Federal Market Workshop - Agenda

Christopher Abbuehl

Federal Business Development, Constellation

Christopher Abbuehl is responsible for leading the development of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects at Constellation with a primary focus on the federal market sector. Previously, he worked in the FEMP program at the U.S. Department of Energy as an alternative financing specialist supporting public private partnerships involving clean energy projects. Prior to that, he worked in the private sector on energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in Central and Eastern Europe as well as in Asia. He holds a business degree from the University of Kansas and a law degree from American University.

Sam Alvord

Chief, Office of Energy Management, U.S. Coast Guard

Sam Alvord is in charge of establishing energy policy, strategy and direction across the entire 88,000-member service, and directly advises the Assistant Commandant for Engineering and Logistics. He formulates departmental resilience strategies within the Department of Homeland Security, collaborating directly with Chief Readiness Support Officer (CRSO) personnel, DOD, municipalities and commercial stakeholders. Mr. Alvord’s office is the program manager for a $260 million dollar portfolio of Energy Savings Performance Contract and Utility Energy Services Contracts. Having entered the energy sector from the petroleum and biofuel sector, researching, testing and defining their corresponding firefighting extinguishing characteristics, he knows how each gallon of diesel, gasoline, or kilowatt hour of electricity and all other energy commodity is acquired, stored, transferred, tested, consumed and measured throughout the Coast Guard portfolio.

As a Mechanical Engineering graduate of the Coast Guard Academy, Mr. Alvord served aboard multiple cutters before being assigned to teach ship survivability at the U.S. Navy’s Surface Warfare Officers School. During that assignment, Mr. Alvord learned the value of partnerships, contingency planning, and solution engineering. Mr. Alvord is an expert in utilizing energy performance contracts to increase resilience and secure onsite power generation at critical DHS facilities, ensuring mission assurance and sustained service to mariners and the public.

Mr. Alvord completed a Master’s degree in Engineering Management from George Washington University with a focus in Systems Engineering and Knowledge Management.

Alan Bloodgood

COO, Siemens Government Technologies

Alan Bloodgood is Chief Operating Officer for Siemens Government Technologies, Inc., a leading integrator of Siemens’ innovative products, technologies and services for programs and requirements at federal government agencies and departments in the areas of energy generation, transmission, distribution and efficiency, infrastructure modernization, industrial applications and integrated electric power solutions for the air, land and sea domains. 

Prior to joining Siemens in December 2014, Mr. Bloodgood was Senior Vice President for Commercial Products and Services at the Metron Aviation unit of Airbus Prosky. He had overall responsibility for commercial projects in Australia, China, Columbia, Europe, Hong Kong, Mexico, Singapore, and South Africa. Previously at Metron, Mr. Bloodgood had responsibility for Metron’s Research Infrastructure as well as executive responsibility for all Metron Aviation support to FAA contracts, including SE-2020.

Mr. Bloodgood joined Metron Aviation from Lockheed Martin, where he held numerous leadership positions in aviation, ATM programs and Homeland Security Programs. As Director of Aviation and Advanced Project Development, Mr. Bloodgood engineered and deployed high-reliability Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) ATM systems for a global customer base. He was also responsible for the overall development of ATM technology and investment strategy for U.S. and international operations. In his most recent position at Lockheed Martin, as Director of Homeland Security Solutions, he managed large-scale programs in the areas of credentialing, border security and air security. He was also the Program Manager for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program.

Mr. Bloodgood was a recipient of a 2019 Federal 100 Award, an annual award celebrating achievements in federal government information technology. He was recognized for his work in leading energy efficiency and savings programs for government customers totaling more than $1 billion.

Mr. Bloodgood has degrees in both business and engineering. He received a Master’s of Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance, from the University of Maryland and completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Pennsylvania with a concentration in Computer Engineering and Economics.

