SAVE ENERGY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Head of Energy Industry Partnerships at Google
Aaron Berndt is Head of Energy Industry Partnerships at Google, where he leads the team that works with utility partners to help scale and accelerate customer-focused energy efficiency and demand response programs that leverage Google Nest products. Prior to joining Google, Aaron was a leader in PG&E's Customer Energy Solutions team, with responsibility for the delivery of key products and programs in PG&E's portfolio. Aaron holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota and an M.B.A from U.C. Berkeley Haas School of Business.
Job Titles:
- President / Board Member since October 2019
- President of NORESCO
Adam Procell serves as President of NORESCO, overseeing the development, implementation and operation of facility and infrastructure upgrades for government, institutional and private clients which result in energy and operational cost savings. These projects are delivered through a variety of contract vehicles which provide for the financing, turnkey implementation, and guaranteed performance of the projects. These contract vehicles include design-build, energy savings performance contracts, public private partnerships and others. NORESCO is a Carrier company.
Mr. Procell is responsible for the evolution of the business to address critical energy and infrastructure challenges facing the nation, including decarbonization, electrification, resiliency, grid flexibility and many others that we face collectively with the rising effects of climate change. His focus is on positioning NORESCO in the clean energy space as the most innovative provider of solutions in the building industry, leveraging our nearly 40 years of engineering, construction, operations and project financing, as well as the industry leading indoor air quality, safety and security and smart building expertise of Carrier.
Prior to this role, Mr. Procell served as President & CEO of Lime Energy from startup through its current position as the leader in energy efficiency programs for small and midsized businesses. Prior to Lime, Mr. Procell spent 12 years with AECOM where he helped develop and manage over $2 billion worth of clean energy programs with the AECOM Energy business. He has vast experience working with public officials to develop clean energy regulations and legislation, and has served on a variety of boards, working groups and committees on energy and sustainability policy at the state and federal level.
Mr. Procell received his BS in Interdisciplinary Engineering and Management from Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY.
Ashok Gupta has been with NRDC since 1991 where he focuses on policies relating to global warming, energy efficiency, renewables, sustainable building design, smart growth, and transportation. During former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration, Gupta served as NRDC's representative to the Mayor's Sustainability Advisory Board and Energy Policy Task Force. Prior to his work at NRDC, Gupta was a senior economist for the City of New York.
He is the recipient of the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership Award for Advocacy. He serves on the Boards of Smart Growth America, PACE Nation, Building Energy Exchange, and NYC Energy Efficiency Corporation. He holds a bachelor's degree in physics and math from Georgetown University and a master's in economics from American University. He currently resides in the Kansas City area.
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer
- COO, Willow Inc
As Chief Operating Officer, Bert is responsible for Product, Engineering, Marketing and People & Culture. With three decades of experience and relationships across the industry, Bert brings an incredible depth of industry knowledge and technical leadership to Willow. As a Partner at Microsoft, he built a reputation for starting and growing award-winning products and services across Microsoft's major businesses: Windows, Health Solutions, Office, and Azure. In his role as Group Product Manager of Azure IoT, he created Azure Digital Twins and focused on digital transformation in and around real estate and infrastructure, incl. smart buildings and facilities, smart cities, and the rapidly evolving energy grid. Bert has an established track record of identifying new technology transformation trends and driving them within the industry, demonstrated through his experience with digital imaging, e-health, IoT, and more recently Digital Twins, playing a pivotal role in Microsoft's intelligent cloud, intelligent edge strategy. He has a passion for building products, creating and scaling teams and crafting marketing strategy, and he plays a critical role in Willow securing and growing customers.
Job Titles:
- President & CEO, Founder, Board Member
Bob established Metrus in 2009 and created the Efficiency Services Agreement (ESA) and Sustainable Energy Services Agreement (SESA), which has become the contractual backbone for the financing of large-scale energy efficiency retrofit and renewable energy projects. Bob helped develop and grow the Energy as a Service market, which is currently a $5.4 billion industry. Previously, Bob was vice president of energy efficiency at MMA Renewable Ventures where he directed the company's overall energy efficiency financing business and identified and negotiated investment opportunities with ESCOs and large commercial and industrial energy users. He has over 25 years of experience in the energy industry and worked for 10 years at Nexant (at that time owned by Bechtel Corporation). He has developed and implemented over $500 million of large-scale energy efficiency projects and clean energy investment programs in the U.S. and in emerging global markets for utilities, major energy end-users, government agencies, export credit agencies and international donors. Bob previously served as a Board Member for the California Energy Efficiency Industry Council and was an entrepreneur in residence for the California Clean Energy Fund focusing on the identification of new business models for energy efficiency. He has authored articles published in leading sustainable energy publications including Bloomberg, GreenBiz and Utility Dive. Bob has an MA degree in international business from the Fletcher School, Tufts University and a BA degree in international politics and economics from Middlebury College.
Job Titles:
- Associate Vice President, Education
Job Titles:
- Program Manager
- Local Project Leader, Education
Brittney Holt is a skilled educator and program manager who supports school districts and educators to implement the Empowered School Program and initiatives for energy efficiency education. Through her guidance, students are empowered to become advocates for environmental justice within their classrooms and communities.
Prior to joining Alliance Brittney spent over a decade in education teaching secondary Mathematics and coordinating AVID programs. Her track record includes designing effective training, coaching individuals, and driving organizational growth. She holds her Master's degree in Mathematics and is a Certified Scrum Master.
