Agenda

David Terry

President, NASEO

David Terry is the President of NASEO. 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 U.S. Department of Energy. Prior to working in the energy area, Mr. Terry was researcher at the National Academy of Sciences and an analyst for a federal advisory committee focused on U.S.  energy technology innovation and global competitiveness.

John Williams

Executive Vice President, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

As Executive 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.

Molly Cripps

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

Molly is the Director of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s (TDEC) Office of Energy Programs (OEP). In addition to Molly’s energy-related work, she serves as the Director of Operations for the Bureau of Environment, including emergency and environmental response efforts.

Molly leads teams that focus on the design and implementation of clean energy and sustainable transportation programs and projects, including those funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Inflation Reduction Act, and Tennessee’s allocation under the Volkswagen Diesel Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust.  She has served on the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) Board of Directors since 2014 and is currently serving as the Vice-Chair of the Executive Committee.  She also serves as the Co-chair of the NASEO & National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners Advanced Nuclear State Collaborative and supports Governor Lee’s Nuclear Energy Advisory Council.  Molly is a member of the Executive Committee for the Drive Electric TN Consortium and represents TDEC on the Energy Efficient Schools Council and various TVA information exchanges and working groups.

Prior to joining the State in 2010, Molly spent several years practicing law in Tennessee, with a focus on compliance and municipal liability defense. She holds a B.A. in History and Political Science from the University of Tennessee and a J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School.

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.

Julie Staveland

Michigan State Energy Office Director and the Assistant Division Director, Materials Management Division, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Dr. Andrew McAllister

Commissioner, California Energy Commission

Andrew McAllister was first appointed to the California Energy Commission in 2012, and in 2022 was reappointed by Governor Newsom to a third term. Commissioner McAllister’s priorities include: decarbonization of buildings and industry; energy efficiency of buildings and appliances; load flexibility as a tool for grid optimization; improving access to data and analytical tools that can drive innovation at the grid edge; alignment of energy and housing policy & programs; and amplifying California’s innovation-centered approach through collaboration with diverse partners beyond its borders.

Commissioner McAllister has worked in the utility, energy efficiency and renewable energy spaces for more than three decades. Prior to CEC he served as managing director of a California-based clean energy non-profit; energy efficiency and renewable energy specialist at an international development contractor; utility energy efficiency program consultant; and researcher at a DOE national laboratory. He has worked in numerous countries to deploy clean, cost-effective energy solutions partnering with counterparts ranging from tiny remote communities to the largest of utilities.

Commissioner McAllister chairs the Western Interstate Energy Board and serves on the boards of the National Association of State energy Officials, the Smart Electric Power Alliance, and Camp Kesem at UC Davis. He holds M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the Energy and Resources Group at the University of California, Berkeley, and B.A. from Dartmouth College. He served as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer.

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.

Nick Burger

Deputy Director, Energy Administration, District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment

Nick Burger is the Deputy Director of the Energy Administration. He was previously a Senior Economist at the RAND Corporation and the director of RAND’s Washington office. He holds a PhD in economics from the University of California at Santa Barbara, and his research has focused on energy, climate, and resilience issues. At DOEE, Nick leads a team that is working to improve the District’s building energy efficiency, access to renewable energy, and clean transportation options. His team designs and implements a range of programs that make energy cleaner and more accessible for District residents.

Nick was a Lead Author on the Fourth Assessment Report produced by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and is the author of two dozen academic papers and reports. Nick has worked with Habitat for Humanity of DC for ten years, helping them construct eight Passive homes for District residents. He served as an ANC Commissioner in ANC 6B for four years and has worked extensively on zoning and housing expansion. Most recently he served on the District’s Green Building Advisory Council.

Joe Pater

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

Richard Stover

Administrator, Idaho Governor’s Office of Energy and Mineral Resources

Richard Stover serves as the Adminstrator of the Idaho Governor's Office of Energy and Mineral Resources. Prior to this role he served as Senior Counsel for Government Relations at Boise State University and was with Boise law firm Eberle, Berlin, Kading, Turnbow & McKlveen, Chtd., since 2005 where he served as shareholder and vice president and covered, in part, environmental and regulatory matters for private business as an attorney. He handled natural resources issues for Governors Phil Batt and Dirk Kempthorne, and has worked as assistant city attorney for the city of Boise and as a judicial extern for U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge. He is a board member for Interfaith Sanctuary Housing Services, Inc., in Boise. Stover earned his bachelor's degree in politics and international relations from the College of Idaho and his law degree from the University of Idaho.

Maria Effertz

Director, Division of Community Services, North Dakota Department of Commerce

Maria Effertz is the Community and Economic Development Lead with the North Dakota Department of Commerce. She works with the Main Street Program, ED&F developers and state liaison for community development programming. Prior to joining Commerce in April 2020, Maria worked in marketing and external relations for engineering and oil and gas development.

Maria has degrees in public relations, political science and management. Maria is from and currently lives near Velva, has two kids, two horses, one dog and too many cats to count.

Kenya Stump

Executive Director, Office of Energy Policy, Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet

Kenya Stump was appointed as the Executive Director of the Kentucky Office of Energy Policy in March of 2020. Prior to that, Kenya served Assistant Director for the Division of Energy Assistance within the Office of Energy Policy. Before her work in energy, Kenya managed the environmental assistance programs at the Cabinet including environmental leadership, brownfields, and compliance assistance with the Division of Compliance Assistance. She also served as environmental scientist and policy advisor for the Director’s Office at the Division for Air Quality.  Prior to moving to state government in Frankfort, she served as an environmental consultant with the Kentucky Business Environmental Assistance Program at the University of Kentucky.  Kenya has master’s degrees in Environmental Science and Public Administration from Indiana University and the University of Kentucky, respectively.  She also holds a post-graduate certificate in Environmental Systems and graduated from Western Kentucky University with a Bachelors degree in Chemistry.

Jim Robb

President and Chief Executive Officer, North American Electric Reliability Corporation

James B. Robb assumed the role of president and chief executive officer of NERC in April 2018.

Mr. Robb oversees NERC’s mission of assuring the reliability and security of the North American bulk power system. As president and CEO, Mr. Robb directs key programs affecting more than 1,400 bulk power system owners, operators, and users, including mandatory NERC Reliability Standards, compliance monitoring, enforcement, situational awareness, event and risk analysis, reliability assessments and forecasting, cyber and physical security, and government relations. Mr. Robb also oversees the operations of the Regional Entities who support the reliability mission across North America.

From 2014 to 2018, Mr. Robb served as president and CEO of the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) where he was responsible for the strategic direction and leadership of all of WECC’s activities.

Mr. Robb has more than 30 years of experience in the energy sector as an engineer, a consultant, and a senior executive. Prior to becoming WECC’s CEO in 2014, he held three major leadership roles in the industry at Northeast Utilities (now Eversource Energy) as senior vice president of Enterprise Planning and Development; at Reliant Energy (now part of NRG Energy) where he served as senior vice president of Retail Marketing for the competitive retail business in Texas and the Northeast; and at McKinsey & Company where he was a partner and the leader of the West Coast’s Energy and Natural Resource Practice. During his 15-year career at McKinsey, he worked closely with prominent electric power companies in California, western Canada, the Pacific Northwest, and the Rocky Mountain states, as well as with some of the region’s largest energy consumers.

Mr. Robb earned a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University in Indiana and a master’s degree in Business Administration from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.

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.

Dr. Carolyn Snyder

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Buildings and Industry, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy

Carolyn Snyder is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Buildings and Industry at the U.S. Department of Energy.  In this role, she leads offices that advance energy efficiency and reduce emissions from our nation’s buildings and industry while supporting U.S. energy security and manufacturing competitiveness.  She oversees over $800 million annually for R&D across U.S. national laboratories, private industry, and universities. She also oversees comprehensive partnerships with energy sector leaders, other federal agencies, and state and local governments to demonstrate and deploy these technologies and support the transition to a clean energy economy.

Carolyn oversees three offices. The Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office accelerates the innovation and adoption of cost-effective technologies that eliminate industrial greenhouse gas emissions.  The Building Technologies Office invests in high-impact solutions to equitably and rapidly scale decarbonization technologies across the buildings sector.  The Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office drives innovation in energy-related materials and manufacturing technologies to increase global competitiveness and support a clean, decarbonized economy.

Previously, Carolyn served as the Director of U.S. EPA’s Climate Protection Partnerships Division where she led voluntary partnerships with thousands of industrial, commercial, utility, state, and local organizations.  She also served as a consultant at McKinsey & Company, a White House Fellow in the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and Director of Delaware's Division of Energy & Climate.  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.

Gabrielle Stebbins

Director of Distributed Energy Resources, Center for Sustainable Energy

Gabrielle Stebbins has 15+ years of experience in renewable energy program management, policy design, regulatory processes and community outreach. At CSE, she leads the development and implementation of new distributed energy programs, supporting consumers in decarbonization. Previously, she directed a renewable energy trade association and chaired a municipal electric utility board. Gabrielle has also served on the American Public Power Association policy committee and Vermont transmission grid system planning committee. Since 2021, she has served as a Vermont state representative. She holds bachelor’s degrees in anthropology and classic violin from Rice University and a master’s in development policy from Nelson Mandela University.

Jeff Genzer

General Counsel, National Association of State Energy Officials

Jeffrey C. Genzer joined Duncan, Weinberg, Genzer & Pembroke, P.C. in 1985. His practice has concentrated on energy and environmental counseling and litigation. He has worked on electric and natural gas ratemaking, energy project development, bulk power supply, transmission system issues, contract negotiation, franchise and municipalization issues, alternative energy sources, conservation and energy efficiency programs, including demand-side management and integrated resource planning programs.

In the environment area he has been involved especially in Clean Air Act and Toxic Substances Control Act issues and all phases of environmental reviews for energy projects.