Cara Carmichael

Principal, Rocky Mountain Institute

Cara Carmichael is a Principal with Rocky Mountain Institute’s buildings practice where she focuses on net zero carbon and deep energy retrofits in the federal and commercial building sectors. She is also leading efforts on the profitable integration of buildings with the grid. Highlights of her work include leading negotiation for one of the first net zero energy commercial leases in the U.S., leading the design and construction for both of RMI’s net zero energy offices, the Innovation Center and Boulder Commons, and guiding the GSA to double their historic energy savings using performance contracting.

Steven Craig

Director, Program Management, Energy Systems Group

Steve Craig has 31 years of extensive global experience partnering and serving federal, state and local governments in the areas of energy infrastructure modernization, resilient power solutions, and cyber security. Known for building long term value-based relationships, solving complex mission critical problems for leaders, and adhering to proven management operating systems, Mr. Craig has been a key player in the implementation of over $1.5B of innovative energy resilient projects and services around the world.

Mr. Craig is a strategic, skilled communicator with the ability to gain trust of others and win support of key decision makers. Core competencies include growth strategies, understanding complex decision-making structures, vision, process cadence, communication, ethics & compliance.

Mr. Craig volunteers his time for Veterans at the local American Legion and also spends time each week putting a smile on kids’ faces volunteering at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.

Gregory J. Downes

Vice President/General Manager, Johnson Controls Federal Systems, Johnson Controls Inc.

Greg Downes has worked in positions of increasing responsibility during his 27-year career with Johnson Controls. He is currently the Vice President and General Manager of Johnson Controls Federal Systems (JCFS). Prior to his current role, he held general management leadership positions in service to company locations throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast areas of the United States.

Mr. Downes’ direct sales, sales management, operations, and general management experiences have been utilized to help lead growth and restructuring initiatives for the company. He has developed skills in team building associated with mergers and acquisitions during multiple internal and external organizational change events including the integration of York International with Johnson Controls in 2006.

Mr. Downes’ leadership responsibilities at JCFS include the responsibility for safe execution, customer satisfaction, and shareholder value across a diversified group of federal centric businesses which deliver building technology, building systems integration, and shipboard cooling systems to various federal government agencies. Mr. Downes has a diversity of company experiences as he has served in a leadership capacity for both high transaction service businesses and large construction/installation teams.

Mr. Downes holds a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from Auburn University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Alabama – Birmingham.

Dale Hahs

Technical Assistance Provider, Energy Services Coalition

Dale L. Hahs presently serves as a Technical Assistance Provider for the Energy Services Coalition (ESC) State Technical Liaison team supported by a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE). 

Aside from his active role with ESC and supporting state Guaranteed Energy Savings Performance Contracting (GESPC) programs, Mr. Hahs contributes to support national efforts to advance the success of GESPC through work with US DOE’s MUSH Working Group and the Efficiency Valuation Organization U.S. Task Group.

Mr. Hahs previously served as the Executive Director of the Energy Services Coalition where he filled the role of Technical Assistance Subject Matter Expert for Guaranteed Energy Saving Performance Contracting. He has and continues to assist in the customization of GESPC programs for multiple states within their legislative and administrative framework and support the continuous improvement of the nation’s compendium of best practices tools, resources, instruments and guides. Prior to this role, Mr. Hahs was a member of the leadership team of an ESCO for over a decade and has been engaged in energy efficiency providing client solutions for over 30 years.

Caroline Harrover

Advisor, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Ms. Harrover has more than 15 years of proven energy and environmental experience in program management for high level clients; researching, designing and drafting energy and sustainability strategy, policies and guidance; expanding and maintaining knowledge that corresponds with Federal-level policies; and managing and conducting detailed regulatory and policy analyses for the Department of the Army, Department of Defense (DoD), the Environmental Protection Agency, and other clients.

Ms. Harrover has supported the Army Office of Energy Initiatives (OEI) since inception in 2011, managing a diverse staff of experts in renewable energy technologies, utility infrastructure, project management, Federal acquisition, strategy and metrics development, business case analysis, and communications disciplines to provide technical support to the OEI in the development of large-scale, third-party financed, renewable energy projects. She supports the Army Net Zero initiative to develop a management framework that encourages Army installations to move beyond compliance with the Federal mandates and Executive Order energy and water efficiency, and waste reduction goals. She also coordinates an interdisciplinary team of electrical engineers, facility managers, economists, and program managers to develop a definition, metrics, valuation methodologies, and budget justification for increased Army and DoD investments in energy security.

