2016 Keynotes
Denis Hayes | President and CEO, Bullitt Foundation 
Denis Hayes is President of the Bullitt Foundation, where he developed the world's greenest office building. Bullitt promotes sustainable urban development in the Emerald Corridor - the swath of land west of the Cascades running from Portland, OR to Vancouver BC. Denis was national coordinator of the first Earth Day in 1970, an event now approaching its 50th anniversary in 2020. He remains the chair of the International Earth Day Network, which is active in 185 nations. From 1983 to 1988, Denis was an adjunct professor of engineering at Stanford University, and he also practiced law for several years in Silicon Valley. During the Carter Administration, he served as Director of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. In 1979, Denis received the national Jefferson Medal for Greatest Public Service by an Individual under 35. Hayes has also received the John Muir Award from the Sierra Club and the highest honors awarded by the National Wildlife Federation, the Humane Society, and the Interfaith Center for Corporate Responsibility. Time magazine selected Hayes as one of its "Heroes of the Planet" and the National Audubon Society included him in its list of the 100 Environmental Heroes of the 20th Century. He has been profiled as "Newsmaker of the Week" by ABC News and as "Today's Person in the News" by the New York Times.
Jim Piro | President and CEO, Portland General Electric (PGE)
Jim Piro is President and Chief Executive Officer of Portland General Electric (PGE), and has 41 years experience in the utility business. Prior to becoming CEO in 2009, he served nine years as executive Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. A 1974 graduate of Oregon State University in Corvallis, Ore., Piro earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering with an emphasis in structural engineering. He is a registered professional engineer in California and, before working at PGE, worked as a civil engineer for San Francisco-based Pacific Gas & Electric Co. Piro serves on several boards and is chair of Greater Portland Inc. and the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Investment Council. He is a member of the Oregon Global Warming Commission and is active in the business and utility industries, both locally and nationally, serving on the boards of the Oregon Business Council and the Edison Electric Institute. He is also a member of the Electrification Coalition, a national group of business leaders advocating for policies that support electric vehicles. He serves also on the Oregon State University Foundation and the PGE Foundation.
2016 Featured Speaker
Jeff Merkley | U.S. Senator, State of Oregon
Senator Jeff Merkley has been a champion for protecting Oregon's environment and taking on climate change. He pushed successfully to strengthen the EPA's Clean Power Plan to further cut carbon pollution, won bipartisan support for an amendment to boost the Green Climate Fund, and most recently, has led the fight in the Senate against Arctic drilling. Jeff is a champion of electric vehicles and proud owner of a Chevy Volt. He has introduced legislation to promote the deployment of electric vehicles in communities around the country. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, he has successfully secured funding toward grants to communities to deploy electric vehicles. He has also worked on legislation that would help create public and private fleets of electric vehicles. And Jeff was the first elected official to travel from Washington to California on zero gas when he went across Oregon "border to border" in an electric vehicle in 2012. A son of a millwright, Jeff Merkley was born in Myrtle Creek, Oregon. His family moved with the timber economy to Roseburg and then to East Multnomah County. Jeff began his career in public service as an intern with Oregon's former Senator Mark Hatfield. Jeff Merkley was a five term member of the Oregon Legislature and served as the speaker of the Oregon Legislature beginning in 2006. In 2008, he was elected to the same Senate seat once held by Mark Hatfield.
2016 Speakers
Charlie Allcock | Director of Business Development, Portland General Electric
Charlie Allcock is the Director of Business Development at Portland General Electric, Oregon's largest electric utility. Charlie works with local, regional and state economic development organizations to enhance growth of existing businesses and attract new companies to the State of Oregon. Charlie leads regional and corporate initiatives on renewable energy, clean technologies and broadband communications including electric vehicles, solar, wind power generation and energy storage. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Drive Oregon (Electric Vehicle promotion) and the Portland Streetcar, Inc. He served on Oregon Governor Kitzhabers Ten-Year Energy Plan Task Force and was Vice-Chair of the Oregon Transportation Electrification Executive Council. In 2011, Charlie was recognized by Automotive News in the Electrifying 100 listing as a global leader in transportation electrification. A native of Kobe, Japan, Charlie is the past Chair of the Board of Directors of the Japan-America Society of Oregon and is an active member of the Japanese American National Museum Board of Governors and the US-Japan Council. Read more...
He was a member of the 2010 Japanese American Leadership Delegation (JALD), spending ten days in Japan in meetings and information exchanges with Japanese leaders in government, political, business and non-profit sectors. A graduate of Oregon State University, he resides in Portland with his wife, Kathy, and three children. In his spare time, he enjoys travel and photography.
Gail M. Allen | Sr. Manager, Customer Intelligence, Kansas City Power & Light
Gail has an MBA and is a Six Sigma Certified Master Black Belt. She has been in the utility industry for over 29 years (although she swears she doesn’t look it). Gail has held several positions at KCP&L (and formerly Aquila). She started in the IT department, worked on Six Sigma, and moved to Energy Solutions in Marking with the Aquila/KCP&L merger. She led the Customer Solutions (Energy Consultants) and shifted full-time to the Smart Grid project in 2011 where she managed the rollout of smart grid tools and customer engagement for the DOE Smart Grid Demonstration pilot in KCP&L’s urban core. Today Gail is responsible for the Customer Insights team. They manage customer market research and the online customer advisory panel. Her team owns the market customer data and recommends all target customer marketing campaigns. She serves as the business lead on the core team that is implementing Oracle’s CC&B customer billing system. Gail is also one of the project managers responsible for launching the KCP&L Clean Charge Network (1001 electric vehicle charging stations) which included 15 DC fast charge stations.
Thomas Ashley | Senior Director, Government Affairs & Public Policy, Greenlots
Tom Ashley, Senior Director of Government Affairs & Public Policy at Greenlots, leads the company’s regulatory and policy work and supports efforts to expand connectivity between electric vehicles and the grid. Tom is also working to grow EV equity through stakeholder partnerships. Tom has extensive experience in clean energy and transportation policy and planning. Prior to joining Greenlots, he served as the Director of Utility and Regulatory Affairs at PlugShare, where he focused on the policy frameworks necessary for vehicle-grid integration, and has consulted for the Electric Drive Transportation Association. He has also worked for numerous government bodies, including the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, the Office of Energy and Environmental Industries of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, the Vermont Department of Public Service’s Energy Efficiency Division, and the California Public Utilities Commission. Tom holds a Bachelor of Arts – Fine Arts from the University of Southern California and a Juris Doctor and Master of Studies in Environmental Law from Vermont Law School.
Robert Barrosa | Director of Partnerships and Business Development, NRG EVgo
Rob Barrosa joined NRG EVgo in July of 2013 to lead the group’s business development efforts. Prior to joining, Barrosa was with AeroVironment Inc. (AV), where he held several roles in product development, engineering, program management, and business development. While there, he helped start the EV Solutions group that provided charging products and services for the latest generation of electric vehicles. He was primarily responsible for leading the business and product development of AV’s charging products and services. There he worked closely with automakers and infrastructure companies to develop the right set of solutions for their business needs. He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Loyola Marymount University and an MBA from the University of California Irvine.
Chris Bast | Climate and Transportation Policy Advisor, Seattle’s Office of Sustainability and Environment
Chris Bast is currently the climate and transportation policy advisor at Seattle’s Office of Sustainability and Environment where he is primarily focused on designing and implementing policies and programs to reduce carbon pollution from the transportation sector. He was previously the business partnerships manager for Climate Solutions, facilitating business stakeholder engagement with the organization’s programs and policy goals. Prior to joining Climate Solutions, Mr. Bast worked in a variety of political and government roles for Governor Tim Kaine of Virginia, including managing the Governor’s Renew Virginia initiative to support energy efficiency and promote clean energy and sustainability. He is also a Truman National Security Project partner and on the Board of Directors for Northwest SEED. The Truman National Security Project unites next-generation veteran, political, and policy leaders to develop and advance strong, smart, and principled solutions to the global challenges Americans now face. Northwest SEED empowers community-scale clean energy to help communities achieve their sustainability and economic development goals. Mr. Bast earned his MPA from Seattle University an undergraduate degree in political science from James Madison University in Virginia. He lives in Seattle and enjoys exploring the Northwest outdoors with his wife, infant daughter, and their Rhodesian Ridgeback.
Alan Bates | Market Manager, ReachNow
Alan has more than 15 years of project/product management and marketing experience, with senior leadership, marketing and business development roles at Shorepower Technologies, Evo, Equifax, and Doxus. Most recently he managed the national roll-out of transportation electrification services for cars and trucks. Alan holds a degree in marketing and entrepreneurial studies from Babson College in Massachusetts, where he graduated with honors. He has consulted for a number of Fortune 500 companies on product development, marketing strategy, branding, naming, pricing, and positioning. As the BMW ReachNow Market Manager, Alan will help guide the September 2016 launch for ReachNow in Portland, steering management, promotions and operations for the free-floating car sharing service.
