Speaker Biographies

Walt Musial, Conference Chairman, Ocean Renewable Energy Leader, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Walt Musial is a Principal Engineer at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) where he has worked for almost twenty years. Walt leads the Ocean Renewable activities at NREL including wind, wave, and water current energy technologies. He serves on the International Energy Agency’s Ocean Energy Systems Executive Committee, and is the Technical Administrator for the U.S. Technical Advisory Group to the International Electro-technical Commission’s standards committee on marine renewable energy. Previously, he led the testing team at NREL’s National Wind Technology Center and was responsible for building and operating NREL’s full-scale component facilities for testing wind turbine blades and drive-trains. Earlier, Walt was employed for 5 years in the commercial wind energy industry in California. His career interests were solidified when he began studying renewable energy engineering at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Mechanical Engineering.

Dr. Robert W. Thresher, Director, National Wind Technology Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Dr. Thresher is the Director of the National Wind Technology Center in Golden, Colorado, which is a division of the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). He earned a tenured professorship in Mechanical Engineering at Oregon State University where he taught courses in Applied Mechanics, and initiated pioneering researcher in the mechanics of Wind Energy Systems during the 1970’s and early 80’s. He joined NREL in 1984 and has provided leadership for the growth of NREL’s wind program from $5MM/year at its inception, to its current level of about $30MM/year. He has published extensively and is recognized internationally as one of the leading experts in research, development and commercialization of wind technologies. He also serves as a member of the Advisory Panel on Ocean Energy Technologies for the Electric Power Research Institute’s. In 2005, Dr. Thresher was invited to testify before the US Senate’s Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on the research and development needed to accelerate the use of Wind and Ocean Technologies on the US Outer Continental Shelf.

George Hagerman, Senior Research Associate, Virginia Tech Advanced Research Institute

Since his support work for the U.S. Department of Energy’s first Ocean Energy Program in the early 1980s, George Hagerman has more than 25 years experience evaluating and optimizing the design, performance, and economics of marine renewable energy systems, including offshore wind power, wave power, tidal power, and ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC). He is a research faculty member at the Virginia Tech Advanced Research Institute in Arlington, Virginia, and Director of Research for the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium, a multi-university partnership exploring offshore wind power and marine biomass derived fuels as potential future energy supply alternatives for Virginia.

Keith Martin, Co-Head, Project Finance Group, Chadbourne & Parke, LLP

Keith Martin is co-head of the project finance group at Chadbourne & Parke LLP. Chadbourne is a large law firm headquartered in New York with other offices in Washington. Houston, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Beijing, Almaty, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kiev, Warsaw, Dubai and London. The firm is a franchise name in the energy business. It has worked on financings for power projects in more than 60 countries. Mr. Martin worked last year for 171 companies and on transactions in the US and eight foreign countries. He also lobbies Congress and the US Treasury on policy issues.

Carolyn Elefant, the Law Offices of Carolyn Elefant

Carolyn Elefant has her own law firm, the Law Offices of Carolyn Elefant in Washington D.C. specializing in energy related issues. Elefant began representing marine renewable developers in 1992 and since then, has advised developers, investors, municipalities and other stakeholders on the regulatory, legislative, environmental and transactional issues relating to offshore wind, wave and tidal projects both in the U.S. and abroad. Along with Sean O'Neill, Ms. Elefant co-founded the Ocean Renewable Energy Coalition (OREC) in 2005 and serves as the group's Legislative and Regulatory Counsel. Elefant covers issues related to the marine renewables industry at the blog RenewablesOffshore.com

Bonnie Ram, Energetics Incorporated

Bonnie Ram has over 25 years experience in directing projects relating to environmental analyses and energy use. For the last seven years, she has been a strategic advisor to DOE’s Office of Wind and their National Renewable Energy Laboratory focusing on environmental risks, siting, and regulation relating to land-based and offshore wind projects as well as ocean renewable technologies. She was the lead author on an EPRI report “Permitting and Regulatory Issues for Wave Power” and was invited to present an ocean technologies overview at the first MMS public hearings on their alternate energy program. Recently, she was the IEA workshop co-chair in the Netherlands on offshore energy and ecological issues. For the Swedish Academy of Sciences, Bonnie was based in Harare, Zimbabwe for several years and led U.S.-based research efforts at the World Resources Institute and Federation of American Scientists. She has a B.A. in Geography and International Development and a Master’s degree in Environmental Policy and Science from Clark University in Worcester, MA. Currently, she is a program director for environmental science and policy at Energetics Incorporated in Washington DC.

