AEG Boston

This playlist features New York Advanced Energy Group discussion leaders from the Q2 stakeholder breakfast at Duane Morris. The event brought AEG’s stakeholder members together to discuss the topics of Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization.

AEG New York 18Q2 Buildings and Grid Modernization

This playlist features discussion leaders from the Chicago Advanced Energy Group Q2 stakeholder breakfast, held on May 31, 2018 at Holland & Knight. The event brought AEG’s stakeholder members together to discuss the topics of Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization.

2018 Q2 Chicago

AEG Boston 21Q1: Critical Infrastructure, Equity and Resilience
Opening Remarks  - Mia Mansfield, Director of Climate Adaptation and Resilience, MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs

21Q1 AEG Boston Mia Mansfield Opening Remarks

AEG Washington Stakeholder Challenge. This quarter's topic is Buildings & Construction.

We believe systemic change is best accomplished as a team sport.  
 Every quarter we host the AEG Washington Stakeholder Challenge so all*star leaders, can get on the field as cross sector teams  and play to win at what matters most.

Director Tommy Wells shares his experience participating in this most recent Stakeholder Challenge on Buildings & Construction.

21Q2 AEG DC Tommy Wells, Director, Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE)Testimonial

Laura Craft, Senior Vice President, Head of Global Strategy & Investment ESG, Heitman

Laura is an industry ESG expert with over 16 years of experience of industry experience. At Heitman, Laura establishes systematic approaches to embed ESG into investment decision-making and management of investments, providing opportunities to create value, reduce risk, and enhance returns. She also leads a partnership with Urban Land Institute (ULI) to publish Climate Risk Investment Decision-Making Reports, which explore methods for assessing and mitigating climate risk at the investment- and market-level.

Outside of her work at Heitman, Laura is the co-chair of PENSION REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATION (PREA) Innovation Affinity Group and is a member of ULI Greenprint’s Performance Committee. As a LEED Accredited Professional, she has overseen over 150 LEED, IREM, WELL Health-Safety Ratings, Energy Star, and Green Globes designations.

21Q2 AEG Chicago Laura Craft - Buildings & Construction

Katrina Kelly-Pitou, PhD, Systems Strategist, SmithGroup

In her role at SmithGroup, Katrina works closely with multi-disciplinary team members within the firm’s Urban Design practice to create strategic energy initiatives that drive the development of more resilient, sustainable communities. As an internationally recognized authority in the fields of environmental economics, power systems, and smart and sustainable cities, she has been involved in a range of global energy-related projects, including hydroelectric, solarization, and nuclear initiatives.

A recognized lecturer and author, Katrina has been published extensively by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the International Association for Energy Economics, and Energy Technology Perspectives, a publication of the International Energy Agency (IEA). She is also an active member of Women in Economics and the Society for Women in Engineering.

21Q2 Boston Katrina Kelly-Pitou - Buildings & Construction

Audrey Schulman, Executive Director, HEET

Audrey has performed energy assessments on everything from homeless shelters to historic churches. She used utility-reported data to create HEET’s public zoomable natural gas leak maps (the first in the country). She co-led the FixOurPipes.org study to find how to fix gas leaks faster and at less expense through increased municipal/utility coordination. She started the Large Volume Leak Study, which determined a way to identify super-emitting gas leaks so the utilities could repair them. Schulman is the author of five novels, which have been translated into 11 languages, and reviewed by the New Yorker and CNN.

HEET is a nimble nonprofit seeking solution to climate change through research, education, and collective action. Its mission is to cut carbon emissions now by driving systems change. Their current programs all have a goal of transitioning the region from natural gas and other fossil fuels to renewable energy while maintaining their values of integrity, innovation, and compassion. HEET takes practical actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions here and now while helping people live healthier and less expensive lives. HEET listens, learns, and leverages social networks to teach practical skills with a can-do attitude to reduce emissions. By working with a wide range of organizations, they engage people from all backgrounds, income levels, and beliefs. HEET innovates, connects people, leads research, and shares information widely.

AEG Washington 21Q3 Audrey Schulman - Grid Modernization

Joan Jacobs , Vice President, Learning & Inclusion, Con Edison

Joan Jacobs is Vice President of Learning & Inclusion at Consolidated Edison Company of New York. In this role, she oversees the company’s state-of-the-art training and conference facility. She is responsible for design and delivery of professional leadership and technical training programs that meet the training needs of the business. In addition to training and development, she is also responsible for engaging the workforce in driving diversity and inclusion throughout the corporation. Her areas of responsibility include recruitment and staffing, technical training, leadership and career development, diversity and inclusion, performance management, and organizational development.

Ms. Jacobs has over twenty-six years’ experience in human resource management and law. She joined the company in 2001 and since coming to Con Edison; she has served as director of Talent Management, director of HR Support Services, EEO affairs director and labor relations administrator. Prior to joining Con Edison, Ms. Jacobs was a labor attorney at New York Health and Human Services Union 1199. She also worked at the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal, the Labor Relations Board, and the Pay Equity Commission, in Toronto.

Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc., one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $12 billion in annual revenues and $62 billion in assets. The utility delivers electricity, natural gas, and steam to 3.5 million customers in New York City and Westchester County, N.Y.

Con Edison has been ranked the top energy company in the eastern United States when it comes to commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion and was ranked third among all U.S. energy companies on the Diversity Inc list.