Steve Bloch | Vice President of Partnership Development, EV Connect
Mr. Bloch is a successful Sales Leader and Business Development Professional with over 20 years of experience helping small to mid-sized companies develop and execute winning go-to-market strategies. Prior to joining EV Connect, Mr. Bloch was the VP of Sales for AeroVironment’s Efficient Energy Systems division where he led his team to have a dominate share of the residential electric vehicle charging station market through the development of strategic channel partnerships. Previously, he was the VP of Channel Sales for Eaton’s Wright Line Business where he successfully developed, launched, and transformed the company from an End User only sales model to one that embraced Resellers and Distributors to penetrate new vertical markets. Earlier in his career, Mr. Bloch held several different sales leadership roles at APC where he helped grow their revenue from $18 million to $2.5 billion before they were eventually acquired by Schneider Electric. He holds a Masters of Engineering and a Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University.
Gwendolyn Bolden | Director of Parking and Transportation, University of Oregon
Gwendolyn Bolden is the Parking and Transportation Director at the University of Oregon campus in Eugene. She has over 20 years of experience in the Parking and Transportation industry supporting Airports, Cities, Private sector, and Universities. She has been at University of Oregon for almost five years and is excited about the changes/ growth of the industry. Gwendolyn is an active participant and board member in PIPTA {Pacific Intermountain Parking and Transportation Association ) and IPI (International Parking Institute) where she just completed the Certified Administrator of public Parking (CAPP) program.
Kirk Brown | Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, REACH strategies
Kirk founded REACH Strategies based on a 20-year career helping organizations achieve their goals by linking smart campaign, communications, organizational development, and business strategies. REACH is based on the premise that success in today's information economy requires that these aspects of an organization's overall operation be tightly linked and mutually reinforcing. REACH clients include a mix of non-profits, foundations, and businesses that share a vision of creating a healthier, more secure world for us all. While REACH works across the communications strategy continuum - e.g., strategy & planning, outreach, training/coaching, media monitoring/evaluation - its work within the electric vehicle realm has focused on developing and executing test drive events featuring PEVs. Why? Because it is, in our estimation, the highest leverage venue to directly introduce thousands of potential electric vehicle customers to the cars. Read more...
Successful events not only make the direct case about the EV purchase to targeted, likely-to-purchase customers, but they leverage growing investments from a host of participants in cars and charging infrastructure. Conducting events throughout specific geographies can help reinforce positive market feedback loops involving a virtuous circle of growing peer-to-peer market acceptance at both the individual and large organization (e.g., agency or corporate) level. REACH has successfully managed outreach campaigns across states and jurisdictions over the past years, working with leading non-profits such as Plug in America, every electric vehicle manufacturer, a raft of local, state and federal government agencies, and utilities.
Eric Cahill | Founder and President, Adaptiv Consulting
Dr. Cahill is a U.S. Navy veteran and strategy consultant in sustainable vehicle technologies. He recently completed his PhD at UC Davis where his assessment of structural factors affecting marketing of EVs won him recognition as Outstanding Student of the Year by the Department of Transportation’s National Center for Sustainable Transportation. Prior to UC Davis, Eric led a diversity of technology efforts for the U.S. Navy followed by roles in strategy, product development and program management at GM, Boeing, and fuel cell systems supplier Quantum Technologies. Eric also directed the global Automotive X-PRIZE competition, which awarded $10M to the top teams with vehicles achieving over 100 mpg (equivalent). He holds Masters degrees in Engineering and Management from MIT’s Sloan School, as well as Technology and Policy from MIT’s Engineering Systems Division. Eric earned a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering at USC and has been featured in Roll Call, The Detroit News, Automotive News, WIRED and The New York Times.
Heath Carney | Electric Vehicle and Sustainability Manager, Sullivan Chevrolet Auto Group
Heath Carney has 20 years of automotive sales experience in northern California. He has focused on plug-in vehicle sales and marketing since these vehicles came to market in 2010. His main commute car is one of the first 2011 Chevrolet Volts. He trains dealership staff and works with regional utilities (SMUD, Roseville Electric and PG&E), charging manufacturers and installers. His dealership EV webpage helps new owners with special EV needs such as charging and financial incentives. He participates in many regional events with SacEV (Sacramento Electric Auto Association), and he is invited to talk about electric vehicles for many civic, educational and other organizations. His education includes BS (College of William and Mary, Virginia), MS (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor), PhD (University of California, Davis), and postdoctoral positions at University of California (Davis, Berkeley), and Harvard Graduate School of Design.
Gilbert Castillo | Senior Group Manager, Advanced Vehicle Strategy, Hyundai
Gilbert Castillo is the Senior Group Manager of Advanced Vehicle Strategy at Hyundai Motor America. He is responsible for the company’s exploration into new vehicle segments, including those with alternative powertrain technologies. He also is responsible for the strategic planning for the company’s future line of vehicles in the United States. Castillo led the successful introduction and launch of the Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell Vehicle, the first production fuel cell vehicle sold in the United States. Castillo joined Hyundai in 2012 from Honda R&D Americas, where he worked in the areas of vehicle research and design and strategic vehicle development. Prior to joining Honda, he worked for Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan. Castillo graduated from Stanford University and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Product Design Engineering. He is married and has two children. Castillo can often be found on weekends driving, both for work and pleasure, on the back roads of Southern California in a variety of vehicles, including his classic Alfa Romeo Spider.
Clay Collier | Co-Founder, Kisensum
Clay began his career in the software industry with Teknekron Financial Systems, and was tapped by Telemecanique to work in Sophia Antipolus, France, on Process Control Software. When he returned to the Bay Area, he joined Navteq, and led the team that developed the world's first fully functional car navigation software. Clay then was the Founder and CEO of Kivera, which delivered the first Location Based System application for smart phones - FindFriend, first deployed by AT&T Wireless. Clay was most recently the Co-Founder and CEO of Akuacom, the inventor of the full suite of software and hardware that created the Automated Demand Response market and led to the OpenADR standard with the support of SCE, PG&E, LBNL, and the CEC. Honeywell acquired Akuacom in 2010. Clay received a B.A. in Physics from UC Berkeley, and has patented multiple technologies in the areas of geospatial technology, energy systems, and software.
Ivo Cré | Deputy Director, Polis
Ivo Cré (M) was appointed as Deputy Director in March 2015, having been a project manager at Polis since May 2006. He assists the Secretary General with policy and project related tasks. Ivo has been involved in a wide range of European transport projects and also coordinates the Polis Working Group on economic and social aspects of transport. Before joining Polis, Ivo was Policy Officer for mobility at EUROCITIES, assistant to a Member of the European Parliament, advisor to the Belgian Minister of Environment, and project leader at Langzaam Verkeer.
Eric Cutter | Director, Distributed Energy Resources, E3
Mr. Cutter leads E3's practice enabling energy storage, electric vehicles and responsive load to serve as valuable resources for the electric grid. Mr. Cutter works with utilities, regulators and technology companies to match solutions to their most valuable applications for the customer, grid and environment. Mr. Cutter is currently working with utilities and environmental groups in the US and Europe to assess the benefits of electric vehicles and their impact on distribution system infrastructure costs. Mr. Cutter is also leading several projects quantifying the economic benefits of utility scale and behind-the-meter energy storage projects under high renewable penetration. Prior to joining E3, Mr. Cutter worked as an independent consultant in water resources for seven years and at PG&E for ten years. Mr. Cutter has an MBA and MS in Energy Resources from U.C. Berkeley and a B.A. in Economics and German from Tufts University.
Andrew Daga | CEO, Momentum Dynamics Corporation
Andy Daga serves as Momentum Dynamics' Chief Executive Officer and is a founder of the company. He is primarily responsible for formulating the company’s business strategy and implementing that strategy through the coordination of technology development and market analysis and partnership building. He is also Momentum’s technology architect. He has degrees in architecture, engineering, and aerospace technology. As a licensed architect, he practiced architecture and contributed to the design of major construction projects in multiple US states and around the world, including multi-billion dollar power generation facilities and industrial projects. He also directed a major division of Bentley Systems, a multinational software company before he was recruited to lead a division of the Gilbane Company. From 1987 to 2009, Andy was an independent consultant to NASA and major aerospace companies where he worked on advanced mission planning studies and also on specific space programs. Andy is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) where he serves on a number of standards committees.
Baerte de Brey | Account Manager, Stedin
Baerte de Brey is responsible for analyzing the long-term effect of electric mobility on the electricity grids at the Dutch grid operator (DSO) Stedin. Baerte helps building a sustainable business case around this transition, which includes vehicle2grids development, PV-storage and customer behavior research. He graduated from Leiden University in 2001 with a law degree and received a MBA from Nyenrode Business University in 2006. As an expert for the European Commission he sometimes reviews collective European programs concerning EV interoperability and smart charging.
Jessie Denver | Energy Program Manager, City and County of San Francisco
Jessie Denver is the San Francisco Department of the Environment’s Energy Program Manager where she leads a diverse team working on energy efficiency, renewable energy, green building and zero emission vehicle programs. Prior to joining the City, Jessie served as Program Director at the nations leading solar policy advocacy organization, Vote Solar. With 20 years of experience developing energy policy and programs, she also served as the City of San Jose’s Energy Officer, and began her career at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as an Environmental Scientist. Jessie is an adjunct faculty member in the Environmental Studies Department at San Jose State University and has taught sustainable energy courses at the University of California, Berkeley. She holds a Master’s degree in Environment and Community Planning from Antioch University and a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies with minors in Appropriate Technology and Environmental Ethics from Humboldt State University.
