Summit Speakers
Paul Albertus
Associate Director, Maryland Energy Innovation Institute
University of Maryland
Dr. Paul Albertus holds a B.S.E. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan, and a Ph.D. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied Electrochemical Engineering. Dr. Albertus then spent five years at the Bosch Research and Technology Center in Palo Alto, CA, as a Senior Research Engineer, where he continued research on electrochemical systems, including Li/Oxygen and flow batteries. In 2014 Dr. Albertus joined the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy, where he led the development of two programs (IONICS and DAYS) focused on energy storage for both portable and stationary applications, and managed electrochemical projects across a range of ARPA-E programs . During his time at ARPA-E Dr. Albertus led the initiation of $96M in new projects and additional funding for existing projects. Dr. Albertus transitioned to academic roles at the University of Maryland, College Park, in 2019, and currently serves as Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Associate Director of the Maryland Energy Innovation Institute. He is building a research group focused on mathematical modeling, experimental characterization, and innovations for electrochemical technologies, including lithium metal and solid state batteries.
Sharon Allan
Chief Innovation Officer
Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA)
Ms. Allan's extensive background in technology, innovation, and information technology provides boards with invaluable expertise. She is currently the Chief Innovation Officer at the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) where she advises industry on unlocking value streams through innovation, technology, and strategy execution. In her more than 30-year career, she has advised and coached Fortune 100 companies, private equity companies, venture-backed companies as well as worked closely with U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. National Institute of Standards & Technology, and many of the U.S. National Laboratories to address the transformation of the energy sector.
Ms. Allan is on the Advisory Board of Enertech Capital.
Eli Allen
Director of the Center for Sustainable Careers
Civic Works
Eli Allen is the Director of the Center for Sustainable Careers (CSC) at Civic Works. CSC expands access to family-sustaining careers for Baltimore residents from historically marginalized communities. It supports residents in building the skills needed to secure quality employment, and employers around investing in their workers and advancing equity across their practices. He leads CSC’s sector-based career training programs in brownfields remediation, residential energy efficiency, stormwater management, and solar energy installation, as well as its clean energy social enterprise that creates on-the-job training opportunities for program participants. Eli also helped create CSC’s Good Business Works job quality initiative, which provides consumer marketing support and generates procurement opportunities for companies that meet standards around job quality and racial equity and inclusion, incentivizing employers to strengthen their workplace practices. The program also supports companies in meeting their job quality and equity goals by providing technical assistance, coaching, and linking employers with workforce development programs to facilitate hiring partnerships. Eli is committed to creating a thriving, inclusive and equitable clean energy economy.
Hon. Kumar Barve
Maryland State Delegate - Legislative District 17 &
Chair - House Environment & Transportation Committee
Delegate Kumar Barve is the Chairman of the House Committee on Environment & Transportation in the Maryland Legislature. He has a leadership role in developing important energy and environmental laws such as the creation of the Maryland Technology Development Council; the 2016 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Initiative; the Energy Storage Pilot Project to foster commercially viable battery technology; and the Clean Energy Jobs Act increasing the State's renewable energy portfolio goal to 50% by 2030.
Katie Bergfeld
Branch Chief
D.C. Department of Energy & Environment
Katie Bergfeld is the Branch Chief for Building Performance and Enforcement at the Department of Energy & Environment in Washington, DC. Coming to the agency with 10 years of experience in green building, she currently oversees all facets of the District’s benchmarking program, as well as the development of the District’s new building energy performance standards that were set forth in the Clean Energy DC Omnibus Act of 2018. Prior to joining DOEE, Katie worked as a Program Specialist with the U.S. Green Building Council, where she worked in the LEED Certification Department. Katie has an M.A. in Natural Resources & Sustainable Development from American University and B.S. in Environmental Studies from Emory University. She is both a LEED Accredited Professional (BD+C) and Project Management Professional (PMP).
Bettina Bergöö
Green Finance Fellow
Natural Resources Defense Council
Bettina Bergöö splits her time between increasing investment in green infrastructure through green investment banks and expanding access to clean energy in affordable multifamily housing. She has an educational and work background in clean energy policy and finance in the United States and in emerging economies. Prior to joining NRDC, Bergöö worked for three years as a management consultant on energy and water initiatives for the U.S. Department of Defense, focusing on strategic planning and program evaluation. She then held positions at SELCO Foundation, Barefoot College, and Enventure Enterprises in India and East Africa, where she conducted policy and finance analysis on the off-grid energy sector and incubated clean energy social enterprises. She is based in Washington, D.C.
Cherie Brooks
President & CEO
Power52 Foundation
Mrs. Cherie Brooks is President/CEO and Visionary Co-Founder of Power52 Foundation. Power52 provides training to at-risk adults, returning citizens, and underserved individuals living in low-income communities. Under Cherie's guidance and vision, in 2017 Power52 Foundation launched Power52 Energy Institute Baltimore City, the first Clean Energy Private Career School in the State to receive approval from the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Power52 Foundation is the second non-profit organization to ever receive approval from MHEC to own and operate a private career school in the State of Maryland's history.
Before launching into the 501(c)(3) world, Cherie worked as a Site Acquisition Manager in the wireless industry-leading a team of consultants, contractors, and legal counsel through the wireless network build process. This included managing subcontractors/site acquisition specialists on all project phases (leasing, zoning, compliance, A&E, and Regulatory) for colocations and raw land builds. Mrs. Brooks developed over 200+ telecom sites.
Currently, Mrs. Brooks serves on the Board of Trustees at Living Classrooms Foundation. She attended Bowie State University for undergrad and is an active member of Alpha Nu Omega Sorority, Inc. as well as a member of Jack & Jill of America, Columbia, MD Chapter.
Ali Chaudhry
SVP, Business Development Lead
AECOM
Ali Chaudhry serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer at AECOM, where he plays a key leadership role in in managing all new business strategy in New York state. This involves developing marketing opportunities for all AECOM business lines in New York, managing several public and private sector clients, and fostering brand awareness.
Prior to joining AECOM, Chaudhry served as the Deputy Secretary for Transportation to New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. In this role, he oversaw policy, operations, and funding at all New York State transportation entities, including the Department of Transportation (DOT), MTA, Thruway Authority, Port Authority, Department of Motor Vehicles, in addition to regional transit agencies.