Ms. Harrover has demonstrated skills in economics and policy, with functional expertise in program management and policy analysis and development. She holds a B.A. in Physical Anthropology and Environmental Science from Columbia University and a M.S. in Resource Economics and Policy from Duke University.

Patrick Hudock

Energy Mission Integration Group, Department of the Navy Energy Security Programs Office

Kinga Porst Hydras

High Performance Building Expert, Office of Federal High Performance Buildings, General Services Administration

Kinga Porst Hydras, is a High Performance Building Expert in the GSA Office of Federal High-Performance Buildings, with particular focus on sub-metering, energy efficiency programs, renewable energy, and indoor environmental quality. She has been working on improving the usage of Energy Savings Performance Contracts in the federal government, forming public-private partnerships to achieve deep energy retrofits in existing buildings. Ms. Hydras is a member of the GSA ESPC Program Management Office. She is also a member of the Interagency Energy Management Task Force, Better Buildings Alliance, and Energy Exchange Planning Committee.

Ms. Hydras has an MBA from Case Western Reserve University and a Masters in Engineering degree from the Technical University of Budapest. She is a CEM and a LEED-AP.

Catherine Johnson

Performance Contracting Team Lead, Energy Management Program Service, Department of Veterans Affairs

Catherine Johnson has over 30 years of experience with government environmental, fleet, and energy programs. She is currently the acting Performance Contracting Team Lead for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Energy Management Program, overseeing development and implementation of VA’s alternatively financed energy projects.  Ms. Johnson is also the primary liaison for performance contracting in Veterans Integrated Service Networks 7, 8, 9, 12, and 16.  Ms. Johnson earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and a M.S. in Engineering Management from the University of Maryland.

Douglas Macurda

Senior Project Manager, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest

Doug Macurda is a Senior Project Manager and Program Manager on the NAVFAC SW Public Works Energy Team. He has over 11 years of experience working on third party financed projects, specifically with Utility Energy Service Contracts and Energy Savings Performance Contracts. Mr. Macurda has led development through implementation of financed energy projects with various complexities of energy conservation measures, and is considered a subject matter expert for NAVFAC SW.

Kathleen McGinty

Vice President, Global Government Relations, Johnson Controls Inc.

Katie McGinty is Vice President of Global Government Relations for Johnson Controls. Ms. McGinty has over 25 years of public and private sector experience and most recently served as Senior Vice President at the Environmental Defense Fund in Washington, D.C. where she led the global oceans program. Her public sector career includes serving as chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality and as Deputy Assistant to the President (1993-1998), as Secretary of Environmental Protection under The Governor of Pennsylvania (2003-2008), and as chair of the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (2004-2008).

Ms. McGinty holds a degree in Chemistry from St. Joseph's University and a law degree from Columbia University, and has honorary doctorates from Muhlenberg University, Dickinson College, and Clarion State University.

Erik Mitchell

Chief, Public Works, Installation Directorate - Training, Installation Management Command

Erik Mitchell assumed the duties as Public Works Chief at IMCOM-T Public Works, Fort Eustis, Virginia November 2018. He is responsible for all Public Works activities for 15 active U.S. Army installations and joint bases, providing policy guidance and direct oversight of a diverse range of programs to include master planning, engineering, design, housing management, construction management, facility maintenance, utility operation and maintenance, environmental management, and real estate, including base support contracts for privatized utility and housing services.

Mr. Mitchell is a seasoned professional with 24 years of diverse experience from active duty, private industry, and federal workforce assignments from field units to higher Headquarters assignments; both CONUS and OCONUS, in contingency operations and during natural disaster response.