Andrew Dick | Connected, Automated, and Electric Vehicle Advisor, Oregon Department of Transportation
Andrew Dick is the Connected, Automated, and Electric Vehicle Advisor for the Oregon Department of Transportation. Andrew is responsible for advising ODOT on advanced technology vehicles and how the agency will have to respond to a changing transportation system. Previously, he spent seven years working on electric vehicle policy and ZEV program implementation for NESCAUM, the facilitator for the Multi-State ZEV Task Force. Andrew holds a Bachelor's in International Political Economy from Colorado College.
Claire Dooley | Electric Vehicle Services Business Development, NRG EVgo
Claire Dooley, EVgo Product Manager, leads business development efforts that focus on energy storage, government programs, and low-carbon credit markets. Claire holds a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Engineering from Cal Poly State University (SLO) and a Master's Degree in Environmental Science & Management from UC Santa Barbara, where she participated in the Carbon Neutrality Initiative and Environment Defense Fund Climate Corps fellowships. Claire's former employers include Apple, Energy Solutions, and Deloitte Consulting. Claire is an avid runner and outdoor enthusiast.
Laurence Dunn | Chief Engineer, Hyster-Yale
Laurence Dunn, a native of New Zealand, brings over 47 years of experience in electronics and auto electrics to his role as Chief Engineer (Innovation, Automation, and Global Electrification) for Hyster-Yale. As the head of research for static and dynamic wireless charging and automating counterbalance forklifts, he has researched a range of new technologies, and pioneered Li-Ion battery development and Wireless Charging in the forklift industry. He is a member of both IEEE and SAE, and has served on UL Standards committees for Energy Storage and Fuel Cells.
Catherine Dunwoody | Chief of the Fuel Cell Program, California Air Resources Board
Catherine Dunwoody is chief of the fuel cell program at the California Air Resources Board. She leads the agency's work to advance fuel cell electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel in multiple sectors and promotes commercialization of zero-emission vehicles as California's staff lead on the ZEV Task Force. As executive director of the California Fuel Cell Partnership from 1999 to 2014, Catherine created the collaborative round table for industry competitors and government agencies to jointly overcome challenges. In that role she grew the organization from a fuel cell vehicle demonstration program to a globally recognized leader in promoting hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle commercialization. Read more...
Catherine has long championed the cause for clean air and a better environment, having started her career at the California Air Resources Board in 1985 as a laboratory chemist. In 2011 Automotive News named Catherine as one of the "Electrifying 100" most influential players in the move to electric drive vehicles. She currently serves on the U.S. Department of Energy's Hydrogen Technical Advisory Committee (HTAC) and the operational steering committee of H2USA. Catherine is a proud Aggie (UC Davis, Biochemistry) and enjoys driving ZEVs - her Chevy Spark EV and her commuter bicycle.
Rick Durst | Project Manager, Portland General Electric
Rick has 28 years in the electric utility industry. He is a senior project manager in the Customer Energy Resources team at Portland General Electric. Prior to PGE, Rick was an electrician in the U.S. Navy Nuclear Submarine service for 10 years. He has managed the installation of more 20 DC quick charge stations and 60 level 2 stations and provided technical support and advice for many more. Rick has owned an electric vehicle since 1999 and has driven over 150,000 miles on all electric power and no longer owns an internal combustion vehicle.
Cliff Fietzek | Manager of Connected eMobility, BMW of North America
Cliff Fietzek, Manager of connected eMobility is responsible for all development related topics on BMW's electric cars within BMW of North America. In his role he is responsible for BMW’s test and validation of PEV’s, BMW’s Fast charging Projects in the US and research projects for controlled charging and Battery storage. Prior to this assignment, he was responsible for the electric / electronic integration of the hybrid power train into the BMW X6 Active Hybrid. The hybrid components were jointly developed at the Hybrid Development Center in Troy, MI, in a cooperation between General Motors, Chrysler, Daimler and BMW. Cliff Fietzek has been with BMW since 2003 and holds a Master of Engineering.
Ingrid Fish | Policy & Research Analyst, City of Portland's Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS)
Ingrid Fish is the City of Portland's Electric Vehicle Policy Lead. She is currently working to update the City's Electric Vehicle (EV) Strategy. The EV Strategy includes strategic policy direction to increase EV use, increase publicly accessible EV infrastructure, and decrease barriers to EV uptake. Ingrid worked on a team to develop the 2015 Climate Action Plan and 2014 Climate Change Preparation Strategy and is currently working to monitor the progress of those plans. She has worked at the City of Portland for eleven years. Prior to working at Planning and Sustainability, she worked as a Financial Analyst at the City of Portland's Office of Management and Finance and worked at Mayor Tom Potter's Office as the Budget Policy Manager.
Jim Francfort | Program Manager, Advanced Transportation Group, Idaho National Laboratory
Jim Francfort has been the manager for DOE's Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity (AVTA) at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) since 1994. During this time, INL has collected operations and test data from 22,000 electric drive vehicles and 17,000 charging units in order to benchmark the petroleum reduction benefits of advanced technology vehicles and charging infrastructure. The 240 million test miles and 6 million charge events that INL has collected and analyzed, also serve to benchmark drivers' vehicle operations and recharging preferences. Jim has undergraduate and graduate degrees from Idaho State University, and more than 300 publications and presentations on vehicle and charging infrastructure testing, and energy issues.
Annie Freyschlag | Program Associate, Drive Electric Northern Colorado, Electrification Coalition
Annie Freyschlag is SAFE’s Program Associate for Drive Electric Northern Colorado (DENC). As a Program Associate, Annie is responsible for driving SAFE initiatives through program development, outreach, education, marketing, electric vehicle infrastructure support, and other programmatic support areas. Annie started working with DENC in May 2013 as an intern, assisting with partner outreach and engagement, media outreach, event coordination, and other key program areas. Before joining the SAFE team, Annie helped build a cultural exchange program between primary school students in the Dominican Republic and the U.S. She also worked with the student branch of the Save Darfur Coalition, Students Take Action Now Darfur, to plan several initiatives for Colorado State University, including events for Genocide Awareness Week. In addition, she developed and implemented the program plan for an annual donation drive for the Pine Ridge Reservation, reaching thousands of families in South Dakota each year. Annie received her B.A. in Liberal Arts from Colorado State University (CSU) with a double concentration in International Development and Cultural Anthropology. At CSU, she worked as a research assistant for two major projects, including a 20-year-long study on emotional availability and an independent project on the potential impacts of energy efficiency measures in schools. She also participated in a seven-month mentorship in grant writing under the direction of two-time Fulbright grant recipient, Dr. Alicia Skinner-Cook.
Jean-Baptiste Gallo | Senior Project Engineer, CALSTART
As a Senior Project Engineer for CALSTART, Mr. Gallo manages and implements performance evaluation projects for advanced vehicle technologies such as hybrid electric, hydraulic hybrid and plug-in electric vehicles. He also provides technical expertise for market research and analysis projects focusing on the impact of utility rate structures on electric trucks and buses, the utility policy changes needed to enable further transportation electrification and the feasibility of using electric vehicles as distributed energy resources. Prior to joining CALSTART, Mr. Gallo worked for PSA Peugeot – Citroën in France as a Control Systems Engineer, contributing to the conception and development of a comprehensive idle speed control system for gasoline engines meeting the latest European emissions standard. Mr. Gallo obtained a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Ecole Polytechnique de l’Université d’Orléans in Orléans, France with a specialty in energy and thermal systems engineering. He also holds a Certificate in International Environmental Policy from the Monterey Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California where he studied energy policy, environmental economics, electric power systems and sustainable transportation.
John Gartner | Director, Navigant Research
John Gartner is a Director at Navigant Research, leading the group’s Transportation and Buildings research. His key areas of expertise include electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and integration into the grid, vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, EVs, and advanced batteries. Mr. Gartner has overseen dozens of projects for automakers, Tier One suppliers, global fuels providers, utilities and government agencies, providing insights into the markets for alternative and electric drive vehicles and infrastructure deployment. He speaks frequently about transportation technologies at conferences around the world, and he is often quoted in major media outlets including The New York Times, the Washington Post, and Forbes magazine.
Robert Graham | Director, EV Everywhere Challenge, US Department of Energy
Director, EV Everywhere Challenge, US Department of Energy, responsible for the DOE's initiatives to increase market penetration of plug-in electric vehicles. Upon retirement from Southern California Edison in January 2014, where he served as a member of the SCE transportation electrification program, Bob has supported the market expansion of plug in electric vehicles as a part time consultant. Engagement in the PEV market space includes 10 years at the Electric Power Research Institute and five years at SCE. Primary focus has been on the development and testing of plug in vehicles, federal and state policies that support PEV expansion and establishment of an appropriate level of EV education and infrastructure around the nation with recent focus on Southern California's many local municipalities. Bob has received two prestigious EPRI Chauncey Awards (named for the founder of EPRI) for his work developing plug-in hybrid vehicle technology. Read more...