AEG New York 21Q3 Joan Jacobs - Grid Modernization

Marcel Castro-Sitiriche, Associate Professor, College of Engineering, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM)

Dr. Marcel J. Castro Sitiriche is currently working as a Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and co-director of the Center for Hemispherical Cooperation in Research and Education in Engineering and Applied Science (CoHemis) at the University of Puerto Rico in the Mayagüez Campus, Recinto Universitario de Mayagüez (UPRM-RUM). Marcel is also an adjunct professor at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) in Arusha, Tanzania. His research efforts include academic, educational and service activities and some of his areas of interest include appropriate technology, renewable energy systems, rural electrification, engineering education, power electronics, and responsible wellbeing. One of his current projects that combine most of his research interests is based in the concept of responsible wellbeing. 

The University of Puerto Rico (Spanish: Universidad de Puerto Rico, UPR) is the main public university system in the U.S. Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus (UPRM) or Recinto Universitario de Mayagüez (RUM) in Spanish is a public land-grant university in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. It has four academic units: the Colleges of Agricultural Sciences, Engineering, Arts and Sciences, and Business Administration. The College of Agricultural Sciences includes the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Agricultural Extension Service, which is a community service unit. It also has a Division of Continuing Education and Professional Studies.

ATS22 Marcel Castro-Sitiriche - Critical Infrastructure, Equity & Resilience

Hugo Mena, Executive Vice President, Electric Power Engineers, LLC

Hugo E. Mena, Executive Vice President of Electric Power Engineers, Inc. joined EPE in 2009 to work in energy resource project design and consulting throughout the US and internationally. As an electrical engineer, Hugo Mena has extensive experience in generation project integration and design of generation and energy storage systems. He has worked with renewable energy developers providing support in the generation interconnection and study process. He has experience assisting in the electrical balance of plant installations for projects during construction, commission and testing stage, as well as completing substation inspections. Additionally, Mr. Mena has extensive experience in completing compliance testing for the demonstration of generation compliance with grid codes as well as NERC MOD-025, 026 & 027. He is an active member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and he is licensed as a professional engineer in 17 different states in the United States.

Electric Power Engineers, LLC (EPE) is a consulting firm comprised of leading electrical engineering consultants focused on the energy transition, providing power systems engineering services to a diverse client base. Founded in 1968, EPE has been a trusted partner to the power industry by providing our extensive experience in the evolution of the electric grid, from performing transmission and distribution planning studies to integrating renewable generation and energy storage. EPE offers a wide range of services with a leadership team that brings these services together when necessary to provide a holistic and unique solution to the challenges within the power industry.

AEG Chicago 22Q3 Hugo Mena - Grid Modernization

Brandy Chambers, Manager, Energy Efficiency Regulatory & Planning, Eversource

Brandy currently works at Eversource Energy as Manager for Energy Efficiency Regulatory & Planning. Brandy oversee a team that is responsible for the creation of data-driven energy efficiency plans in each of Eversource's New England states and engage with stakeholders on analyses of current program performance and identifying new program opportunities. Conduct cost-benefit analyses of new technologies. Brandy is also responsible in closely monitoring the program performance throughout the year to assess progress to goal, and prepare associated regulatory filings. Brandy is a systems thinker and innovative professional with experience in every level of energy efficiency, from building design and construction to utility incentive program implementation and regulation, Brandy enjoy working collaboratively on challenging projects and is committed to creating a positive impact through her work.

Eversource Energy operates New England's largest utility system serving more than 3.6 million electric and natural gas customers in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Eversource is dedicated to this region, as well as the people, energy and technology so vital to its security, stability and economic strength.

AEG Boston 22Q3 Brandy Chambers - Grid Modernization

Shaun Smith, Director of Distribution System Planning (Clean Energy), Con Edison

Since joining Con Edison in 2003, Smith served in several different capacities within the company, taking roles of increasing responsibility. As of January 2022, Smith started his role in Con Edison as the Director of Distribution System Planning (Clean Energy). In this role, Smith directs Con Edison’s planning functions pivotal to NYC’s clean energy future by facilitating the integration of renewables and energy storage into the electric grid, developing a marketplace for clean energy resources and providing thought leadership on grid modernization and clean energy equity. Smith oversees the operations of the  17 Company’s Distributed System Platform (“DSP”) – the tools, 18 technologies, and employees working to integrate DER into  19 the planning and operations of our electricity systems. Smith also oversees the Company’s electric distribution planning organization that brings DER together with traditional infrastructure to meet customers’ needs for energy amid New York’s clean energy transition.

Smith has been the recipient of Con Edison's highest honor, the "Living Our Values" award for exemplifying the company's values of service, teamwork, excellence and community service. He has participated in several volunteer activities, including raising funds and walking in the Prospect Park Annual Brooklyn Community Services (BCS) FunWalk. He also works with elementary schools in Brooklyn and Queens. He participates in the Annual Career Fair for P.S. 268 in Brooklyn, and helps with the "Change for Kids Program" for P.S. 160 in Jamaica, Queens. 

Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc., one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $13 billion in annual revenues and $44 billion in assets. The utility provides electric, gas and steam service to more than three million customers in New York City and Westchester County, New York. Con Edison has been ranked the top energy company in the eastern United States when it comes to commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion and was ranked third among all U.S. energy companies on the DiversityInc list.

AEG New York 22Q3 Shaun Smith - Grid Modernization

James Jones, Vice President, Business Development, Skanska USA Building, Inc

James Jones is the Vice President for Business Development at Skanska and board member of the US Green Building Council, Massachusetts Chapter. Jim held various roles and has been with Skanska since 2000. 