Job Titles:
- Treasurer
- Founder and Managing Partner / Board Member since March 2011
- Founder and Managing Partner of EnerGreen Capital Management
Carolyn L. Green is founder and Managing Partner of EnerGreen Capital Management, LLC, a private equity firm that Green founded to invest in late venture and growth stage companies involved in the energy and environmental industries. EnerGreen's holdings include Professional Environmental Engineers, Inc., a St. Louis-based company that provides environmental assessment, compliance and remediation services to public and private sector clients nationwide; and Casa Verde Energy Services, LLC, which offers energy assessment and efficiency solutions to public and private sector clients in Texas, Louisiana and Arizona.
Prior to founding EnerGreen, Green was Vice President - Health, Environment and Safety for Sunoco, Inc. She has over 30 years of environmental and energy experience, serving as Director of Government & Public Affairs for Ultramar Diamond Shamrock, Environmental Affairs Manager for Southern California Gas Company, Deputy Executive Officer for the South Coast Air Quality Management District and President of the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power Board of Commissioners. A graduate of the University of Iowa, Green was a HUD Urban Studies Fellow in the Graduate Program in Urban & Regional Planning at Iowa.
Green was national board chair of the American Association of Blacks in Energy from 2008-2010 and formerly served as Environmental Committee Chair for the National Petrochemical and Refining Association (NPRA). She is Vice President of the Dean's Advisory Board for the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (CLAS) at the University of Iowa and Treasurer of the Alliance to Save Energy. She is a member of the Executive Leadership Council and co-chair of its 2016 Women's Leadership Forum. She served on the US EPA's Clean Air Act Advisory Council from 2002 through 2010, and currently serves on EPA's National Advisory Council on matters related to the North American Commission on Environmental Cooperation. Green lives in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Michael Blakeney, an interior designer.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Development Committee
- Partner
- Counsel to the Southeastern Federal Power Customer
- General Counsel to Rayburn Country Electric Cooperative
Clint Vince is the chair of Dentons' Energy sector.
Clint has directed the expansion of the US Energy team into a premier practice that includes professionals spanning the continent coast-to-coast, offering a full range of services to energy industry clients. He is widely recognized for his cutting-edge theories and solutions within the energy industry and has a top-tier litigation track record.
Clint remains at the forefront of energy developments and continuously handles some of the highest profile cases in the industry. His experience involves major project development, legislative and regulatory advocacy on behalf of public and private clients, and litigation and appellate cases including US Supreme Court advocacy. Clint has argued before state appellate courts; the US District Courts for the District of Columbia, the Eastern District of New York and the Southern District of New York; the US Courts of Appeals for the First, Second, Fourth, Fifth, Eighth, Tenth, Eleventh and District of Columbia Circuits; and the Supreme Court of the United States, in some instances multiple times.
With more than 35 years of experience in the industry, Clint has been described by clients as "fair, equitable and extremely intelligent" and as "a ‘master' at assessing a situation, planning a strategy, presenting that plan … and following through to closure." As a leading industry litigator, he is "tenacious in trial advocacy and always mindful and gracious in negotiation."
Recently, Clint and his team of energy professionals were awarded Energy Daily's Leadership Award for "Most Dynamic Energy Practice" in the US. Clint is also recognized by Best Lawyers in America and Washington, DC, Super Lawyers, and he has received recognition from Chambers.
Clint is a past editor-in-chief of the Energy Law Journal and just completed a two-year term as co-chair of the prestigious Keystone Center, a policy think tank known for its work in the energy and environmental fields.
Prior to joining Dentons, Clint was the managing partner of the Washington, DC, office of Sullivan and Worcester LLP, where he was also director of the firm's Energy practice.
He served as co-chair of Verner, Liipfert, Bernhard, McPherson and Hand, where he was the founder and chair of the firm's Energy and Environmental practice.
Experience
CPS Energy: Advising on a 400-megawatt project in San Antonio, TX, expected to top US$1 billion, to help meet the city's 2020 renewable energy goals. This project is particularly unique in that it contains an economic development feature that will draw US$100 million in capital investment and create 800 permanent jobs in the San Antonio area. This comes on the heels of winning a multibillion-US-dollar nuclear lawsuit, in which our team achieved 100 percent victory in the highest profile nuclear litigation case in recent years in a court battle that pitted the city of San Antonio against NRG Energy. Simultaneously, our deal team negotiated a settlement worth billions of US dollars to San Antonio, including the resolution of allegations against the city, an agreement to provide San Antonio with a 7.6 percent share in any future nuclear plant without payment of any future construction costs and an upfront settlement of US$90 million, if the project proceeds.
As the city of New Orleans' lead federal trial counsel for nearly three decades, Clint is credited with helping to save more than US$2 billion for the ratepayers of the city and assisting with the rebuilding of the city's electric and natural gas systems that were devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
He has handled more than 500 regulatory, state, federal, trial and appellate proceedings involving the city of New Orleans, including US Supreme Court advocacy.
Clint has represented Navopache Electric Cooperative, Inc., for more than 30 years, including recently with respect to the negotiation of power supply and network service agreements and before the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in transmission rate proceedings.
Clint has served as lead trial counsel to the Southeastern Federal Power Customer group (SEFPC) in the highly publicized "Tri-State Water Wars," and has handled many other cases for them as well.
Senator Edward J. Markey, a consumer champion and national leader on energy, environmental protection and telecommunications policy, has a prolific legislative record on major issues across the policy spectrum and a deep commitment to improving the lives of the people of Massachusetts and our country. Whether the issue is climate change, clean energy, safeguarding privacy, nuclear non-proliferation, investor protection or preserving an open Internet that spurs competition and consumer choice, Senator Markey stands up for the priorities and values of Massachusetts.