Prior to EPRI, Bob was instrumental in the development and management of the Federal Transit Administration's Advanced Technology Transit Bus Project which linked composite technology and hybrid drives systems. The ATTB project was managed and engineered by Northrop Grumman with support from Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority. In 2004 Bob was named one of top 50 individuals in Public Transit for the last 100 years by the transit industry's Metro Magazine. Bob graduated from Hampden Sydney College in Virginia with an MBA from Pepperdine University in California. Bob is married with two daughters, a foster son and seven grandchildren.
Christine Grant | Senior Associate, Collaborative Efficiency
Christine Grant is a Senior Associate with Collaborative Efficiency, a clean energy consulting firm that primarily focuses on the needs of electric co-ops and municipal utilities. Christine's clients include the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Environment and Energy Study Institute, the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, and a number of co-ops and municipal utilities. Christine was the lead author of one of the most extensive evaluations completed to date about the potential grid and financial impacts of electric vehicles on electric cooperatives. As part of this work she developed a guide for co-op fleet operators considering electric vehicles as fleet vehicles. Christine's previous work experience includes five years with Cascadia Consulting Group where she consulted with municipalities, utilities, and businesses on resource conservation strategies and programs. From 2007-2008 Christine worked as an analyst at an environmentally-responsible asset management firm evaluating the energy and environmental practices of S&P 500 corporations. Christine serves on the Board of Directors of Northwest SEED, a non-profit that promotes community-scale clean energy in the Pacific Northwest. She is a graduate of Wellesley College.
Jamie Hall | Manager, Advanced Vehicle and Infrastructure Policy, General Motors
Jamie Hall is a manager on the public policy team at General Motors, where he focuses on policies and programs to support commercialization of GM’s advanced vehicle portfolio. He works closely with GM technical teams, policymakers, and industry stakeholders on policy considerations affecting the development and deployment of electric, fuel cell, and other advanced technology vehicles. Jamie has more than ten years of environmental and energy policy experience in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. He received degrees from Princeton University and the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley.
Bengt Halvorson | Environmental Editor, Car and Driver
Bengt Halvorson is the first Environmental Editor for Car and Driver, coordinating coverage on efficiency, electric vehicles, and environmental topics, drawing from the magazine’s engineering resources and testing-based approach, and serving up green counterpoints to a staff of go-fast auto enthusiasts. He has been covering automotive technology and the auto industry for 20 years, and electric-car enthusiasm, policy, and the EV market, in its varied forms and formats, for nearly 15 years. Bengt holds a B.S. in Applied Physics and B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Michigan; he's won awards for his coverage of consumer affairs; and he's a juror for the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards. In other past ventures, he’s tracked prices for special-interest cars, consulted on powertrain technology, and written features and news for Forbes, Business Week, and Time, among others. The Portland he calls home is very 'Portlandia,' and he's fine with that.
Marian Hammond | Partner, Strategy and Communications, Brink
“Nothing gets me more riled up than a good cause,” says Marian, which makes Brink’s work with SEIU particularly exciting. Through this work, she applies her hard-nosed project leadership, strategic direction and general cat herding skills to help drive the electorate in supporting single mothers and working families. Having already raised $44 million for state funded job-creation programs, Marian doesn’t just talk. She gets it done. And the more hats the better. Keyboardist in a rock band. Photographer. Film producer. Mom. Marian is the modern Renaissance woman.
Representative Ken Helm | State Representative, Oregon House District 34
Ken Helm is the State Representative for House District 34, serving the City of Beaverton and the neighborhoods of West Haven, Cedar Hills, and Rock Creek. Among his committee appointments, Representative Helm currently serves on the Energy and Environment Committee and the Rural Communities, Land Use, and Water Committee in the Oregon State Legislature’s House of Representatives.
Amy Hillman | NW Client Relations Manager, Blink Network at Car Charging Group
Amy Hillman is the NW Client Relations Manager for the Blink Network, a CarCharging Company. In this role she works with private and public organizations to maximize public, private, fleet and workplace Level 2 charging options. Previously she worked with ECOtality and Sustainable Industries. She currently serves as Board Chair for Drive Oregon and sits on other sustainability and community related boards. Amy holds an MBA from Bainbridge Graduate Institute.
Andrew Hudgins | Project Leader, Clean Cities National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
Andrew Hudgins is a Project Leader at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) where he supports the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Clean Cities, Federal Fleet, and EPAct programs. Mr. Hudgins develops and strengthens partnerships with public and private organizations and industry partners across the nation. In his role, Mr. Hudgins provides technical assistance to stakeholders looking to implement energy efficiency measures and deploy alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles with supporting infrastructure. Mr. Hudgins is the lead for the Clean Cities National Parks Initiative, DOE’s Alternative Fueling Station Locator & Database, and Clean Cities TV project. He is also leading the work to update the California Energy Commission’s Statewide PEV Infrastructure Assessment and Visualization. He also supports the network of Clean Cities Coalitions throughout the U.S. by providing technical assistance and training.
Roland Hwang | Director, Energy & Transportation Program, Natural Resources Defense Council
Roland Hwang directs the Natural Resources Defense Council's Energy and Transportation Program Director. His work focusses on sustainable transportation policies. Mr. Hwang has been with NRDC's San Francisco office since October 2000. He is an expert on clean vehicle and fuels technologies. He serves on various advisory panels, including for the California Plug-in Electric Vehicle Collaborative, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Committee on Fuel Economy, the NAS Committee on barriers to electric vehicle deployment and the U.S. EPA Mobile Source Technical Review Subcommittee. He is the author or contributing author of eleven NRDC reports analyzing clean energy technologies and policies. Mr. Hwang was part of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that won the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. Mr. Hwang also brings to NRDC experience in energy demand forecasting and air pollution regulation. Before joining NRDC, Mr. Hwang was the Director of the Transportation Program for the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) in the Berkeley, California office. Read more...
Mr. Hwang has also worked for the United States Department of Energy at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) in Berkeley, California and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) as an Air Pollution Engineer. At LBNL, he developed computer models to forecast energy demand in the U.S. residential and industrial sectors. At CARB, Mr. Hwang was involved in the permitting process for hazardous waste incinerators and developed procedures to assist air districts in evaluating toxic air emissions from landfills. Mr. Hwang received a Bachelors from the University of California at Davis in 1986 and Masters of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the same institution in 1988. He received a Masters degree in Public Policy from the University of California at Berkeley in 1992.
Bob Jenks | Executive Director, Citizens' Utility Board
Bob Jenks is the Executive Director of CUB and a national expert on utility-related issues. Bob started working for CUB in 1991, and has participated in nearly every major Oregon Public Utility Commission case since that time, including dozens of cases dealing with utility mergers, rates, and deregulation. He also regularly represents ratepayers before the Oregon Legislature and at regional forums. Bob has on numerous occasions been flown across country to speak on utility issues before such groups as the California Legislature, the Northwest Public Power Association, and the Consumer Federation of America. Bob sits on the boards of the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, Environment Oregon Research & Policy Center, and Smart Grid Northwest, and is the Oregon representative of the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA). Bob is a native Oregonian, and has an economics degree from Willamette University.
Zach Kahn | Director of Government Relations, BYD America
Zach Kahn is the Director of Government Relations for BYD America where he overseas BYD government & public affairs efforts in the United States. Prior to his appointment, Zach was a Regional Sales Manager at BYD Coach & Bus working on bringing full battery electric buses to transit agencies, universities, and private operators in the Northwest. Before BYD, Zach was the Vice President of Business Development at WAVE, a wireless charging technology company based in Salt Lake City, UT, where he worked in a variety of commercial and operational roles. A lawyer by training, Zach has served in various roles with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Mayor of New York City, and Goldman Sachs. Zach has a history degree from Tufts University and JD from the Cardozo Law School in New York City. He currently lives in Salt Lake City with his wife and son.
Wayne Killen | Electric Vehicle Architect, Audi ONE, Audi of America, Inc.
As one of two inaugural Electric Vehicle Architects, Wayne will prepare Audi of America for the age of electric, which starts with first the all-electric Audi SUV in late 2018. Key responsibilities include demand generation via consumer education and experience, developing the charging infrastructure, helping influence government policy, providing a new digital experience and customer journey, and an evolved retail sales and service approach. In early 2015, Killen's strategic planning originally established the mission and formation of the new Audi team focused on electrification: Audi ONE, which stands for Organization for a New Era. Killen also helps oversee long-range business planning around electrification and other new technologies. Previously, Killen was the General Manager for Product Strategy and Launch for Audi of America, which encompassed planning the long range vehicle portfolio, cross carline technologies and the powertrain lineup while also developing optimized, cross functional launch plans in the U.S. market. Read more...
Killen also ensured Audi compliance with future U.S. environmental and safety standards and spearheaded the first U.S. Audi e-mobility product strategy. Killen has long experience in the auto industry in product planning and strategy, including with Mercedes-Benz, where he developed and launched the Maybach brand.
