Menu
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Sustain SoCal presents its 10th Annual Conference – Energy Infrastructure, a conference focused on exploring innovations that create a resilient energy infrastructure capable of supporting a wide range of sustainability initiatives in Southern California and beyond.
Attended by hundreds of key private sector, public sector and utility stakeholders, this conference will highlight new approaches that utilize both innovative energy technologies and forward-thinking leadership for upgrading legacy systems and building new energy infrastructure.
The Conference features a Welcoming Address by U.S. Congressman Harley Rouda, Member of the House of Representatives Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.
Please join us for this important day of presentations, interactive discussions and networking as Sustain SoCal addresses real-world solutions that meet Southern California’s evolving needs and sustainability goals.
Speaker Biographies are at bottom of page.
Agenda (subject to change)
8:00 Registration / Breakfast / Networking / Expo
8:25 Sustain SoCal Welcome
Scott Kitcher, President & CEO, Sustain SoCal
Representatives from the Board, Sustain SoCal
8:30 Welcoming Address
U.S. Congressman Harley Rouda, (CA-48) – House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Member
8:40 Keynote Addresses – Infrastructure Innovation from Private and Public Perspectives
Edie Chang, Deputy Executive Officer, California Air Resources Board
Sheeraz Haji, Managing Partner, zipdragon ventures and Senior Advisor, ENGIE New Ventures
9:20 Community Choice Energy (CCE) in Southern California
Vitaly Lee, EVP Development, BayWa r.e. (Moderator)
Amber Nyquist, Manager Economic Evaluations, EES Consulting
Sona Coffee, Environmental Programs Administrator, City of Irvine
Barbara Spoonhour, Director of CCA Development, WRCOG
Drake Welch, Calpine Energy Solutions
Craig Perkins, President & Executive Director, The Energy Coalition
9:55 Sustain SoCal’s Community Choice Energy Aggregated Feasibility Study Program
Scott Kitcher, President & CEO, Sustain SoCal
10:00 Break
10:10 Hydrogen’s Role in a Low Carbon Future
Matt Gregori, Clean Energy Technology Scout, SoCalGas (Moderator)
James Kast, Fuel Cell Business Analyst Advanced Business Strategy, Toyota Motor NA
Paul Fukumoto, Director Business Development, Fuel Cell Energy
10:50 Energy Storage Strategies
Michael Hamilton, Senior Sales Engineer, Enel X North America
David Robinson, Territory Manager – Western Markets, Stem
11:30 Energy Efficiency in the Built Environment: 85 Argonaut, a Case Study
Charles Fletcher, Executive VP, EMCOR Services Mesa Energy Systems
Martin Morgenstern, Partner, Bristol Group Inc.
12:10 Grid Modernization
Vibhu Kaushik, Director of Grid Technology & Modernization, Southern California Edison
12:30 Networking Lunch
1:00 Vehicle Charging
April Bolduc, CEO, S Curve Strategies (Moderator)
Randal Kaufman, Director, Black & Veatch
Michelle Meyer, Director of Marketing, Greenlots, A Member of the Shell Group
Michael Terreri, Program Manager, Gladstein Neandross Clean Transportation & Energy
Emily Wier, Energy Policy Adviser, Office of San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher
1:40 The Energy Cloud
Trina Horner, Director, Energy, Navigant
2:00 Meet the Innovators
2:30 Overcoming Barriers to Residential Clean Energy
Grace Broyles, Program Manager, Market Transformation, LACI (Moderator)
Max Aram, Co-founder & CEO, Pick My Solar
Michael Kadish, Executive Director, Grid Alternatives
Jessica Lim, Principal Manager, Product Management, Southern California Edison
3:10 Closing Remarks
3:15 Networking – Ice Cream Social
4:00 Adjourn
Speaker biographies are at bottom of page
We look forward to having you join us for the
Sustain SoCal 10th Annual Conference
#sustainsocal10th
For Annual Conference sponsorship and exhibit information
Visit: https://sustainsocal.org/sponsorships
Download here: 10th Annual Conference Sponsorship & Exhibit information sheet
Email: info@sustainsocal.org
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”72px”][vc_column_text]
[vc_empty_space height=”24″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Max Aram, Co-founder & CEO, Pick My Solar
I am an entrepreneur at heart and an explorer in mind. A storyteller, dreamer, creator, and innovator. I am a very competitive player, but never break the rules of the game. Unleashing the potential of millions of kids around the world is something worth living for, and as the CEO of Pick My Solar, I’m going to make that one of our primary missions. My dad was 8 years old before the grid reached his hometown, and he told me that electricity not only lights up your surroundings, but it also lights up your mind and unleashes your imagination. Over 800M people worldwide live without electricity, and it would take decades and trillions of dollars of investment in infrastructure for the power lines to reach them. Solar energy has shifted the paradigm, and we can now leapfrog that old, expensive technology and give everyone access to electricity for a small fraction of that cost in just a few years.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]April Bolduc, CEO, S Curve Strategies