While serving for 37 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, Senator Markey fought for his constituents throughout his Congressional District. When he was Dean of the Massachusetts delegation in the House, he worked to harness the energy and influence of his colleagues on behalf of the entire Commonwealth. Elected to the Senate in a special election in June 2013, Senator Markey is bringing his experience, energy and expertise to fight for all the people of Massachusetts.
Senator Markey has amassed an unparalleled record of energy and environmental legislative achievements. He has consistently fought to create new jobs in American clean energy and served as a leading consumer champion against rising gas prices and foreign oil. He is the principal House author of the 2007 fuel economy law, which will increase fuel economy standards to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025, the first increase in a generation. He also is the author of the appliance efficiency act of 1987, which stopped the construction of hundreds of coal-fired plants. Senator Markey authored the law that established the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve, ensuring that New England families won't be left out in the cold when oil prices spike. And he is the author of the revolutionary law that requires electricity regulators to open up the wholesale electric power market for the first time.
In 2009, Congressman Markey was the co-author of the landmark Waxman-Markey bill, the only comprehensive climate legislation ever to pass a chamber of Congress. It gave hope to the world that the United States was serious about addressing climate change and helped America effectively negotiate with the international community.
Senator Markey was a leading voice in the investigation into the BP oil spill. He insisted that the company reveal the true size of the spill's flow rate, raised concerns about the use of toxic chemical dispersants into the environment and forced BP to make live video footage of the oil spill available to the public on the "Spillcam" website he created. BP ultimately pled guilty to 14 counts, including one count of Obstruction of Congress for making false and misleading statements and withholding information and documents from then-Rep. Markey about the true size of the spill.
In the House of Representatives, Congressman Markey served as the Ranking Member of the Natural Resources Committee. From 2007 to 2010, he served as Chairman of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, a signature committee established by then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi. He also served on the Energy and Commerce Committee, where he was Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment.
A member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, Senator Markey is a national leader on telecommunications policy, technology and privacy. In the House, he served for 20 years as Chair or Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, where he fostered the growth of new information technologies and was the principal author of many of the laws now governing our nation's telephone, broadcasting, cable television, wireless, and broadband communications systems. He is the House author of the 1992 Cable Act, which increased choices for millions of consumers and enabled satellite-delivered programming to be more widely offered.
He also authored the law in 1993 that moved over 200 MHz of spectrum from government to commercial use, creating the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th wireless phone companies. New companies entered the market with digital technology, forcing the incumbents to innovate and invest and pushing mobile phone prices down.
Job Titles:
- President and CEO / Board Member since January 2015
As President and CEO of the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA), which represents the $8 billion U.S. fiber glass and mineral wool insulation industry, Curt oversees all activities relating to the promotion of fiber glass and mineral wool insulation to all key stakeholders including policymakers, code officials, building industry professionals and consumers. In addition, he champions policies and legislation that encourage the use of insulation to increase energy efficiency and sustainability.
Prior to joining NAIMA in July 2014, Curt was Vice President of Energy and Environmental Policy for United Technologies Corporation (UTC), responsible for directing government affairs objectives for UTC's building and industrial systems businesses, which included Carrier and Otis Elevator.
Curt is a former partner at the Washington, D.C. based law and policy firm of Van Ness Feldman where he represented companies, trade associations and local governments on issues related to tax policy, energy, the environment and natural resources. He also previously served as legislative counsel to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and as legislative counsel to U.S. Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), where he advised the senator on a wide range of policy issues.
Curt holds a bachelor's degree in history from Whitman College and a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Montana.
Job Titles:
- New York State Energy Research and Development Authority / President and CEO
- President and CEO / Board Member since January 2021
- President and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
Doreen M. Harris was appointed president and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) on April 7, 2021. Ms. Harris has held public and private sector leadership roles advancing clean energy projects and engineering companies for more than 20 years.
During her 10 years of public service, she has held executive, technical, and policy positions at NYSERDA, most recently as the Vice President of Large-Scale Renewables. While at NYSERDA, she has overseen the State's nation-leading advancement of renewable resources under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act and Clean Energy Standard. Ms. Harris also spearheaded the strategic development of New York's offshore wind resource, including the execution of the State's offshore wind master plan. She was also instrumental in advancing and implementing the Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act, which will modernize the siting of large-scale renewable energy projects across New York.
Before embarking on a career in public service, Ms. Harris spent more than a decade in the energy sector, serving in management and engineering roles. She began her career at Alcoa Advanced Technologies and Optimization Technologies in engineering roles associated with consulting and project management. Prior to joining NYSERDA, she served as Project Director for Global Water Technologies, Inc., where she led a multi-year initiative to develop and commercialize energy savings and water treatment technologies.
She currently serves on the boards of several organizations, including the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) and the National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium.
Ms. Harris earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Rochester and a Master of Business Administration from the University at Albany.
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President of Research and Development
- Vice Chair
- Research Advisory Council
Dr. Mark S. Berry, P.E., is currently senior vice president of research and development (R&D) for Southern Company Services. In this role, he leads all activities of Southern Company's industry-leading R&D organization and guides the company's strategic advancement of technologies that provide clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy for customers in a net-zero future. This includes developing low- and no-carbon technologies, including advanced nuclear and the hydrogen economy; advancing energy storage, renewable, distributed generation and transportation solutions; modernizing the grid; and promoting negative-emission and sustainability innovations.
