SUMMIT SPEAKERS
Sen. Brian Feldman
Chair,
Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee
District 15,
Chair, Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee
Maryland State Senator Brian J. Feldman, both an Attorney and a CPA, is Chair of the newly-formed Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee. In 2019, Brian was the lead sponsor of the landmark Maryland Clean Energy Jobs Act.
Additionally, Brian is the Senate Chair of the Maryland Health Insurance Coverage Protection Commission and serves as a member of the Executive Nominations Committee and the Rules Committee. He is also a member of the Maryland Economic Development Commission.
Nationally, as a member of the National Conferences of State Legislators, he serves on two task forces – the Executive Committee Task Force on State and Local Taxation and the Task Force on Energy Supply.
Currently, Brian sits on the Board of Directors for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. Senator Feldman and his wife, Janice, have two children who graduated from Montgomery County public schools.
Del. Lorig Charkoudian
House Economic Matters Committee
District 20,
House Economic Matters Committee
Lorig Charkoudian represents District 20 in the Maryland General Assembly, where she serves on the Economic Matters Committee and is Chair of the Unemployment Insurance Subcommittee. Lorig is a strong advocate for legislation promoting environmental justice, consumer protections, economic justice, criminal justice reform, pedestrian safety, and a sustainable food system. In addition to her role as Delegate, Lorig is the Executive Director of the Community Mediation Maryland. Lorig received her PhD in Economics from Johns Hopkins University, has been honored three times as Maryland’s Top 100 Women by the Maryland Daily Record. She lives in Takoma Park with one of her two children, Raffi, and runs ultra-marathons.
Del. Marc Korman
Chair, House Environment & Transportation Committee
Kevin Atticks
Maryland Department of Agriculture
Secretary,
Maryland Department of Agriculture
Kevin Atticks was sworn in as Secretary on March 2, 2023. Prior to his appointment, Atticks was CEO (and founder) of Grow & Fortify, a company supporting value-added agricultural organizations and the businesses they represent. Grow & Fortify published the first assessment of the state’s value-added agricultural industry, illustrating the expansive impact generated by this sector, which includes wineries, creameries, meat processing, agritourism, equine and dozens of other industry segments. Atticks was also the Executive Director of the Maryland Wineries Association, Brewers Association of Maryland and the Maryland Distillers Guild, and served as the President of the Maryland Agricultural Resource Council, and the Chair of the WineAmerica State & Regional Associations Advisory Council. Atticks formerly served on the University of Maryland College of Agriculture's Global Leadership Council, the board of Future Harvest and the board of the Maryland Tourism Coalition. Originally from Bowie, Maryland, Atticks graduated with a journalism degree from Loyola University Maryland. Shortly thereafter, Atticks received a master's degree from the University of Colorado in Boulder, CO. He later earned his doctorate in communications design from University of Baltimore. He holds a faculty position at Loyola University Maryland where he teaches book publishing.
Serena McIlwain
Maryland Department of the Environment
Secretary,
Maryland Department of the Environment
Serena McIlwain was confirmed as the Maryland Department of the Environment’s 11th Secretary on March 2, 2023. Prior to that, Secretary McIlwain was the Under Secretary at the California Environmental Protection Agency. A native of the Washington Metro area, Sec. McIlwain also worked for the federal government as a Senior Executive for numerous Executive Branch agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as Assistant Regional Administrator for Region 9 in San Francisco, California, Performance Improvement Officer and Director of Continuous Improvement at U.S. EPA Headquarters, and Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Energy. Sec. McIlwain holds two Master’s degrees. She received a Master of Public Administration from George Mason University and a Master’s degree in Administration & International studies from Central Michigan University.
Paul Pinsky
Maryland Energy Administration
Director,
Maryland Energy Administration
Paul Pinsky was appointed by Governor Moore to be the Director of the Maryland Energy Administration and he took office on January 18, 2023. Prior to his appointment as director, he was elected to the Maryland state senate seven times. As a senator, he chaired the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee. He has also served on the Maryland Commission on Climate Change since its inception. Pinsky has been a long-time champion in the fight to address climate change and clean up the Chesapeake Bay. He is the principal author of dozens of environmental laws that have helped shape most major state environmental policies in Maryland over the last two decades. Paul Pinsky served on the Commission on Innovation & Excellence in Education (the Kirwan Commission) and was a major architect of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future which aims to transform Maryland’s education system. He is also a longtime advocate for social, economic and environmental justice. Director Pinsky worked in the education field for over 40 years, teaching high school history, advocating for teachers and their working conditions and consulting and developing policy focused on improving teacher quality.
Marnie Abramson
Lightility
Principal,
Lightility
Marnie is the Principal and Founder of Lightility, a Woman-Owned Small Business dedicated to converting outdated and inefficient energy infrastructures into cost savings and improved asset value. They specialize in EPC projects for LED, EV and commercial solar. Under her leadership, Lightility clients have realized over $110 million in energy savings, more than $23 million in utility rebates and grants, and carbon emission reductions of over one billion pounds. Lightility is an award-winning trade ally with PEPCO utility company winning ‘Best Customer Experience’ in 2019, ‘Largest Incentive’ Award in 2021 and 2022, and ‘Most Efficient Project’ in 2022. In 2018 Lightility was honored with an ‘Outstanding Achievement in Green Building Technology’ Award from the Mayor and Council of the City of Rockville, Maryland. Marnie holds a Master of Science degree in Real Estate from Johns Hopkins University, a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Southern California, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from American University. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Suburban Hospital, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Sustainability Advisory Council for The American University Kogod School of Business and Pepco Holdings EmPOWER Maryland Advisory Board. Marnie is also a LEED Accredited Professional.