April is passionate about electric cars and has driven electric since 2011. She has inspired thousands of drivers to do the same by assisting utilities in California and across the U.S. develop and launch their electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure strategies. In addition to utilities, April consults with states, municipalities and advanced technology companies to deploy their EV customer engagement and marketing strategies. Prior to forming S Curve Strategies April was the Electric Vehicle Customer Engagement Manager for San Diego Gas & Electric’s Clean Transportation team, leading their EV education, outreach, marketing and program sales. Today, this region has one of the highest EV adoption rate of any city in the country. While at the utility she collaborated with internal departments, critical stakeholders and regulators to exponentially grow EV adoption and create a joyful customer experience for drivers. As the spokesperson for the company’s EV efforts she’s done hundreds of TV, print, radio and social media interviews on EVs, charging technology, market trends, and overcoming adoption barriers. Prior to her Clean Transportation role, April was a manager in the Media Relations Department and spokesperson for the utility’s innovative technology efforts, including smart meters, smart grid, smart cities, cybersecurity, microgrids and EVs. Prior to that she was a manager in the Corporate Communications Department for the utility’s parent company Sempra Energy, a Fortune 500 company. April is a graduate of UC San Diego with a Bachelor of Arts in communication. She received Specialized Certificates from UC San Diego in News Feature Writing, Copy Editing and Meeting & Event Planning. April is a member of the Smart Electric Power Association’s EV Working Committee, Plug In America, Forth, the Western Utilities Public Affairs Group, a past president of the Public Relations Society of America San Diego & Imperial Valley Chapter, serves on the marketing committee of the San Diego Library Foundation and emcees numerous nonprofit events throughout the San Diego region. S Curve Strategies is a certified women-owned business by the California Public Utilities Commission Supplier’s Clearing House, the Women Business Enterprise National Council and the U.S. Small Business Association.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Sasha Braun, Chief Operating Officer, Alumina Energy
Over the past 8 years Sasha Braun has worked with start ups to commercialize early stage hardware technologies and consumer products. He started his career in the energy industry as a private consultant working with clients to deploy new renewable energy projects and energy efficiency retrofits in commercial properties. Concurrently, he founded Alumina Energy to acquire and commercialize an innovative energy storage solution developed and exclusively licensed from the City College of New York. Additionally, he managed commercialization at RadiaBeam Technologies for 2 years and currently serve as an advisor to start ups, including Cazcanes Tequila.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Grace Broyles, Program Manager, Market Transformation, Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI)
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Edie Chang, Deputy Executive Officer, California Air Resources Board
Edie Chang was appointed as a Deputy Executive Officer at the California Air Resources Board in the spring of 2013. She is responsible for development and implementation of California’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions including the AB 32 Scoping Plan, the cap-and-trade regulation, and the low carbon fuel standard. She also oversees strategies to reduce emissions from freight transport, the air toxics program, fuels regulations, and stationary source programs. In Edie’s 20 year career with CARB, she has worked on a wide variety of projects including implementation of the zero-emission vehicle program, preparation of State Implementation Plans, and diesel incentive programs. Edie received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Irvine. She is a registered Mechanical Engineer in the State of California.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Steven Chung, Co-founder & CEO, ReJoule
Steven Chung is co-founder & CEO of ReJoule, where he leads technology development and the company’s overall strategy. He has been in the battery and power industry for 7 years. Steven has a Masters in Electrical Engineering from the University of Toronto, and received his Bachelors in Electrical Engineering from UC Irvine.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Sona Coffee, Environmental Programs Administrator, City of Irvine
