Tracks
Joe VonDerHaar
Plant Manager, Spurlock
East Kentucky Power Cooperative Inc. [EKPC]
Dennis Buchanan
Plant Director, Harrington Station
Xcel Energy
Brian Heinbaugh
Plant Manager - Wildcat Point Generation Facility
Old Dominion Electric Cooperative
Michael Burroughs
Plant Manager - Plant Scherer
Southern Company
Michael Winegeart
Production Superintendent
Lubbock Power & Light
Jeffrey Fassett
President
IEM Energy Consultants
Kate Bowling
Site Manager, CCT Gas Operations
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Jim Auld
Director of External Training Initiatives
Florida Power & Light Company
Ann Moore
Global Industry Principal
OSIsoft (now part of AVEVA)
Pam Frank
CEO
ChargEVC
Gerry Hamilton
Director Facilities Energy Management
Stanford University
Dr. Zhihua Qu
Pegasus Professor and Director of RISES Center
University of Central Florida
Adam Zellner
CEO
Greener By Design
Adam Nogiec
Vice President of Engineering
Unison Energy
Thomas Smith
Power Solutions Director of Energy Development.
Caterpillar Electric Power
Duane Highley, P.E.
President & CEO
Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc.
Robert Chapman
Senior Vice President Energy Delivery and Customer Solutions
EPRI Electric Power Research Institute
William McEvoy
Global Industry Principal
AVEVA
Thomas Pyle
President
Institute for Energy Research
Samuel R. Barnes, P.E.
Chief Operating Officer
Commonwealth Associates, Inc.
Joelle Abi Nahed
Principal Engineer
Electric Power Engineers, Inc.
Sercan Teleke
Principal Engineer
Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Inc.
Dan Patry
U.S. Policy Innovation Manager
Fluence
Hassan Obeid
Global Technical Advisor - Systems and Controls
Cummins Power Generation
Alex Krowka
Consultant
United States Energy Association (USEA)
Mike Moore
United States Energy Association (USEA)
Matt Fry
Senior Policy Manager, Carbon Management
Great Plains Institute
Mike Nasi
Partner
Jackson Walker L.L.P.
Aaron Ray
Energy, Environment and Transportation Group Director
National Conference of State Legislatures
Steven Emmen
Policy Advisor
Western Governors' Association
Jeffrey Cook
Energy Analyst/PhD
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Clint M. Medlock
Project Manager - Research and Development
Southern Company Services
Ben Carmichael
Business Development Manager, Advanced Energy Systems Research and Development
Southern Company
Benton Arnett
Director of Markets and Policy
Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI)
Jeff Chase
Clean Power Generation Lead, Research, Development, & Demonstration (RD&D)
SoCal Gas Company
Scott Conway
Gas Electric Power Strategy Manager
Caterpillar Electric Power
Patrick S. Daou
Principal Energy Consultant
Sargent & Lundy
Hari Gopalakrishna, Ph.D.
Lead Consultant, Market Intel and Strategy
Mitsubishi Power
Rizwan James
Manager
Dominion Energy/ Atlantic Coast Pipeline
Michael Straubmuller
Vice President of Operations at Cogentrix
NRG
Jana Lesh
Controls Mechanic
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Holly Stanton
Manager, Strategic Workforce Planning
Xcel Energy
Angie Lucas
Director
EPCE - Energy Providers Coalition for Education
Vicky Kruslemsky
Chief Talent Officer
Commonwealth Associates, Inc.
Wayne Johnson
Manager, Key Segment Management, Education
Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions
Michael Blomquist
COO and co-Founder
Open Energy Group
Chadwick Johnson
Key Segment Manager - Manufacturing
Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions
Thomas M. Poteet III, P.E.
VP of Corporate Development
Mesa Solutions
Allan Schurr
Chief Commercial Officer
Enchanted Rock, LLC
Mark Adams
Business Development Manager
Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions
John Shubin
Director of Sales for North Americas
Advanced RF Technologies, Inc. (ADRF)
John Todd
Sr. Business Consultant
TRM
Akhil Batheja
Director, Hydrogen Business
Cyberhawk
Michael Ruszkowski
Senior Program Manager
EPRI Electric Power Research Institute
Bobby Noble
Gas Turbine Programs Manager
EPRI Electric Power Research Institute
John Bistline, Ph.D
Program Manager - Energy Systems & Climate Analysis Group
EPRI Electric Power Research Institute
Tracey Leslie
Program Manager - Net Zero Industrial Clusters
EPRI Electric Power Research Institute
Dr. Siari Sosa
Low Carbon Resources RD&D Program Leader
SoCal Gas Company
Brad Bradshaw
President
Velerity LLC
Akhil Batheja
Director, Hydrogen Business
Bloom Energy
Marc Prasse
Mechanical Engineer
Sargent & Lundy
Ian Willetts, PhD
VP Simulation Learning
AVEVA
Jeffrey Haskins
MANAGER*POWER OPERATIONS
Xcel Energy Services Inc.
Mark Mechenbier
Operational Support Manager
Xcel Energy
Tommy Waggoner
Operation Services Manager
Southern Company
Kristen Himmerick
Vice President, Solutions
CAEL - Council for Adult and Experiential Learning
Kari Schafenburg
Director, Initiatives
CAEL - Council for Adult and Experiential Learning
Monique Dyers
President & Chief Executive Officer
Ensight Energy Consulting
Prasanth Thupili
SVP, Power Generation Services
Mitsubishi Power
Caley VanCleave
Managing Partner at Iridium Consulting Company
Young Professionals in Energy, Colorado Chapter
Sequoya Cross
COO
SimpliPhi Power
Jeremy Toews
Engineer
Glumac
Kent McCord
Director
Kinsley Energy Systems
Jaimie Hamilton-Antonson
Technical Advisor - Energy Management Solutions
Cummins Inc.
Andrew Webber
Founder & CEO
Digital Power Optimization
Mr. James Goosby
Director, Office of Business Technology Planning and Strategic Initiatives
Southern Company
Cheri Caddy
Senior Advisor for Cybersecurity
US DOE
Frank J. Cilluffo
Director, McCrary Institute for Cyber & Critical Infrastructure Security
Auburn University
PE Jonathan Tubb
Director Industrial Cyber Security North America
Siemens Energy
Larry O'Brien
Vice President, Research
ARC Advisory Group
Mason Emnett
Senior Vice President, Public Policy
Constellation
Brian George
Global Energy Market Development and Policy, US Federal Lead
Google
Bruce Phillips
Director
NorthBridge Group
Matt Gregori
Customer Solutions RD&D
SoCal Gas Company
Joseph Bushinsky
Senior Director Hydrogen Infrastructure
Mitsubishi Power
Joe Grochmal
Engineer
Kiewit
Claire Behar
Chief Commercial Officer
Hy Stor Energy
Robert Pascarella
Entergy
James Fleming
Manager GENCO Operations
Alliant Energy
Mr. Rob M. Shepard
Vice President
IEM Energy Consultants
Judson Tillinghast
Product Development & Strategy, Customer to Grid Solutions
Arizona Public Service Company [APS]
J.T. Thompson
Vice President Enterprise Accounts
Generac Grid Services
Carver Powers
Security Associate
Utility Services, Inc.
Dan Doyle
ICE Technician
Old Dominion Electric Cooperative
Tom Logan
Product Line Manager, Intelligent Solutions
Mitsubishi Power Americas
Ravi Mundhe
Energy Co-Innovation & Strategic Alliances
Microsoft Corporation
John Helme
Senior Security Analyst
Utility Services, Inc.
Ifran Ali
Managing Member
BALICO, LLC
Christine King
Director of GAIN
Idaho National Laboratory
Rich Gottwald
President & CEO
Compressed Gas Association
Erin West
Environmental Permitting Lead
Kiewit
Lisa Walker
Environmental Project Manager
Black & Veatch
Jason Remer
Lead Researcher and Industry Liaison
Idaho National Laboratory
Nik Kutz
Training Supervisor
Omaha Public Power District (OPPD)
Larry Lesh
Generating Station Operating Supervisor
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Luis Cordova
Plant Manager
Austin Energy
Darrell Proctor
Senior Associate Editor
POWER magazine
Reg Rudolph
Chief Executive Officer
San Isabel Electric Association, Inc. [SIEA]
Lance Haman
Resiliency Project Manager
Georgia Power
Robert Schueffner
Microgrid and Renewables Commercial Manager
Caterpillar Electric Power
Christian Mueller
Sr. Sales Manager
INNIO Jenbacher
David Williams
Fleet Engineering Manager-Controls
Xcel Energy
Jefferson Peters
Power Industry Leader - Western USA
SUEZ WTS, Inc.
Mark Barry
Program Manager
Long Ridge Energy
Diane Fischer
Director, Generation Services
Kiewit Engineering Group, Inc.
Jeffrey Goldmeer
Emergent Technologies Director - Decarbonization
GE Power
Benoit White
VP Business Development
Urban Electric Power
Dan Lambert
Senior Product Manager
Zinc Five
Ryan Brown
Co-Founder & CEO
Salient Energy
Mike Harbison
President
M E H & Associates, LLC
Mr Howard Chesneau
President
Fuel Quality Services Inc
Daniel Goulet
President, North America
Mobideo Technologies
Adam King
Business Development Manager HYDROTEC Fuel Cells
GM
Jon Rodriguez
Energy Business Director - Engine Power Plants
Wartsila North America, Inc.
L. Eric Johnson
Plant Manager Plant McDonough Combined Cycle
Southern Company
Jeff Wilson
Fleet Modernization R&D Manager
Southern Company
Ben Thomas
Product Line Manager
Mitsubishi Power
H. Douglas Sansom
Director, Origination
NRG
Mrs. Wayshalee Patel
Manager
Sargent & Lundy
John Carroll
Project Engineer
Southern Company
Danielle Flagg
CCUS Project Development Manager
Sargent & Lundy
Jim Keane
Power Process Engineering Consultant
WOOD
Brett Pingree
Country Manager, North America
Emergya Wind Technologies Americas Inc-EWT
Ben Jones
Vice President, Canopy Design Engineering
Distributed Solar Development (DSD)
David Eisenbud
Sr Director Origination
Distributed Solar Development (DSD)
Malcolm Taylor
Director of Sustainable Power Solutions
Mesa Solutions
Joe VonDerHaar
Plant Manager, Spurlock
East Kentucky Power Cooperative Inc. [EKPC]
Joe VonDerHaar has over 25 years experience split between the utility and manufacturing industries. On the utility side he has held positions in System Operations, Distribution and Generation. On the manufacturing front he was Plant Manager of Force Control Industries, a Power Transmission OEM. While in manufacturing he lived through the cultural and process changes required to become ISO9001:2000 certified. Joe is currently the Plant Manager at the Spurlock Power Station, a 4-unit, coal fired, 1356MW facility in Maysville Kentucky. He holds an electrical engineering degree from the University of Dayton. Joe and his wife Carla are proud parents of three sons.