Alejandro Moreno, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

Alejandro Moreno is the Department of Energy’s technology manager for water power activities. He leads DOE’s research program on electricity generation from water-based resources, including conventional hydropower as well as marine and hydrokinetic resources such as waves, tides, currents, and differentials in water temperature. He also serves as the U.S. delegate to the Executive Committee of the International Energy Implementing Agreement on Ocean Energy Systems. Alejandro has a B.A. from Stanford University and an M.A. in International Economics and Energy Policy from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.

Dr. Dan Arvizu, Director, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Dr. Dan Arvizu is Director of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the U.S. Department of Energy's primary laboratory for energy efficiency and renewable energy research and development. Dr. Arvizu also is a Senior Vice President with Midwest Research Institute, which manages NREL on behalf of the DOE. He joined MRI and NREL in January 2005. In 2004, Dr. Arvizu was appointed by President George W. Bush to the National Science Board, which is the governing board of the National Science Foundation. Dr. Arvizu has served on a number of boards and advisory committees, including the Secretary of Energy's National Coal Council and the Secretary of Defense's Army Science Board. He has also served on the Technical Advisory Board of the G8 International Renewable Energy Task Force. He has a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering from New Mexico State University and a Master of Science and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University.

Randall B. Luthi, Director, Minerals Management Service, U.S. Department of the Interior

Randall B. Luthi was appointed Director of the Minerals Management Service on July 23, 2007.

Luthi, a former speaker of the Wyoming State House of Representatives, is a rancher and attorney in private practice from Freedom, Wyoming. He previously served in the Department of the Interior and at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Luthi is a partner in the Luthi and Voyles law firm in Thayne, Wyoming, and manages a cattle ranch in western Wyoming. He was first elected to the Wyoming House of Representatives in 1995, and served as speaker in 2005 and 2006.

He served in Washington in career positions as Senior Counselor for Environmental Regulations in NOAA's Office of General Counsel from 1990 to 1993, and as an attorney in the Department of the Interior Office of the Solicitor from 1986 to 1990.

Based on his work in the Wyoming legislature, Mr. Luthi developed an understanding of the importance of royalties paid to the federal government by companies producing energy on our public lands and waters. As Majority Leader and Speaker of the Wyoming House, Mr. Luthi was instrumental in formulation of state budgets which relied heavily upon royalties and severance taxes paid by energy companies developing federal leases. In addition, he was a legislative member of the Energy Council, which is an organization comprised of legislative representatives from energy producing states and provinces and private energy-related industries that meets quarterly to learn the latest in developments in energy related technology and to discuss energy policy.

In addition, Luthi worked as a legislative assistant in the office of U.S. Senator Alan K. Simpson of Wyoming. In this capacity, Luthi provided counsel on legal and legislative issues including oil and gas taxation.

Luthi graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in administration of justice, and earned a law degree from the University of Wyoming in 1982.

Paul D. Tonko, President and CEO, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)

Paul D. Tonko was appointed President and CEO of New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) on July 1, 2007 by the NYSERDA Board of Directors. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Tonko served in the New York State Assembly, representing the 105th Assembly District - including all of Montgomery and part of Schenectady County - from April 1983 to June 2007. 

At age 26, he was the youngest person in the history of Montgomery County to be elected to the county’s Board of Supervisors. He served as chairman of that body in 1981. Prior to his election to the Assembly in 1983, Mr. Tonko was an engineer in the New York State Department of Transportation and also served on the staff of the Department of Public Service.

Mr. Tonko has gained a national reputation as an expert on energy and utility issues. From 1992 to June 2007, Mr. Tonko served as chairman of the New York Assembly Standing Committee on Energy. In April 2007, Mr. Tonko was called upon by the Congress of the United States, to provide expert testimony before the Subcommittee on Domestic Policy, in relation to the Energy Policy Act of 2005. In 2007 he was awarded the Solar Leadership Award by the New York Solar Energy Industries Association. 

Mr. Tonko graduated from Clarkson University with a degree in mechanical and industrial engineering. He is a lifelong resident of the city of Amsterdam, New York. 

Matt Simmons, Chairman, Simmons & Company International

Matthew R. Simmons is Chairman of Simmons & Company International, a specialized energy investment banking firm.  The firm has completed approximately 694 investment banking projects for its worldwide energy clients at a combined dollar value in excess of $101.1 billion, including 490 mergers and acquisitions totaling $68.9 billion.