Skanska is one of the largest, most financially sound construction and development companies in the U.S., serving a broad range of clients including those in transportation, power, industrial, water/wastewater, healthcare, education, sports, data centers, government, aviation and commercial. Skanska USA Commercial Development’s D&I strategy relies on five focus areas: workplace, marketplace, workforce, community and infrastructure. This includes ensuring diversity in supplies, marketing and products to clients, as well as building a diverse talent pipeline.

AEG Northeast 23Q2 James Jones - Green Jobs

Kathyann Belle, Director of Utility Regulation, FTC Barbados 

Kathyann Belle is currently the Director, Utility Regulation (Acting) at the sole utility regulator in Barbados. In her substantive duties, she is the Financial Analyst in utility regulation at her organization, providing technical guidance in the water, telecommunication and energy sectors, advising the decision makers as they seek to balance the needs of the various stakeholders. Kathyann has presented on the region’s regulatory response to cybersecurity and enabling frameworks for inclusive energy transitions.

The FTC evolved from its predecessor the Public Utilities Board which was responsible for regulating public utilities such as electricity and telephone services, from 1955 until 2001. However, as Barbados developed, the need arose for a new body with a broader mandate to deal with other areas which had become important such as fair competition and consumers’ rights. Thus, the Fair Trading Commission eventually came into being on January 2nd, 2001, through the Fair Trading Commission Act.

Island Resilience Action Challenge (IRAC) 2023 - Kathyann Belle

Mark Waszkelewicz, Assistant Vice President, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

Mark Waszkelewicz is an assistant vice president in the Real Estate Services Group (RESG) at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. Previously, he was the director of tenant leasing and finance in RESG. In prior Bank roles, Mark was manager of the Accounting department, a lead analyst in Financial Planning and Analysis, and an operations analyst in the former Administrative Support Services division. He joined the Reserve Bank in the Audit department in 1994.

Founded in 1941, the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston works to promote sound growth and financial stability in New England and the nation.  Boston Fed aims contribute to communities, the region, and the nation by conducting economic research, participating in monetary policy-making, supervising certain financial institutions, providing financial services and payments, playing a leadership role in the payments industry, and supporting economic well-being in communities through a variety of efforts.

Northeast Hydrogen Infrastructure Summit (NEH2IS) 2023 - Mark Waszkelewicz

Y﻿ury Lui, Director of Energy & Water Management, Technical Operations, Digital Realty

Yury Lui is the Director of Energy & Water Management, Technical Operation at Digital Realty where he is responsible for Strategic Energy & Water Management, including energy audit and master planning across a global portfolio of over 285+ data center properties. Yury leads corporate PUE & WUE implementation and integration, including data reporting, validation, reconciliation, and compliance, oversees energy & water conservation measures and capital improvement projects to achieve energy & water performance improvements, and manages internal and external cross-functional teams on numerous engineering and technical programs. 

Digital Realty brings companies and data together by delivering the full spectrum of data center, colocation and interconnection solutions. PlatformDIGITAL®, the company's global data center platform, provides customers with a secure data "meeting place". Digital Realty's commitment to ESG is helping enterprises cut costs and meet their sustainability goals. Digital Realty does this by: elevating efficiency, reducing waste, building responsibly, and demonstrating commitment. Digital Realty Energy is the only data center company named the Energy Star Partner of the Year by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for our energy efficiency efforts.

AEG Chicago 23Q3 Yuri Lui - Grid Modernization

J﻿ulia Casagrande, Deputy Director, Clean Energy, NYC Mayor's Office of Climate and Environmental Justice

Julia Casagrande is the Deputy Director, Clean Energy, NYC Mayor's Office of Climate and Environmental Justice since May 2023. Julia is involved in researching and developing policy initiatives and working on strategies for the city to meet its sustainability goals. She has prior experience as a mechanical engineer, providing sustainability consulting and mechanical design services to various public and private sector clients. 

NYC Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice aims to better integrate justice work within the city's comprehensive approach to climate. The office consolidates and unifies existing agencies focused on resilience, sustainability, environmental coordination and environmental remediation. OneNYC promotes environmental policies addresses the sources of disparities in health outcomes such as asthma and cardiovascular disease, as well as the environmental impediments to economic opportunity and neighborhood stability.

NYC 23Q3 Julia Casagrande - Health, Equity & Energy

R﻿. Earl Lewis, Jr., Director, Zero Emission Bus Infrastructure, Maryland Transit Association

R﻿. Earl Lewis, Jr., is the Director for Zero Emission Bus Infrastructure for the Maryland Transit Administration in 2023. Prior to this, Earl was appointed by Maryland Transportation Secretary Pete K. Rahn on January 20, 2016, to serve as Deputy Secretary of Policy, Planning, and Enterprise Services for the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT). As Deputy Secretary, Mr. Lewis oversees the administration of eleven offices: Diversity and Equity; Environment; Fleet, Facilities, and Administrative Services; Government Affairs; Human Resources; Minority Business Enterprise; Small and Minority Business Policy; Planning and Capital Programming; Policy and Regulations; Real Estate and Economic Development; and Transportation Technology Services.

The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is a division of the Maryland Department of Transportation, and one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the United States. MTA operates Local Buses (CityLink and LocalLink), Commuter Buses, Light Rail, Metro Subway, Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) Train Service, and a comprehensive Paratransit (MobilityLink) system. MTA also manages the Taxi Access system, and directs funding and statewide assistance to Locally Operated Transit Systems (LOTS) in each of Maryland's 23 counties, Baltimore City, Annapolis and Ocean City.

