Previous Virtual Energy Forum Speakers:
Newt GingrichFormer Speaker of the House, US House of Representatives
A Contract with the Earth
Newt Gingrich is well-known as the architect of the "Contract with America" that led the Republican Party to victory in 1994 by capturing the majority in the U.S. House for the first time in forty years. After he was elected Speaker, he disrupted the status quo by moving power out of Washington and back to the American people. Under his leadership, Congress passed welfare reform, passed the first balanced budget in a generation, and passed the first tax cut in sixteen years. In addition, the Congress restored funding to strengthen our defense and intelligence capabilities, an action later lauded by the bipartisan 9/11 Commission.
But there is a lot more to Newt Gingrich than these remarkable achievements. As an author, Newt has published nineteen books including 10 fiction and non-fiction New York Times best-sellers. Non-fiction books include his latest, 5 Principles for a Successful Life, in addition to Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less, Real Change, A Contract with the Earth, Winning the Future: A 21st Century Contract with America, To Renew America, Lessons Learned the Hard Way, Saving Lives & Saving Money, Window of Opportunity, The Art of Transformation, and Rediscovering God in America. He is also the author of a series of historical fiction books: Gettysburg, Grant Comes East, Never Call Retreat: Lee and Grant the Final Victory, 1945, Pearl Harbor, A Novel of December the 8, and his latest, Days of Infamy. These novels are active history studies in the lessons of warfare based on fictional accounts of historical wartime battles and their aftermaths.
John KerrySenator, Massachusetts
Reshaping US Policy
Senator John Kerry is United States Senator from Massachusetts. For decades in public service, John Kerry has been an environmental leader, fighting on citizens' behalf to clean up toxic waste sites, to keep our air and water clean, and to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and other pristine wilderness areas. He has just returned from Bali, where he represented the United States at the International Climate Negotiations. Kerry has been called the Senate's most outspoken environmentalist and the League of Conservation Voters has called him an "environmental champion." In 1970 he helped organize Massachusetts's first Earth Day, and then led the fight against acid rain in the northeast as Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts. He helped defeat efforts to roll back the environmental accomplishments of a generation, whether in the form of regulatory reform or efforts to drill in national monuments and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Teaming up with John McCain, he stood up to the Bush Administration and led an uphill fight to improve fuel efficiency in automobiles. Having represented the United States at global climate change summits from Rio and Kyoto through the Hague, Kerry led the Senate effort to make environmental preservation a global priority through comprehensive treaties and pushing for the inclusion of important environmental protections in free trade agreements. In addition to supporting important environmental initiatives, John Kerry has turned a spotlight on the Bush Administration's rollbacks of our hard-won environmental gains and their outdated, old-economy notions that clean air, clean water and our national treasures must be sacrificed in the name of short-term profit.
Mark GinsbergSenior Director, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Building Global Green Cities
Mark Ginsberg was appointed by the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) to serve on a newly created EERE Board of Directors. In that capacity, Mr. Ginsberg and the Board direct EERE policy, strategies and budgets and serve as "ambassadors" for EERE. As a senior executive advisor to the Assistant Secretary, his portfolio includes energy efficiency, renewable energy, and climate change technologies. Previously in December, 1991, until July 1997, Mark directed the Federal Energy Management Program, where he provided leadership for Federal agencies to reduce energy consumption $1 billion in their 500,000 buildings. Prior to joining DOE in 1991, Mr. Ginsberg served as Director of the Arizona Energy Office, which was a division of the Department of Commerce, where Mr. Ginsberg oversaw energy and solar programs and helped make the connection between energy efficiency and economic development.
He has received many honors, including most recently, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Alliance to Save Energy. To recognize his lifetime contributions, the U.S. Green Building Council established a permanent Ginsberg Fellowship in 2003.
Presentation Abstract: Mark Ginsberg, Senior Director of the EERE, will kick off the June Virtual Energy Forum event with a discussion on some of the main goals and priorities of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Energy management is a pressing issue, which Mark will explain can be managed by a very comprehensive energy plan.
Amory LovinsChairman and Chief Scientist, Rocky Mountian Institute
Profitable Business-Led Solutions to Climate and Oil
Amory Lovins, a MacArthur Fellow and consultant physicist, is among the world's leading innovators in energy and its links with resources, security, development, and environment. He has advised the energy and other industries for more than three decades as well as the U.S. Departments of Energy and Defense. His work in 50+ countries has been recognized by the "Alternative Nobel," Blue Planet, Volvo, Onassis, Nissan, Shingo, Goff Smith, and Mitchell Prizes, the Benjamin Franklin and Happold Medals, ten honorary doctorates, honorary membership of the American Institute of Architects, Foreign Membership of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences, honorary Senior Fellowship of the Design Futures Council, and the Heinz, Lindbergh, Jean Meyer, Time Hero for the Planet, Time International Hero of the Environment, Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Leadership, and World Technology Awards.