Mr. Simmons was raised in Kaysville, Utah.  He graduated cum laude from the University of Utah and received an MBA with Distinction from Harvard Business School.  He served on the faculty of Harvard Business School as a Research Associate for two years and was a Doctoral Candidate.

Mr. Simmons began a small investment bank/advisory firm in Boston.  Among his early clients were several subsea service companies.  By 1973, almost all of his clients were oil service companies.  Following the 1973 Oil Shock, Simmons decided to create a Houston-based firm to concentrate on providing highest quality investment banking advice to the worldwide oil service industry.  Over time, the specialization expanded into investment banking covering all aspects of the global energy industry.

SCI’s offices are located in Houston, Texas; London, England; Boston, Massachusetts; Aberdeen, Scotland; Oslo, Norway and Dubai, UAE.

Simmons serves on the Board of Directors of Brown-Forman Corporation, The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (Boston), Houston Technology Center (Houston) and the Center for Houston’s Future (Houston).  He also serves on The University of Texas’ M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Foundation Board of Visitors (Houston) and is a Trustee of the Bermuda Institute for Ocean Sciences.  In addition, he is past Chairman of the National Ocean Industry Association.  Mr. Simmons serves on the Board of Dean’s Advisors of Harvard Business School and is a past President of the Harvard Business School Alumni Association and a former member of the Visiting Committee of Harvard Business School.  He is a member of the National Petroleum Council, Council on Foreign Relations and The Atlantic Council of the United States.  Mr. Simmons is a Trustee of The Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland, Maine and is also a Trustee of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Mr. Simmons’ recently published book Twilight in the Desert: The Coming Saudi Oil Shock and the World Economy has been listed on the Wall Street Journal’s best-seller list.  He has also published numerous energy papers for industry journals and is a frequent speaker at government forums, energy symposiums and in boardrooms of many leading energy companies around the world. 

Mr. Simmons is married and has five daughters.  His hobbies include watercolors, cooking, writing and travel. 

Roger Bedard, Ocean Energy Leader, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)

Roger Bedard is Ocean Energy Leader at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). He has over 40 years of experience developing and leading technology research, development and demonstration projects. His current research activities focus on collaborative ocean energy feasibility studies, including wave, tidal and river in-stream energy conversion. Within months of completing these studies, private investors had applied for preliminary permits for over 50 wave and tidal plants in the U.S., and Nova Scotia Power announced a multi million dollar tidal pilot plant in the Minas Passage in the upper bay of Fundy.

Prior to joining EPRI, Mr. Bedard was Vice President at Alstom Robotics where he managed custom robotic projects for nuclear waste cleanup; at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Jet Propulsion Laboratory where he managed the Mars Rover technology program, and, at Acurex, where he managed solar thermal electric technology programs. As an active duty Air Force Officer at the AF Rocket Propulsion Laboratory, he managed solid rocket propulsion technology programs.

Mr. Bedard has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Rhode Island, an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Southern California, an Electrical Engineering degree from the National Technical Institute of Electronics and is a graduate of the NASA Senior Management Education Program and a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Officers Training School.

Dr Tony Lewis, Ph.D.,M.Sc., B.Tech, A.M.I.C.E., University College Cork

Statutory Lecturer in Coastal Engineering and Hydraulics at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at University College Cork and Director of the Hydraulics and Maritime Research Centre.

Dr. Lewis has special competence in ocean energy development, maritime civil engineering, field measurements in the coastal environment, breakwater design, coastal erosion, hydraulic modelling and aquaculture engineering.

Dr. Lewis has been the Alternate Delegate for Ireland to the Ocean Energy Implementing Agreement under the auspices of the International Energy Agency (IEA), since 2003 and is one of the founding members of the European Ocean Energy Association.

Dr. Lewis has been a contracting partner on research contracts from a variety of the European Commission Framework Programmes for nearly 20 years. The most recent under FP7, entitled “Components for Ocean Renewable Energy Systems” (CORES). This will run from 2008-2011, is valued at €4.2 million and involves 12 partner organisations.

He is Director of the Hydraulics and Maritime Research Centre in Cork which houses Ireland’s only wave test tank facilities. The largest being the Ocean Wave Basin containing 40 wave paddles to simulate real ocean conditions at reduced scale. www.ucc.ie/research/hmrc

The Centre provides support to the maritime engineering industry in Ireland and abroad as well as having a research and development function. A “Development and Evaluation Protocol” has been produced and adopted by the Irish funding agents for ocean energy conversion device maturity assessment. As a result, the Centre has been involved in model testing over thirty ocean energy concepts with some of these progressing to full scale deployment – Azores Pilot plant, Wave Dragon, OE Buoy, WAVEBOB etc.