AEG DMV 23Q4 R. Earl Lewis - Clean Transportation

K﻿ate Staples, Director of Electrification, Dominion Energy

Kate Staples is the Director for Electrification for Dominion Energy Virginia. Previously, she developed and implemented renewable and demand side management programs for Dominion Energy’s residential and non-residential customers. 

Dominion Energy, Inc., commonly referred to as Dominion, is an American energy company headquartered in Richmond, Virginia that supplies electricity in parts of Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina and supplies natural gas to parts of Utah, Idaho and Wyoming, West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Dominion also has generation facilities in Indiana, Illinois, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Dominion Energy’s mission is to provide the reliable, affordable, and increasingly clean energy that powers our customers every day.

AEG DMV 23Q4 Kate Staples - Clean Transportation

Brian Ross, Director, Policy & Market Development - East, bp pulse fleet

Brian Ross is Director of Policy and Market Development—East for bp pulse fleet. He supports transportation electrification policy actions such as climate and clean air regulations, EV and EV charging requirements and standards, utility interconnection rules and tariffs, etc. He covers states in the Northeast and Midwest and seeks opportunities for bp pulse fleet to provide comprehensive charging services to commercial fleets that convert to electric vehicles.

bp Pulse fleet (formerly AMPLY Power) is a comprehensive electric vehicle charging infrastructure and energy management provider for mission-critical fleets operating trucks, buses, vans and light-duty vehicles. Their intelligent charge management software, omega, co-optimizes charging for low cost energy and carbon impact, while offering improved resilience and a 99.9% reliability target, all in a user-friendly dashboard.

AEG/NECEC 23Q4 Brian Ross - Northeast Clean Transportation Summit

Tilak Subrahmanian, VP, Energy Efficiency & Electric Mobility, Eversource Energy

As Vice President, Energy Efficiency and Electric Mobility, Tilak Subrahmanian oversees one of the largest portfolios of solutions that help customers decarbonize their homes, businesses, and transportation. Tilak leads the integration of a broad range of behind-the-meter customer energy solutions: Building Electrification, Energy Efficiency, Distributed Energy Resources, Renewables, Cogeneration, Storage, Microgrids, and Electric Vehicles.

Eversource is committed to promoting electric vehicle adoption, investing in local grid upgrades and educating customers to help New England reach significant carbon reduction goals over the next few decades. Eversource is committed to working with partners through the National Electric Highway Coalition to install EV charging stations along all major United States travel corridors by the end of 2023. Eversource has made a commitment for their operations to be carbon neutral by 2030.

AEG Boston 23Q4 Tilak Subrahmanian - Mobility & Clean Transportation

Maria Hilda Rivera, Director, Grid Modernization, LUMA Energy

Maria Hilda is the Director for Grid Modernization at LUMA Energy in Puerto Rico. In her prior role, Ms. Rivera joined this whole US Government Partnership for the launch of Beyond the Grid, Power Africa’s signature distributed energy program and she later led Power Africa's thinking on electricity distribution. In 2020, she received the US Department of Energy's C3E Award in the International category for her outstanding leadership and achievements in clean energy.

LUMA Energy is the power company responsible for the distribution, transmission, maintenance and modernization of power infrastructure in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. LUMA works closely with the Puerto Rico Emergency Management Bureau, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and other authorities to ensure a coordinated response in the case of any emergency situation to ensure the restoration of power to customers both as quickly and safely as possible.

Puerto Rico Energy Week 2023 - Maria Hilda Rivera

Aron Bowman, Chief Operating Officer, ELM Companies, LLC

Aron is the Chief Operating Officer at ELM Companies, LLC. Aron has been with ELM since 2014. Aron has been responsible for leading the FieldSight product line which provides IoT-based products for smart energy, microgrid, distributed energy and compliance-as-a-service solutions while also managing relationships with both customers and strategic partners such as Dell, Intel and Microsoft. 

ELM Companies is a cloud-based technology innovator providing industrial and commercial compliance products and services to various sectors including hospitality, health and safety, utilities, manufacturing, construction and private residences. Protecting utility infrastructure through specific compliance services such as underground locating and regulatory reporting or improving grid reliability and sustainability through the Distributed Energy products are examples of ELM’s commitment to helping its clients achieve their goals.

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Allan Abela, CCO & EVP, EPC Power

Allan Abela is the Co-Founder, Chief Commercial Officer and EVP of EPC Power. In his role as CCO & EVP, Allan manages customer relationships from acquisition through product or service delivery, ensuring that all functions of the organization are aligned to meet the strategic and commercial objectives of EPC Power. Allan is responsible for driving expansion and growth of EPC Power into new market segments and partnering with leaders in the Energy Storage space.

EPC Power, a San Diego based smart inverter manufacturer, is primarily focused on the utility scale Solar and Storage market, EPC's inverters can be found powering a variety of applications including electric semi-trucks, remote microgrids and agricultural farms. EPC Power creates innovative power conversion products that are stable, powerful and compact.

Puerto Rico Energy Week 2023 - Aron Bowman & Allan Abela

Michelle Fraley, Security Director and Government LNO for Emergency Crisis, LUMA Energy

Michelle Fraley is the Security Director and Government LNO for Emergency Crisis, LUMA Energy. She is responsible for the Physical Security Plan design, development, and implementation consisting of over $80M of investment to implement North American Electric Reliability Corporation Critical Infrastructure Protection (NERC-CIP)-like standards in High, Medium and Low Bulk Electric Systems (BES) in Puerto Rico. Michelle is a retired military officer and was the Superintendent of the Puerto Rico Police. Michelle is also the first Puerto Rican woman to graduate from West Point Military Academy and the first woman to hold the aforementioned post of superintendent. 