Sona Coffee is a sustainability manager that is passionate about transforming local governments into environmentally sustainable communities. Prior to joining the City of Irvine as the Environmental Programs Administrator in 2017, she served in a similar role at the City of Manhattan Beach for eight years. Sona leads programs that promote environmental stewardship, with an emphasis on moving communities towards clean energy. In addition to energy programs, she oversees the City of Irvine’s solid waste management and recycling programs, and civic engagement efforts. Sona is a proud USC alum with undergraduate and graduate degrees from the Price School of Public Policy, with an emphasis in environmental policy. She is also a member of the Council on Women in Energy and Environmental Leadership, focusing on career development of women in the energy and environmental fields.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Charles Fletcher, Exec. VP, EMCOR Systems Mesa Energy Services
Mr. Fletcher began his HVAC career in 1978, working for five years with various mechanical construction companies as a sheet metal worker, operations manager and sales engineer. Recognizing the need for high-caliber contractors in California’s growing construction industry, he founded Mesa in 1983 and played an integral role in the company’s growth from a small business with a solid reputation into a forward-looking, best-in-class service contractor. As CEO and Senior Vice President, he guided the company through its 1999 merger with EMCOR and the ensuing expansion of its capabilities and resources. Mr. Fletcher earned his bachelor’s in mathematics at the State University of New York, Cortland. He holds a California contractor’s license and is a member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the Association of Electrical Engineers (AEE), the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA), the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), the International Facilities Managers Association (IFMA), the Mechanical Contractors Association (MCA), and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association (SMACNA). He is a LEED Accredited Professional and has recently joined the Advisory Committee for The California Commissioning Collaborative.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]
Paul Fukumoto, Director Business Development, Fuel Cell Energy
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Matt Gregori, Clean Energy Technology Scout, SoCal Gas
Matt Gregori serves as a Technology Development Manager for Customer Solutions in the SoCalGas Research, Development, and Demonstration (RD&D) group. His team seeks out new natural gas and hydrogen technologies that are ready for deployment at the pilot or demonstration scale. His portfolio includes technologies in transportation, power generation, and residential, commercial, and industrial thermal applications. During his career in the clean energy field, Matt has built and operated various types of clean energy projects, from biodiesel production facilities to food waste anaerobic digesters. Matt earned a B.S. in Chemistry at The California Institute of Technology and an MBA at the Anderson School of Management at UCLA.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Sheeraz Haji, Managing Partner, zipdragon ventures and Senior Advisor, ENGIE New Ventures
Sheeraz Daniel Haji is a Senior Advisor for ENGIE New Ventures and founder and managing partner of zipdragon ventures (ZDV), a firm providing seed capital to industry cloud startups. ENGIE New Ventures is ENGIE’s corporate venture capital arm, established to directly invest in innovative startups and to drive the energy transformation. Recent investments include kWh Analytics, OpusOne, Street Light Data, and Serviz. Prior to ENGIE and ZDV, Sheeraz served as CEO of Cleantech Group (CTG) and played a pivotal role in the transformation towards cleaner energy and resource efficiency. Sheeraz co-founded and served as CEO of GetActive Software, which pioneered online fundraising and engagement for nonprofits. He led GetActive’s merger with Convio and served as Convio’s President. Convio went public on the NASDAQ and was acquired for $325m post-IPO. Sheeraz started his career as an environmental engineer at Environ and a consultant at McKinsey & Company. Visit www.engieventures.com and www.zipdragon.com[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Michael Hamilton, Senior Sales Engineer, Enel X North America
Michael Hamilton is a Senior Sales Engineer for Enel X North America focusing on the Southwest US and Hawaii markets. He is an 11-year veteran of the clean energy industry. His focus is on cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial customers to improve the bottom line and green their business portfolio simultaneously. His previous experience is with utilities and electric generator manufacturers, including Southern California Edison, Capstone Turbine, and FlexEnergy. His early research interests were in carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) and hydrogen fuel cells. He has degrees from MIT (SM Technology and Policy) and Georgia Tech (BS Mechanical Engineering).[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Trina Horner, Director Energy, Navigant