Trenton Allen
Sustainable Capital Advisors
CEO,
Sustainable Capital Providers
As CEO, Trenton navigates the strategic direction of SCA while providing clients with subject-matter expertise on executing sustainable infrastructure projects. His extensive experience in the financial services industry allows him to identify the partners best suited for collaboration to create a more profitable, inclusive, and climate-resilient future. Trenton began his career at Public Financial Management, Inc., the nation’s largest financial advisor for state and local government. Starting as a consultant with no formal finance training, Trenton gravitated to quantitative roles building financial models and executing financial restructurings for electric utility clients. His passion for numbers led to a role leading the firm’s intensive finance training program and serving as head of the Quantitative Strategies Group. After leaving PFM, Trenton began a 10+ year career at Citi, focusing on traditional municipal utilities, public infrastructure, and the emerging landscape of sustainable infrastructure finance opportunities. Working at the forefront of sustainable infrastructure finance, Trenton executed transactions that foreshadowed the success of the domestic market for green bonds and the financing role of green banks. Additionally, Trenton has served as a thought leader/instructor at the Center for Energy and Environmental Policy at the University of Delaware, teaching a graduate-level sustainable infrastructure finance course.
Duanne Andrade
Solar and Energy Loan Fund
Executive Director,
Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF)
Maria Duanne Andrade is the Executive Director of the Solar and Energy Loan Fund. She is a passionate advocate for social, environmental and economic equity and has spent the past 20+ years working on creating innovative financing models to unlock access to capital for underserved communities.
Before assuming the ED role, she Co-led SELF for 10 years as its Chief Financial and Strategic Officer helping grow the organization’s assets tenfold and positioning SELF national leader in climate equity lending.
Duanne created SELF’s proprietary underwriting method based on ability to repay and led the development of innovative loan programs including the SEER Multifamily Rehab program to reduce energy burdens for low-income renters; and the SAGE Homes program to catalyze investments in “Green” affordable housing developments led by BIPOC developers.
Duanne thrives on challenging the status quo of traditional financing models and innovating to to advance access for underserved communities to benefits from an equitable “green economy”.
Duanne has a bachelor’s degree from NYU and an MBA from the Catholic University of Bolivia’s Harvard International Institute for Development Program and serves on several boards.
Kimberly Armstrong
Baltimore Green Justice Workers Cooperative
Advocacy & Policy Director,
Baltimore Green Justice Workers Cooperative
Ms. Armstrong is the Co-founder of Baltimore Green Justice Workers Cooperative and consultant for Urban Clean Energy Advisors, LLC. She has several years of experience as a sustainability adviser, author, and community advocate and has been recognized nationally for her work on social justice and equality issues. She has been newly elected to the Board of Directors of the Maryland League of Conservation Voters (Maryland LCV). She will serve a three-year term beginning June 2022. Kimberly has several years working with community grassroots organizations which provides her with a unique integrated perspective that is needed in today’s complex community challenges and social demands. She enjoys spending time with her immediate family and traveling.
"My life work consists of teaching and raising the awareness of unequal justice and providing information and education to vulnerable communities and families in hopes of building their skills and helping them become their own advocates. My aim is to build sustainable lives, opportunities, and communities." -Kimberly M. Armstrong
Theresa Backhus
Institute for Market Transformation
Director, Building Innovation Hub,
Institute for Market Transformation
Theresa (she/her) brings her experience improving the performance of buildings and landscapes to her role as Director of the Building Innovation Hub, ensuring its mission and strategic vision are executed. Prior to joining IMT, she was a green building consultant, supporting the DMV building industry in navigating policy, code, and certifications. At the U.S. Green Building Council, she was integral to the development of the LEED v4 rating system program. Her past work also includes planning, design, and construction observation in both the public and private sectors. Theresa holds a BLA from Virginia Tech, and an MEM from the Duke Environmental Leadership Program. She is a Registered Landscape Architect, LEED AP, and SITES AP.
Beth Bafford
Calvert Impact
Vice President, Strategy,
Calvert Impact
Beth leads Calvert Impact's strategy and new business development efforts to build financial products and services that accelerate private capital for the benefit of communities in the US and around the world. She is leading the organization's development of Climate United, a consortium of experienced community and green lenders applying to the National Clean Investment Fund program of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. She developed Calvert Impact's COVID recovery programs to build secondary markets for loans to unbanked small businesses and the organization's syndications and structuring advisory practice. She oversees corporate strategy, communications and impact management and measurement. Prior to Calvert Impact, Beth has worked across the public, private and social sectors at McKinsey & Company, the White House Office of Management and Budget, and UBS Financial Services. Beth serves on the Advisory Board for the CASE Initiative on Impact Investing (CASEi3) at Duke’s Fuqua School of Business, the Investment Committee for the Aaron and Lillie Straus Foundation, the Impact Investment Committee for the Baltimore Community Foundation, the Advisory Board of Higher Ground Labs, and the Board of Founders First Capital Partners. She lives in Baltimore with her husband and four young children.
Yinka N. Bode-George
Sustain Our Future Foundation
Founder & CEO,
Sustain Our Future Foundation
Yinka N. Bode-George is the Founder and CEO of Sustain our Future Foundation - a national philanthropic nonprofit transforming sustainability to maximize community impact and achieve environmental justice. Through consulting services and social impact programs, Sustain Our Future Foundation enables environmental justice-oriented sustainable development through the lens of reparative justice. As an environmental health advocate, Yinka works to advance environmental justice and sustainable development through infrastructure development and social impact strategies. Prior to starting Sustain our Future Foundation, she led the strategy and management of Volt Energy Utility’s environmental justice and community impact practice as the Director of Sharing the Power Foundation - Volt’s community impact nonprofit. There, she managed programs associated with Volt’s Environmental Justice Power Purchase Agreement (EJPPA) to assist renewable energy buyers achieve their clean energy goals and commitments to Environmental, Social and Governance standards. Yinka received a BS in Environmental Science, and a BA in Public Health, from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. She received a Master of Health Science degree in Environmental Health from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.