He has appeared before a variety of federal agencies and state and federal courts, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and a variety of state commissions, agencies and courts. He also has an active federal legislative practice. He has worked with a number of local and state governments throughout the United States from New York to Hawaii. Mr. Genzer presently serves as General Counsel to the National Association of State Energy Officials, the National Association of Energy Service Companies, the National Energy Assistance Directors' Association and the Energy Programs Consortium. He has spoken on numerous occasions, especially on federal legislative activities, energy, environmental and utility issues.

Prior to entering law school, Mr. Genzer served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Micronesia. He worked on a number of development projects and served as the first energy planner in the region. Mr. Genzer supervised, planned, and constructed numerous water systems and other construction projects. He also prepared legislation and successful grant proposals. While in law school, Mr. Genzer was employed at the National Consumer Law Center.

He monitored legislative and regulatory activities and wrote legal and policy memoranda in the field of energy law. After his second year of law school, Mr. Genzer clerked for Duncan, Weinberg, Genzer & Pembroke, P.C. Prior to returning to the firm, he served as Staff Counsel to the Committee on Energy and Environment of the National Governors' Association. In that role he drafted legislation in the energy and environmental area, and served as the chief energy lobbyist for the Association. He provided legal analysis for the Governors on such issues as electric utility regulation, nuclear waste, oil overcharge refunds, toxic victims compensation, and natural gas regulation and a variety of environmental issues. Mr. Genzer also coordinated the activities of the state energy offices. His practice is focused on energy, environmental, utility and legislative matters.

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). Through energy efficiency, SECO helps public entities improve working and learning environments. Energy efficiency assistance is provided through a technical assistance program, emerging clean energy technology program, education and training program, and an energy-efficiency revolving loan program. Mr. Trevino’s professional designations include a registered Professional Engineer and a Certified Energy Manager. He has 35 years of engineering and management experience.  While attending the University of Texas at Austin, Mr. Trevino earned the following degrees: Bachelor’s in architectural engineering, an MBA, and a Master in Technology Commercialization.

Alexa Voytek

Deputy Director of Programs, Innovation and Transportation, Communications, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation's Office of Energy Programs

Alexa is TDEC OEP's Deputy Director of Programs, Innovation and Transportation, and Communications. Alexa serves as the Principal Investigator for the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) State Energy Program, oversees OEP’s sustainable transportation and alternative fuels programming, and assists with the administration of a variety of funding sources, including the State of Tennessee’s initial allocation under the Volkswagen Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust, the State’s annual allocation under the Environmental Protection Agency’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act Program, and the implementation of formula funding under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program. Alexa also serves as the Coalition Director for U.S. DOE’s Clean Cities Middle-West Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition, through which she acts as a technical resource for fleets and individuals evaluating alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies. Alexa is Co-Chair of the National Association for State Energy Officials’ (NASEO) Transportation Committee and also serves as the Governor’s designee to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Regional Energy Resource Council, which provides guidance on how TVA manages its energy resources against competing objectives and values. Alexa is also the Principal Investigator for the U.S. DOE Grid Resilience Formula Grant Program in Tennessee, funded under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The objective of this Program is to maintain and enhance the reliability and resilience of the electric grid, with the goal of minimizing the frequency and duration of power outages resulting from natural hazards. Since the passage of the IIJA and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), she has supported TDEC OEP with program design tied to the implementation of additional funding programs (e.g., Home Energy Rebate Programs, Solar for All, Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant Program, Revolving Loan Fund Capitalizations Grant Program, Training for Residential Energy Contractors, etc.). Prior to joining TDEC, Alexa interned with the UN Division for Sustainable Development and the U.S. Consulate in St. Petersburg, Russia. Most recently, Alexa served as Asst. Account Executive for the public relations firm Ketchum, Inc., where she was assigned to energy and technology related projects. Alexa holds an M.A. from Columbia University in Russian, Eastern European, Balkan, and Eurasian Studies and graduated summa cum laude from Duke University, with a B.A. in History and Russian Language / Area Studies.

Garrett Fitzgerald

Senior Director, Research, and Industry Strategy, Transportation Electrification, Smart Electric Power Alliance

Curtis Thayer

Executive Director, Alaska Energy Authority

Curtis W. Thayer is the executive director of the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA), the state's energy office and lead agency for statewide energy policy and program development. Prior to AEA, Thayer served as president and chief executive officer of the Alaska Chamber, the largest state trade association.

Previous to that position, he served as Commissioner for the Department of Administration and as a cabinet member for Governor Sean Parnell, with responsibility for 1,100 public employees and an annual budget of $350 million. Additionally, his public service includes time as the Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development and working in Washington, D.C. with Congressman Don Young and Senators Ted Stevens and Lisa Murkowski.

Before public service, Thayer worked on the management team of ENSTAR Natural Gas Company and for the Alaska Gas Producers Pipeline Team.

Thayer has served on boards at Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, Alaska Gasline Development Corporation, Alaska Retirement Management Board, Alaska Royalty Oil and Gas Development Advisory Board, U.S. Chambers’ Committee of 100, and currently chairs the Alaska Board of Marine Pilots.

Tucker Perkins

President and Chief Executive Officer, Propane Education and Research Council

Tucker Perkins is the President and CEO for the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). He is an energy expert with four decades of experience in the liquid and renewable energy industry. Tucker is a frequent keynote speaker to national and international audiences on energy topics and a commentator for major media outlets, such as the Schwab Network.  He is the author of Path to Zero: 12 Climate Conversations that Changed the World.

Tucker also hosts the Path to Zero podcast, in which he has interviewed over 100 experts and thought leaders in provocative discussions regarding energy and climate change. 

A Virginia Tech graduate with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, Perkins earned his MBA from the University of Richmond.

Amanda McClinton

Assistant Secretary, Office of Energy, Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources

Amanda McClinton serves as the Assistant Secretary of the Office of Energy within Louisiana’s Department of Energy and Natural Resources, bringing over 17 years of experience in state government. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Louisiana State University and a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification from Villanova University. Amanda has been instrumental in advancing federal energy grant programs, driving grant management and strategic planning efforts, and fostering key partnerships across sectors. Leveraging her expertise in business analytics and personnel management, she focuses on enhancing resource efficiency and promoting sustainable energy initiatives.

Stephanie Insinna-Sahondo

Director, Weatherization Assistance Program, Colorado Energy Office

Stephanie has the privilege of Directing the Weatherization Assistance Program and has been with the Colorado Energy Office since 2019. Prior to that she worked for several years in healthcare nonprofit programmatic delivery. Stephanie holds a BA in Environmental Studies and an MA in Social Change. She has a passion for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and currently sits on the NASCSP Board of Directors as well as the NASEO Energy Equity Committee Leadership Team.

Wendolyn Holland

Senior Advisor for Policy Tax, and Government Relations, Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy

Wendolyn Holland serves as Senior Advisor for Policy, Tax & Government Relations at the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy. In this role, Wendolyn supports tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Americans in their quest for renewable energy deployment as a means to improve sovereignty and enhance sustainable economic development.

Wendolyn served as Senior Advisor for Commercialization in the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, a role that supported the movement of national laboratory technologies into the market. She then served as a member of the senior leadership team at Savannah River National Laboratory.

Wendolyn advises at the nexus of finance, technology, and policy, focusing on clean energy technologies. With a particular expertise in tax strategy and policy, her projects focus on the very essence of our social and environmental problems. With the background of a historian, she models her projects for the long-range view to bend the arc of history. She also leads the teams for federal grant application submissions. She is among the nation’s experts on Section 48C, the Advanced Energy Project Tax Credit. Beyond 48C, Wendolyn has supported dozens of successful submissions for competitive federal funding opportunities, focused mostly but not exclusively on DOE solicitations.

Wendolyn received her JD and LLM in Taxation from Georgetown Law in 2017, her MBA in Finance and Strategy from Kellogg School of Management in 2001, and her BA in History and Studies in the Environment from Yale in 1991. She is a frequent lecturer on U.S. renewable energy policy and Western Americana.

Maria Redmond

Director, Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy, Wisconsin Department of Administration

Maria Redmond, with over 24 years of service to the State of Wisconsin, brings a wealth of experience to her role as the Director of the Wisconsin Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy. She is intensely focused on leading the implementation of the state’s first-ever Clean Energy Plan and executing the Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change recommendations. Redmond leads on policies, projects, and collective action instrumental in ensuring an equitable energy transition, accelerating multi-sector deep decarbonization, and supporting the state’s transition to a clean energy economy, resulting in delivering a diverse workforce and technological innovation.

Joseph Paladino

Program Manager, Grid Deployment Office, U.S. Department of Energy

Joe Paladino is a Senior Advisor within the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity (OE) where he collaborates with many organizations across the electric power industry to advance decision-making practices for effective electric grid transformation.  He has served in both the private and public sectors during his career to apply technologies and best practices that address energy and environmental issues.

He has served within the Department for more than 30 years in program development and management roles. Current efforts are focused on working with state organizations and utilities to advance integrated distribution system planning practices to enable the formulation of grid investment strategies that address policy priorities and evolution at the grid edge. Notable past efforts include establishing the technology maturation decision process for the DOE Office of Environmental Management, the consortium strategy for the Solid-State Lighting Initiative within DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and the metrics and benefits program within OE for conveying the impact of grid-related technologies deployed via the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. 

Before joining the Department, Mr. Paladino worked at Westinghouse Electric Corporation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he was involved in technology development and commercialization efforts to address nuclear waste management issues domestically and abroad. He was also the Sales Manager of a joint venture between Westinghouse and a biotech firm to advance the application of antibody technology for chemical analysis applications.

Mr. Paladino has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Middlebury College and a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. He also holds a patent for a design for a low-level radioactive waste disposal facility.