Named to the position in June 2022, Berry previously served as vice president of Southern Company Services R&D, as well as vice president of environmental and natural resources for Georgia Power, the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, where he oversaw Georgia Power-owned natural resources and managed environmental compliance and stewardship programs to meet or surpass all environmental laws and regulations.
Over his career, Berry has held numerous positions of increasing responsibility, including director of Southern Company research and technology management, managing a portfolio of research related to emission controls, energy efficiency, renewables, power delivery, central station generation and carbon capture, utilization and storage. He served as director in the generation sector at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), where he managed research and development efforts in renewables, water management, carbon capture and storage, and advanced fossil generation; and director of energy and environment at Southern Research. He was also manager of environmental assessment for Southern Company's research and environmental affairs organization, where he managed the company's regulatory response to federal rule-making activity and the environmental science research program.
Prior to joining Southern Company, Berry attained the commissioned rank of lieutenant commander in the United States Navy as a surface warfare officer. While on active duty, he served upon the USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) in the capacities of deck officer and combat information center officer. After joining the reserves, he served as an engineering officer supporting the USS Sentry (MCM-3) and as an intelligence officer supporting the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA HQ).
Berry holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Alabama A&M University, and a bachelor's and master's degree in mechanical engineering and Ph.D. in interdisciplinary engineering from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He also earned a master's degree in public and private management from Birmingham-Southern College and is a registered professional engineer. He is a graduate of Leadership Atlanta. Berry is currently pursuing a chief technology officer certificate from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
Berry is vice chair of the Research Advisory Council at EPRI. He is an advisory board member of the Strategic Energy Institute at the Georgia Institute of Technology and the School of Engineering at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Berry is a board member of Wellstar Health System and serves on the boards of the Georgia Conservancy and the National Wildlife Federation. Berry is a member of 100 Black Men of Atlanta, where he leads the mentoring efforts for the organization. Berry also teaches thermodynamics as an adjunct professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and is a program evaluator for the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
Berry is an active, lifetime member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. He has established two scholarships for minority students pursuing a degree in engineering in the name of his grandfathers - an endowed scholarship in the name of Marion Luscious Nell at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the Simpson Berry Sr. Endowed Scholarship at Alabama A&M University.
Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Berry and his wife, Crystal, have four children.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Advanced Energy / Board Member since June 2022
Serving as a Vice President of Advanced Energy at TRC Companies. Mr. Baldwin is a results driven, dynamic leader with over two decades of experience managing energy and information technology initiatives in the public and private sectors. Mr. Baldwin is responsible for building relationships within our industry, and for championing people within our company. As a team builder, he believes that collaboration, problem-solving, and continuous improvement are the drivers to customer satisfaction and company growth. Currently, Mr. Baldwin leads the client acquisition and development team which is responsible for developing practice wide relationships with utilities, agencies, and businesses across the United States. His proficiency in program management, staff leadership and development, and process improvement directly impacts the success of the Advanced Energy team.
Prior to joining TRC, Mr. Baldwin served as senior manager for Lockheed Martin Energy where he managed over $80M of energy management and sustainability contracts with many of the largest utilities in the eastern United States. In addition to his program work, Mr. Baldwin has served as capture manager, technical lead, and subject matter expert on numerous efforts to help our clients make the transition to efficient and low-carbon energy systems. His experience includes leadership of energy efficiency, demand management, electrification, and decarbonization programs across the commercial, industrial, government, and residential sectors. He has led teams responsible for saving cumulatively 1M+ MWh of energy through successful implementation of energy conservation programs.
Mr. Baldwin is committed to building and mentoring the next generation of leaders. His passionate management style inspires team members to take on new challenges, think creatively, and "get to yes," while taking pride in integrity and personal accountability. Mr. Baldwin 's strong and compassionate leadership led to him receiving accolades from his peers. In 2010 and 2012, Mr. Baldwin was selected as a Lockheed Martin Excellence in Leadership Award winner, and in 2013, Mr. Baldwin was selected as a Network Journal Magazine 40 Under Forty Honoree.
Prior to Joining Lockheed Martin in 2004, Mr. Baldwin held consulting and project management roles at Booz Allen Hamilton and AYB. His roles included work for Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Service programs. Mr. Baldwin holds a Bachelor's degree in government and politics from the University of Maryland, College Park, a Master's degree from the Harvard University division of continuing education school of extension studies, and is a graduate of the Lockheed Martin Program Management Development Program.
Job Titles:
- Executive Affairs Manager and President & CEO of the Virtual Office Whisperer
- Manager, Executive Affairs
Erica Bell is the Alliance's Executive Affairs Manager and President & CEO of The Virtual Office Whisperer consultancy.
As a certified online business manager (OBM), Erica Bell is the consummate professional, bringing 30 years of experience, expertise, and a proven track record in building and managing operational infrastructures and providing advanced administrative support. Before creating this consultancy, Erica was Vice President of Operations for an IT firm, where she worked her way up and honed her skills that allowed her to start her own agency support business. Erica graduated from Roosevelt University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies.