LUMA Energy is the power company responsible for power distribution and power transmission in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. They are also in charge of maintaining and modernizing the power infrastructure. To help improve the energy infrastructure, LUMA has identified and selected a set of near-term projects that are expected to start project execution and construction within the next three years.

Puerto Rico Energy Week 2023 - Michelle Fraley

Thomas King, Founding Director, Fundación Borincana

Thomas King is Managing Partner of CrossRiver Capital LLC and Founding Director of the Fundación Borincana. He is an accomplished senior executive with more than 30 years of success in investment banking, private equity, consulting and investment in the alternative energy, biofuels, power and utility sectors. Leveraging extensive experience in strategy, change management, financial structuring, and risk identification, he is a valuable asset for organizations in the process of transitioning away from traditional to alternative energy. 

Fundación Borincana is a nonprofit undertaking individual, institutional, and structural development that government and the private sector are unable or unwilling to address - doing those necessary with a focus on impact - engaging in economic and community development of energy infrastructure, unblocking markets, and unlocking investment to assist Puerto Rico and our planet realize its potential.

Puerto Rico Energy Week 2023 - Thomas King

Claudia Mezey, Planner, Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Claudia Mezey is a planner for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and an engineer based in Brooklyn, NY.  Her work is dedicated to empowering communities to build their own adaptive capacity and decarbonizing the building sector.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is North America's largest transportation network, serving a population of 15.3 million people across a 5,000-square-mile travel area surrounding New York City, Long Island, southeastern New York State, and Connecticut. The MTA network comprises the nation’s largest bus fleet and more subway and commuter rail cars than all other U.S. transit systems combined.

AEG New York 24Q1 Claudia Mezey - Critical Infrastructure and Resilience

Antuan Cannon, VP Talent Development & Innovation, Willdan

Antuan Cannon is a distinguished professional in the energy and sustainability field, holding the position of Vice President of Talent Development and Innovation at Willdan Energy Solutions. In this role, Antuan helped launch the Willdan Clean Energy Academy, a training and education program that aims to provide jobseekers, primarily from diverse backgrounds and disadvantaged communities, with the knowledge and skills needed to work in the clean energy and energy efficiency field.

Willdan provides professional consulting and technical services to utilities, public agencies and private industry throughout the United States. Its broad set of complementary disciplines span energy efficiency, distributed energy resources and software, engineering and planning, public finance and economic consulting.

Puerto Rico Energy Week 2024 - Antuan Cannon

Fausto Hernandez, Infrastructure Manager, Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico
Fausto Hernandez is an Accountant and Attorney with over 5 years of combined work experience in accounting, finance and law. Anthony is a highly analytical professional with expertise in assessing and analyzing complex financial and legal issues, and recommending key corrective actions. His experience includes working in both private and public sectors in public accounting, federal consulting and finance, program management, tax accounting, clerkship and litigation.
The Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico was created under the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act of 2016. The Board consists of seven members appointed by the President of the United States and one ex officio member designated by the Governor of Puerto Rico. The Board is tasked with working with the people and Government of Puerto Rico to create the necessary foundation for economic growth and to restore opportunity to the people of Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico Energy Week 2024 - Fausto Hernandez

Dale Player, Vice President, Engineering & Smart Grid, ComEd

Dale Player is the Vice President for Engineering and Smart Grid at Commonwealth Edison. Dale has been working within the electric utility industry at Commonwealth Edison in Chicago for the past 14 years and currently leads the Distribution Automation team. Within this role, Dale has responsibility for developing innovative solutions to create a smarter and more resilient next-generation distribution system. Dale also has engineering experience within Asset Management, Material Condition, Protection & Control Engineering, and Substation Relay Commissioning.

Within his time in the electric utility, Dale has led initiatives to develop multi-billion dollar investment portfolios to create a more reliable and resilient grid, prepare the grid for the impact of renewables, and creation of a communications infrastructure to support grid equipment and give it greater capabilities. Dale holds a BSEE and a MSEE from Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago and is also a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Illinois.

ComEd is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation, a Fortune 200 energy company with approximately 10 million electricity and natural gas customers – the largest number of customers in the U.S. ComEd powers the lives of more than 4 million customers across northern Illinois or 70 percent of the state’s population. ComEd was recognized as Most Resilient Power Grid in the U.S. With 2022 ReliabilityOne® Award.

AEG Chicago 24Q3 Dale Player - Grid Modernization

Hilary Scott-Ogunrinde, Deputy Director of Energy & Utility, State of Illinois

Hilary Scott-Ogunrinde was appointed last April 2023 as the Deputy Director of Energy & Utility for the State of Illinois. Prior to joining the State of Illinois, Hilary was the President of NexGen Industries where she supported clients in championing energy investment policies that promote climate preservation and community impact by designing, developing, and financing cutting edge energy conservation projects with positive economic and social ROI. 

Illinois is a state in the Midwestern United States that has a highly diverse economy, with the global city of Chicago in the northeast, major industrial and agricultural hubs in the north and center, and natural resources such as coal, timber, and petroleum in the south. Illinois is a net importer of fuels for energy, despite large coal resources and some minor oil production. Illinois exports electricity, ranking fifth among states in electricity production and seventh in electricity consumption.