Carl Mas

Vice President, Policy, Analysis and Research, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

Carl Mas is Vice President for Policy, Analysis and Research at the New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA). Serving as an integral member of NYSERDA’s Executive Team, Carl is a subject matter expert and strategic thought-partner responsible for providing executive level direction and management oversight of policy analysis & development, energy market monitoring, and environmental & social science research. Previously Carl directed NYSERDA’s Energy and Environmental Analysis Department with responsibility over state energy planning including the Authority’s efforts with respect to the NYS Greenhouse Gas Inventory, multi-state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative program reviews, the New York State Energy Plan, and the Climate Action Council’s Scoping Plan.
Carl has served as a Senior Advisor for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Deployment Office through an intergovernmental appointment. In this role, Carl provided support for the Building a Better Grid Initiative, focused on the National Transmission Planning Study & the Transmission Facilitation Program, as well as the NARUC-NASEO joint task force on Comprehensive Electricity Planning. In recognition of this work, Carl was honored with a 2024 ESIG Excellence Award.
Carl has also served as a Manager at Columbia University’s Earth Institute, principally in charge of the UN Sustainable Develop Solutions Network Deep Decarbonization Pathways Project. The Deep Decarbonization Pathways Project consisted of 15 country research teams composed of over 30 leading research institutions from countries representing 70% global greenhouse gas emissions who collaboratively sought to understand and show how individual countries can transition to a low-carbon economy.
Carl is a frequent guest lecturer at Universities across New York on topics ranging from energy policy, sustainable energy systems, renewable energy markets, and project management.
Carl has worked as a researcher at two U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratories: Sandia National Laboratory and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory; as an energy systems analyst and team leader for a start-up fuel cell company; and as a consultant for a not-for-profit international development organization focused on renewable energy policy development and market growth. Carl received a dual Masters in Science from the University of California, Berkeley, in Mechanical Engineering and Energy & Resources.

Brendan O'Brien

Director, American Gas Association

Brendan O'Brien is a Director with a decade-long tenure at the American Gas Association. In his role at AGA, he specializes in gas utility consumer costs and greenhouse gas emissions. As a specialist in the electrification of space and water heating, Brendan leads AGA’s modeling efforts to demonstrate where homes and businesses can benefit the most from the direct use of natural gas. Before joining AGA, he worked as a contractor at the Department of Energy, providing data analysis for offices such as the Energy Information Agency and the Office of Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program. Brendan holds a BS in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University and has a combined thirteen years in the energy industry.

Edward Schmidt

Director, MCR Performance Solutions, LLC

Ed is a Director at MCR and has 30 years of experience in energy efficiency and resource planning, forecasting, rates and regulation in gas and electric utilities. He currently applies his experience to the nascent products, services, and markets related to electrification from a gas as well as electric perspective. His utility expertise includes all aspects of program policy, planning, program design and implementation, as well as utility regulatory policy analysis and testimony in support of rate, forecasting, and EE and related matters. Prior to joining MCR, Ed was Director of Regional Initiatives for Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships where he coordinated energy efficiency program efforts for utilities and other ratepayer funded program administrators in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Previously, Ed gained experience in diverse roles in gas and electric utilities in New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Ed holds a master’s in economics from Fordham University.

Kristofor Anderson

Director, Energy Resources Division, Georgia Environmental Finance Authority

Kristofor Anderson is the Director of Energy Resources with the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA), which is the state’s energy office. Kris leads the state energy office programs, including the Weatherization Assistance Program, the State Energy Program, and the Fuel Storage Tank Program. Kris joined GEFA as a program manager in 2010 and prior to that was a planning consultant and worked on a range of planning and management programs for federal and energy industry clients. At GEFA, Kris has managed millions of dollars of federal grants for energy efficiency, energy emergency planning, renewable energy, and weatherization.

Kris has a master’s of city and regional planning degree from Georgia Tech and a Bachelor of Science in geography from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

Vince Maiden

Managing Director, State Energy Office, Virginia Department of Energy

Alfred Johnson

Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Crux Climate

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.

Elise Caplan

Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, American Council on Renewable Energy

Elise Caplan oversees ACORE’s work on federal policies to expand and modernize the grid, including actions taken by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of Energy, Council on Environmental Quality, and other agencies. Her areas of focus include transmission planning and cost allocation, siting and permitting, advanced transmission technologies, and energy markets. Elise leads MGI’s work on grid-enhancing technologies and high-performance conductors, as well as supporting MGI’s outreach and communications.

Before joining ACORE, Elise was an independent consultant, and prior to that spent 15 years as the Director of Electric Markets Analysis at the American Public Power Association (APPA). Elise has a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan.

Malcolm Woolf

President and Chief Executive Officer, National Hydropower Association

Malcolm Woolf is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hydropower Association.

Woolf comes to NHA after decades of experience in the energy and environment field. He was a Senior Vice President with Advanced Energy Economy and has extensive markets experience. He served in a cabinet level position for Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley where he worked to promote affordable, reliable, clean energy, and he also led energy policy for the National Governors Association.

Woolf has experience in both the executive branch and Capitol Hill having served at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and as a Congressional committee staff member.

Woolf earned his law degree, as well as a Masters of Public Administration and Public Policy, from the University of Virginia. He holds a B.A. magna cum laude from Tufts University, with a year at Pembroke College, Oxford University.

Malcolm is the supporting NHA staff member for the CEO Council.

Rebecca "Puck" Stair

Director, Energy Conservation and Management Division, New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department

Philip Jordan

Vice President, Principal Researcher, BW Research Partnership

Philip Jordan is the Vice President of BW Research and manages the firm's Massachusetts office. He has worked in research, law, and policy for more than two decades in the private sector, government, and academia. Phil is an adept problem-solver who is intensely focused on building systems that are more equitable and effective.

Phil leads the firm's energy practice and his research is focused on the intersection of the human age and the digital, especially with regards to inclusive economic and talent development that lead to increased mobility. He is a Luma Certified Practitioner of Human Centered Design and is credited for using data and communications to create change.

Phil is a Senior Fellow at the Ash Center for Democratic Governance at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, where he focuses his teaching and research on comparative talent and labor practices in the U.S. and Asia, and is an attorney and member of the Massachusetts Bar. He has his J.D. and Certificate in Environment and Land Law from Boston College and his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Connecticut. When not working, you can find Phil outside with his family, on the water, in the woods, or in the garden.

Diana McCarthy-Bercury

Principal, Earth Forward Group

Diana McCarthy-Bercury leads Earth Forward Group’s energy, workforce development, and climate resilience practice. She has broad technical expertise in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable building performance. She has advised on energy strategy, program design, and implementation for the private and public sector. Diana is an advocate for sustainability workforce development and education and has previously managed Connecticut energy efficiency fund workforce development programs for the region's largest energy provider, Eversource. She is certified USGBC GPRO instructor, BPI Building Science Principles Instructor/Proctor and a Teacher Facilitator for the US Department of Parks and Forest Project WET and Project Learning Tree. Diana holds an M.S. in Sustainability Management from Columbia University.

Brooks Rumenik

Director, Office of Energy, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Brooks Rumenik is the Director of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)’ Office of Energy (OOE) and is a proud graduate of Florida State University. She has been with the OOE since February of 2023 and leads the OOE in developing energy policy and implementation of energy efficiency programs for the State of Florida. Her responsibilities include providing recommendations to the Governor and Legislature on energy policies and programs that will move Florida toward more diverse, stable, and reliable energy options.

Prior to joining the FDACS, Brooks served as the Deputy Director within the Florida Department of Education’s Office of Safe Schools for 21 years. In this role, she was responsible for overseeing all aspects of training, compliance, and policy recommendations for matters of safety and security within the approximately 4,000 public and public charter schools in Florida.

Kirsten Stasio

Chief Executive Officer, Nevada Clean Energy Fund

Kirsten Stasio serves as Acting Executive Director of the U.S. Green Bank 50 (GB 50), a nonprofit collaboration of green banks that aims to accelerate the expansion of green banking and drive investment in clean energy and inclusive climate solutions in communities across the country. Kirsten also serves as CEO of the Nevada Clean Energy Fund, Nevada’s nonprofit green bank. Kirsten has over a decade of clean energy experience across the investment, policy, education, and start-up sectors. Previously, Kirsten worked at MAP Energy, a private energy investment firm, where she scaled investments in renewable energy across the U.S. Her early career began in Washington DC at the World Resources Institute (WRI), a nonprofit organization, where she worked with policymakers and other stakeholders around the world to implement ambitious climate and clean energy policies. In her free time, Kirsten serves as an Adjunct Lecturer at Stanford University where she teaches a course on energy to over 200 students each year. She holds MBA and MS degrees from Stanford University and a BA from the University of California, Davis.

Glenn Davis

Director, Virginia Department of Energy

Prior to being appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin as Director of the Virginia Department of Energy, Glenn Davis represented Virginia’s 84th District in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2014-2023 where he served as Chairman of the House Education Committee and Subcommittee Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. Glenn also served as Vice Chairman of the Joint Commission on Technology and Science where he chaired the cyber security and blockchain subcommittees.

Prior to his service in the Virginia General Assembly, Glenn served on the Virginia Beach City Council from 2008-2014.

Professionally, Glenn began his entrepreneurial career out of a one-bedroom apartment when he was 26. In 2007, his telecommunications management firm was named by the Inc. 5000 as one of the 100 fastest growing IT companies in America. After the acquisition of a publicly traded national IT company, Glenn’s company became a national provider of IT and telecom solutions.

Glenn has served as Chairman of Junior Achievement of Greater Hampton Roads, was a founding board member of Green Run Collegiate, a charter school connected to the Green Run community where he grew up and is a past president of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization of Southeast Virginia.

Glenn attended George Mason University, is a graduate of the EO/MIT Entrepreneurial master’s program and the University of Virginia's Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership, and received the Entrepreneurial Excellence Award from the Regent University School of Global Leadership and Entrepreneurship.

Deb Harris

Vice President, Climate Planning and Climate Center and Senior Fellow, ICF

Deb works across subnational governments and utilities to develop and implement climate action and energy plans and conduct decarbonization scenarios analyses aligned to move into implementation. She leads multi-sector analyses, stakeholder and public engagement, report development, implementation planning, and identification of funding opportunities. Over the past 17 years Deb has worked extensively with the energy sector; carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration; sustainability data and metrics; fluorinated greenhouse gases; climate risks; and greenhouse gas monitoring, reporting, and verification at the facility-level. Deb leads a team within ICF focused on planning and implementation delivery for state and local governments, focused on the clean energy transition. She also has supported the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change, the Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute, the World Bank Partnership for Market Readiness, and C2ES, among others.