Matthew Klippenstein | Renewable Energy Consultant, SgurrEnergy
Matthew Klippenstein is a professional engineer, plug-in electric vehicle enthusiast, and member of the Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association. In his role with a leading renewable energy consultancy, he evaluates the wind energy potential of prospective wind farms. The unofficial Canadian correspondent for GreenCarReports.com since 2013, Matthew has provided electric vehicle commentary for television, radio and print media in English and French. He also co-hosts the CleanTechTalk podcast.
Jukka Kukkonen | Founder, PlugInConnect
Jukka Kukkonen is the founder of PlugInConnect, a Minnesota based electric vehicle market and technology consulting firm. He has helped organizations to build successful strategies for the rapidly developing PEV market in the areas of apartment, condominium, workplace and DC fast charging. Jukka has given dozens of EV presentations and workshops since 2010. He has trained various stakeholders from architects and auto salespeople to utility company personnel and public utility commission staff. In 2012 he started the MN PEV Owners Circle that has grown to become one of the largest and most active regional plug-in vehicle owner groups in the nation. He also manages EV programs for Fresh Energy. He has served as the president of the Minnesota Electric Auto Association and is one of the founding members of Drive Electric Minnesota. In 2012, Jukka was honored with a Certificate of Recognition from Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton's office for his work with the EV market in Minnesota, and in 2013 he received the Sustainable St Paul Award.
Anthony Lambkin | National Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Manager, Nissan North America
Anthony Lambkin is the National Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Manager for Nissan North America. He began his career in the automotive sector leading analytics and modeling on both youth buying behavior and alternative fuel vehicle market readiness. More recently, he worked for The World Bank in Washington D.C. where he started and grew a new business unit to invest in early-stage renewable energy technologies in emerging markets. In his current role with Nissan, he heads EV infrastructure investment nationally. This includes leading a team of site developers and equipment suppliers to deploy EV Fast Charging Stations at retail, hospitality, fueling and mixed-use locations. Anthony is passionate about the nexus between new technology and sustainability. He is originally from Brisbane, Australia and holds graduate degrees in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Technology Operations and Supply Chain Management.
Robert Langford | Manager, Plug-In Electric Vehicle Sales, Honda
Robert has been employed in the automotive business virtually all of his adult life, including the last 31 years with American Honda. He has held a variety of positions with Honda in both Sales and Parts and Service, applying all of that experience to delivering Honda’s plug in vehicles such as the Accord Plug-In Hybrid and Fit EV to market. In addition to preparing for Honda’s next generation of EV products, a large part of Robert’s activities involve interacting with Honda dealers, customers, and industry organizations to promote adoption of electric vehicles.
Kent Leacock | Director Government Relations, Proterra
Kent Leacock is the Director of Government Relations at Proterra Inc, where he is responsible for working with local governments to bring battery all-electric transit buses to municipalities throughout North America. In this role, Kent leads development and implementation for the company's governmental/regulatory affairs and public policy strategy to further Proterra's vision to bring electric buses to every North American municipality. Kent's experience in government relations has allowed Proterra to dominate the electric bus market and rapidly expand its national presence. Prior to joining Proterra, Kent was Vice President of External Affairs at Acorn Energy, where he led strategic relationship development for all of Acorn's portfolio companies. In this role, Kent was crucial in furthering the company's investments in energy infrastructure. Kent received his Bachelor's from Brown and his Masters in Public Policy from Georgetown.
Maarten Linnenkamp | Project Manager and Electric Transport Consultant, Metropolitan Region of Amsterdam
Maarten Linnenkamp is a project manager and electric transport consultant with the Metropolitan Region of Amsterdam. As the initiator of Amsterdam Electric, he has helped make electric transport a success in the capital, and advised other municipal and provincial authorities (as well as the Dutch government). His expertise lies primarily in the realization of spatial electric transport projects based on public-private partnerships and the development of policy related to charging infrastructure, strategic partner choices and the execution of joint projects. He is involved in the roll-out of electric transport in the Metropolitan Region of Amsterdam (MRA) and is a member of the National Task Force for Electric Transport. Maarten participates in various EU-supported international partnerships to encourage knowledge-sharing between cities.
John MacArthur | Sustainable Transportation Program Manager, TREC – Portland State University
John MacArthur is a Sustainable Transportation Program Manager at TREC - Portland State University. He is active in research related to sustainable transportation, particularly in the areas of transportation electrification, including e-bikes, bike share, transit, and the relationship between transportation and public health. He has worked for 20 years in the environmental and sustainability field. He earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Lehigh University and his M.S. in Environmental Health Sciences from the University of Michigan, School of Public Health.
JJ McCoy | Senior Policy Associate, NW Energy Coalition
JJ McCoy is a Senior Policy Associate with the NW Energy Coalition and Legislative Director for the Seattle Electric Vehicle Association. His household went all plug-in – a Nissan Leaf and a Chevrolet Volt – in 2012 and routinely adds 8 kW to Seattle City Light's evening peak load. JJ spends his days promoting energy efficiency, transportation electrification, and carbon emission reductions. His evenings are filled with questionable karaoke song choices. He has a bachelor's degree in Mathematics and German from Rice University and a Master's in Public Policy from Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School.
Neil McFarlane | General Manager, TriMet
Neil is no stranger to TriMet – he has worked for TriMet for over 25 years and 6 years as General Manager. During his tenure Neil has headed up the agency’s Capital Projects division where he led the development, design and construction of the five light rail extensions, the WES commuter rail project, and as General Manager, oversaw the region’s sixth MAX extension that just opened on time and under budget. He is also committed to an extensive capital investment program for the bus system. Before TriMet, Neil worked for Metro, the regional government, where he contributed to other key projects in the region. He has over 30 years in the region’s planning and transportation field where he has worked closely with partner agencies and the community. Neil holds a Masters in Urban Planning from UCLA. Neil is a daily transit rider taking either the lines 12 or 43 to get to work. * Appointed GM – July 1, 2010 * Started at TM – February 15, 1991
Sarah Moore | Planner, Energy and Sustainable Development, City of Berkeley
Sarah Moore is a planner in the City of Berkeley's Office of Energy and Sustainable Development where she supports implementation of Berkeley's Climate Action Plan and other environmental sustainability goals. Since 2103 many of her efforts have focused on EV charging infrastructure. This work has included streamlining the permitting off-street EV charging station installations, implementing a program that encourages existing businesses to install charging stations in their parking lots, securing state funding for several new public charging stations, and launching an innovative pilot program that allows residents without off-street parking to install curbside charging stations. Sarah has a master's degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and an undergraduate degree in chemistry from Carleton College.
Ken Morgan | Director, Business Development & Government Affairs, Tesla Motors
As Tesla's Director of Business Development & Government Affairs, Ken engages with U.S. and international stakeholders to support the development of policies that accelerate the world's transition to sustainable transportation. Ken specializes in regulations affecting the automotive industry, including greenhouse gas and fuel economy targets, as well as California's Zero Emission Vehicle regulation. Prior to joining the Business Development team, Ken held the position of Senior Finance Manager at Tesla. In this role he was responsible for the company's consolidated financial plan, and supported business operations during the launch of the Model S, Tesla's award-winning 100% electric sedan. Prior to joining Tesla, Ken was part of the Mergers and Acquisitions group of Sagent Advisors, a New York-based investment bank. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree with concentrations in finance and entrepreneurship from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
John Morris | CEO, Morris Energy Consulting
John Morris is the CEO of Morris Energy Consulting. An energy firm with a focus on, electric vehicles, policy & regulatory affairs, indoor agriculture and Microgrids. His firm delivers services related to energy efficiency and smart load. Previously, John was the Policy and Regulatory Affairs Director for CLEAResult where he managed energy efficiency policy in 14 Western States and Canadian Provinces. John serves on the board of Drive Oregon an electric vehicle industry association. At Drive Oregon, John chairs the Utility Working Group. John serves on the board of Northwest Energy Efficiency Council an energy efficiency industry association. For NEEC, John chairs the Energy Policy Committee. John is also a co-founder and board member of the Resource Innovation Institute. The mission of this nonprofit organization is to provide certification standards, technology reviews and a market based platform for best practices on resource conservation in the cannabis industry.
Nick Nigro | Founder, Atlas Public Policy
Nick Nigro is the founder of Atlas Public Policy, a policy tech firm whose mission is to equip businesses and policymakers to make strategic, informed decisions. Atlas uses new technology and publicly available data to create innovative approaches to cleantech market development. Prior to starting Atlas, Nick was the Senior Manager of Transportation Initiatives at the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES), where he developed C2ES’s strategy to save oil and reduce greenhouse gases from the transportation sector. He led two multi-year initiatives focused on innovative business models and state policy frameworks to accelerate the deployment low-carbon vehicles. In a prior life, Nick spent six years as an engineer and manager in the high-tech industry at Oasis Semiconductor in Waltham, Massachusetts. Nick holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of California Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Commissioner Steve Novick | City of Portland
Steve Novick grew up in Cottage Grove, Oregon and graduated from the University of Oregon and Harvard Law School. He spent nine years as an environmental law enforcement lawyer at the U.S. Justice Department, recovering $129 million for taxpayers in the Love Canal toxic waste case, and securing judgments against violators of the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts. Since returning to Oregon in 1996, Steve has served as policy director in Governor Kulongoski’s 2002 campaign; as communications director for Citizens for Oregon’s Future, a non-profit dedicated to providing reliable information to the public on tax and budget issues; as legislative liaison for Superintendent of Public Instruction Susan Castillo; and as a policy analyst and spokesperson in numerous campaigns against ballot measures that threatened education, healthcare, public safety and services for seniors.