Kim Nielsen, Ramboll, Denmark

Over 30 years of experience in wave energy research, development and demonstration.

Kim Nielsen has been alternate member to the Danish Energy Agency of the Implementing Agreement on Ocean Energy Systems under the IEA and Operating agent for Annex II on Guidelines for testing Ocean Energy systems.

Prior to joining Ramboll in 1991, Mr. Nielsen was:

• 1979 – 1986 doing his PhD study on wave energy and postdoctoral scholarship at the Department of Ocean Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark
• 1986 – 1991 working with consulting engineers B.Højlund Rasmussen and forming Danish Wave Power Aps.
• Board member of the European Ocean Energy Association.

Jochen Bard, Head of Energy Conversion, Institute for Solar Energy Supply Technology (ISET), Kassel University, Germany

• German Alternate in the IEA Ocean Energy Systems Implementing Agreement
• Research Analyst of the German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU) until 2007
• Missions as Energy Expert for the European Commission and German Ministries
• Lecturer in Bachelor and Master courses in renewable energies
• Organization of seminars and conferences for Small Hydropower, Ocean Energy a. o.
• Joined ISET as head of energy conversion in 2000
• Ocean Energy R&D Projects since 1999
• Hydropower R&D projects since 1995
• Diploma in Physics

Henry Jeffrey, Institute for Energy Systems, University of Edinburgh, UK

In 1988, Mr. Jeffrey began his career in the energy business within the Oil and Gas industry before moving into the commercial marine renewables sector in 1998. One of highlight of this was being part of the project team responsible for the installation of the worlds first commercial grid connected marine energy device, the “LIMPET”. In 2003 Mr. Jeffrey took his knowledge of the commercial marine energy sector and transferred into academia. Mr. Jeffrey’s present position is with Edinburgh University where his responsibilities include dissemination of the UK Supergen Marine program and conducting the UKERC road mapping investigation of the marine renewables sector, which enables the identification of key technology, investment and policy requirements for the sector.

Dr. Gouri Bhuyan, Principal Advisor for Alternative Energy, Powertech Labs Inc.

Dr. Gouri Bhuyan, the Principal Advisor for Alternative Energy at Powertech Labs Inc. (technology subsidiary of BC Hydro, Canada), is the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the IEA-OES. He holds a Master and a Doctoral degree in Ocean Engineering and is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). He is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia.

Dr. John Huckerby, Executive Officer, Aotearoa Wave and Tidal Energy Association

Dr. John Huckerby is the director of Power Projects Limited, an energy industry consultancy advising overseas energy companies, domestic utilities, public sector and government organizations on investments in New Zealand’s energy industry. Since 2001, Power Projects has had a strategic interest in marine energy. It is currently involved in the WET-NZ R & D program, which has developed a point absorber wave energy converter.

Dr. John Huckerby is also the founder and Executive Officer of the Aotearoa Wave and Tidal Energy Association (AWATEA), a marine energy industry association formed in April 2006. He is currently organizing AWATEA’s second annual conference to be held on 29 May in Wellington.

Trevor Raggatt, Deputy Director Bioenergy and Marine Energy Technologies, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), UK

Trevor Raggatt joined the Energy Innovation Unit in the UK’s Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) in January 2008 as Deputy Director Bioenergy and Marine Energy Technologies. In this role he leads on bioenergy and marine energy technology policy. 

He joined the Department of Trade and Industry (BERR’s predecessor department) in 1990 after studying Chemistry at Royal Holloway College (University of London), initially working on both policy and the development of ultra-pure reference materials at the Laboratory of the Government Chemist in Teddington. In the course of his career he has worked on a diverse range of policy topics including National Measurement Standards, UK civil space policy, Rescue and Reconstruction of the Lloyds of London insurance market, UK & International Reporting and Accounting Standards, the UK’s major review of Company & Partnership Law and State aid (leading on aid for environmental protection).

Dr. M. Teresa Pontes, INETI

Maria Teresa Pontes is Principal Researcher of INETI, has a Ph.D. in wave energy by Lisbon Technical University. She has been involved in R&D in wave energy utilization for more than 20 years. She participated in ten EC contracts on wave energy or wave-related applications, of which she was the overall co-ordinator of two, namely the European Wave Energy Atlas WERATLAS, and co-ordinated the nearshore wave atlases for mainland Portugal and Madeira Islands.