Dan Bresette
Environmental & Energy Study Institute
President,
Environmental & Energy Study Institute
Daniel Bresette serves as President of the Environmental and Energy Study Institute in Washington, D.C.—a non-profit education and policy organization. Before joining EESI, Daniel served as the Vice President of Policy at the Alliance to Save Energy, which also involved leading the Energy-Efficient Codes Coalition as its Executive Director. Previously, Daniel was the Maryland Energy Administration’s Senior Energy Policy Manager and oversaw a diverse portfolio of state energy efficiency financing initiatives. He has provided expert testimony to Congress, the Maryland General Assembly, and other regulatory agencies on energy efficiency topics, presented at national conferences, and served on a range of national committees and work groups. Previously, he worked in the strategy practice at Booz Allen Hamilton. He began his career with U.S. Sen. Jim Jeffords (I-VT). Daniel attended Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in government and international relations. Later, he graduated from the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business with a master’s degree in business administration.
Abby Campbell Singer
Siemens
Head of Climate & Infrastructure
Siemens
Abby Campbell Singer is Head of Climate and Infrastructure Policy for Siemens USA. She is responsible for leading climate and infrastructure policy for Siemens USA and oversees congressional and administration advocacy for Siemens Smart Infrastructure where she focuses on buildings, renewables, grid resiliency, and electrification policy and regulation. She is passionate about the role of business to society and advancing emerging critical clean energy technologies, reducing emissions, supporting an equitable workforce, and developing executive level engagement strategies with political stakeholders to drive policy priorities. Prior to joining Siemens, she served as a Senior Advisor for the British Embassy in Washington, D.C., where she managed a team of policy advisors based in British Consulates across the US on energy and climate policies. She also served as a Professional Staff Member for the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. She holds a Master of Arts, Strategic Security Studies, from the National Defense University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of New Mexico. She is a member of the Women’s Energy Network and its Executive Membership Program and previously served as the Chapter’s President.
Chris Castro
U.S. Department of Energy
Chief of Staff, SCEP,
U.S. Department of Energy
Chris Castro is a renowned sustainability professional, clean energy leader, and eco-entrepreneur with a passion to co-create solutions that advance meaningful impact on the climate crisis and helps create a more equitable and sustainable future for all. Chris currently serves as the Chief of Staff for Office of State and Community Energy Programs at the U.S. Department of Energy. Castro previously served as the Senior Advisor to Mayor Buddy Dyer and Director of Sustainability & Resilience at the City of Orlando, Florida. Castro is well known for his entrepreneurial efforts prior to coming to the City, including being the Co-founder and President of several companies and organizations, including the global sustainability nonprofit, IDEAS For Us, a clean energy consulting firm, Citizen Energy, and a renowned urban farming social enterprise, Fleet Farming. In 2020, Chris also joined partners as a Founding Director to launch Climate First Bank, the first B-Corp community bank in Florida working to advance ESG and local investing for sustainability and decarbonization solutions. Originally from Miami, Florida, Castro holds a B.S. in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of Central Florida.
Jesse Craft
Siemens
Head, US Energy Portfolio
Siemens
Jesse leads Siemens Energy and Performance Services portfolio team for North America. The team is responsible for the successful deployment and execution of an energy portfolio that includes building energy efficiency and optimization, on-site generation, and IOT solutions. He has over 15 years of experience in energy engineering covering a wide array of building system solutions including building HVAC, large district chilled water plants, combined heat and power, data-driven diagnostics, peak demand control, and advanced optimization solutions leveraging machine learning. Jesse holds a master's degree in mechanical engineering and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Maryland.
Charlotte Davis
Rural Maryland Council
Executive Director,
Rural Maryland Council
Charlotte Davis has over 25 years of professional experience in government, advocacy and political consulting. She has spent over ten years working within the Maryland General Assembly most recently as Chief of Staff for a Committee Chair. She has experience in non-profit management, managing a small organization dedicated to educating and advocating on behalf of Montgomery County, Maryland. In the fall of 2012, Ms. Davis was a part of the successful campaign to change Frederick County’s form of government from Commissioner to Charter. Currently, she serves as the Executive Director for the Rural Maryland Council, an independent state agency, which seeks to improve the quality to life while preserving the cultural heritage of Maryland's rural communities. She holds a BA in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland and a MA in Government from Johns Hopkins University. She lives in Middletown, Maryland with her husband and two sons.
Kim Coble
Maryland League of Conservation Voters
Executive Director,
Maryland League of Conservation Voters
Kim Coble joined Maryland LCV in 2019 after two years as the chief operating officer at US SIF: The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment. Prior to her role at US SIF, Kim worked at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, including eight years as the Maryland executive director and then six years as vice president of environmental protection and restoration, where she oversaw CBF’s policy, outreach and restoration work throughout the watershed. Kim was selected as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women in 2015, appointed as an Admiral of the Chesapeake Bay, served as the valedictorian of her Leadership Maryland class, and was a member of the State Ethics Commission from 2015 to 2019.
Doug Coward
Solar and Energy Loan Fund
Director of National Expansion and Partnerships,
Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF)
Coward has more than three decades of professional experience in Florida as a planner, clean energy policy expert, small business owner, elected official (i.e., 12 years as a St. Lucie County Commissioner), and more than 10 years as the Executive Director of SELF. He attended Florida State University earning a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning, with an emphasis on economics and the environment. Doug has also worked as a Senior Environmental Planner with St. Lucie County, an Environmental Specialist, and Clean Energy Executive in the private sector, and Community Planner with 1000 Friends of Florida. Coward has received numerous awards, including “Most Outstanding Green Elected Official” from the South Florida Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and “Outstanding Local Public Official of the Year” from the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association (FAPA). He has been described by the Florida media as, “an unusual combination of environmentalist, smart growth proponent, and business advocate
William Ellis
Pepco
Director, Governmental and External Affairs,
Pepco
William is a nationally recognized leader in energy policy, grid modernization and climate change. William was awarded Modern Day Technology Leader at the 2017 Black Engineer of the Year Awards. As recent as 2021, William was recognized by Environment + Energy as the Nation’s Top 100 Leaders, for his work related to decarbonization and electrification transportation. In his current role as Director of Governmental and External Affairs, William is responsible for engaging in stakeholder relations with state and local officials, community leaders and businesses, consumer and nonprofit organizations within the Pepco Maryland region. Advocating, shaping policy and managing issues to deliver value to our customers and key stakeholders. In 2020, William was appointed to the Prince George’s County Climate Action Commission. He was instrumental in the County’s plan to reduce GHG emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. William Ellis is a graduate of The Catholic University, where he attained a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, a master’s degree in Engineering Management and a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering. William has a Global Executive MBA from Georgetown University. William is currently a Climate Justice Fellow at the University of Maryland, School of Applied Environmental Health.