Ben Bolton

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

Mr. Ben Bolton, Senior Energy Programs Administrator, serves as the Primary Emergency Services Coordinator for Energy and the Infrastructure Branch Manager in the State Emergency Operations Center for the State of Tennessee. In this capacity, he plays a central role in running the energy security program for the Tennessee Office of Energy Programs and activities related to critical infrastructure and energy policy. Since 2018, Mr. Bolton serves as co-chair of the NASEO Energy Security Committee and serves on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Mitigation Framework Leadership Group. He lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with over 500 varieties of Japanese Maples and too many antique books to catalog.

Megan Levy

State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Project Manager, Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response, U.S. Department of Energy

A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Madison; Megan has spent two decades in energy both with the low-income weatherization program and with the Wisconsin State Energy Office as a Resilience Strategist and Energy Emergency Assurance Coordinator.   From 2017 through 2022, Megan served as the Co-Chair of the National Association of State Energy Officials Energy Security Committee.  Megan joined CESER’s SLTT team in September of 2022.

Peter Brehm

Vice President, Senior Advisor, CTC Global Corporation

Peter Brehm joined CTC Global as VP, Senior Advisor. Peter has extensive experience in strategy, business development, finance, and government relations.  He comes to CTC from American Superconductor, where he was successful in securing government policy initiatives and funding for several important commercial and national security related products and technology deployments.  Prior to his tenure at American Superconductor, Peter held leadership positions with Infinia, and with Daniel Industries (now Emerson Electric).  He leads CTC’s Government Relations efforts to establish policies and incentives that encourage and reward utilities to adopt Advanced Conductors.  Peter received his MBA, BS Mechanical Engineering and BA Economics from Rice University.

Jessica Burdette

Director, Office of Energy Reliability and Security, Division of Energy Resources, Minnesota Department of Commerce

Jessica Burdette is the Director of the Office of Energy Reliability and Security with the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Her responsibilities include representing the interests of Minnesota residents, businesses, and governments at the regional and federal level in matters related to grid reliability and security. She oversees a team focused on critical infrastructure planning, community resilience for vulnerable populations, cyber and physical security issues, and response to energy related emergencies pursuant to Executive Order 23-13. Jessica has been with the Department for over a decade working in a variety of capacities and is an Iowa State University alumni.

Kimberly Denbow

Vice President, Security and Operations, American Gas Association

Kimberly Denbow is the Vice President of Security & Operations at the American Gas Association (AGA). Over the course of her 25 years with AGA, she has served as staff executive for multiple AGA Operations Section technical committees covering security, safety, gas control, underground storage, field operations, and environment. At present, she leads the AGA Board-appointed Cybersecurity Strategy & Regulatory Action Committee. Ms. Denbow built AGA’s cyber and physical security program and helped stand up the Downstream Natural Gas Information Sharing & Analysis Center. She also supports all-hazards emergency preparedness activities and pipeline resilience and reliability initiatives.

Ms. Denbow serves as the industry liaison to numerous U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Department of Energy (DOE) natural gas physical and cybersecurity programs. Ms. Denbow was a voting member of the Transportation Security Administration Surface Transportation Security Advisory Committee, in which she helped stand-up and co-chair the Cybersecurity Subcommittee. She continues to serve as a voting member of the DOE Electricity Advisory Committee. Ms. Denbow is an active member of the Oil & Natural Gas Sector Coordinating Council (ONG SCC). She has testified before Congress on the matters of cybersecurity incident reporting and the value of the government/industry partnership.

Ms. Denbow holds a Bachelor of Science in marine biology from the University of Florida and a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from the University of Michigan.

Daniel Stephens

Senior Partner, McKinsey and Company

Tim Cawley

Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Consolidated Edison, Inc.

Tim Cawley oversees the activities of Con Edison, Inc.’s two regulated utilities, Consolidated Edison Company of New York, and Orange and Rockland Utilities, which energize the lives of over 10 million people across the company’s service territory. Con Edison’s resilient and flexible grid allows the company to deliver world-class reliability.

Mr. Cawley is leading the charge of Con Edison’s Clean Energy Commitment to combat climate change. Con Edison’s commitment to a cleaner energy future will be realized through more renewable resources, technological innovation, and infrastructure improvements that support greater energy efficiency and enhanced customer information. Emphasis on electric vehicles and the shift towards a carbon-free energy future are prompting pursuit of new opportunities for innovative, inclusive partnerships among stakeholders.

Mr. Cawley also oversees Con Edison Transmission, which has expanded and diversified the company’s energy portfolio, and focuses on providing greater access to renewable energy supplies.

Mr. Cawley serves as a director of the Edison Electric Institute and the American Gas Association boards. Mr. Cawley is a member of the Trust for Governor’s Island board of directors. He is a member of the executive committee for the Partnership for New York City.

Before becoming president of Con Edison, Mr. Cawley served as president and CEO of Orange and Rockland Utilities. Earlier, he held a series of increasingly important senior roles. He originally joined Con Edison in 1987.

Mr. Cawley earned an M.B.A. from New York University and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Union College.

Susan Hamm

Director, Integrated Strategies, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy

r. Susan Hamm serves as the director for the Integrated Strategies Office in the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). She brings to EERE a wealth of experience in operations, budget, and management and a broad interest in cross-functional programs. In this role, she leads efforts to support EERE’s priorities that cross technology boundaries, such as workforce development, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data-driven assessments for internal and external use, international engagement, and place-based work.

Prior to this, Hamm was the director of the Geothermal Technologies Office in EERE, leading efforts to improve performance, lower costs, and accelerate the deployment of geothermal technologies. She also served as the directorate operations officer for the National Science Foundation's Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate, managing human capital, space, and budget. She served as a senior advisor to the assistant director on these and other policy issues.

Before serving the National Science Foundation, Hamm worked with the nascent U.S. Department of Homeland Security in the Science and Technology Directorate. In the Office of the Assistant Secretary, she focused on strategic planning, budget development, policy planning, and congressional affairs. She has also worked as an advocate for professional science societies and as a legislative assistant on Capitol Hill.

She has a bachelor's degree in geology from Amherst College, and a master's degree in geophysics and a Ph.D. in material sciences from the University of Minnesota.

Dee Kimata

Cybersecurity Thought Leadership Director, Schneider Electric

Susanne DesRoches

Vice President, Clean and Resilient Buildings, New York State Energy and Research Development Authority

Hayley Floyd

Intelligence Analyst, Partnership Intelligence Coordination Team, Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis Center

Dr. Pete Wyckoff

Deputy Commissioner of Energy Resources, Minnesota Department of Commerce

Wyckoff was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Energy Resources in September 2024. He joined Commerce in March 2023 as Assistant Commissioner of Federal and State Initiatives for the Energy Resources Division. During that time, he has worked closely with the Governor’s Office and Legislature to coordinate efforts to bring millions in federal clean energy funds to Minnesota. He oversaw the Commerce Offices of Energy Affordability and Energy Development during a time of rapid expansion, as Commerce has worked to stand up many new programs funded by recent federal and state legislation. Prior to joining Commerce, Wyckoff served as Senior Policy Advisor for Energy for U.S. Senator Tina Smith. He also worked for former U.S. Senator Al Franken and at the U.S. Department of Energy during his time in Washington, DC. Wyckoff is an environmental scientist by training and an emeritus professor of the University of Minnesota Morris. Wyckoff received his bachelor’s degree in biology and political science from Drew University in New Jersey and a PhD in Ecology from Duke University in North Carolina.

David Althoff, Jr.

Director, Energy Programs Office, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

David’s office, DEP’s Energy Programs Office, is involved in supporting, designing, and implementing energy-focused programs to encourage the development and deployment of energy efficiency, energy resiliency 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.

David along with his staff have spent the last several years developing forward-looking plans and new incentive programs centered on positioning Pennsylvania to take advantage of its wealth of natural resources and existing infrastructure while considering the needs of communities and improving justice.

During his career with DEP, David has served as the Executive Director for the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority and is currently a Board Member of the National Association of State Energy Officials and serves on the National Council on Electric Policy’s Executive Committee.

Dave has proudly served the citizens of Pennsylvania through his work at DEP for over 30 years, is a life-long Pennsylvanian, a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and lives in Hummelstown, PA.

Jack Thirolf

Head of Energy Policy, NETPower

Eric Coffman

Director of Energy Programs, Maryland Energy Administration

Eric leads the Maryland Energy Administration’s (MEA) portfolio of energy programs, a broad portfolio of efforts funded by the Strategic Energy Investment Fund (SEIF). Th?is dynamic portfolio spans more than $40 million annually backed by a team of fifteen subject matter experts in the fields of resiliency, solar, wind energy, energy efficiency, energy finance, transportation electrification, infrastructure investment programs, biomass and other relevant topics.. His work includes grid modernization, clean energy deployment, energy efficiency, resiliency, smart cities technologies and more. Prior to joining MEA, Eric led the Office of Energy and Sustainability (OES) within Montgomery County’s Department of General Services (DGS). In his time with OES, he was responsible for the sustainability and energy performance of County operations as well as efforts before the Maryland Public Service Commision. In this capacity, Eric oversaw the procurement, financing, construction and commissioning of the County Government’s first microgrids. Before joining OES, Eric led the County’s climate and energy programs for the Department of Environmental Protection.  Eric is a Certified Public Manager, Certified Energy Manager, Certified Energy Procurement Professional among other qualifications.

William Parks

Deputy Assistant Secretary, Grid Controls and Communications Division, Office of Electricity, U.S. Department of Energy

The Honorable Mark Christie

Chair, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Commissioner Mark C. Christie took office on January 4, 2021, after having been nominated by President Trump in July 2020 and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on November 30, 2020.

Immediately before joining FERC, Commissioner Christie was the Chairman of the Virginia State Corporation Commission (Virginia SCC), on which he served for nearly 17 years.  He was elected to the Virginia SCC, which regulates utilities, insurance and banking, three times by the Virginia legislature on bipartisan votes.