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Customer Solutions
Erica currently serves as vice-president of customer solutions at ComEd, where she leads the company's sustainability programs like energy efficiency and beneficial electrification. Previously, she led ComEd's customer channels and communications functions, including media, stakeholder, and employee communications. A Rhodes Scholar and West Point graduate, Erica Borggren is a former Army captain who served in Iraq, in the Republic of Korea, and throughout the U.S. Central Command region in the Middle East. She previously served as the Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, where she spearheaded the launch of Illinois Joining Forces, an award-winning public-private network of organizations committed to working together to serve veterans better; Borggren was selected in 2014 as a White House "Champion of Change" for her veteran-related efforts. She also served as Acting Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation. A Leadership Greater Chicago and Crain's 40-under-40 alumna, she resides in Chicago and serves on the boards of Metropolitan Family Services and Illinois Joining Forces.
As the Alliance's Chief of Staff, Felicia Kelly serves as the main conduit between the President and staff, ensuring that the Alliance team is working effectively and efficiently toward its annual performance goals. Her primary responsibilities include management of the executive office, Board of Directors, and human resources.
Prior to joining the Alliance in April 2021, Felicia served as the Director of Member Services and Events for the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE). She previously worked at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), where she was the Membership Manager.
Felicia has more than 25 years of experience in managing membership programs, committees, and conferences and conventions.
She is a wife and mother of four beautiful children with two amazing grandsons. Felicia loves football - especially the Pittsburgh Steelers - and fishing.
In her role as Director of Education, Francesca oversees the Alliance's portfolio of education programs which allow students to become ambassadors for energy conservation in the classroom and at home. She supports a team of program implementation, outreach, and recruitment.
Prior to joining the Alliance, Francesca spent her career in K-12 environmental education, program development and communications. She holds a bachelor's degree in Industrial Design and a master's degree in Eco-efficient Product Design from the Polytechnic University of Turin.
Job Titles:
- Manager, Education Outreach
Grace supports the education team in its implementation of the EmPowered Schools program with teachers and districts. Her role is to connect schools with funders to further the Alliance's mission of educating students about energy conservation and green career pathways.
Prior to joining the Alliance, Grace was an elementary classroom teacher for over a decade where she created a nurturing and engaging learning environment while focusing on student progress. She holds a bachelor's degree in Education from the University of Texas at Austin.
Job Titles:
- Chief Market Innovation Officer
Bascom will lean on her deep expertise at the intersection of consumers, technology and the regulated energy sector to lead market development and marketing strategy for Uplight. As a current SEPA board member and the outgoing VP of Regulated Business at the electrification company SPAN, Bascom has an innovative view of where the energy industry is headed and a track record of accelerating impact. Her experience as the Head of Energy Partnerships at Google Nest helped to establish smart thermostats and residential demand response programs at scale, improving customer relationships and grid resiliency. Previously, Bascom also spent time at Pacific Gas and Electric Company and in utility consulting.
Job Titles:
- 1st Vice - Chair
- Chief Customer Officer, National Grid US / Board Member since June 2021
- Utility Operations Expert
Helen Burt is a highly accomplished utility operations expert who has held senior management positions in customer, policy, and regulatory affairs. She currently serves as the Chief Customer Officer at National Grid where she is working toward delivering affordable, clean, safe, reliable energy solutions to millions of customers across the Northeast every day.
She previously served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer for Utilligent, LLC, a management consultant firm dedicated to advising the largest electric, natural gas, and water utilities across North America and Asia Pacific.
Prior to her time at Utilligent, she was the Senior Vice President (SVP) External Affairs and Public Policy for PG&E Corporation and the nation's first utility Chief Customer Officer where she was responsible for customer engagement strategy. Burt was also responsible for PG&E's sustainability program and served as the Chairperson of the PG&E Corporation Foundation, a California nonprofit public benefit corporation that makes grants for educational, environmental, and general community purposes.
Before PG&E, Burt served as Vice President, Customer Billing and Operations at TXU Energy, the largest electric retailer in the fully-competitive Texas energy market.
Commencing in 2010, Burt was named one of the "Most Influential Women in the Bay Area" by the San Francisco Business Times for five consecutive years. She served as a Director and head of the Governance Committee for the Alliance to Save Energy; Director and Executive Committee Member for Meals on Wheels of San Francisco; and Director of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group.
She holds a bachelor's degree in Biology and Chemistry from Midwestern State University and is a member of MENSA, the largest and oldest high IQ society in the world.
Job Titles:
- Senior Manager, Energy Services and Customer Innovations
Jeff Feinberg was named Senior Manager, Energy Services and Customer Innovations at Snohomish County PUD in September of 2022. Prior to this role he has held various leadership positions in the Customer and Energy Services Division for the last 7 years. Currently his team implements and delivers Energy Efficiency, Energy Assistance, and all other customer facing programs across Residential, Commercial, and Industrial segments. Jeff's team works across divisions to satisfy several regulatory, policy, and fiscal accountabilities while designing customer centric solutions to the unique challenges facing the utility industry.
Before joining the utility, Jeff served in retail and non-profit management. He holds a bachelor's degree in communications and Masters of Divinity from Gateway Seminary. In addition to serving his community in Public Power, Jeff loves following his kids around playing baseball, snowboarding, paddleboarding, attending gymnastics meets, or playing soccer.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Federal Affairs / Board Member since June 2022
Jessica, along with a strong and well-connected government relations team, serves as TVA's liaison with federal officials within the United States Senate, House of Representatives, executive branch and other federal agencies.
Hogle mostly recently comes to TVA from PG&E Corporation, where she served as Vice President of Federal Affairs and Chief Sustainability Officer. In this dual role overseeing both federal government relations and corporate sustainability, she was responsible for building relationships at the national level with NGOs, trade associations, advocacy organizations, and other key stakeholders, and integrating sustainability into the company's business strategy.
Hogle has held several other roles of national significance, including as Director of Political and Legislative Affairs for the Portland Cement Association.