Mr. Lovins cofounded and is Chairman and Chief Scientist of Rocky Mountain Institute (http://www.rmi.org/), an independent, market-oriented, entrepreneurial, nonprofit, nonpartisan think-and-do tank that creates abundance by design. Much of its path finding work on advanced resource productivity (typically with expanding returns to investment) and innovative business strategies is synthesized in Natural Capitalism (1999, with Paul Hawken and L.H. Lovins, http://www.natcap.org/).
David ChamberlainPrincipal Energy Engineer, Raytheon
Energy and Sustainability at Ratheon
Dave has a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of New Hampshire (1984) and an M.S. in mechanical engineering from Northeastern University (1989). He is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Massachusetts, and a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and Certified Green Building Engineer (GBE) with the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). He worked as a mechanical engineer for Raytheon Company in Sudbury, MA, from 1985-1991, then as a general engineer for the U.S. Department of Energy in Boston, MA, from 1991-1997.
Dave is currently employed by Raytheon Company as a principal energy engineer. He is responsible for energy management in the Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) business unit, which includes almost 5 million square feet of office, laboratory and manufacturing facilities. He also has a key role with Raytheon’s Enterprise Energy Team, and manages Raytheon’s ENERGY STAR partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy. Dave also serves as co-chair for the Energy Management Council of the Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM).
Bracken DarrellPresident, Whirlpool
Smart Technology for the Electronically Controlled Appliances
Darrell joins Whirlpool Europe with vast general management and marketing experience in consumer durables, including appliances and consumer packaged goods. He was recently president of Braun, a Procter and Gamble division, based in Germany and previously served as a general manager of General Electric's major appliance business. He also held positions of increasing responsibility in Procter and Gamble, Pepsi and Arthur Andersen.
Presentation Abstract: Bracken Darrell, president of Whirlpool, will speak on the importance of smart-grid technology. Whirlpool has committed itself to the goal of making all electronically controlled devices smart-grid compatible by year 2015. Bracken will explain the reasons behind the goal and the importance of making this new idea a real industry standard sooner rather than later.
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Jim RogersChief Executive Officer, Duke Energy
Building Bridges to a Low-Carbon Future
Jim Rogers is chairman of the board, president and CEO of Duke Energy Corporation. He served as chairman and CEO of Cinergy until its merger with Duke Energy in 2006. He also held the position of chairman, president and CEO of PSI Energy and served as EVP of interstate pipelines for the Enron Gas Pipeline Group. Prior to joining Enron, Rogers was a partner with Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld. Previously, Rogers served as a law clerk for the Supreme Court of Kentucky and as assistant attorney general for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Leith SharpDirector of Harvard Green Campus Initiative, Harvard University
Sustainability-Changing our Institutions
When Leith Sharp left her native Australia for a five-month tour of the U.S. and Europe in the late 1990s, she could hardly have guessed that she'd be gone for a decade. But that's exactly what happened. Sharp had spent five years piloting eco-efforts at the University of New South Wales, in a paid position that was not only a first for the school, but was also one of the first in the country. She set out on her travels to explore sustainability on other campuses, sharing her own experiences as she went. After she spoke at Harvard, the co-chairs of a new green-campus group asked her to stay and lead their charge. In the nine years that followed, this Wizard of Oz turned the Harvard Green Campus Initiative from a one-woman undertaking into an influential office with a full-time staff of 24 -- an office that has literally changed the face of America's oldest college.
Dr. Len SauersVice President of Global Sustainability, Proctor and Gamble
Sustainable Innovation in Product and Manufacturing
Len is Vice President for Global Sustainability at P&G and leads the company's overall sustainability efforts. He works closely with P&G's executive leadership to develop and then ensure the company delivers its short and long-term sustainability goals.
In addition to being a 23-year veteran of P&G, Len also leads the Human and Environmental Safety, Regulatory Affairs, and Corporate Biotechnology organizations worldwide. These groups are responsible for conducting human and environmental risk assessments for new products and ingredients, ensuring regulatory compliance, and conducting upstream basic research.
Presentation Abstract: Dr. Len Sauers, Vice President of Global Sustainability at Proctor and Gamble will speak about a chain system of innovation; from manufacturing, through distribution, to disposal, that has allowed the company to be successful in its sustainability efforts.