Mr. Mitchell holds a B.S in Civil Engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Michael Norton

Chief, Energy Implementation Branch, Energy Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Huntsville Engineering and Support Center

Michael Norton joined the U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama in November 2004. He is currently serving as Chief, Energy Implementation Branch, providing strategic leadership and management for the execution of three energy programs that enhance the readiness of the warfighter; Energy Savings Performance Contracts, Utility Energy Services Contracting, and Power Purchase Agreements. In this capacity, he leads the development and implementation of energy, water and waste reduction and renewable energy efforts that modernize installation infrastructure and provide energy and water resilience and security. These efforts directly enable the warfighter to maintain their equipment, train, prepare for combat and deploy. Prior to this position he served as the Chief, Energy Planning Branch providing strategic leadership and management oversight for the Commercial Utility Program, Resource Efficiency Manager Program and Energy Resilience Conservation Improvement Program. Success in these assignments was through strong project delivery team teams, development of strategic business plans and budgets, strong relationships with customers, and stake holders in partnership with Energy Service Companies providing third party financing. Prior to being a Branch Chief, he served as Program Manager over the ESPC, Access Control Point and Facilities Reduction Programs. 

Mr. Norton and the ESPC Project Delivery Team received the 2014 Secretary of the Army Small Group Energy and Water Management Award, the 2015 Department of Energy Federal Energy Management Program Small Group Energy and Water Management Award and the 2016 Federal Energy and Water Management Director’s Award.

Mr. Norton is a retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel with over 25 years in the Corps of Engineers.  While on active duty he served in a variety of assignments of increasing responsibilities leading people and organizations in the United States, Europe and combat operations during Desert Shield and Storm in Saudi Arabia and Iraq. His last assignments were as the Director of Public Works for all Army garrisons in Italy and as the Deputy Commander of Tulsa District, US Corps of Engineers. Mr. Norton’s military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (4 awards), Commendation Medal (4 awards), National Defense Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Southwest Asia Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2 awards) and Parachutist Badge.

Mr. Norton holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Alabama and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

Kevin Powell

Director, Center for Emerging Building Technology, Office of Facilities Management, U.S. General Services Administration

Kevin Powell is the Director of Emerging Building Technologies for the General Services Administration’s Public Buildings Service (PBS), and program director for the GSA Proving Ground (GPG). Mr. Powell focuses on identifying innovative technologies, practices and processes that optimize how PBS designs, delivers and operates more than 185 million square feet of Federal real estate. Mr. Powell brings two decades of experience in building science, design research and policy analysis. He manages a portfolio of over 20 active test bed projects in the areas of next generation building envelope, energy management, HVAC, lighting and lighting control systems.

Mr. Powell has a longstanding commitment to smart asset management, deployment of next generation building technologies and indoor environmental quality. He received his Master’s degree in Architecture from the University of California at Berkeley, and has published numerous articles about acoustics, workplaces, next generation building strategies and urban design.

Jennifer Schafer-Soderman

Executive Director, Federal Performance Contracting Coalition

Jennifer Schafer is the President of Cascade Associates, a governmental affairs consulting firm located in Washington, DC. Cascade Associates primarily represents the energy efficiency community, companies and organizations. The firm advocates for policies and funding that advance the position of energy efficiency and clean energy technology in an environmentally-friendly manner.

Ms. Schafer has more than 25 years of public policy experience in energy and environmental issues before which she worked in the office of Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska and later served as a consultant to the U.S. Department of Energy. 

In her capacity as President of Cascade Associates, Ms. Schafer is serving her 23rd year as the Executive Director of the Federal Performance Contracting Coalition (FPCC) representing companies involved in Energy Savings Performance Contracting with the Federal government. Among other things, the FPCC worked tirelessly with Congress and the Administration to ensure continued and robust use of Energy Savings Performance Contracting by the Federal government.