Dennis Buchanan
Plant Director, Harrington Station
Xcel Energy
Dennis Buchanan, PE, is a Plant Director for Southwestern Public Service Company (SPS). SPS is one of 4 operating companies of Xcel Energy. Dennis has worked in the Electric Utility, Power Generation field for over 40 years. His background includes performance and plant engineering, project management, and senior management. A large portion of his career was dedicated to power plant process controls where he designed and implemented DCS retrofits throughout the SPS fleet. Currently, Dennis is the Plant Director of the Harrington/Nichols complex that consists of 3 coal fired units and 3 gas fired units. Dennis has a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas Tech University and is a Professional Engineer in the State of Texas.
Brian Heinbaugh
Plant Manager - Wildcat Point Generation Facility
Old Dominion Electric Cooperative
Brian Heinbaugh has a B.S. Engineering Technology and two Master's degrees, M.S. Management and Master of Business Administration. He has been in the Power Generation industry for over 25 years in a variety of O&M roles dealing with many different technologies. He has served as a Director of Operations with both GDF Suez and NAES over simple cycle, combined cycle, and coal plants. Currently he is a Plant Manager with ODEC at their new 1000 MW Combined Cycle Wildcat Point Generation Facility.
Michael Burroughs
Plant Manager - Plant Scherer
Southern Company
Michael Winegeart
Production Superintendent
Lubbock Power & Light
Jeffrey Fassett
President
IEM Energy Consultants
Jeff Fassett, President & Co-Owner, IEM Energy Consultants, LLC
Mr. Fassett is Co-owner and founder of IEM Energy Consultants LLC has more than 36 years of broad based experience in the power and related industries. He founded IEM in 1998 as a boutique consulting practice which provides consulting services in all aspects of power plant operations, maintenance, and management to clients worldwide. Mr. Fassett has provided services in outage planning, management and oversite, long range O&M budgeting, reliability assessments, and plant staffing analysis. In addition, he has also been involved in the negotiations of long-term service agreements representing over 30 GW of gas and steam turbine generating capacity worldwide and has testified as an expert witness regarding proper operations and maintenance practices and procedures. Under his guidance, IEM has experienced significant growth, and now employs almost 15 consultants.
Prior to forming IEM, Mr. Fassett held roles of increasing responsibility with various utilities, both regulated and IPP's, as well as petrochemical process facilities. These roles included Plant Engineer, Maintenance Engineer, Start Up Manager, Maintenance Manager and Plant Superintendent. His experience includes coal, simple and combined cycle CT's and coal gasification. Mr. Fassett sits on the Board of Directors of the Plant Managers Institute, the Advisory Board of the Electric Power Conference, is a member of the ASME Power Committee, and International Gas Turbine Institute, Education Subcommittee. He has taught college classes in Energy & the Environment, Ethics in the Energy Industry, Electronics and Power Plant Operations. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from North Dakota State University with an emphasis in Power Plant System Design
Kate Bowling
Site Manager, CCT Gas Operations
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Kate has spent the last 20 years working for Tennessee Valley Authority honing her skills and knowledge in the policy procedures and power production and core business of the industry. She currently serves as site management in rotational development capacity for several power plants in the TVA network.
Jim Auld
Director of External Training Initiatives
Florida Power & Light Company
Ann Moore
Global Industry Principal
OSIsoft (now part of AVEVA)
Ann's current role at AVEVA is the Global Industry Principal - Power & Utilities. Previously, Ann was the Business Development Executive, then Director, Industry and Market Principals at OSIsoft (now part of AVEVA). In her roles, she worked directly with global customers to support them to build an enterprise data management infrastructure and bring the maximum values out of PI System. Ann moved to China a few years ago based out of OSIsoft China for six years, as Director-Regional Development, Greater China and India, helping to grow OSIsoft Greater China and India business. Prior to joining OSIsoft, Ann worked for San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) for 17 years, in Grid Operations. Ann holds a Master degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from The University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Pam Frank
CEO
ChargEVC
Gerry Hamilton
Director Facilities Energy Management
Stanford University
Gerry directs the Facilities Energy Management department at Stanford University, which includes the operation of the campus Facilities Automation Center and oversight of the University's energy efficiency programs. Gerry ensures that buildings and associated processes are operated efficiently and that new facilities incorporate best practices for energy use. Gerry holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering as well as an M.B.A. from Santa Clara University. He is also a registered professional engineer in California.
Dr. Zhihua Qu
Pegasus Professor and Director of RISES Center
University of Central Florida
Zhihua Qu received the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, in June 1990. Since then, he has been with the University of Central Florida (UCF), Orlando. He served as the Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering Department (2010-2021 and 2009-2004). Currently, he is the Thomas J. Riordan and Herbert C. Towle Chair and Pegasus Professor of Electrical Engineering, and the Founding Director of RISES (Resilient, Intelligent and Sustainable Energy Systems, a university research center at UCF. His areas of expertise are nonlinear systems and control, with applications to energy, power systems, and autonomous vehicle systems. In energy systems, his research covers distributed energy resources, dynamic stability of power systems, microgrid control, distributed generation and load sharing control, distributed VAR compensation, distributed optimization, and cooperative control. He is serving as an inaugural member of Engineering Leadership Multi-Section Alliance's Standing Council, and IEEE CSS liaison to IEEE Smart Grid Steering and Operational Committees.
Adam Zellner
CEO
Greener By Design
As President of Greener by Design, a global energy, resiliency and sustainability consulting firm, he works directly with a variety of corporate and government entities, including several Fortune 500 companies. In addition, he works on policy issues both in the United States and overseas and has hosted or attended a variety of policy think tanks.
Previously to his business, Mr. Zellner served in a host of high profile Government roles including as Policy Director for the State of New Jersey, Deputy Commissioner for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the Executive Director of the State's land use planning office. In addition, he has significant experience in providing regulatory support and permitting assistance in the many different areas of the green building sector.
Mr. Zellner has published a variety of articles and papers and continues to speak globally on the developing world of green infrastructure and resiliency financing. Mr. Zellner has a degree in Economics from Rowan University and serves as an adjunct Professor at Rutgers University.
Adam Nogiec
Vice President of Engineering
Unison Energy
With fifteen years of experience in microgrid engineering, project management and operations utilizing various prime movers, including reciprocating engines, fuel cells and gas turbines, Adam coordinates all aspects of project engineering from initial feasibility study to commercial operation, including civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and controls. He is also responsible for developing relationships with utility interconnection teams and incentive program administrators. Some of his accomplishments include:
• Commissioned over 12MW of microgrids in a 2 year span at Unison Energy.
• Managed design of over 35MW of microgrids across two dozen projects at Unison Energy
• Participated in the design, installation, commissioning, and operation of more than 80MW of fuel cells in the US and the Republic of Korea between 2010 and 2016.
• Managed the construction profit & loss center for Doosan Fuel Cell America with annual budget exceeding $100 million.
Prior to his current position Adam held roles of increasing responsibility at Doosan Fuel Cell America, ClearEdge Power and UTC Power. Adam is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and Building Commissioning Professional (CBCP) by the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). He holds an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a graduate certificate in Power Engineering from the University of Connecticut.
Thomas Smith
Power Solutions Director of Energy Development.
Caterpillar Electric Power
Tom leads a development and field-based sales team of experts responsible for growing and supporting Caterpillar's Energy as a Service business. His sales and development team also supports the sales and service of Caterpillar's generation products, including Distributed Power, Economic Dispatch/Resiliency and Combined Heat and Power (CHP). His team works with dealers, customers, and partners to develop and provide the best overall solution of power generation equipment and related products/services.
Upon graduating from Miami University, Ohio, Tom began his career with Westinghouse Electric Corp. In addition to Westinghouse Tom has held positions of increasing responsibility with Rolls Royce Energy Systems, Equity Office Properties, Endurant Energy, and Professional Power Products Inc. Prior to joining Caterpillar, Tom was with Sterling & Wilson Power Solutions as President and CEO focusing on development, engineering and construction of micro-grid systems including cogeneration, hybrid, demand response and resiliency technologies. Tom is also very active in Power Generation industry associations including the United States Combined Heat and Power Alliance (President), Cogeneration World Coalition (Board Member) Northeast Clean Heat and Power Initiative and Midwest Cogeneration Association (Board Member).
Duane Highley, P.E.
President & CEO
Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc.
Duane joined Tri-State in 2019 and has 36 years of experience with cooperatives. Previously serving as President/CEO for Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. (AECC) and Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (AECI), he led an organization that provided reliable, affordable, responsible power through 17 member systems to 1.3 million consumers. Duane serves on the Southwest Power Pool Members Committee and serves as Co-Chair of the Electric Subsector Coordinating Council (ESCC), coordinating security efforts between electric utilities and the U.S. Government.
Robert Chapman
Senior Vice President Energy Delivery and Customer Solutions
EPRI Electric Power Research Institute
Rob Chapman is Senior Vice President of Energy Delivery and Customer Solutions, at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). He provides executive oversight for EPRI's broad portfolio of Power Delivery and Utilization R&D, including Integrated Grid and Energy Systems (IGES), Transmission and Distribution Infrastructure (TDI), and Electrification and Sustainable Energy Strategy (E&SES). The research and analysis spans across a large segment of the energy industry. His knowledge of the cross-EPRI research synergies, his relationships with EPRI's membership, and his understanding of the industry perspectives provide him with the right combinations of skills and experience to lead this sector.
Chapman joined EPRI in 1999 as the Director of North American Technical Advisory Services and transitioned to Vice President of Member & Technical Services in 2006 and Vice President of E&SES in 2019.
Prior to joining EPRI, Chapman was Director of Western Sales for Pacific Gas & Electric Energy Services during which time he led efforts to establish premium power services for technology companies in the Silicon Valley, California.
Chapman holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and has completed executive business courses at The University of Chicago.
William McEvoy
Global Industry Principal
AVEVA
William "Bill" McEvoy is a Global Industry Principal for power and utilities with OSIsoft, now part of AVEVA, and has been with the company for five years. Previously, Bill spent over 34 years working within the power and utility business and information technology industries at Eversource Energy, holding roles in transmission, distribution, power generation, gas, operational technology (OT), and information technology (IT). Bill is an active participant on several industry committees associated with smart grids and cybersecurity within both Europe and North America.
Bill retired as the Executive Director of information technology and real-time systems at Eversource Energy on April 1, 2016. He was responsible for all real-time IT systems within the transmission, distribution, generation, and gas businesses. His responsibilities included identifying, prioritizing, and aligning all IT services and investments with the company's strategies and objectives. Bill was also the Eversource Energy smart grid information technology Program Director. Before being named the smart grid Program Director, he spent four years as the Director of the Northeast Utilities cybersecurity program.