During Commissioner Christie’s service as a state regulator, he was elected president of the Organization of PJM States, Inc. (OPSI), an organization of utility regulators representing the 13 states and the District of Columbia which participate in the PJM transmission and markets organization.  He served for more than a decade on the OPSI governing board.  Commissioner Christie also served as president of the Mid-Atlantic Conference of Regulatory Utilities Commissioners (MACRUC), a regional chapter of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC). 

Commissioner Christie taught regulatory law for a decade as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Virginia School of Law and constitutional law and government for 20 years in a doctoral program at Virginia Commonwealth University.  

Commissioner Christie is a magna cum laude graduate of Wake Forest University, where he earned Phi Beta Kappa and degrees in History and English.  He earned his law degree at Georgetown, where he completed a summer clerkship after his first year in the FERC Office of General Counsel, which was then housed in the old building on North Capitol Street.  He is a graduate of the public schools of Welch, West Virginia, where he grew up.

Commissioner Christie served as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. Semper Fi.

Rebecca Isacowitz

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Resilience and Optimization, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations and Environment, U.S. Department of Defense

Ms. Rebecca Isacowitz is the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy Resilience & Optimization (DASD(ERO)) within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations and Environment (ASD(EI&E)). In this position, she supports a team of talented professionals providing policy innovation, direction, and governance for programs and activities across the operational energy, climate resilience, and installation reliability spaces. A member of the Senior Executive Service, Ms. Isacowitz comes with over a decade of private sector, nonprofit, and government experience focused in the energy efficiency, resilience, and clean energy sectors.

She previously served as Chief of Staff for DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) working to accelerate the research, development, demonstration, and deployment of technologies and solutions to equitably transition America to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, economy-wide by no later than 2050 and ensure the clean energy economy benefits all Americans. As Deputy Secretary for Energy & Environment with the Executive Chamber for the State of New York, Rebecca supported the tactical development and operationalization of the State’s 14 energy and environmental agencies, and advanced Corporate Strategy initiates with the New York Power Authority in a directorship role.

Ms. Isacowitz also served in various government roles for the City of New York, most recently as Deputy Assistant Commissioner for the Department of Citywide Administrative Services’ Division of Energy Management. In that role she created and executed crosscutting projects to meet citywide goals on greenhouse gas emissions across 80+ city agency partners in 250M+ sq. ft. While with the City Parks Department she wrote and implemented energy, climate, resiliency, and emergency action plans for vulnerable areas across New York City, post Superstorm Sandy. Prior to her time in government, she held various positions including as a Sustainability and Energy Consultant, Analyst in the Wind Industry, and worked for the National Audubon Society.

Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Spanish from Lehigh University, with a minor in Environmental Policy.

Mara Winn

Deputy Director, Preparedness, Policy, and Risk Analysis, Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response, U.S. Department of Energy

Mara Winn is the Deputy Director for the Preparedness, Policy, and Risk Analysis (PPRA) division of the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER). In this role, Winn leads the division in supporting energy sector security and resilience through strong, two-way coordination and communication with the Department of Energy‘s (DOE) government and industry partners.

Prior to joining the DOE, Winn was the Associate Director for Planning and Coordination at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) National Risk Management Center. She oversaw planning and collaboration activities focused on addressing the Nation's highest priority critical infrastructure risks, originating from cyber-attacks and other hazards. Winn has more than twenty years of experience in all stages of acquisition management, systems engineering, project management, and product development life cycles from analysis through implementation and closeout. She has led teams across the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the areas of risk management, radiological and nuclear detection, transportation security, and immigration, as well as in medical device development in the private sector.

Winn received a Bachelor of Arts in Physics from Smith College and a Bachelor of Engineering from Dartmouth College, and is a graduate of the DHS Senior Executive Services Candidate Development Program. Winn also holds a Certificate in Project Management from Boston University, is a certified Project Management Institute (PMI) Project Management Professional (PMP), and holds several technical certifications.

Robert Curis

Senior Manager, Government Affairs, Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

Andrew deLaski

Executive Director, Appliance Standards Awareness Project

Andrew is the Executive Director of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project. ASAP advocates for appliance, equipment, and lighting standards that cut planet-warming emissions and other air pollution, save water, and reduce economic and environmental burdens for low- and moderate-income households. ASAP’s steering committee includes representatives from environmental and efficiency nonprofits, consumer groups, the utility sector, and state government. Within just the past few years, more than a dozen states have enacted laws based on ASAP model legislation for efficiency standards and clean lighting. Andrew has led ASAP’s federal and state level research and advocacy work for more than twenty years. He is an alum of the University of Virginia and the University of Michigan.

Samantha Meserve

Director, Renewable and Alternative Energy Division, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources

Samantha Meserve is the Director of the Renewable and Alternative Energy Division for the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. She first began her career at the Department administering the Solar Carve-Out II portion of the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard before transitioning to managing the development and implementation of renewable thermal technologies in the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard. She has since broadened her experience to include a variety of policy development initiatives for renewable thermal technologies and building decarbonization. She served as the Deputy Director for the Division for 3 years prior to moving into the Director role in Fall 2022. She began her career at the Department after graduating with her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Resources Engineering from the State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry and has also earned her Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts at Boston.

Dan Bradley

Partner, Guidehouse

Dan Bradley is a Partner within the Energy, Infrastructure and Sustainability practice at Guidehouse. During his 25 years with Guidehouse, Dan’s creative, collaborative working style is hallmark and has been key to his success as leader of a teams focused on helping State, Local and Utility clients develop and implement strategy, innovation and transformation. His experience spans strategy, asset planning, grid transformation, stakeholder engagement, program design and implementation. In 2019, Consulting magazine named Dan a Top 25 Consultant in the management consulting industry and named to Public Utilities Fortnightly as 2018 Industry Innovator of the Year runner up. Dan received his MBA from Clemson University and his BA in Environmental Geography from Rutgers University. He resides with his family in Austin, TX.

Elizabeth Mahony

Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources

Elizabeth Mahony most recently worked for Attorneys General Andrea Joy Campbell and Maura Healey as an Assistant Attorney General and Senior Policy Advisor for Energy. Elizabeth served in the Energy and Telecommunications Division, focusing on utility clean energy procurements, solar program development, clean energy rate design, consumer protections, and legislative engagement. Before joining the Attorney General’s Office, Elizabeth was Acting General Counsel for the Department of Energy Resources and Committee Counsel to Benjamin Downing, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy before that. Prior to her work in the energy field, Elizabeth was an associate at a small litigation firm in Quincy, Massachusetts, and was Public Affairs Director for the late Senator Susan C. Fargo (D-Lincoln). She is a member of the Boston Bar Association’s Energy Committee. Elizabeth is a graduate of Marist College and Suffolk University Law School. She lives in Walpole.

Keith Canfield

Program Director, CLEAResult

Clayburne Stevens

Program Manager, West Virginia Office of Energy

Clayburne Stevens is a Program Manager with the West Virginia Office of Energy, where he leads workforce development initiatives, large-scale program design and implementation, and stakeholder engagement efforts. With over 15 years of experience in operations and project management, Clayburne has worked across multiple industries, including public transportation and community services. His expertise in compliance, budget management, and program execution has enabled him to develop strategic partnerships with government agencies, industry leaders, and community organizations to drive impactful initiatives. Clayburne holds a Master of Business Administration from Marshall University and enjoys mentoring emerging professionals, engaging in community service, and exploring ways to enhance operational efficiencies through data-driven decision-making.

Dominique Gómez

Deputy Director, Colorado Energy Office

Dominique Gómez is the Deputy Director of the Colorado Energy Office which works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and consumer energy costs by advancing energy, energy efficiency and zero emissions vehicles to benefit all Coloradans.

Prior to this role, she served as the Program Director at the Salazar Center at Colorado State University where she focused on climate adaptation and resilience, and as Chief Operating Officer at WaterSmart Software where she worked on operations at a fast-growing startup.

Dominique is a Commissioner at Denver Water and a member of the Board at Cascadia Consulting, a sustainability consulting firm based in Seattle, as well as Communities Unlimited, a nonprofit serving rural with persistent poverty. She lives in Denver with her husband and young daughters

Joe Hagerman

Director, Energy and Natural Resources Division, Mississippi Development Authority

Lisa Jacobson

President, Business Council for Sustainable Energy

Lisa Jacobson is the President of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy, a 65-member trade association representing the energy efficiency, natural gas, and renewable energy industries. Ms. Jacobson has over 20 years of experience advising federal and state policymakers on energy, tax, air quality, and climate change issues. She is a member of the United States Trade Representative’s Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee, the Energy Efficiency Global Alliance Steering Committee, and the Gas Technology Institute’s Public Interest Advisory Committee.

Ms. Jacobson has testified before Congress and has represented energy industries before the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Prior to her position with BCSE, Ms. Jacobson was a legislative aide in the U.S. Congress. She has a master’s degree in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Vermont.

Alex Breckel

Senior Director of Programs, Clean Tomorrow

Alex Breckel is an electricity policy expert. Alex was Director of Clean Energy Infrastructure Deployment at Clean Air Task Force, leading CATF’s policy work on transmission infrastructure, permitting reform, and clean energy siting. With his colleagues, Alex launched the nation’s first clean energy siting policy inventory, published groundbreaking research on clean energy siting policy design and social license, and advanced infrastructure policy reforms at the state and federal levels. Alex was also Director of Research at the Energy Futures Initiative, a climate and clean energy think tank founded by former Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, and served Democratic and Republican administrations in various electricity policy roles in the U.S. Department of Energy.

Eric Johnson

Executive Director, External Affairs New England Office, ISO New England Inc.

Eric is Executive Director of External Affairs for ISO New England, the operator of the region’s electric grid. He leads a team of government affairs professionals that coordinates the ISO’s outreach to government officials in the six New England states. He works with state and federal policymakers and regulators to educate them on ISO initiatives related to regional system planning and wholesale electricity markets. He leads communications and training exercises to keep government officials informed during power system emergencies. He has appeared before legislative committees, public utility commissions, environmental agencies and siting boards to speak on a wide range of electricity issues.