AEG Chicago 24Q3 Hilary Scott-Ogunrinde - Grid Modernization

Baxter Goodly, Vice President, Division of Safety & Operations, The George Washington University

Baxter Goodly currently serves as Vice President for the Division of Safety and Operations at The George Washington University, leading a team of 85 managers and over 900 unionized employees across 270 facilities. Prior to this role, Baxter held several positions at Aramark Facility Services, including Vice President of Operations and Facilities Resident District Manager, where successful initiatives led to significant cost savings and productivity increases. Baxter’s military experience includes serving as Chief of Staff at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Commanding Officer of the USS Kearsarge, and Director of Operations at the Navy Operations Center, demonstrating a strong background in strategic leadership and crisis management. Education credentials include a BA in History from Tulane University, a Master's in Organizational Management from The George Washington University, and a Master's in Strategic Studies from the National War College.

Safety and Operations is dedicated to providing a safe, secure, and enjoyable campus environment for all members of the university community.

AEG DMV 24Q3 Baxter Goodly - Grid Modernization

Raymond Mui, Chief Infrastructure & Development Officer, Alexandria Transit Company (DASH)

Raymond Mui has a diverse work experience in the transportation industry. Raymond began their career as a Development and Marketing Intern at the Greater Lafayette Public Transportation Corporation in September 2007 and worked there until May 2011. After that, they joined the Montgomery County Transit - Ride On as a Transit Aide I from August 2006 to February 2012. In May 2011, they joined Alexandria Transit Company (DASH) as a Transit Planning and Scheduling Manager and held this position until August 2014. Raymond then served as the Director of Planning and Scheduling from September 2014 to October 2016. Following that, they were the Acting Assistant General Manager from October 2016 to April 2017 before being promoted to Assistant General Manager, a role they held until April 2023. Currently, Raymond Mui is the Chief Infrastructure and Development Officer at Alexandria Transit Company (DASH).

DASH is the public bus system for the city of Alexandria, Virginia. DASH provides bus service within the City of Alexandria, and connects with Metrobus, Metrorail, Virginia Railway Express, Amtrak and other local bus systems. DASH operates 124 buses on eleven routes[7] carrying over five million passengers annually.[8] DASH operates transit services within portions of the City of Alexandria and between the City and the Pentagon Transit Station. DASH serves all of the Alexandria Metrorail Stations and the Pentagon Metrorail station.

AEG DMV 24Q4 Raymond Mui - Mobility & Clean Transportation

Tom Webster, Executive Vice President and Chief Planning Officer, WMATA

Tom Webster is Metro’s Chief of Planning and Performance Officer and leads Metro’s teams responsible for planning, sustainability, capital programming, performance, data analytics, and strategy and policy development.

Tom is passionate about Metro’s role in connecting people with opportunities and the value transit delivers to our communities, environment and future. Tom joined Metro in 2012 and has held several leadership roles in strategy, planning, capital programming, and management and budget.

Prior to joining Metro, Tom served in leadership and management roles at the Maryland Department of Transportation and in Montgomery County government.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority  commonly referred to as Metro, is a tri-jurisdictional government agency that operates transit service in the Washington metropolitan area. WMATA has no independent taxation authority and depends on its member jurisdictions for capital investments and operating funding.

AEG DMV 24Q4 Tom Webster - Mobility & Clean Transportation

Cristina Botero, Sr. Manager - Beneficial Electrification, ComEd

Cristina leads ComEd's Beneficial Electrification (BE) strategy and implementation of the company's BE Portfolio of programs, which includes transportation electrification (electric vehicles) and home electrification offerings for customers. Prior to her current position she was Sr. Manager of Distributed Energy Resources Engineering and Sr. Manager of Reliability Programs, also at ComEd. She was a Energy Systems Engineer - Postdoctoral Appointee at Argonne National Laboratory, where she conducted research on the planning and operation of energy infrastructure worldwide to support high penetration of renewables. Cristina has also held engineering positions at Tesla and BP, among other organizations. She holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

ComEd is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation, a Fortune 200 energy company with approximately 10 million electricity and natural gas customers – the largest number of customers in the U.S. ComEd powers the lives of more than 4 million customers across northern Illinois or 70 percent of the state’s population. ComEd was recognized as Most Resilient Power Grid in the U.S. With 2022 ReliabilityOne® Award. 


AEG Chicago 24Q4 Cristina Botero - Mobility & Clean Transportation

Doug Scott, Chairman, Illinois Commerce Commission

Doug Scott was appointed Chair of the Illinois Commerce Commission by Governor J.B. Pritzker on June 17, 2023. This is Scott’s second stint as Chair, having served in that position from 2011-2015. during which he helped Illinois expand its renewable energy usage and saved consumers hundreds of millions of dollars on their utility bills. Between engagements with the ICC, Scott was Vice President of the Great Plains Institute, where he worked on decarbonization efforts with States, utilities and other interested parties. His team at GPI focused on utility business models, transmission and clean energy/climate plans. 

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) is a quasi-judicial body made up of five Commissioners. The Commission oversees the provision of adequate, reliable, efficient and safe utility services at the least possible cost to Illinois citizens served by electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water and sewer public utility companies, public safety and consumer protection programs with regard to intrastate commercial motor carriers of general freight, household goods movers, relocation towers, safety towers, personal property warehouses and repossession agencies. The Commission also inspects and regulates the general safety of railroad tracks, facilities and equipment in the state.