A native of Waterbury, CT, McEvoy holds a Bachelor of Science in computer information systems and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in information systems management, both from the University of New Haven.
McEvoy represented Eversource Energy on the EEI cybersecurity working group, EEI smart grid working group, North American Transmission Forum cybersecurity working group, and is a voting member on the North American Reliability Council (NERC) Critical Infrastructure and Protection Committee (CIPC). He also served as the Chairmen of the Northeast Power Coordinating Council (NPCC) Task Force on Infrastructure and Technology (TFIST) for two years.
Thomas Pyle
President
Institute for Energy Research
Thomas J. Pyle is the president of the Institute for Energy Research (IER). In this capacity, Pyle brings a unique backdrop of public and private sector experience to help manage IER's Washington, DC-based staff and operations. He also helps to develop the organization's free market policy positions and implement education efforts with respect to key energy stakeholders, including policymakers, federal agency representatives, industry leaders, consumer entities and the media.
Previously, Pyle was the founder of his own consulting firm, Pyle Consulting, Inc., an active public affairs consulting firm with a wide range of private and not-for-profit customers. Prior to starting his own firm, Pyle served as vice president of the Rhoads Group in Washington, DC where he represented and advised a variety of association and corporate clients in meeting their strategic public policy goals and priorities. Additionally, he also served as director of federal affairs for a major integrated manufacturing and services company focusing on energy, environment, regulatory and transportation issues.
Before coming to the private sector, Pyle held numerous positions on Capitol Hill including serving as a policy analyst for the Majority Whip of the U.S. House of Representatives and as staff director for the Congressional Western Caucus, as well as other legislative staff positions.
Pyle holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Southern California.
Samuel R. Barnes, P.E.
Chief Operating Officer
Commonwealth Associates, Inc.
Sam Barnes is Executive Vice President - Chief Operating Officer, Commonwealth Associates, Inc. He has 29 years of experience in the power industry. Sam has been involved in design, consulting and development of power generation and power delivery projects and most recently in 'Grid of Tomorrow' projects that include battery energy storage systems (BESS) and other distributed energy resources. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a BSME and an MBA and is chairman of the board of trustees for Jackson College.
Joelle Abi Nahed
Principal Engineer
Electric Power Engineers, Inc.
Joelle Abi Nahed is a principal engineer at Electric Power Engineers LLC (EPE) with 6 years of experience in renewable energy integration and grid compliance of renewables projects. Ms. Abi Nahed is skilled in designing wind, solar and energy storage projects and conducting electrical system design analyses. Additionally, Ms. Abi Nahed is experienced in guiding clients through the interconnection process of their proposed generation projects
Sercan Teleke
Principal Engineer
Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Inc.
Dr. Sercan Teleke is an expert in energy storage, solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, microgrids, renewable energy integration, power electronic applications to power systems, and power system design and analysis. He is a Professional Engineer (P.E.) licensed in California. His professional career includes consulting experience and helping various electric utility companies and renewable energy developers across North America prepare for the renewable energy revolution, as well as manufacturing experience. Dr. Teleke is a patent holder and has published more than twenty articles and technical papers in refereed journals and conference proceedings. He is a senior member of IEEE and IEEE Power and Energy Society. He received the B.S. degree in electrical and electronics engineering from Middle East Technical University, Ankara, in 2005 and the M.S. degree in electric power engineering from Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, in 2006 and the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from North Carolina State University, Raleigh, in 2009.
Dan Patry
U.S. Policy Innovation Manager
Fluence
Dan Patry is Fluence's Policy Innovation Manager, where he leads the company's regulatory and external affairs work in the Americas region. Prior to Fluence, Dan has held regulatory and government affairs roles at Pacific Gas and Electric Company in addition to roles in the solar and demand-side management industries. Dan lives in Denver, Colorado with his wife and two children.
Hassan Obeid
Global Technical Advisor - Systems and Controls
Cummins Power Generation
Hassan Obeid is a Senior Global Technical Advisor - Energy Management Solutions at Cummins Power Generation focusing on technical vision, business strategy and solving a wide range of complex problems. Hassan has been with Cummins since 2007 in a variety of roles: power systems design engineering, project engineering and applications engineering. Hassan has designed power systems involving switchgear, controls, paralleling, transfer switches, generator sets, renewable DERs, microgrids and digital solutions. He has developed and conducted technical power seminars on several topics and products involving paralleling, grounding, power systems and controls. Hassan received his bachelor's degree in Computer Science and master's degree in Electrical Engineering from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Alex Krowka
Consultant
United States Energy Association (USEA)
Alex Krowka is a Seattle-based Consultant for the U.S. Energy Association. In this position, Alex helps manage the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)-funded Consensus Program to build global and domestic understanding, consensus, and cooperative action on Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) and Carbon Management Technologies (CMT). Additionally, Alex has worked with USEA's Promoting International And Domestic Consensus On Oil And Natural Gas Program and USEA's U.S. - East Africa Geothermal Partnership (EAGP).
Alex has 8 years of experience in Energy and International Development having worked at Energetics and the International Tax and Investment Center. His past clients consisted of multiple programs and offices within DOE including: Appliance Standards, Emerging Technologies, Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP), International Affairs, Residential Buildings Integration, and Zero Energy Ready Homes. Alex graduated magna cum laude from American University's School of International Service with a B.A. in International Studies.
Mike Moore
United States Energy Association (USEA)
Matt Fry
Senior Policy Manager, Carbon Management
Great Plains Institute
Matt Fry is a Senior Policy Manager, supporting the Carbon Management program, at the Great Plains Institute. Matt has over 20 years of experience in natural resource management, regulation and policy in both the public and private sectors. Matt served as a Senior Policy Advisor to Wyoming Governor, Matt Mead, where he focused on natural resource, energy and CCUS policy. Additionally, he developed and managed the Wyoming Pipeline Corridor Initiative (WPCI), which was a project that culminated with a federal authorization for a statewide pipeline corridor system in Wyoming intended to facilitate development of CO2 pipeline infrastructure and incentivize CCUS project deployment.
Matt earned a Bachelor of Science in biology and chemistry from Davis & Elkins College, and a Master's in Natural Resource Law from the University of Denver - Sturm College of Law.
Mike Nasi
Partner
Jackson Walker L.L.P.
Mike Nasi is a partner with Jackson Walker, where he practices environmental and energy law. Mike has been practicing before state and federal environmental and energy agencies and appellate courts for 24 years.
Mike's compliance counseling, permitting, and enforcement defense work spans the following federal (and related state) programs: Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Solid Waste Disposal Act, Endangered Species Act, and National Environmental Policy Act. Mike is often asked to play a strategic planning role on behalf of his clients in the midst of large, complex project developments.
Mike is counsel for parties in ongoing EPA regulatory proceedings relating to carbon dioxide, interstate air quality, regional haze, and coal combustion residuals, including appeals pending before the United States Courts of Appeals for the Fifth, Eighth, Tenth, and D.C. Circuits, as well as the Supreme Court of the United States. Mike helps coordinate multi-state outreach efforts regarding these and other regulations impacting the electric power and mining sectors, appears at hearings and energy policy events across the country, and is published in several trade, law, and business journals on environmental law and energy policy topics.
Mike is a past Chairman of the State Bar of Texas Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section and serves on the faculty for Rice University's "Leadership & Decision Making in the Energy Industry" course and as a guest lecturer in the "Energy Law & Policy" course at the University of Texas Law School.
Mike is consistently recognized on several "Who's Who" and "Best Lawyer" lists and was recently awarded the "Energy and Environmental Trailblazer Award." Mike is the Chairman of the Central Texas Salvation Army Advisory Board and is a Board Member for the West Austin Youth Association (WAYA).
Aaron Ray
Energy, Environment and Transportation Group Director
National Conference of State Legislatures
Aaron Ray is Associate Director in the Environment, Energy, and Transportation group at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) where he leads NCSL's Energy Program. Prior to joining NCSL, Aaron served as Deputy Director for Policy in the Colorado Governor's Office where he led a team of analysts overseeing nine state agencies, including the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Public Health and Environment, and the Colorado Energy Office. Previously, Aaron was a Program Examiner in the White House Office of Management and Budget with responsibility for Department of the Interior energy, science, and natural resources programs. Aaron holds a PhD in Political Science from American University, an MPP in Environmental and Regulatory Policy from Georgetown University, and an MA in Education from the University of New Mexico.
Steven Emmen
Policy Advisor
Western Governors' Association
Steven Emmen joined WGA in July 2022 as a Policy Advisor and manages a portfolio that includes energy, air quality and water issues. A native of Colorado, Steven served as a Regional Representative for the U.S. Senate in the Denver Metro Area, Legislative Aide in the Colorado State Senate and most recently worked in the oil and gas industry. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Colorado State University.
Jeffrey Cook
Energy Analyst/PhD
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Jeffrey J. Cook is a renewable energy market and policy analyst at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. He has been on staff at NREL since 2014, and focuses on state and local policy, permitting, resilience, technology cost reduction, and distributed energy resource aggregation. He received his PhD in political science from Colorado State University in 2017, where he was an instructor of environmental and public policy courses. He received his Master of Science in environmental science and policy from the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay in 2012.
Clint M. Medlock
Project Manager - Research and Development
Southern Company Services
Clint Medlock is a project manager for Southern Company Services - Research and Development, a subsidiary of Southern Company, the organization leading the company's innovation in advanced nuclear technology efforts. He earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Tennessee Technological University. Medlock joined Southern Company in 2005 and has 32 years of nuclear energy experience with various utilities as well as architectural/engineering and consulting firms. At Southern Company, he has held several engineering, design, maintenance and construction oversight positions at the corporate office, Plant Farley and Plant Vogtle 3&4. In his current role, he serves as the Molten Chloride Fast Reactor (MCFR) Program Chief Engineer. Southern Company Services - Research and Development is working closely with TerraPower, an advanced reactor developer, and the DOE via multiple awards to work toward commercialization of this non-light water nuclear energy technology. Medlock's engagement and leadership in programs like these are helping ensure Southern Company will continue to have energy options while meeting its long-term net-zero greenhouse gas emissions goal.
Ben Carmichael
Business Development Manager, Advanced Energy Systems Research and Development
Southern Company
Ben Carmichael is part of the Advanced Energy Systems team at Southern Company Research and Development, where he works as a Business Development Manager to establish the national and international collaborations that support Southern Company's advanced energy systems development programs. Ben joined Southern Company in 2006 and has had a variety of opportunities across Southern Company affiliates, including engineering roles in both Southern Company Fleet Operations and Generation Planning and Development, managing the nuclear fuel procurement program for Southern Nuclear Operating Company, and managing new nuclear development opportunities for Southern Nuclear Development, LLC. Ben holds a Bachelor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and a Master of Science of Civil Engineering from Auburn University, a Masters of Engineering in sustainability from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and a Professional Engineer license in the State of Alabama.