Ben Odenborg | General Manager, Tonkin Central Sales
Ben Odenborg is General Manager and co-creator of Tonkin Central Sales. Ben's vision for this organization is to change the car buying paradigm by eliminating the dealership experience, creating a hyper convenient selection process by bringing vehicles to the consumer for test drives and deliveries and doing this while remaining objective in the search criteria with over 20 makes of vehicles to select from. Most recently his team has joined forces with Drive Oregon to showcase various makes and models of electric and electric hybrid vehicles all under one roof. Prior to launching Tonkin Central Sales Ben served on the corporate staff of The Tonkin Family of dealerships serving as Operations Director where he implemented new technologies to streamline retail operations. Ben has served in other auto related roles as Co-Founder and Managing director of Westernesse LLC which developed and manufactured purpose built sports racing cars and created a successful racing series called IMSA Lites which is sanctioned by the American Le Mans series. Read more...
Ben's company was an early pioneer in evaluating and prototyping battery technologies as well. Ben comes from an early background with Procter and Gamble and General Electric in sales and marketing capacities. Ben is passionate about electric powered transportation and the potential growth opportunities as well as the practicality of this segment.
Brendan O'Donnell | Energy Planning Supervisor, Seattle City Light
At Seattle City Light, Brendan O’Donnell leads resource planning, analysis, and strategy development for the organization’s distributed energy resources portfolio. In this role, he has built the business case and technical analysis for utility investment in the electric transportation sector. Prior to joining City Light, Brendan held positions at Rocky Mountain Institute and EES Consulting, and received an MS in Civil Engineering from the University of Washington.
Gennet Paauwe | Communications Advisor, California Plug-In Electric Vehicle Collaborative
Gennet manages the Best.Ride.EVer! test drive series for the PEV Collaborative, bringing her professional and personal interests together as an event planner and auto enthusiast. Her career in public outreach and media affairs has honed her skill in translating technical concepts into public-friendly communication pieces. Gennet has worked for more than 20 years in state government contributing her expertise as writer, editor and environmental programs spokesperson. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from California State University, Sacramento.
Dave Packard | Vice President of Utility Solutions, ChargePoint
Dave Packard is the Vice President of Utility Solutions at ChargePoint. His team works with utilities around the country to develop programs that accelerate electric vehicle adoption. Before joining ChargePoint, Dave co-founded ClipperCreek Inc., a provider of EV infrastructure, and ACT, a company focused on DC fast charging technology. Dave entered the EV market in the early 1990s as Vice President of Sales for EPTI and began his career in engineering with Lockheed Missiles and Space Company in Sunnyvale, CA. He holds a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering and a Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts.
David N. Patterson, P.E. | Chief Engineer, Powertrain Research and Vehicle Emissions/Fuel Economy Compliance, Mitsubishi Motors
Dave Patterson joined Mitsubishi Motors R&D of America in May 2004 and oversees mobile emissions regulatory affairs and certification activities in the U.S. at both the Federal and State level. Additionally, he leads the powertrain strategic research group conducting research on key powertrain technologies for the North American market. During his career at Mitsubishi Motors, he was a founding member of the U.S. MiEV project tasked to bring Mitsubishi Motors electric vehicles to North America. He strongly supported CHAdeMO Quickcharging and Vehicle Grid Integration Standards. Patterson started his career at the California Air Resources Board in a variety of roles. Later, in private industry, he tested numerous prototype hydrogen and solid oxide fuel cell components. Dave currently represents Mitsubishi Motors as President of the Coordinating Research Council and a member of the board of directors for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. A native of Londonderry, New Hampshire, Dave obtained a BS Mechanical Engineering from California State University Fresno. He is a Professional Mechanical Engineer and a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers. He resides with his wife and two sons at the beach in South Orange County California.
Lisa Poger | Strategic Deployment of Electric Fueling Infrastructure, Advanced Energy
Lisa joined Advanced Energy in 2011 where she worked to support consumer adoption of electric vehicles and the strategic deployment of electric fueling infrastructure. She managed a variety of public engagement projects to increase consumer awareness of electric vehicle (EV) benefits and technologies and helped form working groups to identify and address barriers affecting market transformation. She currently manages a diverse portfolio of consumer energy-efficiency and demand-side service projects for North Carolina electric utility providers including building energy codes and standards, residential and commercial load management controls, and integration of electric vehicles. Prior to joining Advanced Energy, Ms. Poger worked for Pacific Gas & Electric Company in San Francisco, CA where she managed a $25M demand-side management program for electric distribution reliability and forecast loads for 60 of PG&E’s largest commercial and industrial customer accounts.
Karl Popham | Manager, Electric Vehicles & Emerging Technologies, Austin Energy
Karl Popham is the Manager of Electric Vehicles & Emerging Technologies at Austin Energy, the 8th largest public power utility in the nation. He is also a Principal Investigator for several US Department of Energy funded projects that include work on transportation electrification, smart-grid innovation, renewable energy, and distributed energy resources. Previously, Popham was the interim Chief Information Officer and Division Manager at Austin Energy, Director with Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, Outsourcing Executive with HP, and a Captain in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Karl graduated from The University of Texas McCombs School of Business.
Ben Prochazka, Director of Strategic Initiatives
Ben joined the Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE) in October 2012 as the Director of Strategic Initiatives to help lead the Outside the Beltway Initiatives. His experience includes leadership roles as the Campaign Director for the Save Darfur Coalition, the Legislative Director for the Colorado Environmental Coalition, the Colorado State Director for the New Voters Project, and numerous public interest campaign efforts as the Western States Field Organizer for U.S.PIRG. For the past two years, Ben has been serving in the role of Vice President at FieldWorks, a national political consulting firm. Before joining FieldWorks, Ben served as the lobbyist for the Colorado Environmental Coalition (CEC) a statewide group representing more than 100 environmental, public health, and religious organizations.
Rich Quattrini | Senior Director Business Development, Chargepoint
Rich Quattrini is senior director of Business Development at ChargePoint. His current responsibilities include DC fast charge strategy and partnerships, DC fast charging corridor deployment and EV energy management strategy. Prior to ChargePoint he was Director of Strategic Development for the demand response business unit of Johnson Controls. In that role he focused on product strategy and integration of demand response technology with other Johnson Controls products and services. Mr. Quattrini has over 25 years' experience in product marketing, sales and customer engagement in the energy, EV and semiconductor industries.
W. Spencer Reeder | Vulcan, Inc.
Spencer Reeder leads Vulcan’s climate and energy work within its philanthropy group. Spencer’s career spans over two decades of academic, government, and private-sector work in domestic and international science, technology, and related policy, including leading USAID’s climate work in Vietnam under the agency’s Climate Change Resilience Development program. Spencer served as a climate policy strategist within Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire’s administration and prior to that conducted geophysical field research in Central Asia, South America, and Antarctica. Spencer is a lead author for the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the 2014 National Climate Assessment and earned an M.S. in Aerospace Engineering Sciences from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Washington. He was twice selected as a finalist for NASA’s astronaut program.
David Roberts | Senior Consultant, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
David Roberts is a Senior Consultant at the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation with more than 15 years' experience in transportation energy research and implementation programs which deliver economic, environmental and societal benefits through increased transportation efficiency. He coordinates the Drive Electric Vermont partnership, a public-private stakeholder group working to increase adoption of electrified transportation in Vermont and has organized electric vehicle outreach events, developed charging station siting and installation guides, assessed financing mechanisms for vehicles and charging stations, and helped implement Vermont's first incentive program for plug-in vehicles in partnership with local auto dealerships. David holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Virginia and a M.B.A. from the University of Vermont.
Mike Rockwood | General Manager, US Market, Eluminocity
Mike Rockwood has served as a trusted business leader in the technology sector for many years, including leadership in start-ups, joint ventures and in turnaround situations in large and small organizations. At Honeywell and later in a Joint Venture with GE, Mike led successful Business Development, Marketing and Sales efforts in sensor and control systems in industries as diverse as residential HVAC, Industrial Automation, Medical and IT. Most recently, as General Manager of Associated of Los Angeles, Mike led successful EV infrastructure projects with many Public Agencies in Southern California. In 2012, Mike founded EV-Serve, an EV site services company in Los Angeles that provides maintenance, repair and 24/7/365 support at many area EV Charging Sites. Mike is the co-author of a forthcoming book called "Sales Flow", chapters of which have been featured in several electrical industry journals. He is a graduate of the University of MN and holds an MBA from Texas A&M, Commerce. Read more...
As General Manager of eluminocity US, Inc. Mike is helping utility and municipal customers turn city street and parking lights into smart light poles that serve as nodes on municipal internet networks. Many of the millions of such light poles in the US are suitable to be EV Charging sites as well. Using existing street and parking lot light poles as EV Charging sites can reduce the total costs-per-node and increase the placement and parking options available. Such applications are not without challenges, however, and Mike will share some of the lessons learned, some learned the "hard way". Mike will share information from his company's European pilots at BMW Headquarters in Munich as well as from his experience in pilot programs in several major US cities to date.