Matt Erskine
Connected DMV
Chief Strategy Officer,
Connected DMV
Matt Erskine serves as Chief Strategy and Economic Officer for Connected DMV, the Greater Washington, DC regional 501(c)3 that advances transformational economic development initiatives. Matt served as Acting Assistant Secretary and Deputy Assistant Secretary of the United States Department of Commerce, and he served as Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade for Virginia Governor Mark Warner. In addition, he has worked in management consulting including as Principal and Executive Advisor at Booz Allen Hamilton. He received his B.A. as an Echols Scholar from the University of Virginia and his MBA from the Harvard Business School.
Brandy Espinola, MPP, MS
Program Manager,
Environmental Finance Center University of Maryland
Brandy has 13 years of experience providing technical assistance across social, environmental, and fiscal policy issues. She leads EFC’s climate change, sustainability and equity programs, collaborating with communities to identify issues, goals, and opportunities to facilitate local solutions. She serves on the American Society of Adaptation Professionals Ready-to-Fund Resilience Expert Group, leads the Sustainable States Network GHG Working Group, and is a member of the Maryland Commission on Climate Change Adaptation and Resiliency Working Group.
Gener Gotiangco
U.S. Wind Inc.
Sr. Technical Director,
U.S. Wind Inc.
Gener G. Gotiangco, a lifelong Maryland resident, is a seasoned energy executive, with 30+ years of experience in the power generation field. Mr. Gotiangco has extensive experience in development, engineering, construction, and operations of large scale generation projects in North America, both thermal and renewable. Mr. Gotiangco has served as both technical and commercial leads on nearly every element of the power generation life-cycle; development - construction - operations. He started his career with Bechtel Power in Gaithesburg, MD as a Professional Engineer, transitioned to Development and Operations/Asset Management lead at a number of Owner/Operators, and now serves as US Wind's lead on the onshore development, transmission and interconnection elements for the project - working to bring renewable energy to the state of Maryland, and support the state's clean energy goals.
Phil Gottwals
T2 Venture Management
President,
T2 Venture Management
J. Philip Gottwals, President and Client Advisor – Philip serves a dual role of managing the holding company portfolio and client advisory services. In these roles, Philip interacts with internal and external clients and manages T2VM's venture portfolio.
• Founder of ACDS, LLC, a management and economic development consulting firm. • Founder of Friends and Farms, an early US meal kit market entrant.
• Associate Faculty in the College of Natural Resources at the University of Maryland at College Park.
• Co-founder of Pala Trading, LLC.
Dr. Charles Glass
Maryland Environmental Service (MES)
Director,
Maryland environmental Service
Dr. Charles Glass currently serves as the Executive Director of the Maryland Environmental Service (MES), after being unanimously confirmed by the Maryland State Senate on March 19, 2021. He was appointed as Acting Director and Chairman at MES by Governor Larry Hogan in June 2020. He was reappointed by Governor Wes Moore on July 1, 2023. Previously he served as Deputy Secretary at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Prior to his role at DNR, Dr. Glass served as Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy Analysis and Planning and Director of Bicycle and Pedestrian Access at the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT).
Dr. Glass has over 30 years as a research and engineering professional in academia and the consulting engineering industries. Throughout his distinguished career, he has held important positions as a teacher, researcher, and consulting professional in Civil and Environmental Engineering. Dr. Glass is a trained Professional Environmental Engineer, with a doctorate that focused on the microbiological processes involved in wastewater treatment engineering. For 19 years he taught students how to design water and wastewater treatment plants, performed and published research on environmental engineering topics, and taught engineering economics to prepare young engineers to work in the industry.
He has sustained two successful long-term funding relationships involving the District Department of Transportation in Washington, DC, and the National Science Foundation. He has published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, participated in a variety of widely attended conference proceedings, and is recognized nationally as an expert in stormwater management, green infrastructure, and wastewater treatment.
Dr. Glass joined the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) from Howard University, where he served on the faculty for seventeen years. For eight months in 2010, he spent time as an Environmental Engineer at the United States Environmental Protection Agency as the lead on a potential new regulation for the mitigation of sanitary sewer overflows.
He graduated from Montgomery Blair High School in 1989 and completed his undergraduate degree requirements in Civil Engineering in 1992 at The Johns Hopkins University. He completed his Master of Science and Ph.D. degrees at the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1994 and 1997, respectively.
Josh Green
Inspiration Mobility
Founder & CEO,
Inspiration Mobility
Josh Green is the Founder and CEO of Inspiration Mobility Group, a sustainable investment platform that develops, finances and manages the real assets enabling the EV transition. Since 2003, he has been a successful investor, entrepreneur, and Board member in the clean energy and sustainable infrastructure sectors. His broad experience includes being a project investor in clean energy projects and sustainable infrastructure, a venture capitalist, and the Co-Founder and CEO of a project development and carbon credit company. Prior to launching Inspiration, Josh launched and managed two investment vehicles focused on the energy transition, Traverse Venture Partners and CCM Energy, and was a founding investor in, and Board Director of, Generate Capital. Before CCM, he was the CEO and co-founder of Verdeo Group, a project developer backed by Black River Asset Management and Wolfensohn & Company and acquired by Sindicatum Sustainable Resources. Earlier in his career, Josh held various investment roles at Climate Change Capital, the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust, and Softbank. Josh began his career working with major companies and utilities in South America as a Consultant with Monitor Group. Josh holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA from Dartmouth College.