She also serves on several boards of directors, including Future Forum Foundation and Running Start, an organization dedicated to encouraging more young women to pursue political office. Hogle has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of the South in Sewanee, TN.
Jessica and her husband have two children and make their home in Arlington, Virginia just outside Washington, D.C.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Chief Executive Officer of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
A Jim Matheson is chief executive officer of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), the national service organization that represents the nation's more than 900 private, not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric cooperatives, which provide service to 42 million people in 47 states. Jim joined NRECA in July 2016 following distinguished careers in both the public and private sectors.
Prior to joining NRECA, Jim served as principal, public policy practice for the international law firm Squire Patton Boggs based in Washington, D.C.
From 2001 to 2015, Jim was elected to serve as a U.S. Representative from Utah for seven terms. During his tenure on Capitol Hill, Jim was known as a legislator who was able to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle.
He was chief deputy whip for the House Democratic Caucus and served as co-chairman of the Blue Dog Coalition. Jim also was a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, as well as the Financial Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Science Committees.
Prior to entering government service, Jim worked in the energy industry for several years.
Jim was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. He received a Bachelor's Degree in Government from Harvard University and an MBA in Finance and Accounting from UCLA. Jim's wife, Amy, is a pediatrician, and they have two sons, William and Harris.
Job Titles:
- Stakeholder Relations Associate
Joe Robinson joined the Alliance to Save Energy in January of 2023. In his role as the Stakeholder Relations Associate, he serves as the primary liaison with key constituencies, including associate members, events and initiative sponsors.
Prior to joining the Alliance, Joe spent 3 years as the Supervisor of the Sterile Process Department at Lancaster General Hospital. He directed technicians and transporters to consistently meet departmental goals to provide safe, sterile instruments and supplies efficiently.
Joe graduated from Widener University in 2019 with a Bachelors degree in Psychology, and also maintains specialized certifications as a Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) and a Certified Healthcare Leader (CHL).
Job Titles:
- President and Chief Executive Officer / Board Member since January 2021
- President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York Power Authority
Justin E. Driscoll is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York Power Authority (NYPA), the nation's largest state-owned electric utility. He is responsible for developing and implementing the statewide utility's strategic vision and mission, and for overseeing its operations, legal and financial matters, and relationships with external stakeholders. He is also responsible for the operation of the New York State Canal System.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- President
- President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Gas Association
Karen Alderman Harbert is president and chief executive officer of the American Gas Association. Founded in 1918, AGA represents more than 200 local energy utility companies that deliver natural gas to 178 million Americans nationwide.
Prior to joining AGA, she was president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Global Energy Institute (Energy Institute). Under Harbert's leadership, the Energy Institute evolved into a premier national and international organization dedicated to advancing a constructive energy agenda with the business community, policymakers and consumers. Harbert led the Energy Institute's development of its comprehensive Energy Works for US platform, which provides policy recommendations to secure our nation's energy future and create millions of jobs, billions of dollars in revenue, and trillions of dollars of private investment. Under Harbert's leadership, the Energy Institute established the groundbreaking Index of Energy Security Risk and the International Index of Energy Security Risk, the first tools to quantify America's energy security on an annual basis. Harbert frequently testifies in front of Congress and provides analysis to the media, policymakers, and industry leaders.
She currently serves on a number of not-for-profit boards including: United States Energy Association, Bryce Harlow Foundation and Jefferson Islands Club. Harbert is a member of The Economic Club of Washington D.C.
Job Titles:
- Senior Director of Environmental, Social and Governance
Kori Recalde is Senior Director of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) at Carrier Global Corporation, based in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, United States.
Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions, is committed to creating solutions that matter for people and our planet for generations to come. As part of Carrier's sustainability commitment, Kori established Carrier's ESG program and is now responsible for directing the company's ESG strategies and initiatives, as well as its annual disclosures and thought leadership. Prior to her current role, Kori led Carrier's global Social Impact Program, the scope of which included sustainability, charitable giving and employee volunteerism.
Kori has two decades of industry experience, including 12 years with United Technologies, where she served as Senior Director of Sustainability. In that role, she led ESG and marketing and communications related to sustainable buildings, aviation and transport refrigeration. Prior to joining the company, she was a senior consultant for Booz Allen Hamilton focused on environmental remediation.
She holds a bachelor's degree in Economics and Environmental Policy and Analysis from Boston University, master's degree in Environmental Management from the Yale School of the Environment and a Certificate in Project Management from Boston University. Kori is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional with Operations & Maintenance specialty. She earned her Fundamentals of Sustainability Accounting Credential Level II, issued by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board. She serves on the World Green Building Council's Corporate Advisory Board as well as on the U.S. Green Building Council's Existing Buildings Consensus Committee. She also serves on the Advisory Board of Climate Assessment Management's Nature Based Carbon Fund, of which Carrier is an investor.
Job Titles:
- President, Building Controls Systems
Job Titles:
- Energy Advisors / CEO & Co - Founder / President
Job Titles:
- CFO, Alliance to Save Energy and VP, Nonprofit Client Services, NeoSystems
Job Titles:
- Associate Vice President of Policy and Research
In his first year as a United States Senator, Chris Coons worked hard and has earned a reputation as a principled, pragmatic legislator eager to find bipartisan solutions to the issues confronting Delaware and the nation. He has emerged as a strong voice for job creation and the innovation economy, responsible deficit reduction, progressive social justice, and forward-looking foreign policy.