AEG Chicago 24Q4 Doug Scott - Mobility & Clean Transportation

Inez Evans Benson, Senior Vice President, Transit & Rail, WSP

Benson joined WSP in January 2024. She assumes the role of deputy transit and rail market leader and continues in her role as national bus practice leader.  She is based in Austin, Texas.

She is a well-known industry advocate, serving as treasurer for WTS and as a board member for the American Public Transportation Foundation (APTF). She is also vice chair for Leadership American Public Transportation Association (APTA), a program that tutors transit professionals who are aspiring to become leaders within their respective organizations.

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP. As one of the largest professional services firms in the world, WSP exists to future-proof our cities and our environment. It provides strategic advisory, engineering and design services to clients seeking sustainable solutions in the transportation, infrastructure, environment, building, energy, water and mining sectors. With approximately 19,000 employees in 300 offices across the U.S., WSP’s trusted professionals are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities it serves through a culture of innovation, integrity and inclusion.

AEG Chicago 24Q4 Inez Evans Benson - Mobility & Clean Transportation

Molly Poppe, Chief Planning and Innovation Officer, Chicago Transit Authority

Molly Poppe joined the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) in June 2019 as the Agency’s first Chief Innovation Officer.  At the CTA, her and her team manage the nation’s first account-based fare system, Ventra, and the bus farebox. These fare systems collect fares for over 4 million rides a week. She is responsible for leading the development and implementation of new technology and digital strategies focused on customer communication and engagement and partnering with third-party organizations to launch integrated digital products and services that will help reduce mobility friction for transit customers. She works closely with agency departments on identifying and achieving operational improvements and service efficiencies through technology investments, process improvements, and strategic policy changes.

Prior to joining the CTA, she spent over seven years working for Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the city of Chicago in various roles, including serving as Deputy Chief of Staff for Economic Development where she led the city of Chicago’s Mobility Task Force and the creation of the Roadmap for the Future of Transportation and Mobility in Chicago.  Molly started her career on President Barack Obama’s 2012 presidential campaign. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

AEG Chicago 24Q4 Molly Poppe - Mobility & Clean Transportation

Cecile Fraser, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities

Cecile Fraser was first appointed as a Commissioner to the Department of Public Utilities in June of 2017. In January 2023, she was appointed Acting Chair, and served as Acting Chair until May 1, 2023. Prior to her appointment, Fraser served with the Department as counsel in the Division of Regional and Federal Affairs and the Consumer Division. Fraser is an attorney with over a decade of experience in the energy and utilities industry. Prior to joining the Department, Fraser worked in private law practice and as an in-house counsel engaged in a range of matters involving utility rates and regulation, infrastructure siting, consumer service issues and related activities. As counsel with the Department, Fraser has worked on issues involving New England’s wholesale electric markets and transmission system, as well as consumer issues. Fraser received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Fordham University and her J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law-Camden.

AEG Boston 24Q4 Cecile Fraser - Mobility & Clean Transportation

Chelsea Petrenko, Associate Director, EThree

Dr. Chelsea Petrenko joined E3 in 2021 and supports E3’s work in distributed energy resources, electric vehicles, and other components of the clean energy transition. She brings deep experience in research design, execution, and publication, along with subject matter expertise in energy efficiency, distributed energy resources, and utility customer experience. In addition to the experience Chelsea brings from her research, she is an alumnus and organizer of the Clean Energy Leadership Institute and a graduate of the National Science Foundation Interdisciplinary Research Traineeship.

Chelsea has been conducting climate-related research since 2006, when she became fascinated with the human impact on the Earth’s biogeochemistry. She completed her PhD at Dartmouth College, where she studied GHG emissions related to biofuels and also participated in research expeditions to Greenland and Antarctica. Since completing her PhD in 2015, she has been conducting research in the energy industry, with the aim of reducing GHG emissions and helping states meet their short- and long-term goals.

AEG Boston 24Q4 Chelsea Petrenko - Mobility & Clean Transportation

Jeffrey Roy, State Rep., 10th Norfolk District, MA House of Representatives

State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy was first elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives for the 10th Norfolk District in 2012. He was appointed Chairperson of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. He is the House-Chair of the Manufacturing Caucus, which promotes and encourages “Making It” in Massachusetts. 

In 2011, he was elected to the Town Council in Franklin, Massachusetts. In January 2012, he was selected to chair the town’s Master Plan Committee. Prior to that, he served on the School Committee, and served as its Chairperson for 9 of his 10 years of service with that board. He also co-chaired Franklin’s Anti-Bullying Task Force.

AEG Boston 24Q4 Jeffrey Roy - Mobility & Clean Transportation

Josh Ryor, Assistant Secretary of Energy, Massachusetts EEA

Josh Ryor is an energy policy expert with more than a decade of experience. He has extensive experience in sustainable technologies, utility regulation and business models, public policy processes, and clean energy program and market design. Josh also has a proven leadership and project delivery track record, leading teams of 5-40 and complex initiatives over multiple years.

Josh has an academic background in economics, physics, and engineering. He received the Nugent Gold Medal in 2010 from the College of the Holy Cross as the top physics graduate and completed his Master of Science with distinction in 2013. Josh also received the inaugural Luminary Award from the Connecticut Power and Energy Society in 2021.

Currently, Josh is the Assistant Secretary of Energy at the MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA).