Schuyler Schell

Supervisor, Procurement Services: Performance Contracting and Energy Generation, FEMP, Department of Energy

Schuyler Schell supervises Project Procurement and Distributed Generation Services at the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP), within the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Office of the Department of Energy, in Washington, D.C. FEMP assists Federal Agencies in their efforts to achieve high levels of energy and cost efficiency and resiliency in their facilities. FEMP supports agencies through a variety of means, including: performance contracting mechanisms; design and technical assistance; technical information, tools, and training; outreach; quality assurance; and interagency working groups, among other activities and resources. Most of FEMP’s tools and training are web-based and available to, and used by, a wide range of public and private market participants. Mr. Schell leads the FEMP Program relating to DOE’s Energy Savings Performance Contracts, Utility Energy Services Contracts, Distributed Energy Project and Procurement support, DOE Utility Contract Oversight, and other initiatives.

Before coming to the DOE in 2001, Mr. Schell served in a variety of capacities at a leading housing finance Government Sponsored Enterprise in McLean VA. These roles included: Director of Sales and Integration, Director of Structured Transactions, and Director of Marketing Strategy and Planning. Earlier in his career, Mr. Schell was Vice President for Secondary Marketing and Product Development for a Dallas based mortgage company and was an economist and the Director of Government Agency Relations for a trade association in Washington. He has an undergraduate degree in Economics from the State University of New York at Albany, and a Master of Planning degree from the School of Architecture at University of Virginia.

Natasha Shah

Vice President, NORESCO

Natasha Shah is a Vice President at NORESCO, responsible for federal business activities. One of the largest energy services companies in the U.S., NORESCO uses design-build, performance-based contracting vehicles and asset monetization solutions to deliver energy and maintenance cost savings and infrastructure upgrades to existing facilities.

Ms. Shah has 19 years of experience in the development and execution of energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions. She has led the implementation of strategic business plans, directed recovery and development initiatives for underachieving businesses, and is active in several industry trade organizations, including serving as the Board Chair of NAESCO.  Ms. Shah holds a Bachelor of Science in Biomechanical Engineering from Louisiana State University.

William Sheedy

Energy Programs Division Director, Energy Security Programs Office, Naval Facilities Engineering Command

William Sheedy has over 30 years of international experience in the engineering, construction and facilities management industries for the US Government. He currently serves as the Energy Programs Division Director within the Energy Security Programs Office of the Public Works Directorate at Naval Facilities Engineering Command Headquarters. He is responsible for the oversight and management of
over $2 billion of energy programs supporting the Department of the Navy, including Energy Savings Performance Contracts, Utility Energy Service Contracts, Enhanced-Use Leases, Energy Resilience & Conservation Investment Programs and other energy-related programs. He leads a team that specializes in leveraging third-party financing to deliver a dynamic range of resilient energy solutions.

Mr. Sheedy spent 21 years in the Civil Engineer Corps where he held numerous leadership positions. He also spent 10 years leading commercial contractors executing federal government contracts across several international locations across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Mr. Sheedy earned a Masters of Engineering in Civil Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Naval Architecture. He is a Professional Engineer, certified as a Level III Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act Contracting Officer and is a Life Member of the Society of American Military Engineers.

Randall Smidt

ESPC/UESC Program Manager, Department of the Army

Randy Smidt is the ESPC/UESC Program Manager in the Department of the Army HQ, Deputy Chief of Staff, G-9 (formerly the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management) and has overseen the execution of over $2.1B in third-party investment in the last 12 years, winning the FEMP Director's award in 2016 for the efforts of the Army ESPC/UESC team.  Mr. Smidt has over 30 years of experience in energy engineering, working as a consultant to utilities, ESCOs, commercial and federal clients, before becoming the energy manager at Fort Belvoir and later moving to Army Headquarters.  Mr. Smidt also serves on the Federal ESPC Steering Committee as well as the Federal Council of the Federal Utility Partnership Working Group.

Bret Strogen

Special Assistant for Energy & Sustainability, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army-Installations, Energy and Environment

Bret Strogen is the Army's Special Assistant for Energy and Sustainability, and works for the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment. In this role, he advises the Army in setting policies and overseeing programs related to operational energy, installation resilience, third-party financing of energy projects, and utilities privatization.