Between his government experience and work at AECOM, Chaudhry has played an essential role in some of the biggest infrastructure projects and programs delivered in New York State over the past 50 years, including the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, the Second Avenue Subway and redevelopment of LaGuardia Airport. He currently serves as the project executive for American Airlines’ Terminal 8 redevelopment, Design-Build lead for Off-Rikers jails, and as a strategic advisor for the construction of the LaGuardia AirTrain and the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.
Musa Collidge-Asad
Vice President
Quantified Ventures
Mr. Asad is a Vice President with Quantified Ventures, a leading outcomes-based capital firm driving transformative environmental, health, and social impact. He overseas teams focusing on urban and coastal resilience, forestry and land use, and agricultural systems.
Prior to joining Quantified Ventures, Musa co-founded and led BGB Investment Partners, a venture development and investment firm focusing on technology solutions resolving global challenges in energy, water, transport, land use, and access to finance. He also held leadership team roles focusing on Opportunity Zone investments, public-private partnerships, and integrated economic and climate resilience, including with Corvias Group and the EPA Region III Environmental Finance Center. Previously, Musa was a Senior Officer with the World Bank Group, where he led a multi-billion dollar portfolio of complex investments involving integrated infrastructure and land use development, climate related investment funds, renewable energy and biodiversity programs, and microfinance.
Musa holds a JD and MBA from the University of Maryland Carey Law School and Smith B-School, and has completed a Harvard Executive Development Program. He and his family are long-time residents of Montgomery and Howard Counties.
Celina Cunningham
Vice President & Chief of Staff
Solar Energy Industries Association
|
Celina Cunningham serves as Vice President & Chief of Staff for the Solar Energy Industries Association. She works across all SEIA departments to advance the organization’s strategic plans and ensure that staffing and resources are in place to achieve success. As a senior advisor to the CEO, Celina provides counsel on policy and communications issues and works to promote diversity both in SEIA and industry-wide. Before joining SEIA, Celina worked at the Department of the Interior, first for the Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management, which oversees the Department’s management and use of federal lands, waters and natural resources. She then served as the Senior Advisor to the Director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, which oversees the leasing and development of all offshore energy, from oil and natural gas to offshore wind. Prior to her service in the Interior Department, Celina worked for U.S. Representative Jay Inslee (WA) in a number of roles, including Legislative Director. During her tenure, she managed his legislative efforts, including environment and energy policy on the Energy and Commerce and Natural Resources Committees. She earned a BA in Philosophy from Colorado College. |
Peter Ettinger
Vice President
Bioenergy DevCo
Vice President of Business Development & Operations. Peter has more than 20 years in the fields of business and operational development, marketing, and sales. His advisory and implementation work has been credited with more than a 600% increase in both public and private companies operational growth and has helped raise millions in the venture markets. Mr. Ettinger has held significant leadership positions from the Presidency of public company Document Security Systems focused on brand protection and security to the CMO role at CityNet Telecom, an innovative builder of “last mile” fiber optic networks. He has taught entrepreneurship and commercialization strategies at Johns Hopkins Medical School and has started and then profitably sold several of his own ventures.
Hon. Brian Feldman
Maryland State Senator
Legislative District 15
Maryland State Senator Brian J. Feldman, both an Attorney and a CPA, is the Vice Chair of the prestigious Senate Finance Committee and chairs its Energy and Public Utilities Subcommittee. 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 Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics. 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 the Task Force on Energy Supply and as a member of the Council of State Governments, he serves on the Energy and Environment Committee. Also, he is a member of the Southern States Energy Board.
Numerous honors and awards have been conferred on Senator Feldman for his work in the Maryland Legislature. Most recently, he was recognized for his exceptional efforts on behalf of municipalities during the 2019 Maryland General Assembly Session by the Maryland Municipal League. Currently, Brian sits on the Board of Directors for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and Montgomery Hospice. Senator Feldman and his wife, Janice, have two children who graduated from Montgomery County public schools.
Kristy Fleischmann Groncki
Manager, Strategic Programs
Baltimore Gas & Electric
Kristy Fleischmann Groncki is Manager of Strategic Programs at BGE with a decade of experience with innovative programs including Energy Efficiency, Smart Grid data analytics and Utility of the Future programs. Most recently, Kristy has been leading the BGE EVsmart program implementation which provides rebates to residential and multi-unit dwellings for the purchase and installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure as well as providing innovative rate structure to promote electric vehicle adoption. Kristy is also leading the efforts to install a network of BGE-owned public charging infrastructure throughout their service territory.
Brian Fratus
Director - Solar Development
PPL Corporation
Brian J. Fratus is Director - Solar Development in the newly formed Distributed Energy Resources subsidiary of PPL Corporation. He founded Garden Solar LLC, a renewable energy development firm in 2009, after a 22 year corporate career in energy and infrastructure development and finance with leading firms Engie, AEP, Con Edison, Constellation (Exelon), LG&E-KU (PPL) and PWC.
Garden Solar developed over 45 MW of PV solar projects that have been constructed in NJ. Mr. Fratus was leading solar development in NJ when the Sandy storm struck the NE corridor. He participated in the Princeton University held forum sponsored by Pew Charitable Trust to discuss the issues and challenges of resiliency post Sandy.
Mr. Fratus previously led project development of fossil and renewable generation in the eastern United States as Director, Project Development for the global energy firm International Power-GDF-Suez (Engie). He has led the development, financing and asset management for large scale fossil fuel power generation and industrial cogeneration projects as well as renewable energy technologies.
Mr. Fratus holds an M.A. in economics concentrated in finance from Virginia Tech and a B.A. from George Mason University and his firm is a member of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).
Josh Greene
Vice President, A.O. Smith Corporation
Board Member, Maryland Clean Energy Center
Josh currently serves as Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs for the A. O. Smith Corporation (NYSE:AOS). AOS is a global water technology manufacturing company that specializes in products that heat and treat water. In this role, Josh’s primary function is to advocate the company’s business goals and objectives in front of federal, state, and local policy makers and regulators, as well as in front of industry organizations. He represents the company and actively participates on its behalf in the company’s main trade association in Washington D.C. the Air-conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) as well as a wide array of other manufacturers associations and non-governmental organizations. In addition to his duties as head of Government and Industry Affairs, Josh also is part of the Legal Department at A. O. Smith and works closely with our Corporate Development department and Corporate Technology Center on business strategy issues and early stage technology company diligence. Josh is also working on sustainability issues for the company.