Trina Horner is a Director in Navigant’s Energy Practice. As a former regulator and business leader for both municipal and investor-owned utilities, she brings broad experience navigating regulatory, strategic, governance and policy challenges in today’s changing energy environment. Her work encompasses revenue requirement, rate design, cost of service and rate case development, as well as strategic assessment of regulatory, operational and policy initiatives. Trina has cultivated credibility across a diverse spectrum of energy industry stakeholders for her understanding of these issues, as well as her ability to drive effective solutions for them. Education: B.A., International Relations, University of California, Davis[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Michael Kadish, Executive Director, GRID Alternatives Greater Los Angeles
Michael has been the Executive Director of GLA since 2013 and previously served as one of the founding Directors of its Board. Prior to his involvement with GRID, Michael worked in a variety of government and campaign roles including Policy Director for the New York City Council Member representing Lower Manhattan after 9/11, Policy Director on the 2008 Obama campaign and Director of Public and Consumer Affairs for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Michael currently sits on the Board of the Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters. He also holds a BA from Columbia University and a Masters Degree in Public Policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]James Kast, Fuel Cell Business Analyst, Corporate Strategy and Planning, Toyota Motor NA
Mr. Kast is a Fuel Cell Business Analyst, Corporate Strategy and Planning at Toyota Motor North America. His role within the Electrified Vehicle and Technologies Office includes a number of business development activities to improve and expand the adoption of fuel cell electric vehicles in the U.S., namely the Toyota Mirai and Toyota’s Project Portal Class 8 truck. Before joining Toyota, James supported the Department of Energy’s Fuel Cell Technologies Office as a Science and Technology Policy Fellow. He holds an MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California Irvine, and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Idaho.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Randal Kaufman, Director, Black & Veatch
Randal Kaufman is Sales Director for Black & Veatch’s Transformative Technologies business. With over 15 years of experience in the electrical power industry, Randal has expertise in electric vehicle charging infrastructure and complimentary energy delivery systems, data centers, distributed generation, battery energy storage, energy management, power quality, and mission-critical backup systems. He also spent two years in the stationary fuel cell power generation business, with special focus on application engineering and product development. His previous work experience includes ABB, ClearEdge Power, and Schneider Electric. Randal holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from California State University-Chico and an MBA from the University of California-Irvine. Randal’s career focus is to develop clean, efficient, resilient, secure, and economically viable energy solutions for critical human infrastructure.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Vibhu Kaushik, Director of Grid Technology & Modernization, Southern California Edison
Southern California Edison (SCE), the largest subsidiary of Edison International (NYSE: EIX), is the primary electricity supply company for much of Southern California, USA. It provides 15 million people with electricity across a service territory of approximately 50,000 square miles. As the Director of Grid Technology and Modernization at SCE, Vibhu leads SCE’s strategic roadmap for grid modernization, and serves as SCE’s leader in applied research and grid modernization, leading industry groups and external stakeholders on industry initiatives, research activities, standards and cooperative projects. He also leads SCE’s technical efforts in deployment of emerging technologies including key integrated pilot demonstration projects. Previously, Vibhu held several roles within SCE including Principal Manager of Asset Management and Generation Strategy group where he was responsible for driving the major maintenance and capital investment decisions and maximize the returns for company’s hydroelectric, natural gas, energy storage, and solar power plants; Vibhu originated and led SCE’s award-winning Hybrid Enhance Gas Turbines projects and Energy Storage initiatives. Vibhu received the 2017 “Top Forty Innovators” award from Public Utilities ortnightly magazine. Vibhu earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, India, and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from University of Manitoba, Canada, and a master’s degree in Business Administration from University of California, Los Angeles. He is also a registered professional engineer.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]C. Scott Kitcher, President & CEO, Sustain SoCal
Scott has 29 years of financial services experience in investment banking, investment management, private equity, and consulting. Just over 13 years ago, he began focusing on clean technologies. Today, he is President & CEO of Sustain SoCal, and serves on various corporate, non-profit and academic boards and committees in various roles almost all related to cleantech and sustainability.