She participated in the studies for the 400 kW European Wave Energy Pilot Plant on the Island of Pico (Azores, Portugal) and on those for a 750 kW similar plant to be incorporated in the head of the a new breakwater. She is the author or co-author of 10 papers in international journals and more than 50 papers in international conferences. She has been coordinating tasks in various European networks on wave energy and related issues. She launched and was the first chair for three years of the IEA International R&D Programme on Ocean Energy Systems (www.iea-oceans-org), being the national delegate to its Executive Committee.

Michael Rosenfeld, Vice Consul-Clean Technology Sector Lead, UKTI

Mike Rosenfeld is Vice-Consul with UK Trade & Investment, the UK Government’s international business development agency, in the British Consulate-General, Los Angeles. He serves as lead officer in the US for the Clean Technology sector and has significant expertise in renewable energy and environmental technologies. Mr. Rosenfeld also serves as a member of the UK’s Climate Change team addressing global warming solutions in the US.

As a team leader of commercial officers in the USA, he represents UK Plc. across a range of industry sectors by identifying inward investment opportunities among American companies seeking to expand into the UK and supporting British companies, exporting technologies, products, and services into the US, as well as identifying joint venture and other partnership opportunities. In addition to serving as US lead officer for the Clean Tech sector, Mr. Rosenfeld’s responsibilities include the promotion of UK commercial interests across southern California; Arizona; Utah; southern Nevada; the Pacific Northwest; and Hawaii.

Mr. Rosenfeld has been a corporate investment, marketing and business development executive in Los Angeles for the past 25 years. He established AM Venture Partners, a venture capital and investment firm, in Los Angeles in 1999. Mr. Rosenfeld has raised capital for, served as a director on corporate boards, and represented national and international companies in the environmental, energy, engineering, maritime, telecommunications and healthcare sectors. He also has served in senior-level executive management positions with two global environmental engineering, construction and technology firms.

Mr. Rosenfeld began his career as a journalist in Los Angeles in 1978. He continues to write occasionally, contributing to a number of environmental, energy, maritime and engineering publications. He earned a joint MBA/Master’s Degree in Journalism from the University of Southern California and Bachelor’s Degrees in political science and history from the University of California, Berkeley. Mr. Rosenfeld resides with his family in Marina del Rey, California.

Graham Brennan, Programme Manager, Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI)

Graham Brennan is currently the Programme Manager for Sustainable Energy Ireland’s (SEI) Renewable Energy Research Development & Demonstration programme. The programme has been the primary support mechanism for the development of ocean energy technology in Ireland. He joined SEI in 2002 having previously worked for Rolls-Royce plc aero-engines in Derby, UK. Prior to this he worked as a design engineer in the offshore oil industry in Aberdeen, Scotland. Graham holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from University College Galway, graduating in 1994, and also holds a Masters degree from Cranfield University in the UK.

Ed Feo, Partner, Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy, LLP

Ed Feo is a partner in the international law firm of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP.  He co-chairs the Firm's project finance and energy practice and is a member of the Firm's Global Executive Committee.  Mr. Feo represents companies in corporate and financial transactions in the energy and infrastructure industries, and specializes in renewable energy projects.  Milbank is recognized as one of the leading renewable energy law firms in the world, most recently taking the top spots in the Infrastructure Journal's Renewables, Wind and Power Legal Adviser 2007 league tables.

Ron Smith, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Verdant Power Inc.

Mr. Smith is a founding partner in Verdant Power Inc., a renewable energy company commercializing kinetic hydropower systems that deliver hydro electricity without dams or impoundments, in the United States for global application.

His prior experience includes leading the start-up, growth and sale of a nationwide consumer advertising company; management consulting as a Principal with Booz Allen Hamilton; serving on the headquarters management advisory staff at Bendix Aerospace Group; and organizational consulting to Commanding Officers of staffs and operating units in the U.S. Navy as a Navy Lieutenant. He served as a U.S. Navy carrier pilot in Vietnam, and retired as a naval reserve intelligence officer.

He has an MBA from Harvard Business School, an MS in Systems Management from the University of Southern California, and a BA in mathematics and economics from Mount Saint Mary’s University. 

Dr. George W. Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (OPT)

Dr. George W. Taylor co-founded OPT and has been its CEO since 1993.  Dr. Taylor is a recognized international authority on wave energy.  Under his leadership, OPT has developed an economical method of converting predictable wave energy into low cost, clean electricity.  OPT is using its established strategic alliances with key customers, to begin the commercialization of its Wave Energy Power Stations.  Following successful IPO’s in London in 2003 and in New York in 2007, OPT is now listed on both the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange and on NASDAQ in the US.  In addition to his work at OPT, Dr. Taylor has over 40 years experience in the commercialization of new technologies.  Dr. Taylor has a B.E. and a D. Eng. degree from the University of Western Australia, and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of London.