Prior to Josh joining AOS, he was a Partner at the international law firm of Squire Patton Boggs LLP. While at the law firm he used his two decades of experience as a former Congressional staff member and entrepreneur in assisting his clients to achieve their business goals and objectives. His legal practice focused on energy and environmental regulation, compliance, project development and finance. In addition to his energy and environmental policy and regulatory practice, he also counseled emerging technology companies within the energy, natural resources, and information technology sectors.
Early in his career, Josh served as a senior legislative assistant and aide in the U.S. House of Representatives he provided advice and counsel on federal legislation and agency regulations that came before the Congress. It was during his service on Capitol Hill that he began to hone his environmental policy and regulatory knowledge and its intersection with the private marketplace. Finally, Josh’s professional experience off Capitol Hill also includes serving as chairman of a privately-held holding company involved in the commercial building services industry as well as retail food services.
Josh lives in Maryland and is extremely active in his local community, where he sits on the boards of both civic and charitable organizations as well as a number of public service appointments in the State of Maryland including to the Board of Directors of the Maryland Clean Energy Center and his service as a Commissioner on the Maryland Economic Development Commission.
In his spare time Josh loves spending time with his family, which includes his wife Monya Phillip, and children (Jacob, Sophia, and Jonathan), as well as cycling, running, playing all kinds of sports, reading biographies, and spending time at the beach.
Ben Grumbles
Secretary
Maryland Department of the Environment
Ben Grumbles is Maryland's Secretary of the Environment. He was appointed by Governor Larry Hogan and confirmed by the Maryland Senate in 2015. His duties also include serving as Chair of the Governor’s Chesapeake Bay Cabinet and Chair of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and member of the Ozone Transport Commission and the Susquehanna River Basin Commission.
Ben has served as President of the U.S. Water Alliance, Director of Arizona’s Department of Environmental Quality, EPA Assistant Administrator for Water, and senior staffer and counsel for the Transportation and Infrastructure and Science Committees in the U.S Congress. He’s lived, worked, and played in the Chesapeake Bay watershed since 1985.
Thomas Hawes
Director - Business Development
S&C Electric
Thomas Hawes has twenty-three years of diverse experience in the energy industry. In his current role in the Non-Wires Alternatives Group at S&C Electric he develops Microgrids and other advanced solutions to solve grid edge resiliency problems. Microgrids deploy Distributed Energy Resources through advanced control systems which interact with the marketplace and work in concert with the end user, local utility and the Regional Transmission Organization. Previously, Mr. Hawes has developed fuel cell, energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. One project was mentioned in Forbes Magazine that included a Dean Kamen designed Stirling Engine generator with integrated solar. Earlier in his career Mr. Hawes delivered energy supply solutions, both green and conventional, to large end-users. He has a degree in Marketing and Psychology from Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia.
Charles Hernick
Director of Policy and Advocacy
CRES Forum
Charles Hernick is the Director of Policy and Advocacy at Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions Forum in Washington, DC. Charles leads CRES Forum's policy work and executes strategies to advance clean energy solutions and innovative approaches to reducing carbon emissions. Charles is an energy expert who understands emerging clean technologies, market barriers, and policies and regulations. For over a decade he has worked at the crossroads of economic development, energy, and natural resource management across the U.S. and on the ground in over a dozen countries in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. He is also a climate change expert who has integrated climate change considerations into U.S. government programs and policies and has authored climate mitigation and adaptation best practice guidelines for over a dozen development sectors.
Fred James
National Business Director
Siemens Industry, Inc.; Smart Infrastructure
Mr. James is a National Business Director with Siemens Industry, Inc., a leading integrator of Siemens’ innovative products, technologies and services for programs at state and local government, healthcare, and education in the areas of energy, sustainability, and digitalization as it relates to smart building technologies.
In this role, he provides national support for development and deployment of work provided by Siemens Smart Infrastructure, with a focus on strategic engagement and integrated Total Energy Management. His work covers the entire energy supply chain - procurement, onsite and renewable generation, and energy efficiency – all poised with the consumer energy, sustainability, and resiliency objectives in mind.
Fred has more than thirty years of energy consulting, project development, and energy program management experience stretching across six continents. His direct expertise includes energy strategy, energy market analysis, supply-side energy procurement, energy efficiency and demand-side energy management. He has diverse energy generation experience with utility-scale, distributed, and renewable energy generation - including cogeneration, solar, wind and hydro.
Fred holds an engineering degree from the University of Connecticut and is a Renewable Energy Professional.
Robert Johnson
Senior Vice President, Public Sector Investments
Hannon Armstrong
Robert Johnson is a senior vice president at Hannon Armstrong (NYSE:HASI), an Annapolis-based capital provider focused on sustainable infrastructure markets that address climate change. He is responsible for growing Hannon Armstrong's financing solutions in the public sector which includes the federal, state & local and healthcare market segments.
Mr. Johnson has been at the leading edge of the energy efficiency industry where he has built businesses across a broad range of systems and services. Prior to joining Hannon Armstrong, he held executive leadership positions at multinational organizations such as Cooper Industries where he led global sales for one of their divisions, Ingersoll Rand (Trane) where he led North American Institutional Sales which included healthcare, government and education segments, and Johnson Controls Federal Systems Division where he was the global sales leader. Mr. Johnson began his career at Honeywell where he held leadership positions in various divisions of Honeywell during his 15-year tenure. He has been published in Military Engineer magazine and holds a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Maryland.
Joshua Kurtz
Director of Policy Development
The Nature Conservancy
Josh Kurtz directs the policy work for the Maryland/DC Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. He works on policy and funding initiatives in the Maryland General Assembly and DC Council that focus on climate resilience and mitigation, clean water, and land conservation. He also supports advocacy with Maryland's Federal Delegation. Josh works with TNC's DC Urban Program to help train the next generation of environmental leaders.
Josh received his Master's in Public Policy from George Mason University, focused on governance structures to tackle climate change and a B.S in Wildlife Conservation from the University of Delaware.
Krystal Laymon
Policy Advisor
U.S. Department of Energy
Krystal has experience in climate, resiliency, and energy policy. She serves in the U.S Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Office focused on clean energy strategies for states and cities. She recently completed the 2016-2019 Clean Energy for Low-Income Communities Accelerator (CELICA) where state and local partners committed $335 million to help 155,000 low-income households access energy efficiency and renewable energy benefits.
