senior Manager, she directs programs and projects that introduce new technologies and ideas that help businesses and residents be more efficiency with energy, water, refuse, and transportation. A former owner of a bowling alley, Chris brings practical experience to the challenges that small businesses face with new technologies and a changing workforce. She uses this knowledge to help clients identify programs, strategies, and incentives and implement pilot programs that have the sought-after triple win. Connect with Chris on LinkedIn on talk about equity, diversity, efficiency, and how to improve your bowling average.

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John Williams
Vice President, Policy and Regulatory Affairs, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

As Vice President for Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Mr. Williams’ primary responsibility is to help guide state energy policy development. At NYSERDA, Mr. Williams oversees the Energy and Environmental Analysis unit, providing economic analysis and scientific research to best inform policy-makers in energy and environmental issues, as well as the Performance Management unit, which provides market characterization and evaluation, clean energy market insights and statistical analysis that all guide effective clean energy strategies. Mr. Williams serves as NYSERDA’s designee on the New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment.

Mr. Williams’ previous work experience includes serving as Energy Counsel for the New York State Assembly; Staff Attorney for The Energy Project of the Pace University School of Law; and Financial Analyst for the Public Service Company of New Mexico, a combined electric and natural gas utility serving the largest markets in the state of New Mexico. Mr. Williams earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Columbia University, a Juris Doctor degree from the St. John’s University School of Law, and a Master of Laws degree in Environmental Law from the Pace University School of Law. He is a licensed attorney in the states of New York and New Jersey.

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Patrick Woodcock
Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources

Patrick Woodcock was named DOER Commissioner in February 2020. Formerly, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ Undersecretary of Energy, Commissioner Woodcock was named Acting Commissioner in December 2019 and served in this role until his current appointment.    

Woodcock joined the Baker-Polito Administration in 2017 and served as the Undersecretary of Energy in the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for over two years. In that position, Woodcock oversaw the Department of Energy Resources and the Department of Public Utilities. Woodcock serves on the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center Board and Investment Committee, represents Massachusetts on the Boards of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Inc. and National Association of State Energy Officials, and is a member of the Energy Facilities Siting Board.

Prior to his time in the administration, Woodcock was Director of the Maine State Energy Office, a position he held from 2013 through 2016. Previously, Woodcock worked for United States Senator Olympia Snowe in her Washington, D.C. office. Woodcock graduated from Bowdoin College and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government.

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Gizelle Wray
Director of Regulatory Affairs and Counsel, Solar Energy Industries Association

Gizelle Wray is SEIA's Director of Regulatory Affairs and Counsel. She represents SEIA regarding energy matters of importance to the solar industry before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Regional Transmission Organizations, the various federal agencies (DOE, EPA), and Congress. She also coordinates with SEIA’s members and coalition partners in multiple venues to advance SEIA’s policy objectives of energy storage, transmission, interconnection, bulk power generation, and cybersecurity.

Before joining SEIA, Gizelle worked at the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation where she managed enforcement matters pertaining to grid operations and cybersecurity.

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Robin Yochum
Energy Program Manager, Nevada Governor’s Office of Energy

As an Energy Program Manager, Ms. Yochum works on advancing energy efficiency policies for the state of Nevada with the Governor’s Office of Energy (GOE). Ms. Yochum joined the GOE team in 2016 and her responsibilities include participating in the development and implementation of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) on a three-year cycle, the development and adoption of appliance standards including the most recent adoption of minimum efficiency standards for general service lamps, administration of a green building tax abatement program, and providing no cost energy efficient improvements for low income seniors. Ms. Yochum serves on the International Code Councils (ICC) Building Membership Council, Raise the Profile Subcommittee and Community Building Best Practices & Innovation Subcommittee. Ms. Yochum also serves on the ICCs Sustainability Membership Councils Zero Carbon Subcommittee as the Chair of the Implementation and Workforce development task group and represents Nevada on the US Climate Alliance Building and Appliance working groups. Ms. Yochum is a Nevada Certified Contracts Manager as well as LEED Green Associate and GPRO Certified for green building and sustainable practices. Ms. Yochum has over 20 years of experience in residential and commercial construction.

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Chris Yunker
Managing Director, Resiliency, Clean Transportation, and Analytics, Hawaii State Energy Office

Chris Yunker is the Managing Director for Resiliency, Clean Transportation, and Analytics for the Hawaii State Energy Office.  Mr. Yunker is an energy industry professional with a broad range of experience in a variety of functions and roles including start-ups, venture capital, and central station power plant development. Most recently Chris was the Rates and Analysis Manager for San Diego Gas & Electric where he oversaw rate design, forecasting and load analysis. Prior to that he held positions at SDG&E in Strategic Planning, Finance, RD&D, and Resource Planning. In these roles he oversaw the development of applications and served as an expert witness in proceedings before the California Public Utilities Commission covering topics ranging from rate policy, rate design, procurement and finance.  In addition Mr. Yunker has worked for Sempra Connections which installed micro-turbines in combined heat and power applications on the customer side of the meter as well as for GEA Power Cooling Systems, Inc. which developed condensing systems for steam turbines in utility scale central station power plants.  He has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from University of California – San Diego and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Southern California.  He is also a professional engineer (PE) in mechanical engineering and a certified energy manager (CEM) through the association of energy engineers.

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Alan Zelenka
Assistant Director for Planning and Innovation, Oregon Department of Energy

Alan is the Assistant Director for Planning and Innovation at the Oregon Department of Energy. His team works on energy efficiency, renewable resources, sustainable transportation, energy planning, and climate change issues.

Before joining ODOE he was the Energy Services Leader for Kennedy/Jenks Consultants for over 10 years, a consulting firm where he worked with clients all over the west on climate change, energy efficiency, and renewables.

Prior to that Alan worked at Emerald PUD in Eugene for over 21 years, where he was the Power Manager.

Alan Zelenka graduated with a degree in political-economy from UC Berkeley, and got his master’s degree in energy planning and policy from the University of Oregon.

In his spare time, Alan is in his fourth term as a Eugene City Councilor.

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