Prior to joining the Army Secretariat, Mr. Strogen was an Energy Innovation Analyst in the Office of the Secretary of Defense for five years. He first joined DoD as an AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow in 2013 and served as an on-site contractor from 2015 through 2018. Mr. Strogen provided technical and management support for the Department's Operational Energy Capabilities Improvement Fund and advised the Department on the technical, economic, environmental, and policy considerations relevant to DoD's investments in alternative fuels and alternative energy technologies.  He also served as the Executive Secretary for a 2016 Defense Science Board report on very small nuclear power systems and alternative energy systems for remote and forward operating bases.

Before moving to Washington, DC, Mr. Strogen completed his PhD in environmental engineering at UC Berkeley, where he spent over five years modeling life-cycle environmental impacts and economics of biofuel and petroleum infrastructure systems at the Energy Biosciences Institute.  Mr. Strogen also worked for three years as a project engineer with Weston Solutions, and is a Professional Engineer in the State of Pennsylvania.

Elizabeth Stuart

Program Manager, Electricity Markets and Policy Group, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Elizabeth Stuart is a Program Manager in the Electricity Markets and Policy Group at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. She conducts research and provides technical assistance on a range of demand-side management program and policy issues. Ms. Stuart has been lead or co-author on over 20 LBNL reports and policy briefs on topics that include ESCO industry and market trends, ratepayer-funded energy efficiency programs and policies, EM&V of energy efficiency programs, building energy benchmarking and labeling policies, and the energy efficiency workforce. Ms. Stuart also manages development and stakeholder engagement for eProject Builder, the national web-based ESPC database that enables ESCOs and their customers to track, report, and benchmark their ESPC project data.

Prior to joining LBNL in 2009, Ms. Stuart garnered over 13 years’ experience as a project manager in the entertainment software industry. She also worked on the City of Berkeley’s FIRST solar financing program--the progenitor of Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing and consulted for Environmental Defense Fund’s Climate Corps energy efficiency program.

Ms. Stuart holds an MBA in Sustainable Management from Presidio Graduate School in San Francisco.

J.E. "Jack" Surash

Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy & Sustainability, Department of the Army

Jack Surash has been the Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Energy and Sustainability since September 2016.  In this position he is responsible for overall program direction, establishment of policies, development and refinement of strategies, and oversight for implementation of all programs and initiatives related to energy and water resilience and sustainability within the Army.  As the Army's Senior Energy Executive, Mr. Surash coordinates and integrates both installation and operational energy programs and strategies.

Mr. Surash comes to the Pentagon from the Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management (EM), where he served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition and Project Management.  In that position, he led efforts for EM’s annual $6 billion portfolio, served as EM’s Head of Contracting Activity, oversaw procurement planning, contract management, and provided project management support.  Prior to that role, he was Director of the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Office of Infrastructure and Facilities Management.  Mr. Surash was selected for the Senior Executive Service in September 2005.

Previously, Mr. Surash served as the Business Development Manager for Johnson Controls Inc. and Chief Business Officer for Miami-Dade County Public Schools. He had a 27 year distinguished Navy career, retiring at the rank of Captain from the United States Navy’s Civil Engineer Corps.

Under his leadership, Navy Public Works Center San Diego received the California Eureka Award for Performance Excellence, Vice President Gore’s Hammer Award, and the President’s Quality Award for Quality Improvement  For actions during the California electricity crisis, his Navy Region Southwest Regional Energy Team received a Presidential Award for Leadership in Federal Energy Management, and numerous other recognitions including an Energy Leadership Award from the San Diego Regional Energy Office and an Excellence in Energy Award from the San Diego Business Journal. In addition, Mr. Surash was presented the Department of Energy’s Louis R. Harris Award for establishing one of the federal government's first resource efficiency management programs.

Mr. Surash holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Rochester and a Master of Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering, specializing in energy management, from Texas A&M University. Mr. Surash is a registered Professional Engineer.

