Paul Hines

VP, Power Systems, EnergyHub

Paul Hines is Chief Scientist and VP, Power Systems at EnergyHub, where he leads the Data Science and Power Systems Intelligence (dataPSI) team. His team develops and maintains advanced control, prediction, analysis and machine learning algorithms for EnergyHub's Edge DERMS. Paul joined EnergyHub in 2021 through the acquisition of Packetized Energy, a distributed energy software startup, where he was co-founder and CEO. From 2007-2021, Paul was a professor in electrical engineering where he led research on energy reliability, resilience and distributed energy technology. Formerly he worked in power systems engineering roles at the US National Energy Technology Laboratory, the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Alstom ESCA, and Black and Veatch. Paul earned a Ph.D. in Engineering and Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University in 2007, and MS and BS degrees in Electrical Engineering, with a power systems focus, from the University of Washington and Seattle Pacific University.

Brian Lusher

Manager, Products & Services – Residential DSM Programs, Duke Energy

Brian Lusher serves as the Manager of Duke Energy’s Residential Demand Response team in the Integrated Grid Strategy and Solutions organization. His team is responsible for developing, marketing and operating products that serve both our customers and the grid by providing load reductions when we they are most needed. The current portfolio of products includes smart thermostats, controllable water heaters, pool pumps and HVAC systems. Additionally, this team works closely with the Energy Control Center on when to call for Critical Peak days and Behavioral Demand Response events that encourage customers to conserve energy and reduce usage during peak times. Brian joined Duke Energy in 2017 and has held a series of engineering and project management roles. A native of Virginia, Brian earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Virginia Tech and later went on to complete a Masters in Business Administration at the University of South Carolina. Brian is a registered professional engineer in North Carolina.

Elizabeth Lawrence

Manager, Customer to Grid Solutions, Program Development and Implementation

Elizabeth (Izzy) Lawrence joined the Customer to Grid Solutions team at APS in February 2023. In her role, Izzy is responsible for developing and implementing APS's customer programs, including Demand Side Management, electric vehicles, solar, and technology consulting. Additionally, Izzy oversees the Reporting and Analytics Team, Program Support Team, and the Systems and Programs Implementation team which focuses on the departments IT projects. She earned a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Arizona in 2014 and began her career at APS that same year. Before transitioning to Customer to Grid Solutions, Izzy gained experience in power plant operations and held various positions within APS's State Regulatory Affairs team, where she supported the company's requests heard by the Arizona Corporation Commission. 

Marwa Chowdhury

Associate Program Manager DSM, Central Hudson Gas & Electric

Marwa Chowdhury's responsibilities include designing, implementing, and coordinating the evaluation of demand response programs, non-wire alternatives, and non-pipe alternatives. She graduated from Binghamton University with a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering. She is committed to the decarbonization of energy systems and delivering safe and reliable service in her community.

Cory Scofield

Manager, Demand Side Management, Central Hudson Gas & Electric

Cory Scofield leads a passionate, dedicated, and diverse Demand Side Management team at Central Hudson, composed of professionals with backgrounds in Marketing, Business, Finance, and Engineering. His team is responsible for the strategy, design, implementation, and management of programs focused on beneficial electrification, energy efficiency, demand response, non-wire alternatives (NWA), and non-pipeline alternatives (NPA). Their efforts have resulted in some of the most successful Heat Pump, Energy Efficiency, and NPA programs in the state.Cory holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Marist College. Recent career highlights include testifying before the New York State Assembly Committees on Transportation and Energy regarding the progress of EV charger adoption and being awarded by City & State New York as a 2024 Trailblazer in Clean Energy. 