Josh Greene
A.O. Smith
Vice President, Government, Regulatory, and Industry Affairs,
A.O. Smith
Josh Greene currently serves as corporate vice president of government, regulatory, and industry affairs having served in that role since joining the company in 2016. As a member of the company’s senior leadership, he is responsible for advancing the company’s business goals and objectives in front of international, federal, and state policy makers and regulatory bodies, as well as working the company’s corporate development, ESG, and innovation teams in facilitating new business opportunities and industry relationships. Josh maintains very board relationships within the environmental, municipal, and business communities. Josh joined the company after 14 years with the international law firm Squire Patton Boggs LLP in Washington, D.C. where he was partner providing regulatory, policy, and business advice to private and public companies in the energy and environmental sector. Earlier in his career, Josh served as legislative assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives as well as a law clerk to the General Counsel of the Maryland Commission on Human Relations. Josh earned his BA with honors from the University of Delaware and JD with honors from the University of Baltimore School of Law. Finally, Josh is also a prior Chairman and member of the MCEC Board of Directors.
Jill Hamilton
Sustainable Energy Strategies
Tony Hans
CMTA
Dr. Anne Hairston-Strang
MD DNR Forest Service
Acting State Forester,
MD DNR Forest Service
Dr. Anne Hairston-Strang is Acting State Forester for Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service, where she has worked since 1997, starting as a forest hydrologist. She has an undergraduate degree in Forestry from Virginia Tech, Masters in Forest Soils from University of Minnesota, and Ph.D. in Forest Hydrology from Oregon State University. Recent recognition includes Forests for the Bay’s Chesapeake Forest Champion in 2019 and the Robert Hoener Service to Forestry Award from Society of American Foresters in 2022.
Stephen Hendrickson
U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Technology Transitions
Senior Market Manager,
U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Technology Transitions
Stephen Hendrickson is the Senior Market Manager in the Office of Technology Transitions (OTT) at the U.S. Department of Energy. OTT serves as the central hub for the technology transfer activities across the Department of Energy. Stephen leads OTT’s market analysis activities to identify opportunities to commercialize DOE-developed technologies. His background includes work at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and the Council on Foreign Relations. He has a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Michigan, a Master’s in International Development and Global Political Economy from the University of Pittsburgh, and an MBA from the University of Colorado. His lives in Rockville, Maryland with his wife and three children.
Shawn Kreloff
Bioenergy Devco
CEO,
Bioenergy Devco
Mr. Kreloff is the Founder and CEO of Bioenergy Devco, a global pioneer and leader in the engineering and operations of anaerobic digestion facilities. Bioenergy Devco collaborates with businesses, communities, and governments to address the challenge of organic food waste at scale utilizing a natural anaerobic digestion process. This process generates clean, renewable energy and contributes to cleaner air, water, and healthy soils for communities. With the combination of twenty years of anaerobic digestion technology and expertise in financing, engineering, and management, Kreloff has introduced advanced, climate-mitigating anaerobic digestion solutions to North America. With a distinguished track record spanning 30 years, Kreloff has excelled in founding, investing in, and managing successful enterprises.
Kevin Kingston
Siemens Financial Services
Vice President,
Siemens Finanancial Services
As Vice President at Siemens Financial Services, Kevin is responsible for leading equity investment teams in the Americas and representing SFS on the boards of SFS portfolio companies. His 20-plus-year career in energy and infrastructure has seen him leading large international project teams across the project lifecycle (development, acquisition, financing, asset management, engineering, construction and operations) on over $10 billion in diverse projects. Kevin is a registered professional engineer and has an MBA from Harvard Business School.
David Lapp
Maryland Office of People's Counsel
People's Counsel,
Maryland Office of People's Counsel
As a lawyer, policy analyst, and writer, David S. Lapp has focused on public policy and corporate accountability in the energy, tobacco, and health-care industries. Until his appointment as Acting People’s Counsel, Mr. Lapp worked from 2004-2020 as an Assistant Attorney General in the Office of the Attorney General of Maryland (OAG). Mr. Lapp served for seven years as Deputy Counsel for the Maryland Department of Health. Before that, he served as Chief Counsel of the OAG’s Tobacco Enforcement Unit and helped lead state and national efforts to enforce the national tobacco Master Settlement Agreement against the major cigarette manufacturers. For over ten years prior to his work at OAG, Mr. Lapp advocated on behalf of consumer and environmental interests in the field of utility regulation, first as a writer and policy analyst and then as an attorney primarily representing and advising state regulatory commissions and environmental and consumer advocates. Mr. Lapp graduated in 1998 from the University of Maryland School of Law, Order of Coif. Following law school, he served as a law clerk on the Maryland Court of Appeals for Judge Howard Chasanow. Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh appointed David S. Lapp People’s Counsel in 2021.
Ben Link
Johns Hopkins Ralph O’Connor Sustainable Energy Institute
Managing Director
Johns Hopkins Ralph O'Connor Sustainable Energy Institute
Ben Link is the Managing Director of the Ralph O’Connor Sustainable Energy Institute (ROSEI) and an Associate Research Scientist at the Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering. ROSEI integrates efforts across the university to create and implement clean, renewable and sustainable energy technologies; educate future energy leaders; and support implementation, markets, and policies that promote an affordable green energy future. Prior to working at ROSEI, Ben worked in senior management roles in the field of global health equity initiatives including serving as the Executive Manager of the Johns Hopkins Alliance for a Healthier World and Director of Executive Affairs at the not-for-profit organization Partners In Health. Ben received his MPH from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, his MSW from University of Maryland and his BA in Political Science from Connecticut College. He lives in Baltimore, MD with his family where he enjoys the beauty of Baltimore City and the many gifts of the Chesapeake Bay region.