David Reichmuth | Senior Engineer, Clean Vehicles Program, Union of Concerned Scientists
David Reichmuth is a senior engineer at the Union of Concerned Scientists, focusing on vehicle electrification. Dr. Reichmuth has expertise in federal and state vehicle policy, including California's Zero Emission Vehicle programs which have helped bring over 200,ooo electric vehicles to the state. He earned his Ph.D. degree from University of California-Berkeley and his bachelor's degree at University of California-Davis, both in chemical engineering.
David Roberts | Senior Consultant, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
David Roberts is a Senior Consultant at the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation with more than 15 years' experience in transportation energy research and implementation programs which deliver economic, environmental and societal benefits through increased transportation efficiency. He coordinates the Drive Electric Vermont partnership, a public-private stakeholder group working to increase adoption of electrified transportation in Vermont and has organized electric vehicle outreach events, developed charging station siting and installation guides, assessed financing mechanisms for vehicles and charging stations, and helped implement Vermont's first incentive program for plug-in vehicles in partnership with local auto dealerships. David holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Virginia and a M.B.A. from the University of Vermont.
Dr. Ryan is a partner at Energy and Environmental Economics (E3), where she leads the electric transportation practice area. She is an economist with over two decades of experience in energy and environmental policy. Prior to joining E3, Dr. Ryan held several high-level appointed positions at the California Public Utilities Commission including Deputy Executive Director for Policy and External Relations (2011-2013), Commissioner (2010-2011), and Chief of Staff to President Michael R. Peevey (2007-2009). During her tenure at the CPUC, Dr. Ryan guided development of California's policies in electric transportation, renewable energy, smart grid, energy storage, and long term planning and procurement. She also worked closely with senior officials from the California Air Resources Board, the California Energy Commission, the California ISO and the Governor's Office to devise strategies to achieve California's ambitious Greenhouse Gas reduction targets and develop regulations implementing California's cap and trade program for the electric sector. Read more...
Dr. Ryan's career path has also included positions in environmental advocacy and academia. She was a Senior Economist at the Environmental Defense Fund from 2001-2005 and taught applied economics at UC Berkeley's Richard and Rhoda Goldman School of Public Policy from 1996-2007. Dr. Ryan received her Ph.D. in Economics from the University of California at Berkeley and a BA in Economics from Yale University.
Kellen Schefter | Manager of Sustainable Technology, Edison Electric Institute (EEI)
Kellen Schefter is Manager of Sustainable Technology at the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), the association for U.S. investor-owned electric companies. At EEI, Kellen focuses on technologies that enable clean energy, grid modernization, and new customer solutions. He leads EEI's transportation electrification efforts, including policy advocacy, business model development, and cross-industry coordination. He previously worked on regulatory and compliance issues at plug-in electric vehicle manufacturer Fisker Automotive. Prior to that, Kellen managed R&D projects in the Vehicle Technologies Office at the U.S. Department of Energy. Kellen has a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University.
Craig Scott | National Manager, Advanced Technologies Group, Toyota
Mr. Scott is National Manager for Corporate Strategy & Planning at Toyota Motor North America. Within his role in the Advanced Technologies Group, Craig is responsible for product planning and program development for alternative fuel vehicle programs including the Toyota Mirai, the world’s first retail available fuel cell vehicle, the Scion iQ EV & the Toyota i-Road urban mobility vehicle. Additionally, he oversees all US hydrogen infrastructure planning and implementation activities. Mr. Scott is also responsible for development of proprietary research work related to global energy markets and sustainable transportation systems. Prior to Toyota, Craig was an assistant portfolio manager with Pacific Investment Management Company in Newport Beach, CA. Mr. Scott has a BS in Finance and Japanese Studies and a MBA from the University of Southern California.
Chelsea Sexton | Founder, Lightning Rod Foundation
Chelsea Sexton started selling cars at age 17 to put herself through college, but soon found her passion for electric vehicles (and her lead foot) as part of the General Motors EV1 program. In the two decades since, she has amassed unparalleled expertise in the electric transportation ecosystem, including market strategy, stakeholder engagement, retail processes, public policy, infrastructure, and communications. Chelsea led the initial creation of the Automotive X PRIZE, which has since awarded $10 million to winning teams and inspired similar prize efforts to leverage talent and investment to catalyze efficient transportation solutions. As a Senior Advisor to VantagePoint Capital Partners’ Cleantech practice, she helped guide the firm’s transportation-related investment priorities, most notably an early stake in Tesla Motors. Chelsea’s diverse adventures have also included advising Audi, Nissan, Tesla, Chevrolet, Google, Best Buy, Edison Electric Institute, Hoover Institution, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, California Energy Commission, and many others. On the non-profit side, she co-founded Plug In America, the largest consumer-oriented electric drive advocacy group, and remained its Executive Director for several years.
Matt Solomon | Transportation Program Manager, Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM)
Matt Solomon is Transportation Program Manager for the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM), where he promotes cleaner air through deployment of advanced vehicles, fuels, and emission control technologies. Prior to working at NESCAUM he was a Project Manager for Ford Motor Company at the California Fuel Cell Partnership. He holds a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and a master's in Transportation Technology and Policy from the University of California, Davis.
Daniel Sperling | Founding Director & Professor, Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis
Dr. Daniel Sperling is Distinguished Professor of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science and Policy, and founding Director of the Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California, Davis. He continues to hold the transportation seat on the California Air Resources Board that he was appointed to in 2007, and serves as Chair of the Transportation Research Board of the US National Academies. In June 2013, he was named recipient of the Blue Planet Prize from the Asahi Glass Foundation, described as the Nobel Prize for the environmental sciences. He has testified 7 times to the US Congress, provided 40 keynote presentations in the past five years, and has authored or co-authored over 250 technical papers and 12 books, including Two Billion Cars (Oxford University Press, 2009). He is an international expert on transportation technology, fuels and policy, with a focus on energy and environment, and widely cited in leading newspapers and news magazines.
Matt Stevens | CEO, FleetCarma
FleetCarma is a connected car platform, uniquely capable of supporting electric vehicle adoption and deployment. Fleets, electric utilities, and leasing companies turn to FleetCarma to ensure EV owners have an excellent ownership experience and that fleets obtain a positive ROI on their EV fleet. More recently this has included deployment of paired smart-charging systems that enable utility management of charging loads while ensuring the EV owners' needs are met. Matt holds a Ph.D. in Engineering, with a focus on electrified powertrain design and battery degradation.
Tyler Svitak | Energy and Transportation Administrator, City and County of Denver
As the Energy and Transportation Administrator for the City and County of Denver’s Department of Environmental Health, Tyler is responsible for designing and implementing programs, policies, and projects that decarbonize the transportation sector and assist in achieving the City’s 2020 and 2050 sustainability goals. As a leader on Denver’s $50 million U.S. DOT Smart City proposal team, Tyler was responsible for developing the concepts and proposal elements for Denver’s transportation electrification component. Before coming to the City, Tyler was the Director of Air Quality and Transportation for the American Lung Association in Colorado where he oversaw programs and staff that improved air quality in the state, including two U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities coalitions that reduce petroleum in the transportation sector. Tyler works to develop stakeholder relationships and has been essential in developing a friendly policy and operational environment for EVs in Colorado.
Matt Teske | Chief Strategy Officer/Creative Director, Drive Marketing Group
Matt Teske is a brand strategist and creative director based in Portland, OR. For the last 17 years, Matt has worked with automotive OEMs including Toyota and General Motors, as well as aftermarket manufacturers to develop a variety of consumer facing automotive properties including concept vehicles, accessory products and new vehicle launch campaigns. Matt’s work has been featured in numerous publications including Forbes, Motor Trend, Newsweek, Road & Track and major auto shows including SEMA and NYIAS. Most recently, Matt developed the concept for the Chevrolet Jolt EV, a fictitious electric sports car that garnered worldwide consumer support and media coverage. Matt received his BA in Marketing & Public Relations from Gonzaga University, and currently sits on Gonzaga’s School of Business Marketing Advisory Board. Prior to joining Drive Marketing Group, Matt founded the creative branding agency Teske Design, and worked on New Business Development for the International Performance Group at Primedia (now TEN).
Anthony Thomson | VP Business Development & Marketing, Qualcomm Europe Inc.
Dr. Anthony Thomson is vice president of business development and marketing at Qualcomm Europe Inc. With broad responsibility for the business interests of Qualcomm Halo technology, he is a driving force for growth and further development of operations on a global scale. Dr. Thomson joined Qualcomm in October 2011 after the acquisition of HaloIPT's technology, where he led efforts to commercialize Auckland University's wireless power technology. As founding Chief Executive of HaloIPT, Dr. Thomson was responsible for securing venture funding, developing the company's business strategy and building its technology and management teams prior to its acquisition by Qualcomm. Prior to HaloIPT, Dr. Thomson worked for over ten years at a number of multinational corporations, investment banks and research institutions, including ABN AMRO, LIFFE, BNP Paribas and NYSE-Euronext across Asia, Europe and the United States. Read more...