John Cooper, Senior Vice President and CFO, Ocean Renewable Power Company, LLC

John Cooper has more than 30 years of experience in project finance and development, corporate finance, transaction structuring and execution, workouts, executive management, consulting and public Board of Directors representation.

He is a Senior Vice President and CFO of Ocean Renewable Power Company, LLC, a start-up venture developing the technology and projects to produce renewable electrical power from ocean tidal currents and run of river sites. He is on the Board of Directors of several public and private companies including Environmental Power Corporation (EPG. NASDAQ), a developer and operator of biomass renewable natural gas projects; Skyfuel, Inc. a start up venture developing concentrating solar power electric generating technologies and projects; MachGen, LLC, a merchant electric generator and owner of 3200 MW of gas-fired generating capacity; and advisory director of a private equity fund managed by Republic Financial Corporation of Denver. 

His prior experience includes fourteen years as SVP and CFO of the PG&E National Energy group where he won ten “Deal of the Year” citations for innovative project financings and 15 years international finance and project development experience with Bechtel and other firms.

Cooper holds a BA from Trinity College, Connecticut, an MA in development economics and international studies from the Johns Hopkins Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and an MBA in finance from Northwestern University.

Des McGinnes, Business Development Manager-Pacific North West, Pelamis Wave Power Ltd

Des McGinnes, Business Development Manager - Pacific North West, joined Pelamis Wave Power Ltd (formally Ocean Power Delivery Ltd), developers of the “Pelamis” wave energy converter in August 04. On joining PWP, Des brought over 18 years of energy related experience to the company. Experience gained in Oil and Gas exploration/extraction, Energy utilisation, Power Sales, Conventional Combined Heat and Power as well as Biomass project design and applications. Des has a Batchelor of Science Degree in Mining and Petroleum Engineering and a Masters Degree in Business Administration. Des also serves on the Boards of the Ocean Renewable Energy Group of Canada, the Oregon Wave Energy Trust and the Ocean Renewable Energy Coalition of the USA. 

Andrew Parish, Chief Executive, Wavebob Ltd.

Andrew is Chief Executive Officer of Wavebob Ltd., one of the worlds leading wave energy technology companies. He holds qualifications in environmental science and business administration from the National University of Ireland and Henley Management College, London with senior management experience in both private and public sector organizations including GE, Pera International and Sustainable Energy Ireland. His background includes expertise in areas such as management consultancy, applied R&D, innovation support, climate change and energy policy. He is a member of both the Institute of Engineering & Technology and the Chartered Institute of Management.

Daniel Fleischer, Director, Global Power and Utilities Group, UBS

Dan Fleischer is a Director in the Global Power & Utilities Group at UBS Investment Bank, which he joined in 2005. During his banking career Mr. Fleischer has been involved in a variety of activities in the international power and renewable energy sector, including restructurings, tax-exempt debt financings, initial public equity offerings, structured commodities hedges, project and high yield financings.

Mr. Fleischer has been involved in many notable transactions, including: the IPO Ocean Power Technologies (wave energy), the sale of the 99MW Le Nordais Windfarm, 5th largest operating wind facility in Canada, to Canadian Hydro Developers, Hydro-Quebec’s US$2.5 billion sale of Chilean transmitter Transelec S.A., the largest ever M&A transaction in Chile, Gas Natural’s acquisition of 2,300 MW of gas-fired generation in Mexico from EdF, Prior to UBS Investment Bank, Mr. Fleischer spent nearly two years as an Associate with Goldman Sachs & Co. Before banking, Dan spent several years as a strategy consultant. Mr. Fleischer holds a B.A., Phi Beta Kappa, in Political Science and Ecology from Emory University in Atlanta, GA.  He also graduated with highest Distinction from the M.Sc. in Economic Development at the London School of Economics.  Mr. Fleischer received his M.B.A. from the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University.