Benton Arnett
Director of Markets and Policy
Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI)
Benton Arnett is the Director of Markets and Policy at the Nuclear Energy Institute. In this role he covers issues relating to federal and state energy policy, nuclear energy capital formation, and industrial nuclear applications. Benton earned his Bachelor's in Political Science and Master's in Public Service and Administration from Texas A&M University. He was a Presidential Management Fellow, serving at the White House Office of Management and Budget and the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. Prior to joining NEI, Benton advised senior management at ExxonMobil on issue management strategies.
Jeff Chase
Clean Power Generation Lead, Research, Development, & Demonstration (RD&D)
SoCal Gas Company
Jeff Chase is part of the Research, Development, and Demonstration (RD&D) team at SoCalGas, where he manages the Clean Transportation Program. Jeff joined SoCalGas in 2011 and has held a variety of engineering, project management, and supervisor roles. Jeff has been on the RD&D team for the past three years, where he managed the Clean Power Generation Program until recently, when he transitioned to Clean Transportation. Jeff has his Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering from Cal Poly Pomona and is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of California.
Scott Conway
Gas Electric Power Strategy Manager
Caterpillar Electric Power
Scott Conway has over 35 years of experience working for Caterpillar's Large Electric Power Solutions Division. He currently serves as the Gas Electric Power Strategy Manager. He has a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Wisconsin and currently resides in Lafayette IN, USA. He has lived and worked in many locations, including the US, Australia, Switzerland and the Middle East with responsibilities covering Engineering, Product Support, Sales and Strategy. Most of his experience has been focused on gaseous fueled power generation projects. These include projects operating on coal mine methane, landfill, biogas and pipeline natural gas for prime power, Combined Heat and Power, peak shaving, demand response and standby applications.
Patrick S. Daou
Principal Energy Consultant
Sargent & Lundy
Hari Gopalakrishna, Ph.D.
Lead Consultant, Market Intel and Strategy
Mitsubishi Power
Hari is a Lead Consultant in the Market Intelligence & Strategy group at Mitsubishi Power Americas. He provides analytics-driven insights on business opportunities for achieving decarbonization in power generation. He strategizes decarbonization pathways using Hydrogen-capable Gas Turbine and Combined Cycle plants, Onshore and Offshore Wind, Solar, Battery Storage, Nuclear, Power-to-X, CCUS and other technologies.
Previously, Hari was a Senior Modeler in the Commodity Analytics group at Wood Mackenzie. He developed their proprietary Global Coal Model for forecasting tradeflows of thermal and metallurgical coal in the international seaborne markets.
Hari has a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts and a Master's in Computational Finance from the University of Washington. His PhD dissertation advanced the state-of-art in optimal scheduling of Combined Heat and Power systems.
Rizwan James
Manager
Dominion Energy/ Atlantic Coast Pipeline
Rizwan James Director-Power Generation System Operation Joined Dominion Energy in 2004 as a combustion turbine technician at the Fairless Energy Power Plant. Through series of career advancements his new role is Director Power Generation System Operations. Rizwan James is responsible for providing fleetwide operational support to Power Generation assets which include regulated fleet asset management and budgetary oversight, regulatory reporting, and oversight of the PG Operational Excellence team. He is also responsible for leading Power Generation operations teams, leading Power Generation's hydrogen strategy for combustion turbines, and providing support for Project Construction
Michael Straubmuller
Vice President of Operations at Cogentrix
NRG
Jana Lesh
Controls Mechanic
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Holly Stanton
Manager, Strategic Workforce Planning
Xcel Energy
Angie Lucas
Director
EPCE - Energy Providers Coalition for Education
Angie Lucas is the Member Engagement Manager for the Energy Providers Coalition for Education (EPCE), a non-profit national membership of energy employers, energy-related associations, labor and education providers partnering together to educate and train the energy workforce. She facilitates the partnership and manages the development and implementation of EPCE's online education and training strategies. EPCE is a signature initiative of the Council for Adult Experiential Learning (CAEL), whose mission is to link learning and work to help working adult learners succeed. In her prior role, she gained experience in facilitating meaningful consultation between tribal leaders, federal offices and industry partners to address concerns and collect advice around the issues impacting energy and infrastructure development across Indian Country. Angie earned a bachelor's degree and MS in Leadership Development at Saint Mary of the Woods College.
Vicky Kruslemsky
Chief Talent Officer
Commonwealth Associates, Inc.
Ms. Kruslemsky is Commonwealth's Chief Talent Officer responsible for leading People & Culture and Learning & Development.
She is a progressive leader in the talent management space, with over 25 years in Human Resource Leadership. The majority of her experience
came from 20 years in automotive advertising where she served in Executive HR roles supporting the advertising agencies for General Motors
and Ford Motor Company. Ms. Kruslemsky serves on the Board as the Vice Chair of a non-profit, Youth Solutions, which empowers disadvantaged
Youth by connecting them to job and educational opportunities. In addition, she serves on the HR advisory group; providing thought provoking
and best practice solutions to colleagues in the Talent space. Ms. Kruslemsky holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology & Sociology and a
Master of Science in Human Resources and Organizational Development from Eastern Michigan University and has been credentialed as an
SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources). She is passionate about growing and enabling talent for business success.
Wayne Johnson
Manager, Key Segment Management, Education
Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions
As key segment manager for education, Wayne Johnson helps public and private schools and colleges overcome the evolving challenges of energy infrastructure. He can help you manage all the assets that generate or consume power on your campus including your mechanical infrastructure and control systems. Wayne builds solutions that balance the needs of facilities managers, CFOs, presidents, faculty, staff, students and local communities. Some organizations are looking to cut energy costs - others want to be sustainability leaders.
Wayne served as a Facilities Management and Energy Executive in Higher Education and brings a wealth of experience to Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions. Wayne has also managed safety and accreditation processes for his campus and has provided oversight and program responsibility for a regional K-12 outsourced facilities management firm. Wayne has a passion for "out of the box" thinking which generates a creative process in meeting the challenges facing energy infrastructure and asset management in education. Wayne strives to create a "synergy" that builds solutions to meet the needs to all campus constituents: Facilities leaders, CFOs, Presidents, Head of School, faculty, staff, students and local communities. His unique perspective and experience when combined with Duke Energy's ability to execute can be of great support as schools look to become energy efficient, sustainable and viable for the future.
Michael Blomquist
COO and co-Founder
Open Energy Group
Michael Blomquist is COO and co-Founder of Open Energy Group. Since 2013, Michael has led the build out of operations and filled a number of key roles at Open Energy, primarily focused on leading business origination, distribution and operations. He has also leads employee development and has streamlined key services and processes in order to improve workflow and daily management. Michael worked previously at Morgan Stanley in London on their fixed income institutional sales desk, where he specialized in structured credit, asset-backed securities, and credit solutions. During his time he worked with clients in the UK, Europe, US, and the Middle East. Michael graduated with honors from Harvard University with an A.B. in Environmental Science and Public Policy, and earned a M.Sc. from Oxford University in Nature, Society, and Environmental Policy.
Chadwick Johnson
Key Segment Manager - Manufacturing
Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions
Chadwick Johnson is Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions' Key Segment Manager for Manufacturing. Chadwick has served world class manufacturing organizations for over 20 years, concentrating on resilient, sustainable energy conservation, process improvement, CAPEX selection, operational improvement, reliability excellence, OEE optimization, digitization, monitoring, IIoT justification and outsourced as a service modeling. Prior to beginning his career with DESS, Mr. Johnson has served in leadership positions with SUEZ, ATS, MECO and Trelleborg.
As a KSM, Mr. Johnson assists manufacturers with long term strategies to preserve capital funding while exceeding their ESG goals. Utilizing Energy as a Service model, he specializes in Onsite Solar, Microgrids, Energy Storage, complete Central Utility Plants, VPPAs, PPAs, Offsite Renewables, Fleet EV Charging, Electrical Infrastructure Upgrades and CHP plants.
Thomas M. Poteet III, P.E.
VP of Corporate Development
Mesa Solutions
Tom Poteet is the VP of Corporate Development for Mesa Natural Gas Solutions. Tom's purview in this role includes characterizing and casting the vision for the optimal use of natural gas-powered generation, monitoring the innovation stream for future sources of site power, and developing customized rate plans and progressive field applications to meet customers' needs and financial preferences. With over 30 years in engineering, Tom's career has given him experience in electric power, telecommunications, and oil field production. Tom graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.
Allan Schurr
Chief Commercial Officer
Enchanted Rock, LLC
Allan Schurr brings go-to-market expertise from over 30 years of experience in commercial and industrial energy services and innovative utility solutions. As Chief Commercial Officer at Enchanted Rock, Schurr is responsible for corporate and product marketing, direct sales, and channel sales functions.
Schurr holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of California, Davis and a Master's in Business Administration from St. Mary's College in California. He is also a registered Professional Engineer in the State of California, and he is a co-inventor on seven patents related to distributed energy.
Mark Adams
Business Development Manager
Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions
Mark's experience with Duke through his multiple roles has given him the opportunity to meet, listen and understand, through countless customer meetings across a wide spectrum of industries, the challenges and the ever-changing world they live and compete in daily. Through these meetings he has learned that everyone has their own and unique issues and challenges. His learned business development skills have given him the opportunity to work with diverse industries on many innovative projects.
John Shubin
Director of Sales for North Americas
Advanced RF Technologies, Inc. (ADRF)
John Shubin is the Director of Sales at ADRF, in charge of driving sales revenue from wireless service providers, system integrators and enterprise customers throughout the United States. John was previously a Director of Business Development and has nearly 20 years of experience on the front lines of the wireless industry, both in commercial and public safety in-building systems. Prior to joining ADRF, John was a business development manager at Kastle Systems, a global managed security and access control provider. He previously held leadership roles at Notora, PCTEL, and AT&T Mobility. John holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Phoenix.
John Todd
Sr. Business Consultant
TRM
John has nearly 30 years of business and technical experience in the Project Management, Process development/improvement, Quality/ISO/CMMI Management, Technical Training, Reliability Engineering, Maintenance, Application development, Risk Management, & Enterprise Asset Management fields. His experience includes work as a Reliability Engineer & RCM implementer for NASA/JPL Deep Space Network, as well as numerous customer projects and consulting activities as a reliability and spares analysis expert. When needed, John works closely with clients and their third-party validation teams to ensure implementations meet FDA requirements for hosted and cloud-based software solutions. He has honed his project management, business, engineering, functional and technical consulting skills through his engagements with clients across the spectrum of industry and Government. John is very active creating both TRM and LinkedIn articles, eBooks, conference sessions, and blog posts around industry and product topics.