Mark BuckleyVice President, Environmental Affairs, Staples, Inc
Sustainability at Staples
Mark Buckley directs Staples' environmental commitment and sustainable business practices to protect and preserve natural resources. He is responsible for driving the company's environmental leadership in four major areas: recycling; offering a wide assortment of eco-friendly products; investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy; and educating customers and associates about sustainability. An 18-year Staples veteran, Buckley was previously vice president of facilities management and purchasing at Staples where he directed company-wide recycling and energy conservation programs.
Robert ColucciSr. Director, Global Energy Planning & Management, Merck
Going Green at Merck
Robert Colucci works for Merck & Co., Inc. as their Senior Director of Global Energy Planning & Management. Rob leads, oversees and manages strategies in support of the Company's energy programs on a global basis. Merck has achieved more than 22 percent global energy efficiency from the 2004 baseline, and is in the process of installing the largest corporate ground mounted solar tracking system east of the Mississippi. This has resulted in Merck's recognition by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an Energy Star Partner of the Year in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
Thomas DowningEnergy Manager, Yale University
Energy Management at Yale
Tom Downing joined Yale University in early 2002 as The University's Energy Manager and works in the Facilities Systems Engineering group. Tom's major responsibilities include oversight of monthly energy consumption data production for 250+ Yale buildings, University energy/emissions recording and forecasting, and the initiation/project management of energy conservation and renewable energy projects around campus. Tom can often be found speaking to students, faculty, staff, and community groups regarding Yale's energy and emissions goals, initiatives and experiences. Tom is the leading figure behind setting up the solar panels on the Divinity School and the motion-sensored lighting in Yale buildings.
Mike KearneySenior Director US Energy & Environmental Solutions, Siemens
Practical Strategies to Green Existing Buildings
As a leading provider of energy and environmental solutions, building controls, fire safety and security systems solutions, Siemens Building Technologies, Inc., makes buildings comfortable, safe, secure and less costly to operate. With U.S. headquarters in Buffalo Grove, Ill., Siemens Building Technologies employs 7,400 people and provides a full range of services and solutions from more than 100 locations coast-to-coast. Worldwide, the company has 28,000 employees and operates from more than 500 locations in 51 countries. In addition to traditional performance contracting solutions, SBT is your partner for enterprise-wide strategic energy programs - we help you integrate and optimize your facilities' energy supply and performance benefits. We help you proactively manage the risks and guarantee the performance benefits and financial results. Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. is part of Siemens AG, a $112 billion global engineering and electronics powerhouse and one of the largest energy infrastructure companies in the world.
Gene KutcherVice President Sales & Marketing, Energy Marketing, Hess
Green Solutions for Your Energy Needs
Gene Kutcher is currently Vice President Sales & Marketing, Energy Marketing for the Hess Corporation. The scope of Gene's responsibility includes the development, marketing and sales activities for fuel oil, natural gas and electricity to Utilities, Power Generation, Industrial and Government Accounts as well as Wholesale Oil Sales to Distributor Accounts. Gene has spent his entire thirty-five (35) year career with the Hess Corporation in various Management positions in the Sales & Marketing Group.
Presenation Abstract: Hess' comprehensive approach to green energy simplifies environmental responsibility by offering your organization a robust sustainability package. The Hess Green Suite, consisting of Demand Response, Renewable Energy and Carbon Neutral Energy, assists your business in getting ahead of the climate change curve.
Charlie HemmelineSolar Energy Technologies Program Lead, U.S. Department of Energy Solar Program
UPDATE: Solar America Cities Program
Charlie Hemmeline is the Team Lead for Market Transformation in the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Energy Technologies Program. For the past four years, Mr. Hemmeline has helped to design and implement the portfolio of non-R&D activities in the Solar Program focused on reducing the barriers to wide scale solar adoption. These efforts include new activities in workforce development, outreach to State and utility decision makers, and the Solar America Cities partnership program. Mr. Hemmeline holds a Master's of Public Administration and a Bachelor's of Science in mechanical engineering, each from Texas A&M University.
Presentation Abstract: Mr. Hemmeline will provide an update on DOE's Solar America Cities program and other new developments in the Solar Program's market transformation effort. Come hear how local governments and educational institutions across the country are pushing the envelope on solar integration with new Recovery Act funded projects.