Bart B. Kelleher, Assistant Vice President, HSH Nordbank AG

Bart Kelleher is an Assistant Vice President on HSH Nordbank AG’s Energy team and is focused on merchant banking transactions in the renewable energy sector.  Mr. Kelleher was previously an associate equity analyst at Bear Stearns covering the renewable energy industry (including marine renewable energy) and industrial conglomerates.  Prior to this, he held various management positions in the marine engineering and shipping industries.  Mr. Kelleher has a B.E. in Naval Architecture from SUNY Maritime College, an M.S. in Ocean Systems Management from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Martin Wright, Managing Director, Marine Current Turbines Limited

Martin Wright is one of the founders of Marine Current Turbines Limited and joined the company full-time in February 2002. He has an M.A. (Hons) in Economics from Edinburgh, and an M.Eng in Petroleum Engineering form Heriot-Watt. He started his career as a Seaman Officer in the Royal Navy where he completed a short service commission serving in a variety of ships culminating an appointment as Executive Officer of a Minehunter. Prior to joining MCT he worked for nine years as a Venture Capitalist with Murray Johnstone Limited, and then latterly with Northern Venture Managers Limited where he was responsible for starting and developing NVM’s business in the South of England. Mr. Wright has corporate finance skills and commercial experience spanning a wide breath of industries developed whilst working as a venture capitalist, and as a director of investee companies. In particular, he is very familiar with the issues involved in early stage technology companies. Renewable Energy had been a particular interest for a number of years prior to becoming involved with Marine Current Turbines. The technology, environment and stage of the company represented a natural fit for his background and experience.

U.S. Representative Jay Inslee

Raised on the shores of Puget Sound, Jay Inslee comes from a long line of Washingtonians and wants to protect the state’s natural beauty for his three sons and generations to come.

He’s worked at the federal level – as representative for the 4th Congressional District from 1992-1994 and the 1st Congressional District since 1999 – to protect the environment of Washington state and address the problem of global warming. 

He led a successful campaign in the House to keep limits on oil-tanker traffic in Puget Sound and serves as a co-chair of the House Oceans Caucus. Since 2005, Jay has used his seat on the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee to promote his vision for a clean energy future, the New Apollo Energy Act, and to advance other legislation that would reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.

Last year, he was appointed to the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, where he has advanced aspects of his comprehensive energy bill and other measures that would help address global warming. Jay also co-authored a book on the clean-energy revolution last fall. It’s called Apollo’s Fire: Igniting America’s Clean Energy Economy.

Michael P. O’Connell, Stoel Rives, LLP

Michael P. O’Connell is with Stoel Rives, LLP in Seattle.  Mr. O’Connell advises clients regarding energy project development, including hydrokinetic and other hydroelectric projects licensed under the Federal Power Act; water quality certifications; coastal zone consistency concurrences; Corps of Engineers permits; endangered and threatened species; marine mammal interactions; National Environmental Policy Act and National Historic Preservation Act reviews; human remains; fossil resources; water rights; and rights of Indian tribes affecting projects outside as well as on Indian reservations.

Nick Harrington, General Manager, Wave Hub Project, South West of England Regional Development Agency

In Summer 2005, Nick Harrington was appointed by the South West of England Regional Development Agency as General Manager for the Wave Hub Project. A graduate in mathematics, his previous background is in real estate development including business parks, science parks, and tourism and retail projects. He has found that developing an offshore marine energy project raises many of the same issues, such as gaining stakeholder and public support, construction procurement and financing. Wave Hub is the first such project to use the UK Government’s new consenting process and his talk will bring out the key lessons learned.

Neil Kermode, C.Eng, CIWEM, CIWM, C.Env. AIEMA, Managing Director of the European Marine Energy Centre, Orkney

Neil was appointed in 2005 as Managing Director of the £15M European Marine Energy Centre in Stromness, Orkney. Before EMEC Neil worked as a project developer of a tidal scheme in Orkney following 6 years at the Environment Agency dealing with regulation and development issues, particularly relating to public participation in decisions on flooding, waste and water resources. He is a Chartered Engineer and Chartered Environmentalist.

Ann Miles, Director, Division of Hydropower Licensing, Office of Energy Projects, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Ann Miles is the Director of the Division of Hydropower Licensing in the Office of Energy Projects, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.  The Division is responsible for reviewing applications to construct and operate or relicense non-federal hydropower projects located throughout the United States.  This includes preparing environmental documents and making recommendations to the Commission for the best use of a waterway.  Ms. Miles joined the Commission in 1985 as an outdoor recreation planner and has served in positions dealing with licensing, compliance, and administration of hydropower projects.  Ms. Miles has an M.A. in Resource Management from the University of Maryland.