Mitch Droz

DR Program Manager, Puget Sound Energy

Mitch Droz has worked in the utility industry for the past 15 years at IOU's in Operations, Finance, Customer Energy Management, and as a Utility Consultant. Currently at Puget Sound Energy, he is the Program Manager for Residential Demand Response programs which include Behavorial Demand Response, EV/Telematics, Thermostats, and Water Heaters for over 600,000 PSE customers. He earned his M.B.A. in Technology and B.S. in Construction Management. Past experiences include launching a business case program for capital projects, leading PPA's for renewable and combustion generation sites, launching a drone infrastructure inspection program, program development for autonomous wildfire infrastructure inspection programs, and launching a North America utility consulting practice. 

Gisela Glandt

VP Partnership and Business Development, Uplight

Gisela Glandt leads Uplight’s Partnerships and Business Development team. With a career spanning over 15 years in the energy industry, she brings a wealth of expertise and a proven track record of excellence. Prior to joining Autogrid and then Uplight, Gisela led Nest’s Smart Home and Energy Partnerships at Google, with a focus on formulating and executing growth strategies for cutting-edge products and cultivating strategic partnerships for new programs and GTM strategies. Prior to Google, Gisela held various positions in business development and marketing leadership at Bloom Energy and Constellation Energy. She holds a BA from The University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the Wharton School of Finance. 

Richard McIndoe

Chairman and Founder, Edge Zero

Richard is Founder and Executive Chairman of Edge Zero, the leading supplier of low voltage monitoring and control technology to distribution utilities in Australia. Edge Zero provides critical, real time grid monitoring technology and control software to electricity distribution networks, enabling utilities to improve power quality and asset management while integrating customer DER assets in an efficient, reliable and safe environment. Richard is a recognised leader in the Asia-Pacific energy sector. He was previously CEO of Energy Australia, one of the largest integrated utilities in Australia, and Managing Director of China Light and Power’s international business, comprising over 10,000MW of generation and over 3 million retail customers across the region. Richard was previously Chairman of the Clean Energy Council, Australia’s leading renewables industry body, and Chairman of the Energy Supply Association of Australia. 

Dominic Adams

General Manager - Networks, Energy Networks Australia

Dominic Adams is the General Manager, Networks at Australia's peak body for energy networks, Energy Networks Australia. He has over a decade of experience working in policy and regulation across the energy supply chain. Dominic is responsible for crucial areas of policy to support the rapid transformation of Australia’s energy sector. In his role, Dominic leads advocacy strategies and a program of work for the development and transformation of Australia's electricity transmission and distribution, and gas distribution networks. 

Colin Crisafulli

GM Customer Future Grid, Endeavour Energy

Bio coming soon.

Dr. Sarah Russell-Smith

Head of Flexibility, North America, Octopus Energy

Dr. Sarah Russell-Smith is the Head of Flexibility for North America at Octopus Energy U.S., where she leads the development of cutting-edge behind-the-meter automation technologies and innovative retail products. With a deep commitment to driving environmental, social, and economic sustainability, Sarah has extensive experience working across North America, Australia, Europe, and Asia. Before joining Octopus Energy, Sarah served as Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer at Amber Electric, an Australian electricity retailer and technology scale-up. She has also held roles at the Boston Consulting Group, the World Wide Fund for Nature, and NYSERDA, where she focused on strategic sustainability initiatives. Sarah holds a PhD in Engineering from Stanford University and is driven by her passion for creating a sustainable energy future.

Rajiv Shah

VP Global Regulation and Markets, Kraken Technologies

Rajiv Shah leads regulatory efforts for Kraken, where he oversees a global team providing regulatory expertise, advocacy, thought leadership, and market intelligence in support of the company’s commercial and product teams, as well as clients worldwide. Prior to joining Kraken, Rajiv was the Head of North American Policy and Markets at Octopus Energy Group, spearheading regulatory strategy for the company’s expansion into North America.With a diverse background spanning law, policymaking, and energy markets, Rajiv previously served as Assistant Counsel to the Governor of New York, overseeing energy, environmental, and agricultural policy, and leading negotiations on key legislative and regulatory matters. His career also includes leadership roles at FreeWire Technologies, where he served as General Counsel and oversaw regulatory affairs, and various senior positions in the New York State Executive Chamber, shaping major climate, energy, and environmental policies.