Andre de FontaineManager, Corporate Energy Efficiency, Pew Center on Global Climate Change
From Shop Floor to Top Floor: Best Business Practices in Energy Efficiency
Andre de Fontaine is a Markets and Business Strategy Fellow at the Pew Center on Global Climate Change. He works with the Center's Business Environmental Leadership Council (BELC), a group of 46 largely Fortune 500 corporations that have partnered with the Pew Center to address issues related to climate change. He also engages in Pew Center analytic work on climate-related markets and investment issues. Prior to coming to the Pew Center, Mr. de Fontaine was a journalist in California, covering environmental policy in the state's capital. While there, he wrote about a range of issues, including the state's landmark efforts on climate change and renewable energy. Mr. de Fontaine holds a master's degree in public policy from Georgetown University and a B.A. in political science from the University of California, San Diego.
Presentation Abstract: This presentation will discuss preliminary findings from the Pew Center on Global Climate Change's forthcoming report on Best Practices in Corporate Energy Efficiency. The report describes leading corporate energy efficiency programs, identifies key lessons learned, and details energy efficiency strategy development and implementation through six in-depth case studies of exemplary corporate programs. The report's findings stem from direct interaction with leading corporations from a cross-section of industries.
Neil ForcierApplication Specialist, Agilent Technologies
Developing Flexible Terrestrial Solar Cell/Module I-V Characterization Solutions
Neil Forcier served in the US Navy for six years as an Electronic Test Equipment Calibration Technician on board the USS Harry S Truman CVN-75. Neil earned his bachelor's degree in engineering from the Pennsylvania State University, University Park campus. He is currently working as an Application Engineer for the System Products Division at Agilent Technologies. His key area of focus at Agilent is automated test for the alternative energy industry.
Presentation Abstract: The explosive growth in the solar industry has intensified the need for solar cell and module test and measurement solutions. Either turnkey solutions or test-system building blocks with software are available. However, real tradeoffs must be made between cost, speed-to-test and swift solution obsolescence due to this industry's rapidly developing technologies. This webcast will provide insight on configuring and implementing a flexible I-V characterization solution for high powered solar cells, modules, and solar concentrators that has the unique ability to capture I-V curves under illuminated conditions, or characterize the dark or reverse bias region of the cell or module under test. The solution discussed will decrease test costs without sacrificing performance, while increasing test flexibility to handle a rapidly changing testing environment.
Leslie CookProgram Manager, U.S. E.P.A. ENERGY STAR Commercial Buildings
ENERGY STAR for Commercial Buildings
Leslie Cook is a Program Manager with the US EPA's ENERGY STAR Commercial Buildings program working with state and local governments to protect the climate through increased building energy efficiency, with a focus on energy benchmarking and public disclosure policy. Leslie has a B.A in Environmental Studies from Marietta College and a Master's in Environmental Science and sustainable buildings from Miami University. Prior to her time with ENERGY STAR, Leslie spent year working with the EPA Green Building Workgroup as a National Environmental Management Studies Fellow.
Presentation Abstract: Ms. Cook will provide an update on EPA's ENERGY STAR Commercial Buildings program and discuss the growing adoption of ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager in state and local, mandatory and voluntary energy efficiency programs. Attendee's will develop a better understanding of the key ENERGY STAR resources for building owners and managers, including an overview of on how ENERGY STAR is incorporated into green building certification programs.
John Haig, Jr.Energy and Sustainability Manager, Sonoma County, California
Climate Initiatives in Sonoma County: A Case Study in Sustainable Practices in County Government
John D. Haig, Jr.,is employed by the County of Sonoma, General Services Department, as the Division Manager for Energy and Sustainability. He currently manages the County Greenhouse Gas Emissions reduction strategy, directs operations for the S.C.E.I.P. PACE funding program at the County, helps steer the County's Comprehensive Energy Building Retrofit Project and Renewable Energy Projects, and is involved in many other green initiatives. He is a graduate of U.C. Berkeley (1977) and Golden Gate University School of Law, and has a varied background in Corporate Operations at Gap, Inc and in Facilities Management, holding the prestigious I.F.M.A. C.F.M/C.F.M.J. certifications. He lives in SonomaCounty with his wife and two children, has a passion for sustainable practices generally, and enjoys volunteering in the community in his spare time.