Eric is a member of the IEEE Power & Energy Society and he is past president of the Connecticut Power and Energy Society.

Eric earned a master’s degree in communications management from the Newhouse School for Public Communications at Syracuse University, and a bachelor’s degree in history from Grove City College in Pennsylvania.

When he is not at work, Eric enjoys hiking with his family and their dog, Leo, and serving as a volunteer firefighter with the Hazardville Fire Department in Enfield, Connecticut.

Dr. Karrie Weber

Associate Professor, School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska – Lincoln

Dr. Karrie A. Weber is a Professor in the School of Biological Sciences and the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) and serves as Director of the UNL Microbiology Program. She is a Fellow of the Daugherty Water for Food Institute and the National Strategic Research Institute. Prior to joining the UNL, Dr. Weber received a B.S. from Texas A&M University, College Station and a Ph.D. from The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. She started postdoctoral training at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale and  completed training at the University of California, Berkely.

Dr. Weber has spent the last 20 years conducting interdisciplinary research and education advancing our understanding of interactions between microbes and minerals in the subsurface as they relate to energy and water resources. Her discoveries detailed in 45 publications and one patent have received over 5,400 citations. These discoveries have been funded through several federal agencies including but not limited to the United States Department of Energy, the United States Geological Survey, and the National Science Foundation. She currently has received funding through the National Science Foundation to investigate "Natural hydrogen and microbial life in the deep subsurface of midcontinent USA impacting geological production and storage" together with colleagues at the UNL. Her work continues to bridge life and Earth science to address global energy and water resource challenges.

Doug Jennings

Planning Administrator, Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa

Doug Jennings has spent most of his career serving the public in a variety of roles, most recently spending four years in planning administration. He also makes room to serve on Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation as it is important to give back to communities. He attended University of Wisconsin Stout and earned his Master of Science in Education.

Pamela Brookstein

Sustainability Manager, National Association of REALTORS®

Pamela Brookstein is the Sustainability Manager for the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). In that that role, she manages the Sustainability Program and supports NAR's strategic mission to provide leadership strategies on topics of sustainability that benefit members, REALTOR associations and communities.

Over the last ten years, Pamela has conducted research to discover what homeowners and buyers would like from their agents and what messages resonate with them around high-performing homes. Pamela wants to empower agents to spearhead positive change and thrive in this evolving landscape, ensuring they are well-equipped to meet the needs of buyers and sellers.

Jacob Chacko

Business Development Manager, America, Eaton

Jacob Chacko is a Business Development Manager at Eaton, responsible for leveraging and engaging Eaton’s enterprise-wide resources to coordinate and grow digital solutions for the Electric Utility segment across North America.

Jacob Chacko holds a BSEE from Iowa State University and an MBA from St. Ambrose University. He is a registered Professional Engineer (Colorado) and a certified Project Management Professional. He is a Senior Member of IEEE, and serves as Vice-Chair for NEMA’s Grid Sector Leadership Committee.

Jacob Chacko has extensive experience in engineering, operations, and project management of major projects in both the electrical utility and industrial environments. His responsibilities have included management and technical oversight of electrical engineering, equipment repair, grid modernization, training, construction, and commissioning of electrical power systems. He is also experienced in emergency management, having coordinated an electrical utility’s response to four hurricanes that devastated Florida and New Orleans

Kerry O’Neill

Chief Executive Officer, Inclusive Prosperity Capital

Kerry leads Inclusive Prosperity Capital, a not-for-profit investment platform that was spun out of the Connecticut Green Bank to scale up impact for underserved communities and underinvested markets. Inclusive Prosperity Capital operates at the intersection of community development, clean energy finance and climate impacts using a collection of products and strategies and an ecosystem approach to matching capital supply with project demand through mission-aligned partners on the ground.

Kerry’s work at IPC and previously at the Connecticut Green Bank as Vice President of Residential Programs has given her tremendous exposure to the kind of institutional challenges – and opportunities – associated with clean energy investing for underserved communities. Kerry was responsible for the portfolio of single-family and multifamily clean energy financing programs as well as low-to-moderate income initiatives. The residential sector developed and launched 11 products in five years using a channel marketing and partnership origination approach. The products use a variety of credit enhancements and structures, but all share a focus on reducing energy burdens by expanding access to credit.

Prior to joining the Green Bank, Kerry was Senior Advisor at the Clean Energy Finance Center, a non-profit organization she co-founded. The center developed innovative approaches to attract greater private and public sector capital to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy. Kerry also co-founded Earth Markets, a consulting firm that developed and managed community-based social marketing programs to accelerate demand for energy efficiency.

Previously, Kerry was EVP of Transaction Management, Product Development and Strategy at Clayton Holdings, an industry-leading provider of credit risk analytics and due diligence services in the mortgage-backed securitization market. She has also held executive roles in operations, marketing and strategy in diverse sectors including e-commerce, direct marketing, and educational services. Kerry earned a BS in computer science and engineering from MIT and a master’s degree from NYU Tisch School of the Art’s Interactive Telecommunications Program. Kerry serves as the current Chair of EPA’s Environmental Financial Advisory Board.

Thomas Bartholomew

Associate Director, Clean Energy Division, District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment

Thomas Bartholomew is the Associate Director for Clean Energy with the District of Columbia’s Department of Energy and Environment. He works on policies and programs to equitably decarbonize the District’s energy and transportation systems including administering the Solar for All Program and supporting vehicle electrification and other forms of low and zero emission transportation.

Prerna Tomar

Director, Public Policy, Samsung

Prerna Tomar is a Director and Senior Public Policy Counsel in Samsung’s US Public Affairs Office.  She is focused on environment and sustainability policy within the Public Policy team and leads Samsung’s efforts on IRA home rebates implementation, among other issues.  Prerna analyzes legislation and regulations at the federal and state level, coordinates with Samsung’s global and US business teams, including engineers, to develop Samsung’s public policy positions, which are driven by the company’s innovative technology and help advance sustainability, including by way of energy efficient products.  Prerna has helped deploy public policy strategies and engages with think tanks, NGOs, and government officials to help exchange ideas and drive well-reasoned outcomes.  Prerna is a proud Samsung employee for over 10 years and was a part of the team that led Samsung to win the rare and distinguished ENERGY STAR Corporate Commitment Award in 2021.  Prerna serves as an elected representative of the Responsible Minerals Initiative Steering Committee and has previously chaired various trade associations’ environmental policy committees.  Prerna attended Northwestern University for her undergraduate education where she focused on Political Science and Legal Studies and later attended the University of Chicago Law School.  Her favorite activities in her free time include yoga, meditation, and writing poetry inspired by family and friends.

Molly Cripps

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

Molly is the Director of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s (TDEC) Office of Energy Programs (OEP). In addition to Molly’s energy-related work, she serves as the Director of Operations for the Bureau of Environment, including emergency and environmental response efforts.

Molly leads teams that focus on the design and implementation of clean energy and sustainable transportation programs and projects, including those funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Inflation Reduction Act, and Tennessee’s allocation under the Volkswagen Diesel Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust.  She has served on the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) Board of Directors since 2014 and is currently serving as the Vice-Chair of the Executive Committee.  She also serves as the Co-chair of the NASEO & National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners Advanced Nuclear State Collaborative and supports Governor Lee’s Nuclear Energy Advisory Council.  Molly is a member of the Executive Committee for the Drive Electric TN Consortium and represents TDEC on the Energy Efficient Schools Council and various TVA information exchanges and working groups.

Prior to joining the State in 2010, Molly spent several years practicing law in Tennessee, with a focus on compliance and municipal liability defense. She holds a B.A. in History and Political Science from the University of Tennessee and a J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School.

Sasha Mackler

Senior Vice President, Global Head of Strategic Policy, Exxon Mobil Low Carbon Solutions

Joseph Accardo, Jr.

Senior Vice President of State Regulatory Affairs and Centralized Services, PSEG

Joseph F. Accardo Jr. is senior vice president, state regulatory affairs and centralized services. As leader of PSE&G’s state regulatory function, Mr. Accardo oversees the full range of PSE&G’s state regulatory matters before the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. As of January 2025, Mr. Accardo is also responsible for environmental, gas and electric regulatory functions, as well as utility-wide operations support functions, including materials, logistics, fleet and transportation management, and safety and technical training programs.

He started his career at PSEG in 2005, and shortly thereafter headed PSEG’s labor and employment law practice. Mr. Accardo successfully extended his skills and knowledge in the corporate strategy and regulatory areas and has served in a variety of roles at PSEG with increasing responsibility and scope. He most recently served as PSEG vice president - regulatory and deputy general counsel from November 2018 to January 2025. Prior to joining PSEG, Mr. Accardo spent ten years in private legal practice in New Jersey.

Mr. Accardo graduated from Seton Hall University School of Law with a Juris Doctorate degree and from Hofstra University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.

Mr. Accardo serves on the boards of the Boys and Girls Club of Newark, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and New Jersey Utilities Association.

Marc Nichol

Executive Director, New Nuclear, Nuclear Energy Institute

Marc Nichol joined Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) in 2011 and is the Executive Director of New Nuclear. In this role, he leads industry’s efforts to improve the policy, regulatory, and business environment for new and advanced reactors.   

Marc has previously worked for Duke Energy, Toshiba America Nuclear Energy and Transnuclear, in the areas of used nuclear fuel management, operations and new plant projects. 

Marc holds degrees in Nuclear Engineering from Purdue University and the University of California Berkeley, and an MBA from the University of North Carolina.

Kathleen Barron

Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy and Growth Officer, Constellation Energy

Barrón serves as chief strategy and growth officer for Constellation, the nation’s largest producer of carbon-free energy and the leading competitive retail supplier of energy products and services for 2 million homes and businesses across the United States. In this role, Barrón is responsible for corporate strategy, corporate development, sustainability, communications, corporate relations, and philanthropy, as well as for co-leading Constellation’s data economy business development initiatives, working to ensure that our clean energy centers are poised to power this essential industry moving forward.  She also leads the company’s work to identify new opportunities to bring new reliable, clean energy sources to the grid.