AEG Boston 24Q4 Joshua Ryor - Mobility & Clean Transportation

On May 24, 2018, New York Advanced Energy Group held its stakeholder breakfast at the Duane Morris offices. The event focused on the topics of Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization and this episode features one of the Q2 discussion leaders: Damian Sciano, the Director of Distribution Planning at Con Edison.

Damian Sciano, Director Distributed Resource Integration, Con Edison

On May 24, 2018, New York Advanced Energy Group held its stakeholder breakfast at the Duane Morris offices. The event focused on the topics of Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization and this episode features one of the Q2 discussion leaders: Frank Norcross, Vice President of Hudson Yards Energy, Related Companies

Frank Norcross, Vice President, Hudson Yards Energy, Related Companies

On May 24, 2018, New York Advanced Energy Group held its stakeholder breakfast at the Duane Morris offices. The event focused on the topics of Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization and this episode features one of the Q2 discussion leaders: Gregg Fischer, the Director of Energy Systems under the Design + Construction Sustainability and Utilities division of Tishman Speyer.

Greg Fischer, Director of Energy Systems, Tishman Speyer

On May 24, 2018, New York Advanced Energy Group held its stakeholder breakfast at the Duane Morris offices. The event focused on the topics of Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization and this episode features one of the Q2 discussion leaders: Janet Martin, Director of Network Transformation at Verizon.

Janet Martin, Director Network Transformation, Verizon

On May 24, 2018, New York Advanced Energy Group held its stakeholder breakfast at the Duane Morris offices. The event focused on the topics of Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization and this episode features one of the Q2 discussion leaders: John Rice, a Partner at AFK Group.

John Rice, Partner, AFK Group

On May 31, 2018, Chicago Advanced Energy held its stakeholder breakfast at Holland & Knight on the topics of Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization. This episode features one of the event's discussion leaders: Kyle Hendricks, Senior Manager of Energy and Sustainability at the CBRE Group.

Kyle Hendricks, Senior Manager, Energy and Sustainability, CBRE

On May 31, 2018, Chicago Advanced Energy held its stakeholder breakfast at Holland & Knight on the topics of Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization. This episode features one of the event's discussion leaders: Mark Bettin, the Vice President of Engineering and Sustainability at the TheMART (A Vornado property).

Mark Bettin, Vice President, Engineering and Sustainability, TheMART (A Vornado property)

On May 31, 2018, Chicago Advanced Energy held its stakeholder breakfast at Holland & Knight on the topics of Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization. This episode features one of the event's discussion leaders: Sadzi Martha Oliva, the Commissioner at the Illinois Commerce Commission.

Sadzi Martha Oliva, Commissioner, Illinois Commerce Commission

On May 31, 2018, Chicago Advanced Energy held its stakeholder breakfast at Holland & Knight on the topics of Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization. This episode features one of the event's discussion leaders: Matt Thibodeau, Vice President of Sargent & Lundy.

Matt Thibodeau, Vice President, Sargent & Lundy

On May 31, 2018, Chicago Advanced Energy held its stakeholder breakfast at Holland & Knight on the topics of Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization. This episode features one of the event's discussion leaders: Steve Humes, a Partner at Holland & Knight.

Steve Humes, Partner, Holland & Knight, LLP

On June 14, 2018, Boston Advanced Energy held its Q2 stakeholder breakfast at Holland & Knight. The event focused on the topics of Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization. This episode features one of the event's discussion leaders: Dennis Villanueva, Senior Manager for Energy & Sustainability at ‎Partners HealthCare System.

Dennis Villanueva, Senior Manager, Energy & Sustainability - ‎Partners HealthCare System

On June 14, 2018, Boston Advanced Energy held its Q2 stakeholder breakfast at Holland & Knight. The event focused on the topics of Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization. This episode features one of the event's discussion leaders: Jim Hunt, SVP for Regulatory Affairs & Chief Communications Officer at Eversource Energy.

Jim Hunt, SVP for Regulatory Affairs & Chief Communications Officer, Eversource Energy

On June 14, 2018, Boston Advanced Energy held its Q2 stakeholder breakfast at Holland & Knight. The event focused on the topics of Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization. This episode features one of the event's discussion leaders: CommissionerJudith Judson of the ‎Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources.

Judith Judson, ‎Commissioner, ‎Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources

On June 14, 2018, Boston Advanced Energy held its Q2 stakeholder breakfast at Holland & Knight. The event focused on the topics of Smart Buildings and Grid Modernization. This episode features one of the event's discussion leaders: Joe Dalton, Project Director of Engie's MATEP LLC/Longwood Medical.

Joe Dalton, Project Director, MATEP LLC/Longwood Medical (Engie)

Commissioner and Undersecretary of Energy at Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Patrick Woodcock, discusses his vision and commitment to a clean, equitable Massachusetts. Roger Kranenburg, Vice President of Energy Strategy & Policy at Eversource Energy, talks about Eversource's groundbreaking commitment to be carbon neutral by 2030.  Judith Judson, former Commissioner and now Vice President of Distributed Energy Systems at Ameresco shares private sector solutions.

20Q2 AEG Boston Speaker Roundtable

Advanced Energy Group is a consortium of dedicated stakeholders committed to developing and delivering advanced energy solutions for Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York City, and Washington D.C. By enabling a collaborative, focused framework of dedicated leaders and experts, Advanced Energy Group drives needed change today.

The AEG Podcast features a collection of select speakers from various Advanced Energy Group events and interviews - from breakfasts and one-off collaborations to industry conferences and beyond. Guests include speeches from and conversations with discussion leaders, stakeholder members, individuals from partner organizations, and more.

AEG Podcast

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