Timothy Unruh

Executive Director, NAESCO

Dr. Timothy D. Unruh joins NAESCO after over 26 years in energy efficiency and clean energy development.  Most recently, he served in two senior roles at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) – Director of the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Renewable Power.  As FEMP Director, Dr. Unruh helped launch the President’s Performance Contracting Challenge pushing for growth in performance contracting with the Federal Government, as well as eProject Builder targeting a common national platform for ESCO industry data. As DAS for Renewable Power, Dr. Unruh helped develop the Beyond Batteries initiative to explore innovative ways to provide grid services, including using building energy efficiency technologies to improve grid integration with renewable technologies.

Prior to his work at DOE, Dr. Unruh spend many years working for ESCOs. During his time at Custom Energy and ConEdison Solutions, he fulfilled performance contracting work in all markets (MUSH, industrial, commercial and federal), gaining expertise in business development, engineering, measurement and verification, legal and financial aspects of the industry, often through first-hand experience in fulfilling the work.  Early in his career, Dr. Unruh worked for CMS Energy, finding efficiency and power quality solutions for commercial and industrial energy users, where he developed his energy engineering foundation.

Dr. Unruh holds a Bachelors, Masters, and Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering from Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas.  He also holds professional engineering licenses in 13 States and the District of Columbia.

Kevin Vaughn

Director, Federal Programs, Schneider Electric Energy and Sustainability Services

Kevin Vaughn has nearly 30 years of experience working in the energy renewable and efficiency industry and has worked on 25+ comprehensive Federal Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs) in his career. This experience has encompassed engineering, construction management, sales, sales management and program management.  

Mr. Vaughn has been with Schneider Electric since 2002 and has served as the Task Order Manager for many of Schneider Electric’s recent Federal ESPC projects, including the first-ever Net Zero ESPC project for the GSA. Mr. Vaughn’s current responsibilities include developing customer relations and serving as the main contact for Federal ESPC customers to ensure the proper implementation of comprehensive solutions that adhere to Federal ESPC requirements. He is also responsible for leading negotiations and arranging financing for ESPC projects.

Mr. Vaughn represents Schneider Electric with federal agencies and trade group relations in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Vaughn received an M.B.A. in Finance and Marketing from the University of Chicago, a professional degree in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University, and a B.A. in Physics with a minor in Philosophy from DePauw University.

Phil Voss

Senior Project Leader, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Phil Voss is a Senior Project Leader in the Integrated Applications Center at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). He currently provides technical assistance for alternative financing programs and projects, supporting the USDOE FEMP ESPC, UESC, and Distributed Energy programs, including cross-coordination of these programs, performance period project support, and training development and delivery. Mr. Voss also has experience managing project technical assistance, strategic energy planning, and representing NREL with a wide range of clients.

Mr. Voss recently returned to NREL after a 7.5-year absence, during which time he lived and worked as a SCUBA instructor while managing dive centers in both Indonesia and Honduras. He was previously at NREL from 1996-2012, serving for several years as a Senior Project Leader for the DOE FEMP ESPC program, managing project implementation, training, and quality assurance efforts. In 2007, Mr. Voss was embedded in New Orleans to manage DOE/NREL assistance following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Upon returning from New Orleans, he managed strategic energy planning assessments for island nations, post-disaster recovery areas, and various Federal agencies. Mr. Voss has a B.S. in Architectural Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University.

Jody Wilkens

Vice President of Federal Contracting, Trane

Jody Wilkens is Trane’s Vice President of Federal Contracting and has 26 years of energy management experience. Ms. Wilkens has managed over $700M in Guaranteed Performance Contracting Projects. Her team is currently leading overseas ESPC efforts at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Osan Air Base, South Korea, and Pacific with Marine Corps Installations Pacific (MCIPAC)—Camp Butler, Iwakuni, and Fuji. Under Ms. Wilkens’ leadership, Trane’s ESPC projects have received multiple awards including the 2014 FEMP Program of the Year and Secretary of the Navy Large Installation of the Year.