Akhil Batheja
Director, Hydrogen Business
Cyberhawk
Akhil Batheja spearheads Bloom Energy's Hydrogen Business Development efforts globally, advocates for emerging hydrogen solutions, and develops relationships with industry leaders to continue momentum around hydrogen technology. Batheja brings over a decade of experience in business development in the energy and industrial sectors, including extensive work deploying and scaling fuel cell projects across international markets.
In his 6+ years at Bloom, Batheja served as part of International Business Development, Product management and as a Sales Director for the US Commercial and Industrial team. During this time, he was responsible for the deployment of over 40 MW of fuel cell projects across the globe including a number of high resiliency microgrid projects.
Batheja holds a bachelors degree in electrical engineering from Columbia University and a master of business administration from IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain.
Michael Ruszkowski
Senior Program Manager
EPRI Electric Power Research Institute
Bobby Noble
Gas Turbine Programs Manager
EPRI Electric Power Research Institute
Bobby Noble is the Program Manager for the gas turbine programs at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). He has more than 18 years of experience in the gas turbine and power industries. His primary gas turbine expertise is in experimental gas turbine combustion research, with focus on combustion dynamics, instrumentation and diagnostics, high-hydrogen and alternative fuels, and next-generation, low-NOx combustor architectures. He holds three patents and has authored/co-authored 14 journal publications and 47+ conference publications.
Bobby is an ASME Fellow and received a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Clemson University in 2003. He received his master of science degree in aerospace engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2006.
John Bistline, Ph.D
Program Manager - Energy Systems & Climate Analysis Group
EPRI Electric Power Research Institute
Tracey Leslie
Program Manager - Net Zero Industrial Clusters
EPRI Electric Power Research Institute
Dr. Siari Sosa
Low Carbon Resources RD&D Program Leader
SoCal Gas Company
Brad Bradshaw
President
Velerity LLC
Mr. Bradshaw has been directly involved in the hydrogen industry for 20 years, including as CEO of a hydrogen purification and generation company, president of the Hydrogen Energy Center, and advising numerous companies on their hydrogen strategies and raising capital. As president of Velerity, Mr. Bradshaw has advised numerous companies on the hydrogen strategies. His work in hydrogen in the past 12 months has included:
• Conducted due diligence for a major midstream oil and gas company on a hydrogen company acquisition;
• Advised the CEO and senior leadership of a $7 billion multi-national company on their hydrogen business strategy;
• Advised the senior leadership of a hydrogen generation company on their business strategy and capital raise, resulting in a series A capital raise of $5 million;
• Prepared a market and competitive assessment and market entry strategy for clean ammonia business for a hydrogen consortium; and
• Advised a hydrogen consortium on their entry strategy for a truck hydrogen refueling business plan.
Akhil Batheja
Director, Hydrogen Business
Bloom Energy
Marc Prasse
Mechanical Engineer
Sargent & Lundy
Marc is a Senior Mechanical Engineer with eight years of experience in mechanical design, engineering, and the project management of multidisciplinary EPC and non-EPC capital projects from both the owner and contractor sides. He is a registered professional engineer and holds a B.A. in physics and a B.S. in mechanical engineering. Marc has performed work related to various industries, including oil and gas, renewables, carbon capture, hydrogen, and power. Marc is a member of S&L's decarbonization group and a founding member of S&L's hydrogen group.
Ian Willetts, PhD
VP Simulation Learning
AVEVA
Dr. Ian Willetts, is Vice President Process and Simulation at AVEVA. He is responsible for the global management of the Design, Simulation and Training business within AVEVA including R&D, Product Management, Services and all other aspects of the business.
Ian has thirty years experience applying process simulation and optimization solutions in the process industries. He has held several positions at AVEVA including Managing Consultant, Global Practice Director for Optimization, DYNSIM Product Director, Global Practice Director for Simulation & Training and now has overall business responsibility. Ian is an established industry thought leader who has published dozens of articles in industry leading publications over the years.
Ian graduated from Oxford University in the United Kingdom with a PhD in Engineering Science and recently returned after many years to complete his MBA at the Said Business School in Oxford. He and his family reside in Carlsbad California having migrated to the United States in 1992.
Jeffrey Haskins
MANAGER*POWER OPERATIONS
Xcel Energy Services Inc.
Jeff Haskins has worked in the energy industry for more than 30 years. He started in the oil fields of Wyoming before attending college. Since that time he has held multiple front office positions in natural gas and power scheduling, trading, operations and analytics including management of the Xcel Energy renewable portfolio to ensure Xcel's compliance with state renewable portfolio standards . He currently works as the Power Operations Manager for Xcel Energy Services Inc. managing a team responsible for operating the Southwestern Public Service Company (SPS) resources in the Southwest Power Pool Integrated Market (SPP). Jeff also spends considerable time in regulatory related responsibilities for SPS. Xcel Energy serves about 3.7 million customers in eight states including Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota. Additionally, Xcel Energy operates more than 10,000 MW's of wind capacity and serves over 21,000 MW of peak demand. Jeff holds a Bachelor of Applied Science Degree from Black Hills State University and a Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State University.
Mark Mechenbier
Operational Support Manager
Xcel Energy
Mark Mechenbier has worked at Xcel Energy for over 40 years with 30 years at Harrington Station in the positions of engineering, operations management, and maintenance management. Mark moved into a new department as the Reliability Services and Overhaul Management (RSOM) Manager (TX/NM). In his current role over the last 9 years, Mark has provided oversight of Energy Supply programs and projects that have corporate and strategic implications over power generation initiatives. An example of these initiatives includes supporting rate cases in Texas and New Mexico jurisdictions and oversight of the NERC compliance of the generating facilities in the Southwestern Public Service Company (SPS) region. Southwestern Public Service Company, a New Mexico corporation, is an electric utility company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Xcel Energy Inc. SPS serves approximately 378,000 electric customers in a 50,000 square mile area of the Panhandle and the South Plains of Texas, eastern and southern New Mexico.
Tommy Waggoner
Operation Services Manager
Southern Company
Tommy Waggoner has worked at Southern Company for over 30 years including positions in generating plant performance, system planning, operations, and settlement. In his current role as Operation Services Manager, Tommy manages a team providing project management, analytics, tool development and other support to the unit commitment and economic dispatch functions of Southern Company's power pool. The pool is comprised of over 300 generating units, serving more than 4.68 million retail customers in a territory spanning most of Alabama and Georgia, and southeastern Mississippi. Southern Company is one of the largest producers of electricity in the United States and the largest wholesale provider in the Southeast. Tommy holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree from Auburn University.
Kristen Himmerick
Vice President, Solutions
CAEL - Council for Adult and Experiential Learning
Kari Schafenburg
Director, Initiatives
CAEL - Council for Adult and Experiential Learning
Monique Dyers
President & Chief Executive Officer
Ensight Energy Consulting
Monique Dyers, P.E. is the Principal of Ensight Energy Consulting, LLC, a technically based management consulting firm, specializing in providing technical, environmental, commercial and financial advisory services and solutions to developers, owners, and financial institutions of energy, power and energy infrastructure projects.
Ms. Dyers has over 16 years of experience in the energy and power industry and has contributed to the industry in various technical and leadership roles. Her leadership and consulting experience include leading project feasibility studies, transmission and interconnection evaluations, equipment bankability studies, construction oversight and leading and managing due diligence reviews in support of the financing of energy, power, renewable energy and oil and gas projects. In addition, Ms. Dyers previously managed global teams in the design, development and performance validation of generator set engines and generators used in the energy and power industries. Ms. Dyers holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Master of Science in Electrical Engineering and has previously held senior consulting positions with other firms such as UL Renewables (formerly AWS Truepower LLC) and DNV Energy. In addition, she has held leadership and engineering positions with Vestas Technology R&D Americas and Caterpillar Inc. Ms. Dyers is a Professional Engineer licensed in the state of Colorado.
As an accomplished energy professional and business leader, Ms. Dyers is passionate about ensuring that underrepresented communities are educated on energy polices and issues which may affect their communities. Her passion for community is demonstrated in her contribution and dedication to several groups and organizations. She's currently the President of the American Association of Blacks in Energy, Denver Chapter and serves on the boards of City and County of Denver Sustainability Advisory Council, and the Community College of Denver Foundation. Ms. Dyers has been recognized for her professional contributions as a recipient of the Denver Business Journal 2014 Forty Under 40 Award, 2015 Top Women in Energy Award, 2018 Who's Who in Energy, 2019 Who's Who in Energy and 2022 Top 40 Women Leaders in Energy Storage.
During Ms. Dyers' tenure at Louisiana State University and A&M College, Ms. Dyers was initiated into the Mathematics Honor Society, Pi Mu Epsilon. She is also recognized as establishing a local Women in Engineering Networking group at a previous employer.
Ms. Dyers is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana and appreciates spending time with her family and friends, mentoring underprivileged students in the areas of mathematics and science, travel, golfing and designing pottery. mdyers@ensightenergyllc.com
Prasanth Thupili
SVP, Power Generation Services
Mitsubishi Power
Caley VanCleave
Managing Partner at Iridium Consulting Company
Young Professionals in Energy, Colorado Chapter
Sequoya Cross
COO
SimpliPhi Power
Sequoya Cross oversees the company's operations and growing global network of partners, distributors, and installers, as well as managing a portfolio of energy storage and microgrid projects. Prior to joining SimpliPhi Power, Mrs. Cross served as CEO of two solar companies and has managed operations and supply chain for distribution and manufacturing of clean energy technologies within the renewable energy sector. Sequoya was also VP of Operations for AEE Solar.
Jeremy Toews
Engineer
Glumac
With a degree in renewable energy engineering and a focus on sustainability, Jeremy brings a unique perspective to electrical design. As an electrical engineer Jeremy has experience designing electrical distribution systems for a broad range of building and occupant types including: commercial office, education, data centers, healthcare and multifamily residential. Jeremy enjoys challenging and progressive projects where thoughtful collaboration allows for design solutions that meet client financial, occupant and environmental goals.
Kent McCord
Director
Kinsley Energy Systems
Kent is a distributed energy industry professional with 20 years of experience developing successful projects for commercial, industrial and municipal building owners. Kent is currently responsible for business development for Kinsley Energy Systems, with a focus on project development and engineering for high-efficiency combined heat and power (CHP) systems. Kent's project development expertise includes all types of CHP solutions (fuel cells, microturbines, and engine-based systems), organic Rankine cycle (ORC) waste-heat-to-electricity systems, and commercial solar solutions. Kent is a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology with bachelor's and master's degrees in Mechanical Engineering, and holds a master's degree in Energy Management from New York Institute of Technology. Kent is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and has been trained in carbon accounting.
Jaimie Hamilton-Antonson
Technical Advisor - Energy Management Solutions
Cummins Inc.