Presentation Abstract: A case study in Sustainable Practices in County Government. His presentation will cover the establishment of County government operations GHG baselines and reduction plans, the establishment of similar goals for the community as a whole, and the strategies and measures undertaken by the County and its fellow government, private sector, and NGO partners to address climate issues. Included in the presentation will be a discussion of County and community programs involving the creation and operation of the County's PACE program (first of its kind), the creation of a Best Practices Guidebook for reduction of GHG emissions (sponsored by BAAQMD), a partnership with PG&E (our local utility), membership in Solar Sonoma County, an NGO funded by the DOE as an American Solar City program and dedicated to increasing solar installation in the County, the creation of an Electric Vehicle infrastructure partnership and program, the creation of regional climate partnership which led to a Regional Climate Protection Authority which allows supports and furthers collaboration among governments and the private sector to address climate issues together, and other notable initiatives.
Thor HinckleyRenewable Power Program Manager, Portland General Electric
A Successful Green Power Program, Navigating REC's, Regulatory, Residential and Corporate
As Portland General Electric's renewable power program manager, Thor Hinckley manages the nation's leading residential green power program.
PGE's Renewable Power Program serves almost 73,000 residential and business renewable customer accounts. According to the U.S DOE's National Renewable Energy Labs this is the most successful residential program in the nation. Hinckley also developed the nation's fastest-selling renewable energy program, Renewable Futuresm and oversees the Healthy Habitatsm donation program in coordination with The Nature Conservancy, the nation's first utility salmon habitat restoration option. Hinckley's leadership in business sustainability includes developing one of the nation's leading renewable power programs for medium to large businesses - Clean Windsm - customers include Intel, American Honda Motors, Toyota Motors, Epson, and several other leading Oregon businesses.
Hinckley's professional activities include serving as board member of the Oregon Natural Step Network, one of the leading sustainability non-government organizations, and chairman of the board for the OpalCreekAncientForestCenter. Hinckley also serves on the Renewable Advisory Council for the Oregon Energy Trust and previously served as a commissioner for the the Portland Sustainable Development Commission.
Hinckley holds a bachelor of arts from Roosevelt University in Chicago, Ill., and is a master of business arts candidate at Marylhurst University in Oregon.
Presentation Abstract: This presentation is focused on lessons gathered over the past eight years managing one of the nations top retail green power programs. Attendee's will develop an better understanding of the key program features and tactics for successful marketing of green products and services.
Michael D. KornitasCertified Energy Manager, Rutgers University
Implementation of a Solar Farm at a University
Michael Kornitas is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accredited professional, since 2003, and a Certified Energy Manager. Kornitas is also a member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers and The Association of Energy Engineers. He is the co-chair for Green Design and treasurer for the NJ Higher Education Partnership for Sustainability. He is the Energy Conservation Manager for RutgersUniversity, the Sustainability Coordinator for Rutgers Facilities and Capital Planning. Kornitas has over 25 yrs of experience in HVAC design
Kornitas co-wrote the 2nd edition of the High Performance Campus Design
Handbook for NJHEPS. The handbook is a technical guide to sustainable
design for New Jersey
higher education institutions for planners, designers, and facilities
personnel. Mr. Kornitas is part of the
Rutgers Speakers Bureau and has given numerous presentations on Sustainable
Principles and Energy Conservation. Kornitas was Instrumental in Rutgers University being selected as Energy
Educator of the Year for 2009 By the Board of Public Utilities of New Jersey.
Presentation Abstract: In 2009 RutgersUniversity constructed one of the largest ground mounted solar arrays on any one university campus in the country. The 1.4 MW facility is working beyond expectations. This presentation is the steps that need to be taken and what steps Rutgers took to achieve this.
John RohlfCorporate Energy Manager, Medtronic
The Ultimate Answer to the Ultimate Question: Efficiency
John is the Corporate Energy Manager for Medtronic, Inc based in Minneapolis. Medtronic is the world's leader in medical technology and pioneering therapies. John developed the Corporation's first Energy Program which includes coordination of supply contracts, data management, payments, reporting and efficiency efforts. He established their first natural gas risk management process and streamlined the invoice management/payment process for North American facilities. He is currently the Chairman of the Energy Committee at the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and served on the energy efficiency committee for the Midwest Governors Advisory Group.
Previously, John spent twenty years with Ford Motor Company in various roles including Corporate natural gas program manager. He also implemented energy efficiency projects in the areas of HVAC, lighting, hydro-electric, steam and compressed air systems in facilities throughout North America.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota, is a Certified Energy Manager, a certified ISO 9000 internal auditor and a 6 Sigma Greenbelt. However his true accomplishments have been as an assistant Scoutmaster and travel softball coach.
Presentation Abstract: Whether we are trying to reduce greenhouse gasses, reduce operating costs, increase power reliability, create jobs, or increase energy security, energy efficiency is the most powerful strategy to embrace. Two case studies show how concentrating on efficiency can be cost effective and answer many questions.
