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

Bio coming soon.

Gisela Glandt

VP of Virtual Power Plants, Uplight

Bio coming soon.

Richard McIndoe

Chairman and CEO, Edge Zero

Bio coming soon.

Dominic Adams

Energy Networks Australia

Bio coming soon.

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.

Michael Lee

ADER Task Force member, CEO, Octopus Energy US

Bio coming soon.

Doug Lewin

Founder and President, Stoic Energy

Bio coming soon.

Arushi Sharma Frank

Founder, Luminary Strategies

Bio coming soon.

Ryan King

Manager, Market Design, ERCOT

Bio coming soon.

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.

Lee Ragsdale

Senior VP Energy Delivery, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives

Bio coming soon.

Alex Ghanem

Northeast US Regional Lead, Piclo

Bio coming soon.

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.

Mike Crowley

Manager, Smart Grid Innovation Programs, UI

Bio coming soon.

Mark Bremer

Lead Program Developer, Energy Transition Solutions, National Grid

Bio coming soon.

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.