Jaimie is a Technical Advisor for the Energy Management Solutions line of business within Cummins Power Generation. She focuses on microgrids and hydrogen solutions for power generation applications. Previously, she has supported lean-burn gas generator sets since 2014 focusing on renewable fuel projects as well as unique and complex applications. Jaimie received her bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Loyola Marymount University and her master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Jaimie is an active member of the Society of Women Engineers as well as a board member for the University of Minnesota's Mechanical Engineering Advisory Committee.
Andrew Webber
Founder & CEO
Digital Power Optimization
Andrew Webber is the Founder and CEO of Digital Power-Optimization LLC. He was previously CFO of searCH4power LLC. Prior to his career in cryptocurrency/blockchain, Andrew spent over 12 years in New York's finance industry including roles at Goldman Sachs and Fortress Investment Group. Andrew is also a former active duty U.S. Marine.
Mr. James Goosby
Director, Office of Business Technology Planning and Strategic Initiatives
Southern Company
James Goosby is Business Technology Planning & Strategic Initiatives Director, responsible for ensuring that initiatives that require technology follow a framework that enables predictable outcomes. He serves as chair the Operations Technology Leadership Team that facilitates business technology planning and implementation while ensuring alignment to business priorities.
He has served for more than 26 years at Southern Company, most recently in the role of Assistant to the Executive Vice President of Operations, where he helped advance work in Moving to Equity and co-led a project to strategically align Operations-wide cyber and NERC-CIP program management. James earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Auburn University and served our country in the U.S. Marines.
Cheri Caddy
Senior Advisor for Cybersecurity
US DOE
Frank J. Cilluffo
Director, McCrary Institute for Cyber & Critical Infrastructure Security
Auburn University
PE Jonathan Tubb
Director Industrial Cyber Security North America
Siemens Energy
Jonathan Tubb is a cyber security expert with extensive expertise and experience with developing solutions to our client's biggest security challenges. He specializes in identifying, mitigating and remediating threats in critical infrastructure environments. Jonathan holds a B.S. in Computer Engineering from Ohio State University and maintains a Professional Engineer (P.E.) license in Computer Engineering. He brings over 10 years of hands-on experience to his current role, as Senior Technical Lead for NERC CIP Compliance, Industrial Cyber and Digital Security at Siemens Energy, Inc.
Larry O'Brien
Vice President, Research
ARC Advisory Group
Larry is part of the cybersecurity and smart cities and infrastructure teams at ARC, with a 30-year background in process control, process safety, and field devices/field networks. Larry has also supported many of our end user clients in the oil and gas and refining industries and has conducted several supplier selection workshops.
Mason Emnett
Senior Vice President, Public Policy
Constellation
Emnett leads the development and implementation of federal, regional, and state governmental, regulatory and public policy strategies 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. He is responsible for identifying and assessing key federal and state policy issues of interest to Constellation, crafting the company's position on such issues and developing strategies for achieving public policy objectives on behalf of Constellation's customers and businesses. He is also responsible for managing the company's wholesale market design advocacy in each of the regional markets where the company operates. Prior to joining Exelon, Emnett was Senior FERC Counsel for NextEra Energy, Inc., where he provided legal support and strategic advice on federal regulatory matters. Before joining NextEra in 2014, Emnett served as Deputy Director of the Office of Energy Policy and Innovation at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, where he led the development of regulations and rules governing wholesale electric markets and the provision of interstate transmission service. Prior to joining in 2006, Emnett was in private practice with the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom LLP.
Emnett is married with one child.
Brian George
Global Energy Market Development and Policy, US Federal Lead
Google
Bruce Phillips
Director
NorthBridge Group
Bruce Phillips is a Senior Advisor at the NorthBridge Group, a leading economic and strategic consulting firm serving clients in the U.S. electric and natural gas sectors, including regulated utilities, competitive generators, and other companies and organizations active in the energy space. In over 30 years of consulting, he has advised companies in the electric utility, merchant power, private equity, technology development, power marketing, natural gas pipeline and gas marketing industries, as well
as government agencies and non-profit organizations. His recent work has focused on electric generation markets, design of greenhouse gas policies and the deployment of low-carbon energy infrastructure at scale.
Bruce is Co-Chair of the advisory board of the Yale Center for Business and the Environment and serves on the board of directors of the Clean Air Task Force, a nonprofit organization working to advance technologies and policies needed to achieve a zero-emissions, high-energy planet at an affordable cost. He received a B.A. from the College of the Atlantic, a M.F.S. from Yale School of the Environment, and an M.B.A. from the Yale School of Management
Matt Gregori
Customer Solutions RD&D
SoCal Gas Company
Joseph Bushinsky
Senior Director Hydrogen Infrastructure
Mitsubishi Power
Joe Bushinsky is currently Sr. Director, Business Development at Mitsubishi Power, developing clean hydrogen infrastructure projects across multiple vertical end-use markets including power generation, large industry, and mobility. Joe joined Mitsubishi in April of 2021 with over 35 years of technical and commercial experience in industrial gases including the production and purification of Hydrogen, Air Separation, Natural Gas processing, and Renewable Natural Gas purification. Most recently, Joe served as Sr. Product Line Director, Hydrogen Storage at Mitsubishi Power, developing above and below-ground storage solutions. He holds (5) U.S. Patents in gas production and purification.
Joe is an avid sports fan, fitness-focused, and a big "foodie". He enjoys biking, cooking, landscaping, and nature.
Joe Grochmal
Engineer
Kiewit
Claire Behar
Chief Commercial Officer
Hy Stor Energy
Claire Behar is Chief Commercial Officer at Hy Stor Energy a renewable hydrogen and hydrogen storage company headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi. Before Hy Stor Energy, Claire ran fundamentals and trading strategy for the global gas team at Freepoint Commodities. She holds a B.S. in Geological Engineering from Cornell University.
Robert Pascarella
Entergy
Rob's power experience starts in early high school, while interning at a local coal facility in West Virginia. He graduated in 2008 with a mechanical engineering degree from Ohio Northern University where he played football, and went straight to work for Siemens Westinghouse out of the Pittsburgh district office. He completed 45 projects with the company, from simple troubleshooting efforts, to maintenance contracts, and retrofits. Rob is currently a Sr. Staff Engineer for Rotating Equipment within Entergy's Fleet Engineering Group. Entergy has an installed base of over 30GW.
James Fleming
Manager GENCO Operations
Alliant Energy
Mr. Rob M. Shepard
Vice President
IEM Energy Consultants
Rob Shepard holds a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineer from Mississippi State University and is licensed as a professional engineer in Kansas and Mississippi. He is a certified project manager through PMI and has more than 30 years of experience in the power industry. He founded The Energy Group, PLLC in 2006 and recently merged his company with IEM Energy Consultants, Inc. and formed IEM Energy Consultants, LLC. This new company, has greatly expanded and provides consulting services in all aspects of power plant management, operations, and maintenance to clients worldwide, with current clients ranging from the Middle East to Africa to South America, the Caribbean and Australia, which complements all of their domestic US clients. He and his wife Sue Ellen have three children, two of which are married, and a grandchild on the way.
Judson Tillinghast
Product Development & Strategy, Customer to Grid Solutions
Arizona Public Service Company [APS]
J.T. Thompson
Vice President Enterprise Accounts
Generac Grid Services
Jonathan "JT" Thompson is Vice President, Enterprise Sales, for Enbala. He is a sales and marketing leader within the energy industry with a wide range of experience, from buying/selling energy products to market research and fundamental analysis. Prior to joining Enbala, he was the Sales Director for Noble Americas Energy Solutions, where he generated sales of complex electricity and risk management products to commercial and industrial customers. Before going to Noble, JT spent almost seven years with GE. During his time there, he led the commercial efforts for some of GE's largest accounts in the oil and gas space, led the global utility sales and marketing efforts for GE Appliances' Home Energy Solutions team, and served as the director of Global Operations for GE Corporate's Energy Sourcing Organization. He has worked with some of the world's largest utilities, industrial, and oil and gas companies. Prior to joining GE in 2007, JT spent nine years in trading, pricing/risk management, account management, and financial services all within the energy industry, including an entrepreneurial venture focused on strategic risk management. JT holds a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Carver Powers
Security Associate
Utility Services, Inc.
Carver Powers is a Security Associate who specializes in the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards. At Utility Services, he assists electric utilities registered with NERC in maintaining their regulatory compliance programs. He is also a member of Utility Services' Sentry Services division, which is responsible for planning, delivering, and executing tabletop exercises with a focus on incident response and incident recovery. Prior to Utility Services, Carver worked in cyber and physical security while serving in the U.S. Navy for eight and a half years, much of which time was spent as active duty.
Dan Doyle
ICE Technician
Old Dominion Electric Cooperative
Tom Logan
Product Line Manager, Intelligent Solutions
Mitsubishi Power Americas
Tom Logan is an engineering and technology development executive with experience leading global teams in the power generation and oil and gas industries. He is currently a product line manager in Intelligent Solutions at Mitsubishi Power Americas, where he leads new product development, technology roadmap definition, and integration strategy. Tom's career spans technology and innovation, new product development and commercialization, and manufacturing and operations, delivering strong revenue and EBITA growth. A certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, he has provided Six Sigma leadership and training. In addition, Tom served as a nuclear-trained officer in the U.S. Navy for more than a decade. Tom holds a BS in Physics from Stevens Institute of Technology and an MS in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech. Mitsubishi Power Americas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., leading the industry in power generation, energy storage, and intelligent digital solutions that empower customers to affordably and reliably combat climate change and advance human prosperity. Mitsubishi Power is at the forefront of green hydrogen and battery energy storage systems.
Ravi Mundhe
Energy Co-Innovation & Strategic Alliances
Microsoft Corporation
Ravi Mundhe serves as Microsoft's Energy Commercialization and Business Development leader covering Commercial Business Development, Strategic Alliances, and Co-Innovation Product Management. He collaborates with his partner's C-Suite team to help them leapfrog to their fullest business potential - through creative strategic partnerships, transformative business revenue models and disciplined execution of innovative business product solutions. Ravi partners deeply with his clients for hands-on Business Strategy, Operations & Governance with 25+ years of extensive multi-industry, multi-cultural, global experience.
John Helme
Senior Security Analyst
Utility Services, Inc.
John has been supporting companies with their North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) compliance program shortly after compliance became mandatory. The support provided has included developing new compliance programs, review of existing programs, revising, and updating programs that were already in place, and supporting registered entities through the NERC or regional audit process. Though still working with all of the NERC Standards, his primary focus has shifted to the NERC Standards that cover Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP). He has been an active participant in the standard drafting process for all versions of the CIP Standards beginning with version 3.
More importantly, John is the proud father of one daughter and two sons and the proud grandfather of one granddaughter and the grandsons.
Ifran Ali
Managing Member
BALICO, LLC
Christine King
Director of GAIN
Idaho National Laboratory
Rich Gottwald
President & CEO
Compressed Gas Association
Rich Gottwald joined the Compressed Gas Association as President and CEO in July 2018.