Prior to her current position, Krystal was in U.S Department of Energy's Office of Policy and Systems Analysis (EPSA) and led the 2014-2016 White House Initiative "Climate Action Champions," an interagency initiative focused on technical assistance to cities, counties, and tribes in implementing climate and resiliency goals. Krystal also served in communication roles with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Climate Change Division and United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction.
She earned an MPA in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University and an undergraduate degree from U.C Davis.
Julie Lenzer
Chief Innovation Officer
University of Maryland
As Chief Innovation Officer, Julie Lenzer is charged with fostering and deploying innovation to drive greater economic and social impact from the University. To accomplish this, she promotes and facilitates a culture of innovation and collaboration, working to connect and promote innovation assets across the university and with the external ecosystem including expanding industry partnerships and supporting the Greater College Park Initiative and Discovery District. She is also charged with maximizing synergies between UMD and the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB).
She currently oversees the Office of Technology Commercialization, the Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the Maryland International Incubator (MI2), TechPort (a UAS incubator in Southern Maryland), the Mixed/Augmented/Virtual Reality Innovation Center (MAVRIC), as well as university engagement with the Discovery District (UMD's research park).
Obi Linton
Commissioner
Maryland Public Service Commission
Odogwu Obi Linton was appointed to the Maryland Public Service Commission in August 2017 after serving for almost nine years as the Commission’s Director of External Relations and Retail Market Development. Commissioner Linton began his career in 1991 as a meter reader and engineering intern at Public Service Electric and Gas in New Jersey. After law school, Commissioner Linton clerked for the Hon. Evelyn Omega Cannon in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City.
Commissioner Linton worked as a regulatory attorney at Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, where he worked on the deregulation of the electric industry and consumer disputes. Five years later, he rejoined the Commission as Deputy Staff Counsel. Commissioner Linton then left the Commission to start his own law firm, where he represented consumers, small businesses and deregulated suppliers in litigation and transactional matters. He eventually closed his firm to return to the Commission to serve as Director of the Office of External Relations. Commissioner Linton is currently the Vice Chair for the Consumers and the Public Interest Committee and is the Founding Chair of the Utility Marketplace Access (now Supplier and Workforce Diversity) Staff Subcommittee for the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC).
Chris MacLarion
Director- Maryland Apprenticeship & Training
Maryland Department of Labor
Chris MacLarion began his career by serving for three years in the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. After leaving the Army, Chris spent 16 years working at the RG Steel plant in Sparrows Point, Maryland as a steelworker and the Vice President of the local union. When the RG Steel Corporation closed Chris attended the University of Baltimore, initially as a participant in the USDOL funded RG Steel National Emergency Grant, earning his Bachelor’s Degree and becoming an employee of the Maryland Department of Labor.
In the six years Chris has been with Maryland’s Department of Labor he has managed numerous grants, including two USDOL National Dislocated Worker Grants and three State Apprenticeship Expansion Grants. Chris is currently the Director of the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Program.
I. Katherine Magruder
Executive Director
Maryland Clean Energy Center
Kathy 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 in 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 Maryland Home Energy Loan Program, Maryland Clean Energy Capital Program and MDPACE; a statewide initiative enabling commercial property assessed clean energy lending to occur in Maryland.
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.
Arjun Makhijani
President
Institute for Energy and Environmental Research
Arjun Makhijani is President of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (IEER) in Takoma Park, Maryland. He earned his Ph.D. from the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at the University of California, Berkeley in 1972, specializing in nuclear fusion.
A recognized authority on energy issues, Dr. Makhijani is the author and co-author of numerous reports and books on energy, climate, and other environmental and economic issues. Most recently, he has authored Prosperous Renewable Maryland, which is a comprehensive roadmap for a clean, renewable energy sector in Maryland that is technically sound, resilient, and affordable for low-income households. He has published widely; he has testified before Congress, and has appeared on ABC World News Tonight, the CBS Evening News, CBS 60 Minutes, NPR, CNN, and BBC, among others. He has served as a consultant on energy issues to utilities, including the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Edison Electric Institute, the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, and several agencies of the United Nations.
Ben Margolis
Commercialization Program Manager
Maryland Energy Innovation Accelerator
Ben Margolis is a the Commercialization for MCEC's Maryland Energy Innovation Accelerator. Ben focuses on making teams successful by acting as project manager. He manages the teams' interactions with MEIA's resources including Executives-In-Residence, In-Kind Sponsors, and Strategic Partners.
Mr. Margolis is an experienced renewable energy executive with over a decade of experience in both entrepreneurial ventures and large, publicly traded companies. As a commercialization consultants, Ben advises companies in the areas of go-to market strategies, technology commercialization, and corporate finance. Ben has worked on a wide variety of technologies including EVs, grid technologies, storage, and renewable energy. Prior to Ben's commercialization work, He was a Director at Sol Systems, a renewable energy development and finance firm. There, he focused on managing strategic partnerships to deliver renewable energy projects.
Before Sol Systems, Mr. Margolis founded and led Pentricity, a company that worked with publicly-owned utilities to implement residential energy efficiency solutions. Mr. Margolis holds an M.B.A. from University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business and a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Maryland.
Robert Matthews
Director, Talent
Baltimore Gas & Electric
Robert D. Matthews became director, talent management and talent acquisition for BGE in September 2017. In this role, he has oversight for the talent management, organizational development and talent acquisition functions and is responsible for creating and implementing a cohesive strategy to attract, acquire, develop and retain talent. He also drives BGE's diversity and inclusion recruitment initiatives and is responsible for leading internal and external efforts to shape BGE as a leader in workforce development.
Matthews is active in community activities. At BGE, he leads the organization's efforts to build partnership with vocational high schools. Matthews serves on the board of directors for Baltimore Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School and Bon Secours Baltimore Health System Foundation.
Matthews earned an undergraduate degree in business and graduate degrees in business and counseling. He is also credentialed as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC).
James McGee
Senior Litigation Attorney
Alexander & Cleaver
James K. McGee is a senior litigation attorney, having been a lawyer with Alexander & Cleaver for over
a dozen years. Jim's practice concentrates on representation before the Maryland Public Service
Commission on behalf of numerous state regulatory clients. His practice includes representation of
clients before many state agencies and boards, including the Maryland Department of the Environment.
Jim has been engaged to represent clients in most major PSC proceedings in a wide range of matters
for our clients on energy, telecommunications, electricity, gas, wholesale, retail, compliance and
regulatory issues. He is the "eyes and ears" for clients, including electric/gas suppliers, power plant
owners, and developers planning to build or acquire fossil-fueled or renewable generation facilities,
including solar and wind.