Unwilling to be sidelined by partisan gridlock, Senator Coons has worked creatively to make a difference. Though legislation to support job creation continues to be obstructed in Congress, Senator Coons organized job fairs around the state to help Delawareans find work. Though funding for new police officers has been stalled by the economic downturn, Senator Coons founded the first-ever Senate Law Enforcement Caucus to help strengthen local, state, and federal public safety efforts. Though legislation in support of equality indifferent to sexual orientation or gender identity is moving slowly, Senator Coons recruited 12 of his colleagues for a stirring video that urged LGBT youth to remember ‘it gets better.'
Serving on the Foreign Relations, Judiciary, Energy & Natural Resources, and Budget committees, Senator Coons is uniquely positioned to nurture American innovation and make the United States more competitive in the global market. He is the only freshman to serve as a subcommittee chair, leading the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs and emerging as an important voice on the security challenges and economic opportunities offered by the continent.
Committed to fulfilling the economic potential of American innovation, Senator Coons has introduced legislation and worked aggressively for a series of measures designed to help create jobs and grow our economy, including a comprehensive overhaul of the nation's patent system, new protections for American intellectual property, and critical investments in research and development. His first bill in the Senate, the Job Creation Through Innovation Act, would help revitalize domestic manufacturing and create conditions to help businesses grow and create middle-class jobs. Chris later teamed up with Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida to introduce the American Growth, Recovery, Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Act, a bill containing an array of job-creating measures supported by both parties.
Chris' election to the Senate in 2010 capped a decade of successful service in New Castle County government. In four years as New Castle County Council President and six years as New Castle County Executive, Chris earned a reputation for delivering real results on behalf of Delawareans and protecting the county during the least stable national economic climate in decades. Chris balanced six budgets by eliminating wasteful spending and created jobs through innovative public/private partnerships. His Safe Streets partnership removed dangerous parole violators from our neighborhoods and cleaned up dozens of the worst county properties. He also preserved hundreds of acres of open space and fought for an independent ethics commission to make county government more transparent in its business dealings.
Chris has devoted much of his free time to organizations such as the National Coalition for the Homeless and the education-oriented "I Have a Dream" Foundation.
Prior to serving as County Executive, Chris worked as an attorney for Delaware-based W.L. Gore & Associates, one of the 200 largest privately held companies in the United States, where he helped the company expand and create hundreds of jobs. Chris is a graduate of Amherst College with a B.A. in Chemistry and Political Science, and earned his law degree from Yale Law School and a Master's in Ethics from Yale Divinity School. Chris also studied at the University of Nairobi in Kenya.
A longtime New Castle County resident, Chris grew up in the Pike Creek and Hockessin areas and lives in Wilmington with his wife, Annie, and their three children, Michael, Jack, and Maggie.
The first woman in history to be elected a Governor and a United States Senator, Jeanne Shaheen has been involved in all levels of New Hampshire life. She taught in a New Hampshire high school, chaired the Town of Madbury's zoning board and served three terms in the State Senate. Shaheen became the first woman elected Governor of New Hampshire, serving three terms from 1997-2003. In 2008 Shaheen became the first woman elected to the United States Senate from New Hampshire.
Although neither of Senator Shaheen's parents graduated from college, her father worked his way up to a management position in the shoe manufacturing business and her mother worked as a secretary in their local church. They instilled in their daughter the values of determination and hard work that have guided her throughout her life. After attending public schools, Senator Shaheen received a bachelor's degree from Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania and a master's degree from the University of Mississippi.
A champion of middle class families, as Governor, Shaheen worked to make college more affordable, made public kindergarten a reality for over 25,000 additional children, and extended affordable health coverage to tens of thousands of New Hampshire children. Her focus on the economy led to the creation of nearly 67,000 new jobs during her six years as Governor and the third-highest high tech employment in the nation. Recognizing that for New Hampshire's middle class to prosper we must be able to compete in an increasingly global economy, she was the first New Hampshire Governor to lead a trade mission outside of North America. A former small business owner, Jeanne Shaheen understands that small businesses are the backbone of the New Hampshire economy.
Never afraid to stand up to powerful interests, Jeanne Shaheen took on the utilities and led the fight to bring competition to the New Hampshire electric industry. She stood up to the insurance industry, first as a State Senator, when she championed legislation to prevent premium discrimination against small businesses that employ sick or older workers, and then as Governor, when she pushed through her HMO Accountability Act.
A consensus builder, Shaheen brought Republicans and Democrats in the New Hampshire legislature together to pass the Clean Power Act, first-in-the-nation legislation reducing power plant emissions, and the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program, which has helped preserve 250,000 acres of open space and 88 historic places. Energy efficiency programs initiated by the Shaheen administration have saved New Hampshire families and businesses over $400 million.
Senator Shaheen is committed to fiscal responsibility. As Governor, Shaheen proposed balanced budgets and insisted on fiscal discipline, enabling the state to nearly triple its Rainy Day Fund. New Hampshire maintained the lowest state tax burden in the country the entire six years Shaheen was Governor.
Shaheen also signed historic civil rights laws, including legislation making New Hampshire only the 10th state to add sexual orientation to its anti-discrimination laws and establishing a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - ending New Hampshire's status as the only state in the nation not to recognize Dr. King's birthday as an official holiday.
In 2005 she took on the challenge of forging a new generation of public leaders when she became the Director of Harvard University's Institute of Politics at the Kennedy School of Government.