Before joining CGA, Rich served as President and CEO of the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals. He joined APSP in 2013 and realigned the organization to be a unified voice to protect existing markets and to grow new business for its members.
Prior to APSP, Rich served as Executive Vice President for the International Sign Association, where he was responsible for providing oversight and leadership on the regulatory, legislative, and technological challenges and opportunities facing the sign industry across North America.
Before ISA, Rich held senior management positions in several trade associations, including Executive Vice President for the Association of the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, President of the Plastics Pipe Institute, and Executive Director of the Society of the Plastics Industry.
Rich holds a BS in Plastics Engineering from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell and is a Certified Association Executive (CAE). He lives in Washington, DC.
Erin West
Environmental Permitting Lead
Kiewit
Erin is the Environmental Permitting Lead for Kiewit Engineering Group. She has 10 years of experience in the environmental compliance industry including project management, consulting, client relations, business development, and analytical laboratory services. As Environmental Permitting Lead, she is responsible for supporting Engineering Consulting Services with regards to environmental and permitting concerns. Erin works with project managers and clients to solve permitting timelines, identify applicable environmental regulations, and assess environmental reports and studies for potential project risks. Erin is a graduate of Pittsburg State University with a degree in Biology.
Lisa Walker
Environmental Project Manager
Black & Veatch
Lisa Walker is a senior environmental project manager and ecologist with more than 24 years pf experience in the environmental consulting industry. Ms. Walker has extensive experience successfully managing/supporting permitting and development of multidisciplinary projects including fossil and renewable energy generation facilities, interstate pipeline projects, and other linear facilities across 22 states. Strong understanding of federal and state environmental regulations, agencies, and licensing/permitting processes.
Lisa has a masters degree in Ecology from East Carolina University and a bachelors degree in Zoology from the University of Florida.
Jason Remer
Lead Researcher and Industry Liaison
Idaho National Laboratory
Mr. Remer currently serves in the LWRS program leading the Integrated Operations for Nuclear (ION) program and directing the Hydrogen Regulatory Research and Review Group (H3RG). For the ION project he is responsible for developing a new business model that can reduce O&M costs by one-third through integrating new technologies, reformed business processes and human performance improvements. He is also involved in increasing the value of R&D efforts produced at INL by focusing and integrating research pathways for maximum benefit to the current fleet.
Formerly Mr. Remer was Director, Life Extension and New Technology for the Nuclear Energy Institute where he was responsible for Digital I&C innovation and Second License Renewal. Mr. Remer was awarded the 2015 American Nuclear Society (ANS) President's Award for outstanding contribution to nuclear industry. Mr. Remer was also Vice President of Parsons Infrastructure and Technology Corporation, an international engineering and technology company. Mr. Remer served the Chairman of the US House Energy and Commerce Committee as an IEEE/AAAS Congressional Fellow leading legislative efforts for energy, security, and nuclear power issues. Mr. Remer completed a distinguished 18-year career at Arkansas Nuclear One nuclear power plant serving in various design engineering and management positions
Nik Kutz
Training Supervisor
Omaha Public Power District (OPPD)
Mr. Kutz has over 17 years of operations and training experience obtained from working at an Ethanol plant, Oil Refinery, Gasification plant and Power Plant. Nik was hired at the Omaha Public Power District as a Plant Helper and worked his way up to a Unit Operator. Nik jumped at the opportunity to work in the Production Operations Training Department as a Training Coordinator for the Nebraska City Station and has since moved to the Production Operations Department Training Supervisor position. Some of his many responsibilities are providing Fire Brigade training to Operations Personnel as well as creating and delivering computer based training via OPPD's Learners Management System. He currently resides in Nebraska with his wife and two children.
Larry Lesh
Generating Station Operating Supervisor
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Larry Lesh is a Steam Plant Operating Supervisor for the City of Los Angeles, Department of Water and Power (LADWP). In this capacity, he oversees operations for LADWP's 1738 MW Haynes Generating Station. Prior to this current assignment Larry served at all levels of equipment and control room operations, as well as serving in the role of operations scheduler.
He began his career in 1999 as a steam plant assistant, supporting the recommissioning of the 512 MW Valley Generating Station. This experience shaped the trajectory of his career, often gravitating toward assignments in support of system repair, upgrade, and recommissioning. His experience includes leadership assignments at the plant and system level, as well as roles in outage leadership for fuel recommissioning, major SIRs, WECC certification, and system upgrades such as control systems and SCADA. Larry has operating experience on conventional circulation boilers, combustion turbines, Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSG), super critical boilers, and methane fired micro-turbines.
Larry is a proud member of IBEW Local 18, and a strong advocate for workers' rights and elevating the contribution of the blue-collar workforce, and has represented labor on joint labor-management committees throughout the LADWP/IBEW Local 18 ecosystem. Serving as a shop steward for 13 years, Larry is known for his subject matter expertise of organization and regulatory policy, as well as the IBEW Code of Excellence. Larry prides himself on his strong knowledge of the power system and is a champion for technological and workforce innovations. He considers it a great honor to mentor the rising generation of electrical worker and to support their professional and personal growth.
Luis Cordova
Plant Manager
Austin Energy
Darrell Proctor
Senior Associate Editor
POWER magazine
Darrell Proctor joined POWER in 2017. He has years of experience in the energy and publishing industries, including as a writer, editor and energy data analyst for Ponderosa Advisors and Bentek Energy (S&P Global/Platts). He has written numerous reports and white papers on power demand, particularly from industrial facilities, as well as natural gas and crude oil exploration and trading. He also has written about transportation of commodities, particularly coal, crude oil and natural gas, and the operation of crude oil refineries. He was an assistant business editor and assistant news editor as well as Technology Editor for the Rocky Mountain News in Colorado, and also was a senior editor at the St. Petersburg Times in Florida. He is a graduate of Franklin College of Indiana.
Reg Rudolph
Chief Executive Officer
San Isabel Electric Association, Inc. [SIEA]
Reg joined Tri-State in January 2022 and is responsible for developing and implementing competitive energy services, managing beneficial electrification programs and overseeing member relations. Prior to Tri-State, he served as General Manager of San Isabel Electric Association, Inc. for 13 years and has more than 30 years of experience in the electric cooperative utility industry. Reg has a Master of Business Administration degree from Colorado State University and bachelor's degrees in business administration and economics from North Dakota State University.
Lance Haman
Resiliency Project Manager
Georgia Power
Lance has worked for the Southern Company and its affiliates for 22 years. He holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from the Missouri University of Science & Technology and an MBA from William Carey University. His career has spanned across Mississippi Power, Southern Power, Southern Company Services, and Georgia Power in organizations where he has led the company's efforts in many different functions including Generation Development, Business Development, Asset Management, and Regulatory Affairs. This past summer, Lance began his latest role as Georgia Power's Resiliency Manager where he is responsible for implementing Georgia Power's recently approved DER Customer Program as well as provide leadership and direction in support of the company's evolving strategy to deliver resiliency solutions to customers.
Robert Schueffner
Microgrid and Renewables Commercial Manager
Caterpillar Electric Power
Mr. Rob Schueffner is the EaaS Growth Manager for the Caterpillar Electric Power Division. His responsibilities include the evaluation and partnership or integration of energy-as-a-service related organizations. In his more than 25 years with Caterpillar, he has held a wide variety of responsibilities within Energy & Transportation including engineering, marketing, application & installation, sales, management, 6 Sigma Black Belt, facility management, and strategy.
Christian Mueller
Sr. Sales Manager
INNIO Jenbacher
Christian Mueller is a Senior Sales Manager at INNIO Jenbacher, responsible for the Jenbacher gas engine product line from 200 kW to 10MW for CHP, biogas and power generation applications. He brings more than ten years of gas power generation experience to the company, having worked in sales and sales engineering roles at different engine OEMs. Christian holds a degree in industrial engineering from the Technical University in Berlin, Germany.
David Williams
Fleet Engineering Manager-Controls
Xcel Energy
David Williams currently serves as Manager of Fleet Engineering-Controls, for the Energy Supply business unit of Xcel Energy. David has enjoyed a 45+ year career in power plant controls after starting as an operator at Plant X near Earth, Texas. He soon transitioned to the I&C Department, eventually serving as a Plant Controls technician. After graduating from Texas Tech with a BS in Electrical-Electronics Engineering, he transferred to Jones Station as an engineer and served as the plant contact for controls retrofits for both of the 250MW Jones units. David then had the opportunity to move to the Southwestern Public Service corporate office in Amarillo, Texas to join the team of controls retrofit experts and spent the next twenty five years leading or supporting 17 major controls retrofits.
Jefferson Peters
Power Industry Leader - Western USA
SUEZ WTS, Inc.
Jeff is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology with a Minor in Chemistry. Jeff has over 37 years of water treatment experience working with high pressure boilers, industrial wastewater, dust suppression, fireside additives, and power plant cooling water systems. Jeff is the Vertical Power Industry Leader in the west for Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions. Jeff has authored several papers and presented at conferences such as, Experience Power, PowerGen, PRB Coal User's Group, AREGC, Electric Power, and the Southwest Chemistry Workshop. Jeff recently located from Colorado Springs to Litchfield Park, AZ and is in the process of lowering is golf handicap.
Mark Barry
Program Manager
Long Ridge Energy
Diane Fischer
Director, Generation Services
Kiewit Engineering Group, Inc.
Diane the Director of Generation Services for Kiewit Engineering Group. She has over 29 years of experience in the power industry, including project management and system engineering, consulting, client advocacy, business development, EPC contract development and oversight, equipment specification, equipment procurement contract development and negotiation, vendor management, conceptual design, front end engineering design studies, regulatory permitting and support, program management, and scenario planning.
As Director of Generation Services, Diane is responsible for overseeing all services provided for fossil generation and long-term energy storage. Diane works with her clients to help solve their design, operation and maintenance needs for studies, environmental issues, component and system engineering, facility evaluations, and feasibility analysis. Diane supports clients in developing and implementing solutions to meet the challenges and demands of a low carbon energy market.
Diane is a graduate of Iowa State University with a degree in Mechanical Engineer and is a licensed professional engineer in the State of Missouri.
Jeffrey Goldmeer
Emergent Technologies Director - Decarbonization
GE Power
Dr. Jeffrey Goldmeer is the Director of Gas Turbine Combustion & Fuels Solutions at GE Gas Power. In this role, Dr. Goldmeer leads the strategic development of fuel and combustion system technologies for emerging power generation fuel applications around the globe. He has worked on power projects involving the use of ethane, syngas,
hydrogen, biofuels, crude oils, heavy fuels oil, and multiple other fuels. Dr. Goldmeer joined GE as a Combustion Research Engineer at GE's Global Research Center and later became Manager of the Center's Combustion Systems Lab. Prior to joining GE, he was a US National Research Council Research Associate at the NASA Glenn Research Center.
