The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has selected 21 leaders to participate in its 2019 Executive Energy Leadership program (Energy Execs), which provides non-technical business, governmental and community leaders an opportunity to learn about advanced energy technologies, analytical tools and financing to guide their organizations and communities in energy-related decisions and planning.
The four-month program, which begins this month, offers executive decision-makers an opportunity to learn from NREL’s scientists, engineers and professionals; tour research facilities; and visit local renewable energy installations.
At the conclusion of the program, participants will demonstrate what they have learned by presenting a feasible, innovative energy project that is relevant to their organization or community. Since its inception in 2007, more than 300 representatives of industry, government and nonprofit organizations have completed the Energy Execs program, delivered through the Executive Energy Leadership Academy.
“The NREL Energy Executives program was a fantastic experience that gave me a very deep appreciation for all aspects of the clean, low-carbon energy challenge,” says John Gavan, commissioner of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (Energy Execs, Class of 2018). “Solar, wind, energy efficiency and a myriad of related topics were covered by some of the best experts in the nation. This program is highly recommended for those that are engaged in sustainability and renewable energy issues in any capacity.”
This year’s selected Energy Execs participants are as follows:
- Salem Afeworki, Value Sustainability (California)
- Patrick Brown, Ernst & Young (South Carolina)
- Jessica Burley, Town of Breckenridge (Colorado)
- Marc Campbell, Salt River Project (Arizona)
- Kimberly Dickey, NextEra Energy Resources (Iowa)
- Steven Emmen, Office of U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner (Colorado)
- Daniel Garcia, Riverside Public Utilities (California)
- Michelle Gransee, Minnesota Department of Commerce (Minnesota)
- Griffin Hagle, Taġiuġmiullu Nunamiullu Housing Authority (Alaska)
- Gerry Huitt, Xcel Energy (Colorado)
- John Jameson, ICF (Colorado)
- Craig Jones, Colorado Army National Guard (Colorado)
- Elizabeth Kócs, UIC Energy Initiative (Illinois)
- Alexander Kohnen, Arizona State University (Arizona)
- Tyler Kornelis, Kodiak Area Native Association (Alaska)
- Eric Montag, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (California)
- Taren Mulch, Colorado Tourism Office (Colorado)
- Andrés Pesca, ANDEG (Colombia)
- Cole Simons, ClearPath (Washington, D.C.)
- Christopher Smith, Colorado State Land Board (Colorado)
- Chrissy Sollenberger, Walton Personal Philanthropy Group (Colorado)