Most recently Dr. Thomson led the commercialisation of novel wireless power technologies at Auckland UniServices in New Zealand. Previously Dr. Thomson worked at NYSE-LIFFE in strategy and business development roles, analyzing potential acquisitions, structuring and negotiating deals, and providing oversight of post-deal integration. Dr. Thomson holds an MBA from Cranfield School of Management in the UK and masters and doctoral degrees from Otago University, New Zealand. He is a member of the Institute of Directors.
Jasna Tomic | Research Director, CALSTART
Jasna Tomic is Research Director at CALSTART. Her work focuses on bringing hybrid and electric vehicles to the marketplace through programs that include field testing and evaluation of advanced vehicle technologies and public policy initiatives improving their business case. Her expertise includes research in vehicle-to-grid power (V2G) – innovative use of electric-drive vehicles for transportation and power generation. She holds a Ph.D. in Fuel Science from Pennsylvania State University.
Will Toor | Transportation Program Director, Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP)
Will Toor is director of the transportation program at the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP), a Colorado based nonprofit that advocates for energy efficiency in six southwestern states. In this role he works to advance both smart growth transportation strategies and electric vehicles. Prior to working at SWEEP, Will spent 15 years in local government, as mayor of Boulder, Colorado and as Boulder County Commissioner. He serves on the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission. He is co-author of the books Finding A New Way: Campus Transportation for the Twenty-First Century, and Transportation for Sustainable Campus Communities. He received his Ph.D. in physics from the University of Chicago in 1992.
Diane Turchetta | Environmental Protection Specialist, U.S. DOT-FHWA
Diane Turchetta is an Environmental Protection Specialist in FHWA's Office of Natural Environment (HEPN), and primarily works on transportation and climate change issues. Diane has been with FHWA for 16 years in various positions working on a variety of transportation-related air quality matters including energy use, alternative fuels and freight emissions. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration from the Pennsylvania State University and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Before joining the U.S. DOT, Diane worked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on fuel-related issues.
Dave Vernier | ‎Founder & Co-President, Vernier Software
Dave Vernier founded Vernier Software in 1981, when he was a high school physics teacher. As small computers first became available for school and home use, he started using them and immediately and saw tremendous potential for what they could do to help science teachers. Soon he bought an Apple II of his own. He wrote programs and used the computer in his demonstrations and labs. It allowed him to do things he could not do before, such as accurately timing moving objects, simulating satellite motion, displaying sensor readings in large digits so the whole class could see them, and quickly creating graphs to show the class. The company, now Vernier Software & Technology, has grown for 35 years. They employ about 100 people in Beaverton, Oregon. They produce sensors, interfaces, software, books, and related equipment for science teachers. Vernier products are using in over 130 countries. Dave is still involved on a daily basis promoting the use of Vernier products in STEM education. Vernier Software & Technology has received numerous awards, and has been named "One of the Best 100 Places to Work in Oregon" 16 times, including this year. It has been on the list of "Best Green Places to Work in Oregon" every year since that list started.
John Voelcker | Senior Editor, Green Car Reports
John Voelcker is the Editor of Green Car Reports, operated by Internet Brands Automotive Group. In addition to news coverage and new car reviews, John creates and oversees all editorial for the site. He has covered advanced auto technologies and energy policy for various print, online, and radio outlets, including Wired, Popular Science, Tech Review, IEEE Spectrum, and many others. In 2015, he was elected by the automotive journalist community to be one of 50 jurors for the North American Car & Truck of the Year Awards. John received a BS in Industrial Engineering from Stanford University and splits his time among the Catskill Mountains, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area. He still has hopes of one day becoming an international man of mystery.
Eli Volem | Energy Management Specialist, Eugene Water & Electric Board
Eli Volem works as an Energy Management Specialist at Eugene Water & Electric Board, Oregon’s largest customer-owned utility. He is the program lead for the residential new construction and solar photovoltaic programs, and is currently helping lead EWEB’s exploration of transportation electrification. After earning an MBA, Eli has worked with utility conservation, green building, and renewable energy programs for ten years, and served on the BRING Board of Directors for six years. He continues to enjoy building on these experiences to help find better ways of delivering triple bottom line benefits across industries.
Adam Vollmer | Founder and CEO, Faraday Bicycles
Adam is the founder and CEO of Faraday Bicycles. Faraday designs exceptional electric bicycles and believes that everyone deserves a commute that's efficient, healthy, sustainable, and fun. Formerly a senior engineer at IDEO, Adam brings years of expertise in medical device design and biotechnology, as well as a passion for designing considered products and services that responsibly address pressing human needs. In 2010 Adam co-hosted the Emmy Award-winning PBS Kids TV show Design Squad Nation, a nationally broadcast series that showcases real, exceptional kids using engineering and design to turn their dreams into reality. Adam studied mechanical engineering at Stanford and MIT. Originally hailing from Portland, OR, Adam has ridden, raced, built, wrecked, and advocated for bikes for close to two decades.
Eric Weaver | Research Civil Engineer, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Infrastructure R&D
Mr. Weaver is a Research Civil Engineer for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Infrastructure R&D with a focus on pavements and energy harvesting. Mr. Weaver has been leading research projects to integrate energy harvesting with traditional highway infrastructure through the FHWA Exploratory Advanced Research Program and the Small Business Innovative Research Program since 2007. Mr. Weaver is a graduate of Penn State for a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science in Engineering Mechanics.
Harm Weken | Managing Partner, FIER Automotive
Harm Weken is since 1995 managing Partner of FIER Automotive, a business development company in the international automotive sector, with a focus on electric mobility. Harm is also chairman of the board of Foundation Limburg Electric and member of the Council of Advisors at Drive Oregon. From 2007 till 2015 he has been Board-Director of EASN ltd, a European platform for automotive clusters and starting-point of various EU-projects. The core of his work is national and EU project initiation and development in electric mobility for private companies, public authorities and consortia. It includes consortium building, business planning and acquiring the required (public) funding. As part of business development support programs, Harm has initiated and led numerous trade and innovation programs and missions for Dutch companies in Europe and overseas.
Randy Wilde | Clean Transportation Project Associate, Center for Sustainable Energy
Randy Wilde is a transportation project associate at the Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE). Since joining CSE in 2012, Wilde has worked with consumers and fleets throughout California to facilitate the deployment of alternative fuels. He has extensive experience in clean vehicle incentive program management through the statewide Clean Vehicle Rebate Project and Public Fleet Pilot Project. Wilde has also worked on the Department of Energy's Clean Cities program for several years and became the San Diego Regional Clean Cities Coalition co-coordinator in 2015. He received B.A.s in International Security and Environmental Studies from San Diego State University.
Brett Williams | Principal Advisor, Clean Transportation Department, Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE)
Dr. Brett Williams is Principal Advisor for the Clean Transportation Department at the Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE). He is a point person for EV market analysis, stakeholder engagement, policy analysis, and business development. Many of his activities are carried out in support of California's $300 million Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, for which he manages CSE's transparency and evaluation efforts, as well as for related activities in other states. Brett has an undergraduate degree in Physics / Public Policy Analysis from Pomona College (Claremont CA), a master's degree in Environment & Development from Cambridge University (UK), and PhD in Transportation Technology & Policy from UC Davis. Previously he was researcher for Amory Lovins at the Rocky Mountain Institute, a postdoctoral scholar at UC Berkeley, and an Assistant Adjunct Professor of Public Policy at UCLA.
Tracy Woodard | Director of Government Affairs, Nissan North America
Woodard is the lead advocate for the company on legislative and regulatory matters to internal and external stakeholders, including congressional members and staff, executive branch agencies and other public and private parties at the state and federal level. She maintains strong relationships with elected officials and government agencies. Woodard directs a talented Government Affairs staff at two locations including overseeing a team of contract lobbyists/consultants at the federal and state level. She works cross-functionally with business unit leaders providing tactical/strategic guidance regarding regulatory and legislative actions on federal/state levels on key business projects. Woodard came to Nissan from the Nashville-based firm of Smith Johnson & Carr, where she worked as a lobbyist for seven years. Previously, she had served as a legislative assistant for the Tennessee General Assembly and as a research aide for the Energy Environment and Research Center in Knoxville. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Tennessee. A native of Jefferson City, Tennessee, she now lives in Nashville, and her office is located at Nissan’s headquarters.
Aminah Zaghab | Clean Cars Advocate, Environment America
Aminah Zaghab is an Advocate with Environment America, based out of our Washington, D.C. office. Aminah is part of Environment America's Global Warming Solutions team, working to reduce emissions from the energy and transportation sector, with a particular focus on what cities can do to electrify vehicles, to protect our health and avert the worst impacts of global warming. She received her bachelor's degree in political science from Yale University. She then received her J.D., focusing on global environmental and human rights law from University of Maryland, Francis King Carey School of Law. Prior to joining Environment America, Aminah worked for Forum Nobis, EarthRights International and the University of Maryland School of Law Gender Violence Clinic.
View past speakers here: 2015, 2014, 2013.
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