Dr. Goldmeer received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University. He has authored over 100 papers & presentations on a range of combustion topics. Dr. Goldmeer holds 12 patents on a variety of combustion system technologies.
Benoit White
VP Business Development
Urban Electric Power
Dan Lambert
Senior Product Manager
Zinc Five
Ryan Brown
Co-Founder & CEO
Salient Energy
Ryan Brown is the co-founder and CEO of Salient Energy. Salient is on a
mission to build the world's best batteries for daily energy
storage, knowing that this is critical to decarbonizing the grid. Their
zinc-ion battery is a safe, affordable, and scalable alternative to
lithium-ion batteries. Since founding the company in 2017, Ryan has
helped grow Salient Energy into one of the leaders in the non-Lithium
battery space. In 2021, Ryan was named to the Forbes 30 Under
30 list.
Mike Harbison
President
M E H & Associates, LLC
Mr. Michael Harbison is the Founder and Owner of M E H & Associates, LLC. In this capacity, he performs unit walk-downs and assessments, modifies combustion systems, reduces emissions through advanced computational modeling, assesses and tunes boilers / boiler operations. Mr. Harbison covers the full US for the power generation sector.
Mr. Harbison specialized in process optimization for over twenty-five years.
Mr Howard Chesneau
President
Fuel Quality Services Inc
Howard L. Chesneau, President, Fuel Quality Services, Inc.
Educational Background:
Mr. Chesneau is a graduate of the University of Florida. His experience in fuel additives, microbial detection, distillate fuel problems, fuel filtration and tank remediation extends over 35 years. Mr. Chesneau has extensive knowledge and field experience of microbial contamination and detection.
Brief Research Background:
Mr. Chesneau is an active member of numerous professional organizations and associations. Mr. Chesneau is a Past Chairman for the International Association for Stability, Handling, and Use of Liquid Fuels (IASH) and was on the Board of Directors, a former member of the IATA (International Aviation Transportation Association) Working Group on Microbial Contamination. Currently, he serves on the ASTM D2 Section E committees dealing with fuel from middle distillates to heavy oil, the ASTM D2 Committee for establishing the specifications for Biodiesel and the ASTM J Committee for jet fuel. He is a past Chairman of the local Atlanta SAE.
Mr. Chesneau was a member of the SAE Speakers Bureau providing technical presentation and seminars at SAE meetings and conferences. Mr. Chesneau has been invited to speak at various industry conferences on the topic of Microbial Contamination - Causes, effects, cures & detection methods.
Mr. Chesneau served as editor for the ASTM, STP 1005 "Distillate Fuel Contamination, Storage, and Handling" and was a contributing author to Chapter 3 of ASTM Manual 47. In addition, has authored and co-authored many articles on the subject of fuel storage and handling which have been published in various trade magazines.
Daniel Goulet
President, North America
Mobideo Technologies
Daniel is a turnaround expert, having held a series of roles in turnarounds over the last 10 years and managed large teams of engineers located in different facilities. As President, North America at Mobideo, he shares his turnaround knowledge, insights, expertise and understanding with customers, enabling them to appreciate how digitalization and automation can fundamentally change STO management and contribute to standardization of the STO market.
Adam King
Business Development Manager HYDROTEC Fuel Cells
GM
Jon Rodriguez
Energy Business Director - Engine Power Plants
Wartsila North America, Inc.
Jon Rodriguez has over 18 years of professional experience with a diverse background covering power generation in multiple industries including data center, utilities, mining, oil & gas, and commercial/industrial customers. His roles over the years have included delivery of projects as a project manager, delivery of products as an operations executive in manufacturing, and delivery of sales opportunities as both an outside salesperson and sales leader. He holds a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and earned his Professional Engineer license in the state of Wisconsin. He resides in the Raleigh-Durham, NC area.
L. Eric Johnson
Plant Manager Plant McDonough Combined Cycle
Southern Company
Jeff Wilson
Fleet Modernization R&D Manager
Southern Company
Jeff is responsible for the research and development activities as they relate to Biomass at Southern Company. Job duties include supporting the Renewable Energy Managers at each operating company and evaluation, demonstration, and implementation of various Biomass technologies as needed. Also, responsible for a full range of project management activities as they relate to small scale Biomass research projects. This includes: problem identification and project scope, scheduling, budgeting, contracting, test plans, test execution, conveying of results and finally startup support if needed. Also responsible for surveying the knowledge in the industry and leveraging relationships with other utilities and groups such as EPRI to maximize resources. Finally, he is responsible for understanding and applying regulatory and legislative activities to Biomass projects. Previous to his current role, Jeff has held various jobs at Southern Company including Air and Gas System Owner at Plant Gadsden, Performance Test Engineer in Generating Plant Performance, and Engineer on the Plant Wansley Combined Cycle project. He has a Mechanical Engineering degree from Mississippi State University and an MBA from Auburn University. Jeff enjoys spending time with my family and friends, traveling with his wife, reading about colonial and revolutionary America, playing golf, and watching almost any sport. Jeff and his wife Amy have one child, Sadie, who is three years old
Ben Thomas
Product Line Manager
Mitsubishi Power
H. Douglas Sansom
Director, Origination
NRG
Hugh Douglas Sansom is the Distributed Energy Resource Origination Director at NRG where he develops customized solutions for NRG and other North American utilities and large Commercial & Industrial (C&I) customers. He has been an employee of NRG since 2015. He leverages more than 30 years' experience in sales, operations, and project management. His experience is in smart grid and Demand Response business development and project deployment. For example, he managed sales and field operations to deploy 550,000 remote control demand response devices with Pepco Holdings, Southern Maryland Electric Co-op, and Central Hudson Gas & Electric. Doug earned a Professional Engineer license from the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1984.
Mrs. Wayshalee Patel
Manager
Sargent & Lundy
Wayshalee (way-shaw-lee) A. Patel works for Sargent & Lundy, a comprehensive consulting, engineering and design firm providing solutions for electric power generation. She holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a Master's in Business Administration from the University of Illinois-Chicago and is a registered professional engineer in the state of Illinois. Ms. Patel is an environmental technology specialist and has 10 years of experience in process design of various air quality control equipment in the power generation industry including flue gas desulphurization, selective catalytic reduction, fabric filters and activated carbon injection.
John Carroll
Project Engineer
Southern Company
John Carroll is a principal research project engineer for Southern Company Research & Development in the Net-Zero Technologies group. John is responsible for project controls and execution for government-funded projects across R&D and at the National Carbon Capture Center (NCCC), a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)-sponsored research facility managed and operated by Southern Company. His current projects include FEED studies around retrofitting carbon capture for natural gas power generation, renewable hydrogen production, battery electric and fuel cell electric vehicles, and supporting technology testing at the NCCC.
Located in Wilsonville, Alabama, the NCCC is an internationally known test facility working to accelerate the development and commercialization of advanced technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power generation and industrial facilities. The center evaluates point-source carbon capture, carbon utilization, and direct air capture technologies from third-party developers and hosts premier research organizations, universities and engineering firms from around the world.
Since joining Southern Company in 2012, John has supported technology development through a variety of roles at the NCCC. This has included project leadership, equipment ownership, operations troubleshooting, data analysis and reporting. John also presents on behalf of the NCCC and Southern Company at external conferences and meetings. John was a process engineer until May 2017, when he transitioned into the project engineering group.
John graduated from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering in May 2012 and completed a Master of Chemical Engineering at Auburn University in August 2020. He interned at the NCCC in the summer of 2011 and previously worked as a co-op student at SemiSouth Labs, a semiconductor facility. John loves to solve problems and enjoys learning new things.
Originally from Meridian, MS, John currently lives in Birmingham, AL with his wife, Julie, and son, James. He enjoys cooking, playing sports and cheering on his Mississippi State Bulldogs.
Danielle Flagg
CCUS Project Development Manager
Sargent & Lundy
Danielle Flagg is a manager in S&L's Energy and Industrial Group and is a registered professional chemical engineer with 14 years of experience. In her current role, Danielle oversees and coordinates S&L's involvement with all project development related to the carbon capture, utilization, and storage in both the power and industrial markets. Danielle has served as the project manager for power and industrial projects, worked on numerous environmental control projects for power plants focused on SO2, NOX, mercury, and CO2 , and has been involved in a large number of CO2 capture studies and estimates spanning various technologies and facility types.
Jim Keane
Power Process Engineering Consultant
WOOD
Jim Keane is a Power Process Engineering Consultant for Wood's Process and Energy business. Jim has over 25 years experience in both the design and operation of power and industrial facilities. His experience includes a wide range of utility and industrial thermal power systems, including waste-to-energy, gas turbine cycles, and industrial waste heat recovery, as well as pulp & paper mill chemical recovery facilities. Jim is a registered professional engineer and holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University and a M.B.A. from The Ohio State University.
Brett Pingree
Country Manager, North America
Emergya Wind Technologies Americas Inc-EWT
Ben Jones
Vice President, Canopy Design Engineering
Distributed Solar Development (DSD)
As Vice President of Canopy Design Engineering at Distributed Solar Development (DSD), Ben oversees the structural and civil engineering on all projects, and leads DSD's in-house canopy team, which specializes in designing and optimizing architecturally stunning and highly functional solar canopies for high-end commercial environments, like Bishop Ranch. With over 10 years of experience, Ben Jones is considered an industry leader in C&I solar canopy design. He was an NABCEP instructor for 4 years and has spoken at industry events including the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association (COSEIA) conference.
David Eisenbud
Sr Director Origination
Distributed Solar Development (DSD)
David Eisenbud has been a long-standing solar advocate and clean energy business development executive for more than 20 years with a focus on addressing climate change challenges while capturing customer savings through deployment of commercial and large-scale solar and storage technologies.
In his role originating projects for DSD, David sources new projects with commercial and industrial as well as public sector clients. He also supports co-development work with select partners and identifies development acquisitions supporting solar and storage deployment at various stages of development.
Prior to joining DSD in 2017, he held sales and finance roles within the solar project development, energy storage and PV technology segments. He launched and was the head of SunPower Canada, leading utility-scale development, project acquisition and commercial system sales, and led the Canadian Solar Energy Industries Association during a period of robust growth. He started his career with industry solar pioneer, PowerLight holding various roles driving early solar adoption in the eastern US.
Mr. Eisenbud earned his BS in Economics (Finance) from Lehigh University and an MBA in Marketing from Fordham University. An avid skier, he has spent 25 years as a trainer and instructor for the Adaptive Sports Foundation teaching snow sports to people with cognitive and physical challenges. He and his wife Lisa live in Boston, MA with two strong-minded daughters.
Malcolm Taylor
Director of Sustainable Power Solutions
Mesa Solutions