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Brandon Larson, Lead Engineer, Arctica Solar
Brandon is a UC Irvine mechanical engineer with deep solar coursework and extra curricular activity. Brandon has worked as a software, hardware and electronics development engineer with multiple companies and start ups since 2016.
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Vitaly Lee, EVP Development, BayWa r.e.
Vitaly has over 20 years of experience in both domestic and international energy marketplace with a track record of accomplishments in resolving complex commercial, regulatory, financial, tax and other business issues. He currently serves as the Executive Vice President of Development at BayWa r.e. Solar Projects where he oversees the development of BayWa r.e.’s solar project portfolio in the US and Mexico. He serves as Vice-Chair on the Board of Sustain SoCal. Prior to this role, Vitaly led asset management for a .5 GW geothermal & solar portfolio at Terra-Gen, a private equity owned IPP, one of the most recognized renewable developers in the US. As a key member of the senior management team, he was charged with maximizing the commercial value of the assets by proactively managing key relationships with senior utility executives. In addition, he spearheaded power marketing effort with C&I customers. Prior to Terra-Gen, Vitaly had held various leadership positions at AES Corporation, a Fortune 200 global IPP company, where he was actively involved and played a frontline role in business development and M&A, strategic planning and later running asset management for a 4.4 GW gas-fired portfolio in Southern California. Vitaly was instrumental in establishing the regulatory framework for AES in California post energy crisis of 2000-2001. Vitaly has negotiated multiple cross-border transactions and has traveled to 20+ countries. Vitaly started his career as a tax associate at Arthur Andersen where he advised his clients on complicated cross-jurisdictional tax issues and conducted tax due diligence for prospective acquisition targets. Vitaly holds an MBA from the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business as well as Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Delaware where he focused on Public Finance and Taxation.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Jessica Lim, Principal Manager, Product Management at Southern California Edison
Jessica Lim is the Principal Manager of Product Management at Southern California Edison. She is responsible for product development and managing a portfolio of programs to enable customer choice from distributed generation to rate options. Prior to this role, Jessica advanced customer-focused initiatives through Marketing & Digital at SCE, grew the e-commerce division at Epson America, and launched new brands at Ogilvy & Mather Advertising and Ketchum Communications.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Michelle Meyer, Director of Marketing, Greenlots, A Member of the Shell Group
Michelle Meyer is responsible for the implementation of Greenlot’s marketing strategy, including brand management, campaigns, events, digital marketing, and content creation. Prior to Greenlots, She has held several positions overseeing strategic and tactical marketing initiatives at leading energy technology companies, including ABB, AMSC and Eaton. Ms. Meyer has a BA degree in Political Science from McGill University and an MSc in Politics Research from the University of Oxford.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Martin Morgenstern, Partner, Bristol Group Inc.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Amber Nyquist, Manager, Economic Evaluations, EES Consulting
Amber has over 10 years of experience advising electric power and Community Choice Aggregation clients. Amber provides analytical expertise for EES in support of economic and financial studies. She offers experience and knowledge to a wide range of topics related to regulated utilities. Her background includes cost of service analysis, electric rate design, wholesale rate setting, and other power supply costs or related information. She assists in Integrated Resource Planning as well as independent resource evaluation. Specific areas of expertise include demand-side and conservation resources, geothermal, wind, renewable energy credits, gas-fired, and other resources. In addition to resource planning, Amber uses her background in econometrics and data analysis to develop load forecasts, normalize electric loads according to weather, and to develop market price forecasts. She also conducts conservation program evaluations and provides utilities with statistically significant results, which assist in utility program planning, data collection, and presentations. Amber has performed over 50 conservation potential assessment studies for electric utilities on the west coast. Education: M.A., Economics, Simon Fraser University / B.A., Economics, Western Washington University.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Craig Perkins, President & Executive Director, The Energy Coalition
Since 2008, Craig has been President and Executive Director of The Energy Coalition, a non-profit organization that delivers programs and services to create energy efficient and low-carbon communities. Prior to joining The Energy Coalition, Craig was Director of Environment and Public Works for the City of Santa Monica where he was in charge of water, wastewater and solid waste operations; managed construction services for City buildings and infrastructure; and developed and implemented Santa Monica’s Sustainability Plan.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Adam Plesniak, Founder, CEO of Arctica Solar