Deron Lovaas
Maryland Dept. of Transportation
Chief, Environment & Sustainable Transportation,
Maryland Dept. of Transportation
Deron Lovaas has worked on state and federal transportation policy for almost 3 decades. He currently holds the environment and sustainable portfolio at the Maryland Department of Transportation. He worked for more than 20 years at the Natural Resources Defense Council before joining MDOT, leading initiatives and projects focused on transportation, utility, housing, and clean vehicles policy. Before that he worked with other nonprofit advocacy groups as well as with the Maryland Department of the Environment. Deron graduated from the University of Virginia.
Edwin Luevanos
Citizen Energy
CEO,
Citizen Energy
Edwin Luevanos is the co-founder of Citizen Energy, LLC and Avanza EV, a new national initiative to increase EV adoption in disadvantaged communities. Edwin is a serial entrepreneur, having started private companies in clean energy tech, finance, and project development. Prior to working in the private sector, Edwin worked at the U.S. Department of Energy in the areas of energy savings performance contracting, energy demand management, green procurement, public engagement, and workforce development. During the Recovery Act, Edwin had the unique opportunity to support The White House and Obama administration in implementing outreach strategies for over $75 billion in clean energy investments. For almost two decades, Edwin has also worked with environmental and community organizations on the expansion of social equity programs for Latino communities. Edwin obtained his undergraduate degree from California State University Fresno, and a Masters in Business from Boston University. Edwin is the proud son of immigrants from Mexico.
John McAuliff
Senior Advisor for Climate
Rural Business Cooperative Service at Rural Development
John McAuliff is the Senior Climate Advisor for the Rural Business-Cooperative Service at Rural Development. Prior to joining the administration, he served as a policy advisor at a clean energy thinktank and utility watchdog in Charlottesville, Virginia, and several years as a Chief of Staff in the Virginia Legislature as they overhauled their outdated energy infrastructure. He is a small business owner in rural Fauquier County, Virginia, and has a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Richmond.
Elizabeth McKeever
Solar Landscape
General Counsel,
Solar Landscape
Elizabeth is a senior legal clean energy expert who is responsible for overseeing many of Solar Landscape’s legal affairs and compliance needs as the company expands its national solar development and installation leadership. Elizabeth spearheaded Solar Landscape's registration as a Community Solar subscriber organization in Maryland, where the company is building dozens of projects statewide. Elizabeth also led the company’s successful application for a Community Solar LMI-PPA Grant from the Maryland Energy Administration. With more than 20 years of legal experience with a specialty in solar and battery storage energy, Elizabeth has held roles both at a state-level public utility commission and as a lobbyist. Elizabeth is a strong clean energy advocate and community leader, having served on various local boards and commissions. She holds a J.D. from Cornell Law School and a B.A. from Bucknell University.
John Miller
Chaberton Energy
Director of Development,
Chaberton Energy
John has more than 14 years of experience in the solar energy industry, with the last decade being focused on Distributed Generation and Community Solar. John has been involved in the development of 150MW+ of community solar projects, including leading development on the first completed community solar project in Connecticut. At Chaberton, John leads Community Engagement and Mid Atlantic policy efforts, serving as the Community Solar Chair for the Maryland Committee of the Chesapeake Solar and Storage Association (CHESSA). John is a proud resident of Howard County, Maryland.
Ruth Ann Norton
Green & Healthy Homes Initiative
President and CEO,
Green & Healthy Homes Initiative
Ruth Ann Norton is President & CEO of the Green & Healthy Homes Initiative, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to advancing racial and health equity and opportunity through healthy housing. A national expert and advocate on green and healthy homes, she directs GHHI’s groundbreaking work across the United States where 65 cities, counties and states are using housing as a platform for improved health and social outcomes. Through the implementation of the GHHI comprehensive housing intervention model and its best practices Toolbox that she helped develop, cities are improving the ability of children to arrive in the classroom healthy and ready to learn and to stay in school through reduced asthma related absences.
The architect of the State of Maryland’s 99% reduction in childhood lead poisoning, Ms. Norton has developed over 45 pieces of successful healthy housing legislation that focus on reducing health disparities. Through its current feasibility and development work with healthcare partners and jurisdictions nationally, she heads a GHHI technical assistance team that is creating sustainable models for Medicaid reimbursement for preventive asthma and household injury services.
Ms. Norton serves as a member of the: EPA Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee, National Leadership Academy for the Public’s Health (NLAPH), National Council of State Housing Agencies’ National Advisory Group, Ohio Asthma Council, and Maryland Lead Poisoning Prevention Commission, and was previously a federally appointed liaison to the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention. A founding member of the NEWHAB Advisory Board, she provides a leading voice to articulate the significant health and social benefits of weatherization investments through her advisory role with Energy Efficiency for All (EEFA) and has authored research publications on the non-energy benefits of energy efficiency.
Ms. Norton is a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Community Health Leader, a Weinberg Foundation Fellow, a WE ACT Environmental and Social Justice awardee, and received the Tony Woods Award for Excellence from the Building Performance Industry in 2016 for her efforts to integrate energy efficiency upgrades with healthy homes interventions on a national scale. Under her leadership, GHHI has been awarded the HUD Secretary’s Award for Healthy Homes and the EPA’s National Environmental Leadership Award in Asthma Management for its innovative programs.
Katherine Magruder
Maryland Clean Energy Center
Executive Director,
Maryland Clean Energy Center
MS. MAGRUDER is the Executive Director of the Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC), a corporate instrumentality of the state created to advance the adoption of clean energy products, services, and technologies. In addition to administrative and budget management for MCEC she is engaged in government and industry stakeholder relations, event production, and innovation advancement.
Magruder led efforts to launch programs designed to provide access to capital for energy projects including the the Maryland Home Energy Loan Program, Maryland Clean Energy Capital Program, the Maryland Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (MDPACE) Program, and most recently- the Clean Energy Advantage Loan Program.