Shaheen was sworn-in as a member of the United States Senate in January 2009. She currently serves on the U.S. Senate Committees on Armed Services, Foreign Relations, Appropriations, and Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Banking Committee
Mark Warner was elected to the U.S. Senate in November 2008, and serves on the Senate's Banking, Budget, Commerce and Rules committees.
From 2002 to 2006, Senator Warner served as Governor of Virginia during its worst economic recession in 20 years. He worked in a bipartisan way to make state government more effective and affordable, and ultimately turned a record budget deficit into a surplus. He focused on improving public education and expanding economic opportunity, and brought 135,000 new jobs into Virginia during his four-year term. When Governor Warner left office in 2006, Virginia was recognized as the nation's "best-managed state" and the "best state for business."
Today, after just one year in Congress, Senator Warner is seen as a national leader in efforts to revive the economy by updating oversight of Wall Street, supporting our small businesses, and working in a bipartisan way to improve government performance and reduce the federal deficit.
As a member of the Banking Committee, Senator Warner has consistently worked to reach bipartisan consensus on updated regulations that will lead to more modern and effective oversight of banks and other providers of financial services. Senator Warner also is the lead sponsor of several bipartisan measures to increase accountability and establish independent oversight of the taxpayer investments made through the TARP bank bailout legislation that was enacted before he joined Congress.
On the Budget Committee, Senator Warner has been selected as chairman of a bipartisan task force that is evaluating the performance and effectiveness of federal agencies and programs. This bipartisan group of Senators will identify inefficiency and duplication -- and make recommendations about what works - and what doesn't.
While serving as Virginia's Governor, Senator Warner streamlined and improved services to Virginia's 800,000 military veterans and their families, and that commitment to our veterans continues in Congress. Senator Warner successfully amended the AmeriCorps "Serve America Act" to identify ways for veterans to continue serving their communities once their military service ends. Senator Warner also launched a comprehensive study of the effectiveness of Veterans Administration services for our female veterans who have served so honorably in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Senator Warner's involvement in efforts to improve the health care system stretches back 20 years, including his role as co-founder of the nonprofit Virginia Health Care Foundation. As Governor, he administered a state Medicaid program and received national recognition for a significant turn-around in Virginia's underperforming health insurance program for children. As a new member of the Senate, he organized and led more than a dozen of his freshman colleagues in successfully adding new tools to proposed health reform legislation that are designed to lower costs for consumers and businesses while also promoting broader innovation and greater transparency. Senator Warner's amendments received bipartisan support, and the freshman package was endorsed by AARP, national consumer groups, independent experts and leading health care innovators.
Senator Warner was born in Indiana and raised in Connecticut. He was the first member of his family to graduate from college, earning an undergraduate degree from The George Washington University and a law degree from Harvard. He was an early leader in the cellular telephone industry, co-founding the company that eventually became Nextel and making early investments in hundreds of high-tech start-up companies that created thousands of jobs. As a philanthropist, Senator Warner has been a leader in his support of non-profit organizations that promote public schools and higher education, enhanced protection of our natural resources, and research into Alzheimer's disease and juvenile diabetes.
Senator Warner, his wife Lisa, and their three daughters live in Alexandria, Virginia.
Senator Lisa Murkowski is the first Alaskan born Senator to serve the state and only the sixth United States Senator from Alaska. The state's senior senator, Lisa Murkowski is a third generation Alaskan, born in Ketchikan and raised in towns across the state: Wrangell, Juneau, Fairbanks and Anchorage. Since joining the Senate in 2002, Senator Murkowski has already made many strides on issues facing Alaskans. As she advocates for legislation on the Senate floor, her passion for improving the state of health care, education, energy, veterans' affairs and infrastructure development in Alaska is unquestionable.
Only the 33rd female to serve in the United States Senate since its founding in 1789, Senator Murkowski has assumed leadership roles quickly in the Senate. She is the senior Republican member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and also serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee. Senator Murkowski is a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee - the first Alaskan to serve on that panel - and also is a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.
Senator Murkowski was elected by her fellow Republican senators to serve as the Vice Chair of the Senate Republican Conference for the 111th Congress, the fifth-highest party leadership position in the United States Senate.
Senator Murkowski understands the challenges that face Alaskan families, and she is committed to improving economic stability and job growth in the state. Her work to open ANWR and build the Alaska natural gas pipeline demonstrates her commitment to growth in Alaska, as well as an understanding of the country's energy needs.
She earned a B.A. in economics from Georgetown University in 1980 and then returned to Juneau to work as a legislative aide, also becoming active in state Republican politics. In 1985 she graduated with a law degree from Willamette University and became a member of the Alaska Bar Association in 1987. She served as Anchorage District Court attorney for two years and then worked in Alaska commercial law for eight years before opening her own practice. Murkowski was elected to three terms in the Alaska State House of Representatives, beginning in 1998, and was named House Majority Leader during the 2003-2004 term. While serving in the State House, Murkowski sat on the Alaska Commission on Post Secondary Education and chaired both the Labor and Commerce and the Military and Veterans' Affairs Committees. In 1999 she introduced legislation establishing a Joint Armed Services Committee, where she also served. After being appointed to the Senate on December 20, 2002, Senator Murkowski was elected to a full six-year Senate term in November 2004.
Lisa married Verne Martell, an Anchorage small business owner, in 1987 and they have two sons, Nicolas and Matthew. She enjoys spending time with her family, skiing, fishing, camping, and actively participating in community outreach programs.
Job Titles:
- Manager, Local Education Project Leader
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Federal Affairs
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Advanced Energy
Job Titles:
- Anchorage Small Business Owner