Paul Spitsen

Energy Technology Specialist, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy

Michael Jung

Government Affairs and Public Policy, Modern Hydrogen

Michael draws upon nearly three decades of experience across the energy industry, public service, and clean technology sectors to lead Government Affairs & Public Policy at Modern Hydrogen. His career has reached across both investor-owned and consumer-owned utilities. He has served as a policy advisor to governors, and he has worked at several successful clean technology startups.

Michael most recently served as the founding Executive Director of the ICF Climate Center and was previously Vice President for Government Affairs at the Pacific Northwest Generating Cooperative. Michael was an early team member at Utilidata (partnered with Nvidia), Varentec (acquired by Sentient Energy), and Silver Spring Networks (acquired by Itron). He chaired an energy task force for Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber and crafted landmark electricity legislation as a policy advisor to Ohio Governor Ted Strickland. Michael began his career managing environmental and climate change policy at American Electric Power.

He is a U.S. Fulbright Fellow, Tae Kwon Do black belt, former competitive ballroom dancer, professional ski instructor, ping pong entrepreneur, active tennis player, avid backpacker, and Eagle Scout. He is a graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy, Yale College, and the Harvard Kennedy School. Michael grew up in Appalachian Kentucky and speaks or has studied English, Korean, Mandarin, German, and Russian. He lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife, three children, and labradoodle.

Alex Summe

Director, Research and Development, Electrification and Customer Solutions, Electric Power Research Institute

Alex Summe serves as Director of Electrification & Customer Solutions at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), where he leads applied R&D efforts to develop, assess, and implement customer technologies.  Alex also supports EPRI’s strategic Climate REsilience & ADaptation initiative (READi) to develop a comprehensive and holistic investment framework for climate vulnerability analysis of the power system.  Previous roles with EPRI included Chief of Staff, member relations, and technical contributions in New Nuclear Technologies.  Alex received a B.S. in nuclear engineering and M.S. in materials engineering from North Carolina State University with a Minor in Spanish and currently resides in Charlotte, NC with his family.

Lynda Powers

Policy Director, Resource Innovations

Lynda Powers is the Policy Director for Resource Innovations, an energy service provided dedicated to developing customized clean energy solutions for states, utilities, and corporations. Before joining Resource Innovations, Lynda served as the Lead Strategy and Collaboration Manager for Duke Energy Corporation’s demand-side management programs in the Carolinas.  In that role, Lynda served as the company’s expert witness before the state public utility commissions and facilitated Duke’s robust advisory group comprised of stakeholders from across the Southeast collaborating to ensure that grid-edge programs brought the maximum benefit to customers.

Lynda previously worked for Santee Cooper, South Carolina’s state-owned utility, developing long-term strategic planning for demand response, energy efficiency, solar, and beneficial electrification programs. She learned the electric industry working at the Office of Regulatory Staff, which represents the public interest as South Carolina’s experts on regulated utilities.  Lynda and her husband are moving to Charleston from Atlanta to live closer to their five children and two grandchildren. Lynda has a Bachelor of Science from Bob Jones University and two Master’s degrees from the University of South Carolina.

Steve Kalland

Executive Director, North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center

Steve Kalland, Executive Director of the Center has over 30 years of experience in the renewable energy and energy efficiency fields. Steve directs the strategic vision of the Center and its programs, including activities in renewable energy, clean power and energy efficiency technologies, green buildings, and clean transportation. Programs range from technical assistance to economic development, public policy, STEM education and workforce development.

Steve currently serves on the NC Department of Commerce’s North Carolina Taskforce for Offshore Wind Economic Resource Strategies (NC TOWERS) and the Boards of Directors of the Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster (RTCC) and the NC Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA). Steve is Fellow and Lifetime Member of the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) and a past board member of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), NC GreenPower and the US Combined Heat and Power Association (USCHPA). Previously, Steve was the director for Government Relations and Grid-Tied Markets at Xantrex Technology, Inc. (now part of Schneider Electric), executive director of the Maryland-DC-Virginia Solar Energy Industries Association (MDV-SEIA), and director of State Programs and Policy Analysis at the national SEIA. Steve graduated from the College of William and Mary and from the University of Rochester (NY).

Maren Mahoney

Director, Office of Resiliency, Arizona Executive Office of the Governor

Maren Mahoney is an experienced attorney passionate about building an equitable, resilient future for all Arizonans. Trained in systems-level analysis, her expertise is in energy regulation, law, and policy development, analysis, and advocacy. Prior to joining the Hobbs Administration, she advocated for state-level energy efficiency and decarbonization policies around the country, served as a Policy Advisor at the Arizona Corporation Commission, managed an energy policy think tank at Arizona State University, and was a litigator in New York. She holds a J.D. from New York Law School, where she was a John Marshall Harlan Scholar and earned a Certificate for Public Service. Maren earned her M.A. in Sustainability from ASU, where she is a Senior Sustainability Scholar. Maren lives in Phoenix with her husband, two children, and their dog, Mr. Bunny.

Kara Saul Rinaldi

President and Chief Executive Officer, AnnDyl Policy Group

Kara Saul Rinaldi has twenty years of experience in advocacy strategy development, lobbying and media relations.  As one of the leading energy and climate policy experts, she has directed national policy, communications and grassroots campaigns leading advocacy efforts with the Administration and Congress on tax, appropriations, authorization and climate change policy for national and international NGOs and corporations.  Prior to starting AnnDyl Policy Group, she held positions as the Policy Expert on Energy and Climate Change for ERM, a multi-national environmental consultancy firm; the Director of Government and Public Affairs for Owens Corning, a Fortune 500 company that is a leader in insulation technologies; and, the Senior Director of Policy for the Alliance to Save Energy.  Kara has been elected to the board of different energy and environmental groups and coalitions and has used her contacts with the non-profit community to assist industry in stakeholder engagement to advance clean and efficient energy policy.  Kara also has worked on the Climate Change Campaign for the World Wildlife Fund and in the offices of Rep. Lynn C. Woolsey (D-Calif.) and Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.).

She has testified before congressional committees on energy policy and appeared in a variety of media, including: Fox News, The News Hour with Jim Lehrer, CNBC, Business Week, USA Today and, The New York Times.  She also appears in podcasts and as a news guest for National Public Radio.  She has authored numerous articles on energy policy for trade publications and provided many keynote and panel presentations on energy and climate policy. She has also led delegations and ran strategy efforts at numerous UN FCCC Conference of Parties (COP) meetings.

She holds a master's degree from the London School of Economics and a bachelor's degree from the University of California, San Diego.

Dr. Emma Stewart

Chief Power Grid Scientist and Research Strategist, Idaho National Laboratory

Dr. Emma M. Stewart, Ph.D., is a respected power systems specialist with expertise in power distribution, renewable energy, modeling, and simulation, as well as operational cybersecurity. She holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and an M.Eng. degree in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. Emma is currently the Chief Power Grid Scientist at Idaho National Labs and the Director of the Center for Securing the Digital Energy Transition. From 2021 to 2023, Dr. Stewart served as the Chief Scientist at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), where she led NRECA Research and the Co-Op Cyber Program. Her responsibilities included providing electric cooperatives with education, training, information sharing, incident support, technology integration, and R&D services

Jennifer von Bismarck

Founding Partner and Chief Executive Officer, Galway Sustainable Capital Inc.

Jennifer von Bismarck is a founding partner and CEO of Galway Sustainable Credit (“GSC”) where she co-leads the Company’s efforts to originate and underwrite transactions in sustainable credit, serves on the boards of portfolio companies, raises corporate capital, and oversees day-to-day operations of the Company. Prior to forming GSC, Ms. Von Bismarck served as an investment partner in Galway II, III and IV, as well as affiliated entities, TowPath Partners and ARENA Investments (collectively the “Galway Companies”). These prior investment enterprises served to originate, underwrite and acquire niche non-correlated assets in structured credit as well as sustainability. Ms. von Bismarck served on the investment committee of these entities, helped lead the acquisition of $2 billion in financial assets, including a portfolio of commercial energy efficiency assets, and oversaw the issuance of over $1 billion in debt and private placements. One such placement won the US Asset-Backed Securities Deal of the Year Award. Prior to her work with the Galway Companies, Ms. von Bismarck served as the second team member hired to manage the personal net worth of Microsoft chairman Bill Gates. Ms. von Bismarck serves on the board of Partnership for Responsible Growth, a non-profit organization working to establish a regulated price on carbon. She holds a BA from Mount Holyoke and an MBA from Cornell University.

Derrick Flakoll

Senior Policy Associate for North America, BloombergNEF

Derrick Flakoll is BloombergNEF's Senior Policy Associate for North America. Based in Washington, DC, Derrick covers laws, regulations, and public funding for decarbonization in the United States and Canada. Prior to Bloomberg, Derrick worked in public sector innovation and sustainable development consulting for clients in the US, Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia. He holds a Master in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School and Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The Honorable Doris Matsui

Member, Energy and Commerce Committee, U.S. House of Representatives

Congresswoman Doris Matsui has represented the city of Sacramento and its surrounding areas since 2005. As a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, she serves as the Ranking Member of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee and as a member of the Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee. She is committed to strengthening Sacramento’s flood protection, ensuring quality, affordable health care for all, growing our clean energy economy, and promoting innovation and equity in technology.

Sitting at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers, the Sacramento area has one of the highest flood risks in the country. Congresswoman Matsui has long led the charge to secure federal funding to address these risks—securing over $4 billion in investments for local flood prevention. She was at the forefront of the effort to build the Joint Federal Project at Folsom Dam, securing $1 billion for this critical project that became the model of cooperation and efficiency. She continues to secure funding to ensure the Folsom Dam Raise Project moves forward as planned. In addition, she has worked vigorously to federally authorize and fund the Natomas Levee Project, West Sacramento Project, widening of the Sacramento Weir, and bolstering of levees in South and East Sacramento. With climate change bringing more frequent, intense, and unpredictable weather patterns, her role in delivering funding for flood control and infrastructure projects is even more critical.

As Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, Congresswoman Matsui is a national leader on technology and innovation policy. She authored the CHIPS for America Act, legislation that invested $52 billion to reassert American leadership in the strategically important semiconductor industry. She also serves as Co-Chair of the bipartisan High-Tech and Spectrum Caucuses, spearheading efforts to address the pressing tech issues of today and tomorrow while increasing the accessibility and affordability of communications services. She continues to focus on promoting the deployment of next-generation wireless technologies and maintaining a healthy spectrum pipeline. She is a leading voice for policies that support access to reliable, affordable, high-speed broadband for families and students, while ensuring that digital equity, and inclusion are top of mind. She authors the Digital Equity Foundation Act, which would channel public and private investments to help close the divide on digital equity, inclusion, and literacy. She leads the Net Neutrality and Broadband Justice Act, which would ensure access to a free and open internet by prohibiting internet fast lanes from harming consumers, small businesses and innovators.

She has worked tirelessly to improve access to high-quality, affordable, and accessible health care and was instrumental in crafting the Affordable Care Act (ACA). She is a leader in Congress on expanding the use of telehealth and growing the digital health ecosystem to help bridge gaps in care. She is an advocate for robust mental and behavioral health services, authoring the Telemental Health Care Access Act, which would repeal the requirement that Medicare patients be seen in person before receiving virtual behavioral health care. She was also instrumental in launching a network of high-quality, evidence-based Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) in communities across the country. Her Excellence in Mental Health Act was signed into law by President Obama in 2014 and made a $1.1 billion dollar investment in the initial demonstration. The CCBHC demonstration option was expanded to all 50 states as part of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

Congresswoman Matsui is a Founder and Chair of the Congressional Task Force on Aging and Families, where she addresses the full spectrum of issues that affect seniors, from retirement security to long term care. Congresswoman Matsui also serves as Co-Chair of the Rare Disease Congressional Caucus, where she works on policies to advance the science of rare disease therapies and expand access to care.

As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security and Co-Chair of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), Congresswoman Matsui is one of the foremost leaders in Congress advancing bold policies to address the climate crisis. Under her leadership, SEEC has spearheaded numerous initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable infrastructure, providing tax incentives for clean energy, and reducing harmful emissions. She co-chairs the Nature and Oceans Task Force, which looks to harness the power of public lands and waters through natural climate solutions. She was a vocal leader in securing robust tax incentives and credits through the Inflation Reduction Act, and has worked in tandem with local leaders to ensure the regional community has the resources it needs to lead on the clean energy transition. She has been a long time champion of stronger vehicle emission standards at the national level, and a tireless advocate for California’s Clean Air Act waiver. Congresswoman Matsui authored the bipartisan Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2019, reauthorizing a popular program for reducing emissions from diesel vehicles. The Congresswoman also led the Healthier and Greener Schools Act, which funds sustainable retrofits at K-12 schools, and she co-led the POWER ON Act, which created a grant program to harden the electric grid against natural disasters and prevent wildfire ignition from power lines. Thanks in large part to her efforts, the Sacramento region has been transforming into a clean-tech capital, with over 200 companies in the region.

Congresswoman Matsui passionately works to improve and rebuild Sacramento’s infrastructure. She has secured large investments in regional public transportation and the Sacramento International Airport through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and is a strong proponent of robust investments in our transit hubs.

Because she has always felt the arts connect innovation with creativity and passion, Congresswoman Matsui has been a strong supporter of the arts not only in the Sacramento community, but nationwide. She currently serves as a Member of the Board of Regents for the Smithsonian. She is also on the Council of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Council of the National Museum of American History. She has previously served on the National Symphony Board and the Arena Stage Board.

Before coming to Congress, Doris Matsui served as Chairwoman on the Board for the KVIE public television station in Sacramento, and in leadership capacities for the Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento Children's Home, and the Sacramento Symphony Orchestra.

After growing up on a farm in California’s Central Valley, Congresswoman Matsui graduated from the University of California at Berkeley.  She served as one of eight members of President Clinton’s transition board and later served as Deputy Assistant to the President in the White House Office of Public Liaison. Congresswoman Matsui succeeded her late husband Robert Matsui (who served in Congress from 1979-2005) in a special election in March 2005.

Congresswoman Matsui has a son Brian Matsui and a daughter-in-law Amy Matsui. She has two grandchildren, Anna and Robby. In the Spring of 2020, Congresswoman Matsui married Roger Sant, adding four children, their spouses, and six grandchildren to her family.

The Honorable Bob Latta

Chairman, Subcommittee on Energy, U.S. House of Representatives

Since 2007, Congressman Bob Latta has served the people of Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives.

Congressman Latta is a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee where he plays an intricate role in crafting the nation’s energy, telecommunications, environment, health care, and interstate commerce policy. Congressman Latta serves as the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and is a member of the Subcommittee on Communications & Technology and the Subcommittee on the Environment. Along with his committee positions, Congressman Latta is a Deputy Whip and Co-Chairs the Rural Broadband Caucus and the Congressional Propane Caucus.

Throughout his tenure, Congressman Latta has advocated for the interests of the people of Northwest and Northern Ohio through policies that further economic prosperity and job creation. His top priorities on behalf of his constituents include improving access to broadband capabilities in rural areas, reducing government spending, maintaining a strong national defense, combating the nation’s substance use crisis, fighting for energy independence, and implementing commonsense government reforms.

The Congressman believes that hearing from constituents is essential to representing them in Congress and has held more than 1,500 meetings in Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District since 2012. He also has held more than 130 Courthouse Conference one-on-ones with constituents where he is available to answer questions, discuss issues, and help solve problems with Federal agencies.

Congressman Latta has had 33 bills and provisions signed into law during his Congressional tenure.

As a Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Congressman Latta worked with his colleagues to pass landmark legislation to combat the opioid crisis. Included in that bill was legislation he authored, the INFO Act, which helps provide needed data and information to those on the front lines of this crisis.

Congressman Latta has also advanced key legislation to bolster the United States’ energy sector. This includes the Advanced Nuclear Technology Development Act, a law to provide guidance and a licensing framework for the nuclear industry to ensure the United States retains its role as a global energy innovation leader and the Critical Electric Infrastructure Act, a law protecting America’s power grid by providing private entities and the federal government with the tools needed to respond and alleviate grid security emergencies.

Congressman Latta championed efforts in Congress to protect Lake Erie and improve water infrastructure in Ohio. His legislation, the Drinking Water Protection Act, was signed into law, and it assesses and manages the risk of algal toxins in drinking water. In addition, provisions he authored to provide communities more flexibility to fund water projects were signed into law by President Trump in the 115th Congress.

Congressman Latta also wrote the Safeguarding America’s Pharmaceuticals Act, a law that established a tracking system for pharmaceutical drugs through the supply chain to prevent adulterated and counterfeit drugs from endangering Americans.

Other laws Congressman Latta authored ensure Ohioans have access to propane during the coldest parts of the winter (Propane Education and Research Enhancement Act) and help farmers use cutting-edge technology (Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act).

The Congressman is a steadfast advocate for our nation’s veterans, authoring legislation passed by the House to expedite the processing of VA appeals claims and taking action to ensure Ohio veterans that are suffering from cancer can receive health care closer to home. He also wrote legislation to expand access to TRICARE insurance for national guard members.

In previous Congresses, Congressman Latta served on the House Budget Committee, the House Agriculture Committee, and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Congressman Latta is an avid sportsman and lifelong resident of Northwest Ohio. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at Bowling Green State University and his Juris Doctor degree at the University of Toledo College of Law. He and his wife, Marcia, live in Bowling Green, and they have two daughters, Elizabeth and Maria.

Incoming Chair

NASEO Board of Directors

Jon Ford

Executive Director, Indiana Office of Energy Development

Dave Bend

Vice President, Business Development and Client Growth, WeaveGrid

Stephanie Leach

Manager, EV Programs, Clean Energy Solutions, Baltimore Gas and Electric

Since joining BGE in 2011, Stephanie has been a driving force behind innovative solutions shaping the future of Maryland’s clean energy landscape. As Manager of Strategic Programs, she is at the forefront of cutting-edge initiatives that empower customers and accelerate the transition to a net-zero emissions future. Through groundbreaking programs like Smart Charge Management, Stephanie is not only helping customers save money but also tackling the critical challenges of grid resiliency and growing energy demand. With a passion for sustainability and a vision for a smarter, cleaner tomorrow, Stephanie thrives on finding creative solutions that will make a lasting impact.
When she’s not leading the charge in the energy sector, you can find her hiking scenic trails, soaking in live music, or spending time with her three beloved rescue animals.

Richard Haddon

Managing Director, Galway Sustainable Capital Inc.

Amanda Marcott-Thottunkal

Deputy Division Director of Community Development, Oklahoma Department of Commerce

Kyle Davis

Senior Director, Federal Affairs, Clean Energy Buyers Association

Kyle Davis is the Senior Director of Federal Affairs. In his role, Davis provides strategic leadership focused primarily on clean energy procurement and advocates for legislative and regulatory policies that improve energy markets. He has over twenty-five years’ experience in the electricity industry.

Prior to joining CEBA, Kyle was the Head of Federal Policy and Eastern Region (USA & Canada) for Enel North America. Kyle joined Enel in 2016, after thirteen years with Berkshire Hathaway Energy, where he last held the position of Director, Congressional Relations. Prior to coming to Washington, DC, he was the Director, Environmental Policy and Strategy at Berkshire’s western utility PacifiCorp and a similar position within Berkshire’s Midwestern utility, MidAmerican Energy Company.

Kyle’s other previous experience includes a managerial position at Edison Mission Energy, Edison International, and Southern California Edison. Kyle began his professional career in 1990 at the South Coast Air Quality Management District, within its Technology Advancement Office.

Lou Hrkman

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy

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.