In her prior position Ms. Magruder served as Chief of Staff at the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute; known for performing cutting edge research and transfer of newly discovered technologies to commercial applications; when it existed as part of the University System of Maryland.
As Director of Resource Based Industries, for the Maryland Department of Commerce, she initiated and managed a program focused on sustaining agriculture, forestry, mining, fisheries and maritime industry sectors. Working in collaboration with multiple agencies and in partnership with the Maryland Energy Administration, she helped develop a statewide approach to implement evolving energy policies and technologies.
Ms. Magruder previously served at the regional and county level in tourism, community and economic development as Director of the Department of Economic Development & Tourism for Queen Anne’s County, Maryland. Emphasizing sustainability In that capacity, she led numerous agribusiness and ecotourism initiatives focused on environment, economy, and cultural character. Related efforts include creation of an interactive exhibit for visitors at the Chesapeake Heritage Center, state designation of the Stories of the Chesapeake Heritage Area, and national designation for the Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway.
Kathy holds a professional Certificate in Destination Marketing & Management from George Washington University School of Business & Public Management, and is recognized as a Certified Economic Developer by the International Economic Development Council. She earned her BFA in Fine Art from Maryland Institute College of Art in 1982, and looks forward to every opportunity to use her creative skills.
Alex Núñez
Baltimore Gas & Electric
SVP, Governmental, Regulatory & External Affairs,
Baltimore Gas & Electric
Alexander G. Núñez is senior vice president of governmental, regulatory, and external affairs for BGE. Núñez oversees the company’s strategic direction and initiatives, regulatory work, state, local, and municipal government engagement, energy acquisition, marketing and communications, economic development, strategic customer-facing programs, and efforts to drive a meaningful, positive impact in its communities. Núñez contributes actively to several community and business organizations. He serves as vice president of the Walters Art Museum Board of Trustees and as chair of its Engagement Committee. He is vice chair of the Board of Trustees for the Chesapeake Bay Trust and serves as the chair of its Programs and Partnerships Committee. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Maryland Tech Council. Núñez received a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame and a Juris Doctorate with honors from Valparaiso University School of Law.
Dr. Ryan Opsal
Maryland Energy Administration
Director of Policy,
Maryland Energy Administration
Dr. Ryan Opsal is the Director of Energy Policy the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA). Dr. Opsal previously served as an Energy Policy Manager at MEA. Prior to working at MEA, Ryan was an Adjunct Professor in the Politics and International Relations Department at Florida International University, where he recently completed his doctorate in International Relations. He taught and conducted research in many areas including energy and international political economy.
Tom Peterson
Center for Climate Strategies
Adjunct Professor and Lecturer
Johns Hopkins University
President and CEO, Center for Climate Strategies,
Adjunct Professor and Lecture, Johns Hopkins University
Tom Peterson is the President and CEO of the Center for Climate Strategies (CCS) and an Adjunct Professor at the Johns Hopkins’ University Energy Policy and Climate program. Since founding CCS in 2004, Tom has directed more than 100 high impact projects and collaboration initiatives in the US, Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, including numerous stakeholder-based policy planning and assessment processes for national and subnational governments that developed multi objective approaches for climate change mitigation and adaptation. He has authored many studies on climate change and energy solutions and innovation. At Johns Hopkins University he teaches graduate courses in climate adaptation, international climate policy, and energy and environmental security. Tom previously served as Senior Advisor to the White House Climate Change Task Force, Legislative Fellow to US Senator Joe Lieberman, Economist with the US EPA, and Vice President of DSL Capital Corporation. He holds a BS in Biology from the College of William and Mary, an MS in Environmental Management from the Duke University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, and an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin.
Saif Ratul
Office of Governor Wes Moore
Ken Schisler
CPower Energy Management
SVP, Regulatory and Government Affairs,
CPower Energy Management
Ken Schisler is the Senior Vice President for Regulatory and Government Affairs for CPower Energy Management. Ken has worked to advance public policy and market integration of distributed energy resources and advanced energy technologies for over 15 years in the U.S., Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Australia. Ken is a frequent writer and speaker on distributed energy resources policy. From 2012-2019 he was a member of the faculty of the Florence School of Regulation Summer School on the Regulation of Energy Utilities, lecturing on the topics of integration of demand side resources in electricity systems and retail competition. Prior to his private sector career, Ken served as Chairman of the Maryland Public Service Commission and as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates. Ken earned a bachelor of science degree from Salisbury University and juris doctorate with honor from the University of Maryland School of Law.
Ryan
Schwabenbauer
St. John Properties
AVP, Sustainability,
St. John Properties, Inc.
Ryan Schwabenbauer, LEED AP BS in Finance from Penn State University MBA from University of Baltimore LEED Accredited Professional Ryan leads St. John Properties mission to implement sustainable business initiatives that positively impact 50+ new buildings in the pipeline and 23 million square feet of existing commercial real estate under management. He oversees strategies resulting in energy cost reductions and assures all future projects are LEED Certified. Advocating for the health and wellness of our 2,500 clients, St. John Properties is the regional leader with over 100 LEED certified buildings.
Mark Stewart
Maryland Department of the Environment
Climate Change Program Manager,
Maryland Department of the Environment
Mark leads the Climate Change Program at the Maryland Department of the Environment where he and his team are responsible for developing and implementing policies to achieve the most ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals of any state in the nation. He is currently overseeing the development of Maryland’s next GHG Reduction Plan and regulations for Building Energy Performance Standards, which will guide large buildings statewide to achieve net zero emissions by 2040. Mark’s team is also responsible for conducting Maryland’s official greenhouse gas emissions inventory, staffing the Maryland Commission on Climate Change, and running other stakeholder processes. Prior to joining MDE, he worked for 14 years on sustainability and climate change issues at the University of Maryland. He was honored to be nominated by the Obama Administration for the White House Champions of Change Award. Mark lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, conveniently located near breweries that he wishes he had more time to visit.