Maureen Bornholdt, Project Manager, OCS Alternative Energy/Alternate Use Program, Minerals Management Service

The passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 created new responsibilities for the Minerals Management Service (MMS), including the lead Federal agency permitting authority for alternative energy-related uses on the Outer Continental Shelf. In August 2005, Maureen Bornholdt was selected to serve as the Project Manager to develop the OCS Alternative Energy/Alternate Use Program for the MMS. Ms. Bornholdt has extensive experience in environmental regulation and compliance having worked offshore oil and gas issues for the Department of the Interior since 1983. Prior to her selection as Project Manager, she managed the Marine Minerals Program, a program presently focused on making available suitable sand deposits in Federal waters for wetlands protection and beach nourishment projects. Ms. Bornholdt has served as the MMS’s technical expert on Coastal Zone Management and National Environmental Policy Acts and as the program analyst covering offshore environmental and regulatory issues for the Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management. She earned a B.S. degree in Public Administration from George Mason University in Virginia.

Robert P. LaBelle, Deputy Associate Director for Offshore Energy and Minerals Management, Minerals Management Service, U.S. Department of the Interior

Robert LaBelle, as the Deputy Associate Director for Offshore Energy and Minerals Management, serves as Chief Operating Officer for the management of all facets of the Offshore Program, including policy development and program planning.  He is responsible for directing the implementation of the program’s Strategic Plan, which now includes authority for development and regulation of offshore renewable energy in all US Federal waters.

Previously, as Chief of the MMS Environmental Division, Mr. LaBelle was responsible for offshore oil and gas industry compliance with all environmental requirements, including water and air quality, seafloor impacts, endangered species, oil spill risk analysis, and archaeology.  He has managed large environmental and technology research programs and overseen the preparation of Environmental Impact Assessments and other decision documents used for US offshore energy activities.

Dr. Cristina Huertas-Olivares, Responsible for the Wave Energy Centre (WavEC) Environmental Strategy, Project Manager, Lisbon, Portugal

Cristina specialized in the environmental impacts of ocean renewable energy under the WAVETRAIN EU Program. During this period she has actively taken part in several conferences, courses and publications. In this moment she coordinates the WP of Environment of the EQUIMAR EU project as well as the Non-Technological Barriers of the WAVEPLAM EU project. Cristina is part of the steering committee of the International Network of Offshore Renewable Energy (INORE). She has represented Portugal in the IEA-OES expert meeting on environmental impacts of ocean energy systems.

She holds a degree in Environmental Science from the University of Huelva and a Master in Water Engineering from the University of Seville. She obtained “Sobresaliente Cum Laude por Unanimidad” for her Ph.D. Thesis in Marine Environment and Chemical Engineering in the Escuela Superior de Ingenieros from the University of Seville. Much of her experience comes from more than 30 countries.

Melanie Nadeau, Manager, Marine Energy, CANMET Energy Technology Centre, Natural Resources Canada

Melanie Nadeau specializes in the management of marine energy research and development focusing on the advancement of technologies for wave, tidal and current energy.  She is on the Executive Committee of the IEA – OES Implementing Agreement and has led the efforts to establish a work program on environmental impacts and ocean energy devices.  Ms. Nadeau is also the Chairman for the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)Technical Committee 114 on Marine Energy.  She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Environmental Engineering) degree with a specialization in renewable energy and water resources from the University of Waterloo, Canada.

Thomas E. Bigford,Chief, Habitat Protection Division, Office of Habitat Conservation, NOAA Fisheries Service

Thomas E. Bigford is Chief of the Habitat Protection Division in NOAA Fisheries Service headquarters.  He directs marine, estuarine, and riverine programs to: manage the essential fish habitat program; assure fish passage for diadromous species at hydropower and water diversion projects; develop policy for traditional and alternative energy issues; implement wetland policies; streamline permitting and licensing; and coordinate policy and science associated with dredging and disposal. He has 33 years of experience in research and management, including 3 years with EPA and 27 years with NOAA. He has a B.Sc. in Fishery Biology from Michigan State University, a M.Sc. in Zoology/Marine Biology from the University of Rhode Island, and a Masters in Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island.

Dr. Graham Daborn, Professor of Biology, Acadia University

Dr. Graham Daborn, was formerly Professor of Biology at Acadia University and Director of the Acadia Centre for Estuarine Research. He has been leading research on the Bay of Fundy, with particular reference to the environmental effects of tidal power and other modifications of coastal estuaries, for the last 32 years. Most recently he was involved in preparation of a strategic environmental assessment of marine energy options for the Bay of Fundy. For his work with communities and public dissemination of scientific information about the Bay of Fundy, Dr. Daborn was awarded the Gulf of Maine Visionary Award in 1993, and the Outstanding Science Champion Award of the Discovery Centre in 2000.