Jim assists clients in obtaining proper licensing/certification, tariff revisions and asset transfers, and
prepares/reviews contracts. He successfully argued on behalf of electricity suppliers in complaints against public service companies involving complex calculations of energy transactions that resulted in significant credits for our clients. In addition, Jim has represented clients in several major utility merger proceedings before the Commission.
In addition to his energy and utility practice, Jim also represents and advises clients with landlord-tenant,
domestic and other transactional or civil litigation issues.
He represents the firm at events for the Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce. Jim is an avid sports fan, including his beloved Terps, and lives in Edgewater with his wife and three daughters.
Dawn Medley
Dawn R. Medley is currently the Senior Vice President of Business Finance and Prince George's County Economic Development Incentive (EDI) Fund Manager at Prince George's Financial Services Corporation (FSC First). As SVP, Mrs. Medley manages 13 different loan programs for FSC First and a team of underwriters, processors, portfolio managers and compliance officers. FSC First programs are dedicated to the retention, expansion and attraction of businesses that will broaden the County's commercial tax base, retain and attract jobs, support small and local enterprises, and promote the development and redevelopment opportunities, transit oriented development and the growth of key industry sectors throughout the State of Maryland. In the Fall of 2018, FSC First became the program administrator for the County's C-PACE and Green Energy Loan fund and has successfully closed their first C-PACE project. She has over 20 years of experience in small business lending, commercial real estate lending and asset management. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a focus in Business Law and Public Policy from the University of Maryland University College. She is a member of the Class of 2016 Leadership Maryland program.
Pam Mendelson
Pam Mendelson is the Department's Lead for the Remote Alaska Communities Energy efficiency (RACEE) Competition and a collaborator on EERE efforts to bring resources needed to implement successful and sustainable clean energy projects in low to moderate income communities. Previously, Ms. Mendelson led implementation of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, a Recovery Act program that achieved $5.2 billion of total cumulative savings on energy bills, 70% of which were realized by residential consumers, 29% in the public institutional sector, and 1% the commercial and industrial sectors. Pam was also a founding contributor to the US Environmental Protection Agency's voluntary Green Power Partnership Program recognizing leadership activities US Green Power Markets. Pam holds a B.A. from Middlebury College and a M.S. in Natural Resource Policy from the University Of Michigan School Of Natural Resources.
Jonas Monast
Jonas Monast is the C. Boyden Gray Distinguished Fellow and directs the Center on Climate, Energy, Environment & Economics (CE3) at the University of North Carolina School of Law. His work focuses on climate change mitigation, aligning energy and environmental policy goals, and the intersection between natural resources and emerging technologies. Monast is the author of numerous articles on energy policy, carbon market design, electricity sector competition, and biotechnology.
Prior to joining the Carolina Law faculty, Monast directed the Climate and Energy Program at Duke University's Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions. Monast has also worked as an attorney in the Corporate Social Responsibility Practice at Foley Hoag LLP, as a congressional fellow for the late Senator Paul Wellstone, and as legislative counsel for the Center for Responsible Lending.
Geoff Oxnam
Geoff is the founder and CEO of American Microgrid Solutions, an advanced energy ecosystem company dedicated to helping clients reduce expense and increase resilience. American Microgrid Solutions works with a broad range of clients including municipalities, senior housing facilities and commercial property owners. A veteran utility executive, Geoff has executed strategic planning, operations, marketing and communications for utility, telecommunications and environmental non-profit organizations. Prior to founding American Microgrid Solutions, Geoff was Vice President of Operations for Easton Utilities, a nationally recognized municipal utility that provides electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, broadband Internet, cable television and utility management software solutions. Geoff managed the effort to diversify Easton Utilities’ generation portfolio by adding solar PV generation and integrating landfill gas generation. Geoff serves on the board of directors of the Maryland Clean Energy Center, previously chaired the American Public Power Association’s Customer Connections Conference and presents at national events. Geoff is a member of the Leadership Maryland Class of 2010 and was awarded the William Donald Schaefer People Helping People Award in 2016 for his work to improve financial literacy through Junior Achievement. Geoff currently serves of the University of Maryland Medical System Shore Regional Health board of directors and has served several other organizations including the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and the Maryland Broadband Cooperative. Geoff earned his Bachelors of Arts from Williams College and a Masters of Business Administration from The Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School.
Bill Parsons
Bill Parsons is the Chief Operating Officer of the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), a national nonprofit organization that unites finance, policy and technology to accelerate the transition to a renewable energy economy. In that capacity, he oversees ACORE’s day-to-day operations, including policy, communications and programs.
Prior to joining ACORE, Bill served as Chief of Staff and Legislative Director to Congressman Chris Van Hollen, where his portfolio included climate, energy, finance and the environment. Bill ran the House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus for eight years and was also a founding Board Member of the Montgomery County Green Bank.
He graduated Cum Laude from Harvard University.
Bob Perciasepe
Bob Perciasepe is President of the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES), an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization working to forge practical solutions to climate change.
Mr. Perciasepe has been an environmental policy leader in and outside government for more than 40 years, most recently as Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), where he oversaw stricter auto emissions standards and carbon emissions standards for power plants.
Previously, he served as chief operating officer of the National Audubon Society, Secretary of the Environment for the state of Maryland, and as a senior planning official for the city of Baltimore.
Hon. Paul Pinsky
Senator Paul G. Pinsky, elected to the Maryland Senate in 1994 after two terms in the House, serves as the Chair of the Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee. He is also a member of the Maryland Commission on Climate Change.
Senator Pinsky has long been a champion in the fight to reduce greenhouse gases, 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 decade. His achievements include the landmark 2009 Healthy Air Act, legislation codifying the Climate Commission, and the 2009 and 2016 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Acts, the latter of which requires a 40% reduction by 2030. This year, he co-sponsored the Clean Energy Jobs Act to require Maryland to obtain at least 50% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
Yvonne Porter
Yvonne fosters electric vehicle adoption by promoting the 100% electric Nissan LEAF with 315 Mid-Atlantic and Southeast area Nissan dealers. Her role includes supporting dealer staff by keeping them apprised of product information, vehicle incentives, charging infrastructure and counsel on the economic and environmental benefits of electric vehicles. Additionally, she holistically works with the community by implementing educational grassroots events with utility companies, Clean Cities groups, auto shows, National Drive Electric Week, and a variety of other sustainability-focused organizations. Yvonne has over 20 years of automotive OEM experience including promoting electric vehicles, advertising, national-level event planning, new car and aftersales management.