Antoine Thompson
Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition
Executive Director,
Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition
Antoine M. Thompson is a nationally recognized leader for environmental justice, green business, housing, diversity, and urban policy. He earned dual bachelors’ degrees in History and African & Afro-American Studies from SUNY Brockport and is the Executive Director of the Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition (GWRCC), a public-private partnership that promotes the use of clean, American transportation fuels for homeland security, improved air quality, environment justice, diversity, and inclusion. Antoine is the former Executive Director of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) the oldest organization of African American real estate professionals in the United States. He led efforts to increase advocacy on Capitol Hill on closing the racial wealth gap through increasing the rate of Black homeownership. Antoine was elected to the New York State Senate in 2006 and 2008 and served as the Senate Deputy Majority Whip and the first African American to Chair the Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Conservation and Co-Chair of the Senate Minority and Woman Business Enterprise Task Force.
Allison Tjaden
Maryland Dept. of the Environment
Special Projects Manager,
Maryland Dept. of the Environment
Allison Tjaden is the Special Projects Manager for the Climate Change Program at the Maryland Department of the Environment's Air and Radiation Administration. She provides coordination and project management support for implementation of Maryland's Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022, the federal Inflation Reduction Act, and other major state and federal climate policies. Allison received her Master of Public Health degree from the University of Maryland School of Public Health, with a focus on environmental health, and her BA from the University of Virginia. Fun fact: Allison lives with her family on their farmstead in the Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve where they grow vegetables, native plants, and raise chickens.
Nicola Tran
MD DHCD
Deputy Director, Energy Programs,
MD DHCD
Nicola Tran is an Energy Professional with 15 years of experience in sustainability and energy efficiency solutions. Nicola was born and raised in Germany, where she earned a master's degree in Sociology, focussing on the subject of environmental behavior. After immigrating to the US, Nicola joined a residential energy solutions contractor start-up, where she performed over 300 energy audits and designed systems and trainings to scale up operations from 1 to 25 employees. In 2017, she joined the Housing and Building Energy Program division at the MD Department of Housing and Community Development. Currently, as Deputy Director of the Energy Programs, she oversees the implementation of six statewide limited income energy efficiency programs, and leads program development efforts as well as stakeholder engagement. In her free time, Nicola enjoys gardening, baking, and hiking with her family.
Charles Washington
Baltimore Gas & Electric Company
Vice President, Governmental & External Affairs,
Baltimore Gas & Electric
Charles Washington, Jr. is vice president of governmental and external affairs for BGE. He is responsible for shaping, leading, and directing the company's positions on legislation affecting BGE's customers. His organization, which includes state affairs, external affairs, community engagement, and economic development, primarily supports and builds strategic relationships with legislators, local officials, and communities. Washington reports to the BGE senior vice president governmental, regulatory, and external affairs.
Professional History
Washington first started with Exelon in 2006. He was most recently director of governmental &external affairs for BGE, where he was responsible for the company's relationship with key state, county, municipal, and economic development stakeholders. Prior to joining BGE, he served in a similar role for Pepco and Delmarva Power in Maryland. Previously, Washington led the government affairs function for Total Wine & More, the nation's largest independent alcohol retailer. He was responsible for managing the legislative, regulatory, political, and coalition initiatives across Total Wine & More's 24 state footprint. Washington began his public affairs career with Duke Energy in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Civic Involvement
Washington is a 2008 graduate from Leadership Montgomery and is active with several local community and business organizations, including the Maryland Soccer Foundation (Soccer Plex) board and the BWI Business Partnership.
Education
Washington earned a Master of Business Administration from Georgetown's McDonough School of Business and a global business degree from Spain's ESADE Business School. Charles holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Davidson College in North Carolina.
Charles Watts
CLYM Environmental Services, LLC
President,
Clym Environmental Services, LLC
Mr. Watts serves as President and Managing Member of Clym Environmental Services, LLC (Clym). With extensive experience in Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) consultancy, he has served in a variety of capacities including Radiation Safety Officer for governmental entities, Senior Safety Trainer for major pharmaceutical companies, Hazmat / Waste Manager for colleges and universities and Senior Project Manager for decommissioning of major facilities. Clym provides three primary lines of business: Safety Support, Waste Management and Decommissioning services for the life sciences, pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. For more than twenty years Mr. Watts has overseen Clym’s expansion and growth, including our comprehensive regulated medical waste (RMW) management service. As a client-focused organization with an entrepreneurial flair for innovation, Clym recognized the need to rethink the traditional medical waste management paradigm to meet our customers’ growing desire for more sustainably focused operations. Drawing on his decades of experience in creating and implementing effective EHS programs, Mr. Watts turned the company’s attention to crafting a sustainable RMW management service and is excited to share with you the lessons learned and groundbreaking findings of this journey.
Dr. Eric Wachsman
Maryland Energy Innovation Institute
Director,
Maryland Energy Innovation Institute
Dr. Eric D Wachsman, Director of the Maryland Energy Innovation Institute, is a Distinguished University Professor and the William L. Crentz Centennial Chair in Energy Research with appointments in both the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Maryland. He is Past President of The Electrochemical Society (ECS) and Editor-in-Chief of Ionics; a Fellow of both ECS and the American Ceramic Society; elected fellow of the National Academy of Inventors and member of the World Academy of Ceramics; the recipient of the 2017 Carl Wagner Award; the 2014 Sir William Grove Award; the 2014 Pfeil Award; the Outstanding Invention of 2013 award from the University of Maryland Office of Technology Licensing; the 2012 Fuel Cell Seminar Award; and the 2012 HTM Outstanding Achievement Award from ECS. His research is focused on solid ion-conducting materials and electrocatalysts, and includes the development of solid-state batteries, solid oxide fuel cells, ion-transport membrane reactors, and solid-state gas sensors. He has more than 280 publications and 40 patents/patent applications on ionic and electronic transport in materials, and their catalytic properties, and device performance, and to date four companies have been founded based on these technologies.