Adam has over 12 years experience in product development for solar energy and started Arctica Solar in 2015. MS Electrical Engineering from Stanford, and a BS Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]U.S. Congressman Harley Rouda, (CA – 48th District)
Harley Rouda is a businessman and advocate who ran for Congress to protect the California way of life for the next generation. Harley has built and managed companies that are leaders in the sustainability movement and is a longtime community leader in Orange County. In Congress, he’s working to build economic opportunity, ensure quality affordable health care for all, prevent gun violence, and reverse the climate crisis. In 2018, he built an historic grassroots campaign that was supported by tens of thousands of Orange County residents. He lives in Laguna Beach with his wife Kaira and their four children.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]
Barbara Spoonhour, Director of CCA Development, WRCOG
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Michael Terreri, Program Manager, Gladstein Neandross Clean Transportation & Energy
Michael brings experience in fleet sustainability, grant administration, project management, and vehicle replacement analyses. Having administered clean transportation incentive programs in New York, North Carolina and California; Michael also brings unique insight to grant writing and what agencies are looking for in an application. Michael is an active member of the NAFA Fleet Management Association. He was a contributing author to NAFA’s Sustainable Fleet Manager certification, has audited more than ninety electric vehicle fleets and wrote the industry’s first benchmarking guide for fleet electric vehicles. Past experience: Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE) is an administrator of clean transportation incentive and technical assistance programs for states such as California, New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts—as well as numerous regional and local governments. CSE is one of the largest organizations of its kind with more than 150 employees in five offices nationwide. As fleet projects manager, Michael was responsible for translating CSE’s alternative fuels work with consumers to success in fleet focused programs. Michael administered and designed many aspects of California’s light-duty EV fleet incentive program, produced the industry’s first benchmarking guide, and developed a university certified training for fleets implementing EV programs. Clean Transportation Specialist, North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center – The NC Clean Energy Technology Center, based out of North Carolina State University, is one of the largest clean transportation market development organizations in the Southeast United States. As a Clean Transportation Specialist, Michael managed grants for fleet and infrastructure projects; administered TV, radio and billboard campaign valued at over $2MM; organized trade show events; and outreached directly to fleets. Project Coordinator, US Dept. of Energy Clean Cities Coalitions in NY and TN – The Clean Cities Program is a U.S. Department of Energy supported initiative to provide clean transportation technical assistance to fleets. As a contractor, Michael worked with Clean Cities organizations in New York and Tennessee. Work included supporting workshops, grant administration, emissions analysis and outreach. Education: MPA, State University of New York College at Brockport, BA, State University of New York College at Geneseo[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Brian Thurston, Sr. Advisor, Blue Box Air
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Drake Welch, Vice President of Customer Care, Calpine Energy Solutions
Drake oversees Calpine Energy Solutions’ ISO-9001:2015 certified Customer Care group, which includes the Operations, Information Technology, and Community Choice Aggregation Services departments. Drake has over 20 years of utility and energy supplier experience, with a focus on customer and back office services. In 2010, Drake helped launch California’s first CCA, Marin Clean Energy and now oversees support for 17 CCAs across the state. Drake holds a Bachelors of Arts in Business Economics from University of California, Los Angeles and serves as a board member for Sustain SoCal and Cleantech San Diego.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][vc_column_text]Emily Wier, Energy Policy Adviser, Office of San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher
Emily Wier is the environmental policy advisor for San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher. She has a broad portfolio that includes transportation, clean energy, and climate change. Wier has more than eight years of experience developing and consulting on environment and energy policy, including within the Obama Administration’s White House Office of Energy and Climate Change. Most recently, Wier developed policy and legislative strategy for a startup firm deploying electric vehicle charging solutions. Wier has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Tufts University, and a master’s degree in environmental policy from Yale.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]