James Rzepkowski
Assistant Secretary of Workforce Development and Adult Learning
Maryland Department of Labor
James E. Rzepkowski serves the state in his current role as assistant secretary for the Department of Labor’s Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning. Leading the Department of Labor in protecting and empowering Marylanders by safeguarding workers, protecting consumers, and cultivating a thriving workforce that meets the demands of Maryland’s dynamic economy.
In his role as assistant secretary of workforce development, Rzepkowski works to develop and implement important workforce development programs throughout the state, in adult education and literacy services, correctional education, fiscal administration, and workforce information and performance.
Kelly Schulz
Secretary
Maryland Department of Commerce
Kelly M. Schulz brings a wealth of knowledge to the Maryland Department of Commerce from her years of experience working in the government, in the private sector and as a small business owner. She had previously served as the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) since her confirmation in February 2015 and is also a former member of the Maryland House of Delegates.
A former member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing Frederick County, she served on the Economic Matters Committee from 2011- 2015. In addition to local issues, then Delegate Schulz took special interest in legislation relating to banks and other financial institutions, business, occupations and professions, economic development, labor and employment, unemployment insurance and workers' compensation.
Prior to embarking on a career of public service, Secretary Schulz sold real estate, worked as a program manager for a defense contractor and was a part-owner of a cyber security firm.
Secretary Schulz obtained her Associates degree from Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York and later obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Hood College in Frederick, Maryland.
Martha Senf
Business Development Manager for Building Level IoT
Siemens
In her current role at Siemens, Martha provides business development and project development assistance to performance contracting teams that are considering building level IoT systems. She brings experience gained in her 15 years with Siemens to the local Siemens teams as they develop a project. Her goal is to ensure that customers and the company benefit from "best practices" being employed in each project. She works with a team to provide financial analysis, technical analysis and risk mitigation on projects that include Enlighted controls and the various applications that make use of the Enlighted IoT platform.
Alison Shea
Sales Manager, Atlantic Region
Siemens Industry, Inc.; Smart Infrastructure
As Zone Sales Manager, Alison Shea is responsible for management oversight of individuals developing multidisciplined Energy and Environmental Solutions for both public and private sector business partners throughout Maryland, Virginia, District of Columbia, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, and parts of Delaware, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. She is an accomplished energy professional, and experienced project developer. With a professional record that includes experience as an Energy Solutions Provider, Client, and Consultant, Ms. Shea represents a 360 degree view of strategic energy planning. Ms. Shea has over thirty years of experience in the energy industry, and holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Charles Silio
Partner
Glidepath Ventures
Charlie Silio is a Partner of Glidepath Ventures, a solar energy development firm with 1.5GW of community and utility-scale solar projects under development in Pennsylvania.
Charlie previously served as VP - Strategy, Corporate Development, and Marketing for Agility Fuel Solutions, the leading global manufacturer of clean fuel solutions for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles.
Prior to joining Agility in 2013, Charlie was a Principal at Element Partners, a buyout and growth equity firm with approximately $870 million under management and a focus on energy and industrial technology businesses. His investments included Agility and TPI (Nasdaq: TPIC), a leading manufacturer of wind turbine blades and composite vehicle structures.
Prior to joining Element he worked for four years with D. E. Shaw & Co. in New York and London in credit opportunities, special situations, and private equity, and before that was an Associate with GTCR, where he made control private equity investments in transaction processing, business services, and energy companies. He began his career as a technology and telecom investment banker at Lazard.
Charlie holds a BSE from Princeton University, an MSc from the London School of Economics, and an MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.
Jason Stanek
Chairman
Maryland Public Service Commission
Jason M. Stanek was appointed Chairman of the Maryland Public Service Commission by Governor Larry Hogan for a five-year term beginning on July 1, 2018. He most recently served as Senior Counsel to the Energy Subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Energy and Commerce where he advised on matters involving national energy policy, with specific focus on electricity issues and the operations of the regional power markets. Before that, he served in senior positions at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, advising both a FERC Chairman and Commissioner during his 16-year tenure. Prior to arriving in Washington D.C., he held legal positions with the National Fuel Gas Company in Buffalo, New York, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in New York City. Chairman Stanek is a member of the Committee on Electricity and the Committee on International Relations for the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Chairman Stanek earned his law degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a bachelor’s degree from Tulane University. He also completed studies at American University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Robert Stewart
Manager Smart Grid and Technology
Pepco Holdings / Exelon
As Manager of Smart Grid and Technology for Pepco Holdings, Rob is responsible for further developing and managing the company’s approach to evaluating and deploying advanced technologies and concepts for application on the electric system. He also serves as the utility functional area manager of Research & Development for Pepco Holdings. Some of Rob’s specific areas of responsibility deal with the interface between the customer and the Smart Grid. This includes microgrids, storage, the development of the company’s Home Area Network (HAN) strategy, as well as the integration of electric vehicle chargers and renewable generation/intelligent management and control capabilities. Based in Washington, D.C., Pepco Holdings employs more than 4,600 people, owns more than $21 billion in assets and generates approximately $4.8 billion in annual revenues. Pepco Holdings serves 2 million customers as the parent company of Pepco, an electric utility serving Washington, D.C., and suburban Maryland; Delmarva Power, an electric and gas utility serving Delaware and the rest of the Delmarva Peninsula; and Atlantic City Electric, an electric utility serving southern New Jersey. Pepco Holdings is a recently acquired subsidiary of Exelon Corporation, one of the nation’s leading energy services companies. Exelon is headquartered in Chicago and trades on the NYSE under the ticker EXC.
Zolaikha Strong
Director - Energy Policy and Electrical Markets
Copper Development Association
Zolaikha Strong serves as the North American Energy Advisor representing the Copper Development Association for the global Copper Alliance. Zolaikha is a Subject Matter Expert with 20 years of regulatory and legislative experience developing and promoting policies in key energy sector markets. She collaborates with electric utilities, developers and manufacturers of new technologies, wire and cable companies, and the natural resources industries building partnerships across platforms engaged in the growth of energy markets.