Doug Lewin

Author Texas Energy and Power Newsletter, Host of the Energy Capital Podcast, Stoic Energy

Doug Lewin is the author of the Texas Energy and Power Newsletter and the host of the Energy Capital Podcast. Doug Lewin founded Stoic Energy in 2018. Previously, Doug led government and regulatory affairs work for CLEAResult, an energy efficiency program implementer for over 250 utilities in 40 states and provinces. Prior to joining CLEAResult, Lewin was the founding Executive Director of the South-central Partnership for Energy Efficiency as a Resource (SPEER). SPEER was recognized by the US Department of Energy as the regional energy efficiency organization for Texas and Oklahoma, working with a network of similar organizations throughout the US to advance energy efficiency.

Lewin worked at the Texas Legislature for five years as a legislative aide, primarily on energy, environment, and climate issues for three different elected officials in the House and Senate. There, he established a successful bipartisan energy policy working group which deepened the knowledge base of a wide group of Capitol staffers and members by bringing in guest speakers from industry and academia.

Lewin is a nationally recognized energy expert, particularly in the electric grid, renewable energy, energy efficiency, demand response, utility regulation, and pollution reduction. He has been featured in newspaper articles and TV/radio segments throughout Texas and nationally, including the Austin American Statesman, the Dallas Morning News, the Fort Worth Star Telegram, Houston Chronicle, Texas Monthly, the Texas Observer, Texas Public Radio, the Texas Tribune, the New York Times, and more. Lewin earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and is a proud husband and father of four children.

Arushi Sharma Frank

Founder, Luminary Strategies

Arushi Sharma Frank, Esq. founded Luminary Strategies to bring together her expertise in technical, financial, market enablement, and growth solutions across the natural gas, independent power, regulated utility, and energy technology sectors to tackle the most complex challenges facing modern electric grids. Over 17 years at the most influential organizations in their fields—the American Gas Association, Electric Power Supply Association, Exelon Constellation, and Tesla—she has built a multidisciplinary skill set spanning policy, law, power and natural gas commercial regulation, technical grid design, energy and capacity market design, behind-the-meter grid integration, and large-load interconnection with co-located generation from modeling to commercial execution and operations. She pioneered three major rule changes in Texas that transformed grid interconnection for generators, storage, and large loads. In 2020, she led metering, telemetry, and settlement rule changes in ERCOT that enabled Tesla Megapack sales in Texas, now a billion-dollar+ business. In 2021, she developed front-of-meter storage microgrid policy, allowing Gigafactory Texas to deploy Megapacks for ERCOT participation while islanding during local substation outages. That same year, she led Tesla’s strategic due diligence and regulatory efforts to launch Tesla Electric, the company’s first global retail electricity business. After Winter Storm Uri, she spearheaded a technical advocacy push with ERCOT and the Texas PUC, enabling direct telemetry recognition from Tesla Powerwalls in ERCOT SCED, a breakthrough that established a virtual power plant model for day-ahead and real-time aggregation of behind-the-meter generation and load. Along the way, Sharma Frank negotiated with major transmission and distribution utilities, structured facilities agreements, led interconnection reviews and reforms, navigated quarterly grid stability assessments, and designed Tesla’s global corporate holding structure for its wholesale and retail energy subsidiaries, ensuring compliance with federal and state energy laws. She possesses the rare trifecta of expertise in engineering-driven energy solutions, rapid execution in complex regulatory and political environments, and public leadership as a spokesperson and industry strategist. Sharma Frank is a committed advisor to student groups at the University of Texas and Harvard University and serves on the Executive Council at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Energy Center. 

Ryan King

Manager, Market Design, ERCOT

Joined ERCOT as Manager, Market Design in 2022-10 years in Market Development and Strategy roles at Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) in Toronto, Canada-6 years working in Electricity Policy and Regulatory Affairs at Ontario Ministry of Energy-BA, Political Science, Western University; MPA, Queen's University 

Yevgeniy Postnov

Senior Distribution Operations Engineer, SMUD

Bio coming soon.