Zolaikha served as a member of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee and a co-chair of the Outreach and Education Sub-Committee. She hosted the first Energy Summit for global Copper Alliance in Washington, D.C. entitled, “EVs: Navigating the Road Ahead, an industry event powered by CDA.” Zolaikha speaks across forums and among her many speaking engagements and presentations, she presented at the Annual Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency EXPO, Business Council on Sustainable Energy Clean Energy Forum, National Electrical Manufactures Association – Wire and Cable Forum, Chair of the Platts Transmission & Development Conference, the Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions Policy Forum and the GLOBALCON Conference. A regular contributor to many energy and policy publications, Zolaikha was recently published in The Hill, The Washington Times, ElectroIndustry Magazine, Renewable Energy World, Metal Center News, Wind Systems Magazine, IAEI Magazine and Energy & Mining International. She was also featured in in podcasts for BBC World Service and Wind Power Engineering & Development’s Wind Talks.
Prior to the Copper Development Association, Zolaikha served as a regulatory expert on multifaceted issues impacting the interstate transmission of electricity, representing Investor Owned Utilities for Edison Electric Institute and as an energy regulator for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Zolaikha holds a graduate degree in Public Administration from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Seton Hall University.
Marcelino Susas
Director, Corporate and Business Development
ConEdison Clean Energy Businesses
Marcelino is Director, Corporate Development for Con Edison Clean Energy Businesses (CEB). The Con Edison Clean Energy Businesses are part of the Consolidated Edison, Inc. (CEI) family of companies, which has a corporate history dating back to 1823. CEI is one of America's largest and longest-operating investor-owned energy companies with assets valued at $54 billion and annual operating revenues in excess of $12 billion (NYSE: ED).
Marcelino is responsible for supporting the growth strategy and business expansion initiatives for the Con Edison Clean Energy Businesses including mergers, acquisitions and innovation initiatives.
Marcelino has held leadership positions in Business Development, Corporate Strategy and Marketing. He has extensive experience in delivering profitable growth in Fortune 100 companies (Con Edison, McKinsey and Company, NRG, PSEG, Saint-Gobain and United Technologies,) and entrepreneurial companies (Energy Conversion Devices), across a range of industries including renewable energy, utilities, building products, and HVAC. His areas of expertise include corporate growth/ innovation, corporate/business unit strategy, sales and marketing strategy and mergers/ acquisitions.
Marcelino has a bachelor's of science degree in Electrical Engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology and an MBA from the New York University's Stern School of Business.
Cyrus Tashakkori
President
Open Road Renewables
Cyrus Tashakkori is President of Open Road Renewables, a solar developer focused primarily on developing utility-scale solar projects in the mid-Atlantic. Prior to co-founding Open Road Renewables, Cyrus successfully led the solar development business at Pioneer Green Energy where he managed the development of hundreds of MWs of successful solar PV projects from Kern County, CA to Somerset County, MD. Cyrus previously worked as a solar and wind project developer at E.ON Climate & Renewables and Airtricity. Cyrus is a graduate of UNC Asheville and received his MBA from UT Austin's McCombs School of Business and his Master in Public Affairs from UT's LBJ School of Public Affairs.
Brian Toll
Director
Maryland Energy Innovation Accelerator
Brian Toll is a committed environmentalist and entrepreneur who has spent 20 years working to create change by leveraging new technologies. Brian is currently managing the Maryland Energy Innovation Accelerator and the Carbon Technology Institute, two organizations that focus on the deployment of technologies that will mitigate climate change and promote social equity. Over the last 10 years, Brian founded and exited Maryland's leading residential energy efficiency home improvement contractor. Brian has 10+ years in large corporate environments performing marketing research, branding, product pricing, new product development, financial analysis, competitive analysis, company valuation, systems integration, and management consulting. Brian obtained his MBA at the MIT Sloan School and his undergraduate degree in economics at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Mary Beth Tung, Ph.D.
Director
Maryland Energy Administration
Mary Beth Tung, Ph.D., Esq., was named by Governor Hogan as the Director of the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) on May 17, 2016.
Dr. Tung works to ensure that Maryland's energy portfolio benefits Maryland residents, businesses and local government organizations by improving the effective use of all of energy resources available in the state. Dr. Tung oversees nearly 40 energy related programs including grants that benefit low-to-moderate income families, commercial and industrial entities, and residential. These programs also promote expansion of renewable energy and promotion of energy efficiency for businesses and nonprofit organizations.
Acting as a conduit for public and private energy partnerships, Dr. Tung helps to leverage state resources with private and commercial investments across a variety of energy areas such as solar energy canopies, bio-fuel projects, energy efficiency, combined heat installations, power collaborations, and more.
Mary Beth earned a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Cincinnati, a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from Wright State University a Postdoctoral Associate in pharmacology and virology at the Yale University School of Medicine and received her J.D. from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. She is a member of the Maryland bar.
Colleen Turner
Assistant Director, Office of Planning & Capital Programming
Maryland Department of Transportation
Colleen Turner is an Assistant Director in the office of Planning and Capital Programming at the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), Secretary's Office where she oversees long-range environmental planning and the implementation of innovative transportation technologies. She serves works closely with local jurisdictions and MDOT's Transportation Business Units, managing the Department's air quality and climate change mitigation activities, and is a liaison on national, multi-state, and local task force groups and committees. In addition to overseeing MDOT's electric vehicle initiatives, she is currently leading the development of a Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) Vision for Maryland as well as a CAV Strategic Plan for MDOT.
Prior to joining MDOT in January of 2016, Colleen was a project manager at Michael Baker International where she worked with diverse clients providing high-level analyses, briefings, and guidance on air quality, sustainability, climate change, and transportation planning. Colleen is the Chair of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Air Quality, Climate Change, and Energy subcommittee of the Committee on Environment and Sustainability. She is a Co-Chair of the Transportation Climate Initiative's Clean Vehicles and Fuels Workgroup and is the Immediate Past President of the Baltimore Chapter of WTS International.
Hon. Chris Van Hollen
U.S. Senator for Maryland
Elected to the United States Senate by the people of Maryland in November 2016, Chris Van Hollen is committed to fighting every day to ensure that our state and our country live up to their full promise of equal rights, equal justice, and equal opportunity.
Senator Van Hollen believes that every child deserves the opportunity to pursue their dreams and benefit from a quality education, and that anyone willing to work hard should be able to find a good job. That's why his top priorities include creating more and better jobs, strengthening small businesses, and increasing educational and job training opportunities for individuals of all ages and in every community.
Senator Van Hollen started his time in public service as a member of the Maryland State Legislature, where he became known as a tenacious advocate for everyday Marylanders and someone who was unafraid to take on powerful special interests on behalf of working people. In 2002, he was elected to represent Maryland's 8th Congressional District. In the House of Representatives, he served as a member of the Democratic leadership and was elected by his colleagues to be the Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee and protect vital interests like Social Security and Medicare.
A tireless fighter for the people of Maryland, Senator Van Hollen has also become known for working hard to find common sense solutions to difficult national issues. In January 2015, he released a comprehensive plan to address the problem of growing inequality in America and provide a blueprint for building an economy that works for everyone, a goal that he will continue to fight for in the U.S. Senate.
Senator Van Hollen is proud to have worked successfully with members of both parties to pass bipartisan legislation whenever possible on issues of common concern, including expanding medical research, protecting the Chesapeake Bay, fighting childhood cancer, and passing the ABLE Act to assist families with children with disabilities.
Chris Van Hollen is a graduate of Swarthmore College, the John F. Kennedy School of Public Policy at Harvard University, and Georgetown University Law Center where he attended night school. He and his wife, Katherine Wilkens, are the proud parents of three children—Anna, Nicholas, and Alexander.
William A. Von Hoene, Jr.
Sr Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer
Exelon Corporation
As senior executive vice president and chief strategy officer, William A. Von Hoene, Jr. oversees corporate development, corporate strategy, legal, regulatory, government affairs, investments and communications for Exelon, the nation’s number one competitive energy provider and owner of six utility companies. He serves on Exelon’s Executive Committee and is the chairman and chief executive officer of Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, a joint venture between Exelon and EDF that owns five nuclear units.
Von Hoene joined Exelon in February 2002 and has held numerous positions, including general counsel and executive vice president of Finance and Legal, before assuming his current responsibilities in February 2012.
Von Hoene currently serves on the boards of directors for: Northwestern Memorial Hospital (chairman of the Professional Standards Committee); the Civic Consulting Alliance; the Diversity Scholarship Foundation; Building Bridges Across the River (the parent organization of the Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus (THEARC); and The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Corporate Fund. He is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago and the Executives’ Club of Chicago. Von Hoene is also a DuSable Museum of African American History trustee, and a Washington DC Federal City Council trustee.
Von Hoene also serves on the board of Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited (NEIL). He has served on the NEIL board since 2010 and was the Chairman of the board from June 2016 to June 2018.
In 2016, Von Hoene was appointed co-chair of the Obama Foundation Inclusion Council, which will assist the Foundation in establishing a framework for diversity and inclusion in all aspects of its operations, including the development of the Obama Presidential Center.
Matthew Walters
U.S. Head Distributed Energy Systems
Siemens
As the Head of U.S. Distributed Energy Systems (DES) at Siemens, Matthew Walters leads a Center of Competence responsible for driving excellence in innovative business solutions for power generated at or near the point of consumption—helping public and private sector companies make smart, sustainable investments in distributed energy systems.
Matthew was appointed to head the CoC in 2015, driving the growth of Siemens broad DES portfolio including power generation, controls, technology/engineering expertise, financial offerings, new business models and establishing Siemens as a leader in DES.
As the traditional, centralized model of linear power generation is giving way to a more diverse, dynamic and complex decentralized system, organizations are now allowed to rethink how their energy is supplied, used and paid for in an “always-on” economy that requires 24/7 power. The DES CoC help customers leverage the expertise within Siemens to take advantage of hybrid and stand-alone power generation opportunities including co-generation systems, renewable energy, microgrids and energy storage.
Matthew has focused his career in energy project development, commercial advisory, structured finance and strategic planning. He came to Siemens from Pace Global’s consulting practice serving in his most recent role as Director of Energy Project Development and Commercial Advisory.
Matthew has extensive domestic and international experience, specializing in renewable energy, microgrids, cogeneration, project finance and commercial structuring. His experience ranges across both public and private sectors, including commercial, industrial, institutional, and utility sectors. He holds a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, a B.S. in Physics from the University of the South (Sewanee) and is a licensed Professional Engineer. Matthew also earned executive education certificates from Notre Dame’s, Mendoza College of Business and MIT Sloan School of Management.
Mathew Ware
Vice President, South Region
Veolia Energy
Mr. Ware graduated USNA with degree in Naval Architecture. Served 8 yrs as a Naval Nuclear Power/ Surface Warfare Officer. VP, Engineering and Business Development with BBI Power, pursuing power plant development in India. Manager, Commercial Operations with TransAlta in charge of U.S. generating portfolio. Director, Development and Acquisitions with Constellation Energy. Joined Veolia in 2015. During his tenure, opened new markets in VA and NC and expanded business lines.
Joy Weber
Development Manager
Orsted
Joy is the Development Manager for Orsted's Skipjack Wind project. Weber leads the project's local development efforts, including building relationships with Maryland communities and companies.
Weber brings extensive experience in energy policy, advocacy and community affairs to Orsted. Most recently, she worked as a lawyer for the Maryland firm Rifkin, Weiner, Livingston LLC, where she represented renewable energy firms, public utilities and others in the energy industry. In that role, she advocated at the Maryland General Assembly for the ultimate passage of state legislation encouraging the development of offshore wind. She also served on the legislative policy committee for the Maryland Chamber of Commerce and the board of the Maryland Government Relations Association.
Joy earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and studio art from Pennsylvania State University and a law degree from Regent University.
Ellen Williams
Professor
University of Maryland
Ellen Williams is a Distinguished University Professor at the University of Maryland, where she works at the interface of energy technology and policy. Before returning to the University in January of 2017, she was the Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency, ARPA-E, which advances high-potential, high-impact energy technologies that are too early for private-sector investment.
Prior to Senate confirmation for her role in ARPA-E, Dr. Williams had been the Chief Scientist at BP (2010-2014), and a Distinguished University Professor in the Institute of Physical Science and Technology and the Department of Physics at the University of Maryland. At Maryland she established an internationally recognized research program in experimental surface science, exploring fundamental issues in statistical mechanics and nanotechnology. She founded and led the University’s interdisciplinary Materials Research Science and Engineering Center from 1996 through 2009.
Dr. Williams has a distinguished history of professional service, and extensive work in providing technical advice to the U.S. government. She is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, a foreign member of the Royal Society (London), a fellow of the American Physical Society, American Vacuum Society and American Academy of Arts and Sciences.