Michael Witter

Manager, Real Time Applications, SMUD

Bio coming soon.

Dr. Ali Ipakchi

Executive VP, OATI

Dr. Ali Ipakchi is renowned for his expertise in Power Grid Modernization. He brings over five decades of extensive experience to power systems, energy markets, and electric utility operations. Responsible for OATI vision and strategy, Dr. Ipakchi coordinates business growth, roadmaps, and multiple worldwide strategic engagements. Dr. Ipakchi is co-holder of a number U.S. patents on power systems, advanced applications and process controls, and is a frequently invited speaker at industry events.

Yoh Kawanami

Director, Hawaiian Electric Company

Bio coming soon.

Alex Ghanem

Northeast US Regional Lead, Piclo

Alex is the Northeast US Lead for Piclo, the leading independent marketplace for DER-enabled grid services, where he leads the team dedicated to North American market operations, business development, customer success, and marketing functions. Prior to Piclo, Alex supported sales, contract negotiations, and business development of storage, solar, and other aggregated DERs across eastern North America for Enel X, including with the largest behind-the-meter battery in North America. Before DERs, he focused on energy efficiency program management and modelling software, developing partnerships with utilities and state and local agencies, leading marketing and branding efforts, and directing business expansion and strategy.

Timothy Knief

Grid Modernization Regulatory Manager, Eversource

Timothy Knief is an Energy Efficiency Consultant at Eversource on the Demand Response and EV charging team. Timothy leads the Commercial and Industrial ConnectedSolutions program across Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire responsible for 150 MW of reduction off the ISO-NE. Timothy also works with residential thermostat, EV/EVSE, and battery demand response programs with a focus on data analytics. Timothy holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering with a business minor from Wentworth Institute of Technology and close to completing a Master of Engineering in Power Systems from Worcester Polytechnical Institute.

Mark Bremer

Lead Product Developer, Energy Transition Solutions, National Grid

Mark Bremer develops virtual power plant programs at National Grid. His work engages customer-owned distributed energy resources across NY and MA to provide targeted distribution grid services, enabling our clean energy future. Mark's prior role as an energy efficiency Product Owner included co-chairing the New York State Clean Heat Joint Management Committee. Mark was formerly a sciences lecturer and campus sustainability leader at SUNY Polytechnic Institute where he spearheaded the Green Building Experiential Learning Collaborative, which utilized student-led certification projects of new and existing campus buildings as learning tools for individual credential development. Mark earned his Master of Science degree in Environmental Engineering from Syracuse University and his Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Colorado College. He is a LEED Accredited Professional in Building Design & Construction 

Pier LaFarge

CEO, Sparkfund

Pier LaFarge is the co-founder and CEO of Sparkfund, an energy transition partner providing program management, project implementation, and financing services for utilities and building owners. He serves as a Trustee at The Nature Conservancy's Maryland and DC chapter, and as a Next Gen Strategy Committee member supporting the board of Fidelity Charitable. Previously, while at ICF International, he co-founded a service offering focused on energy efficiency finance strategy. In 2010, he founded Race to Replace, a statewide clean energy-focused voter registration campaign in Vermont in partnership with League of Conservation Voters.

Lon Huber

Senior VP, Pricing and Customer Solutions, Duke Energy

Lon Huber serves as senior vice president of pricing and customer solutions for Duke Energy. In this role, he oversees key customer functions spanning economic development, rate design, wholesale contracts, large customer accounts and regulatory enablement.

Prior to joining Duke Energy, Lon worked with state utility commissions, clean technology companies, and consumer advocates on tackling some of the most critical challenges facing the electricity industry. Lon has received numerous awards for his creative solutions, including awards from Public Utilities Fortnightly, the top honor from the Energy Storage Association as well as Utility Dive’s Innovator of the Year award.