Caio Zapata

CEO, ENESTAS Energy & Gas

Caio is an entrepreneur and executive director with more than 15 years of experience working on the operational and financial restructuring of different companies in the manufacturing, power generation and natural gas industries.
Taking advantage of the energy reform in Mexico, he founded ENESTAS Energy & Gas, developing one of the largest natural gas distribution networks in North America.
Additionally, Caio has successfully restructured more than 8 companies in Mexico, Brazil and Central America.
Besides acting as counselor of different companies in the pharmaceutical, food and manufacturing industries.
Educational background:
• Industrial engineer graduated from the Universidad Iberoamericana and MBA from IESE Business School.
• Certified as Black Belt in Six Sigma in addition to having graduated of several negotiation courses, M & A and Corporate Strategy in Harvard, MIT, Chicago Booth and London Business School.

Dallas D. Smith

Director of LNG & Offshore & General Manager of LISCR Houston, LISCR

Dallas Smith is the Director of LNG and Offshore for the Liberian Registry. He is also the General Manager of the Liberian Registry's Houston's office. Dallas leads the service delivery and brand management of the Registry within the LNG sector (to include newbuildings of LNG-as-fuel powered ships and LNG carriers), and Offshore sectors globally. In addition, he manages the Houston office by providing oversight of the Registry's interface with regulatory, commercial, operational, and compliance of all vessel platforms.
Dallas joined the Liberian Registry after 20 years of service in the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), retiring as a Lieutenant Commander. During his final 6 years in the Coast Guard, he ran the Coast Guard's Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise. Where he was responsible for executing the USCG's entire liquefied gas safety, security, and environmental compliance mission around the world. He holds an M.B.A. with honors from Liberty University, B.S. degrees with honors in Technology Management and Organizational Leadership from University of Houston, and an A.A.S. in Electronic Engineering from Thomas Edison State College.

Mike Sicker

SVP of Business Development – Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Oil & Gas Division

Michael Sicker is the Senior Vice President of Business Development & Strategy for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Oil & Gas Division. As the Global Account Manager he is responsible for developing new markets and strategies for the continued growth of Mitsubishi's presence in the Americas, specifically in the LNG arena. Mr. Sicker started his career with Mitsubishi International Corporation in 1992, in the Akron, Ohio office and has worked in various management positions in the Oil & Gas sector since 2005. Thomas Edison State College.

Kareemah F. Mohamed

Global Energy Transition Advisory Lead, KBR

Kareemah Mohamed is a leader in energy markets with expertise at the crux of public policy strategy, supply chain and commercial models for new energies.
Currently she is leading KBR Advisory's Energy Transition business focused on Net- Zero solutions in line with the Paris accord. She is focused on carbon abatement for industrial clusters, government master planning strategies and low-carbon fuel solutions, including the hydrogen supply chain from generation to end-use.
She previously served as Director, Research and Consulting at IHS Markit focused on the impact of digitalization on advancing climate change as well as upstream strategy planning for IEC's and major oil and gas companies. Ms. Mohamed is also the founder of a growth accelerator, LARK Strategy Partners focused adapting business models in the digital age, with an emphasis on the circular economy.
She is a frequent speaker at conferences including CERAWeek, SPE, Energy Council, Hydrogen Congress and Women in Energy.
A Geoscientist by background, she has worked in R&D and development capacities at Marathon Oil and ConocoPhillips in domestic and international roles throughout her career. She was also previously Managing Director at Associated Geosciences- a consulting firm specializing in oil and gas acquisition and divestiture strategy globally.
Ms. Mohamed holds a Bachelor's in Petroleum Engineering, Master's in Geoscience and various advanced credentials from The Wharton School, Stanford and CFA Institute.
She is a national of Trinidad and Tobago and is passionate about the leadership role of women in the energy transition.

Jillian C. Evanko

Chief Executive Officer and President at Chart Industries, Inc.

Jillian (Jill) Evanko is President and Chief Executive Officer of Chart Industries, Inc. (NYSE: GTLS), serving in this capacity since June of 2018. Ms. Evanko joined Chart in February of 2017 as Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining Chart, Jill was the Chief Financial Officer of Truck-Lite Co., LLC as well as having held multiple operational and financial executive positions at Dover Corporation (NYSE: DOV) and its subsidiaries. Prior to joining Dover in 2004, Ms. Evanko held financial and operational roles at Arthur Andersen, LLP, Honeywell Corporation and Sony Corporation. In addition to serving on Chart's Board of Directors, Ms. Evanko also serves as an independent director of the Board of Parker Hannifin Corporation (NYSE: PH) as well as a director on the Board of McPhy (Euronext Paris: MCPHY – ISIN: FR0011742329).
Jill received a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from The University of Notre Dame and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from La Salle University. She is the winner of the 2020 ExxonMobil Power Play Rainmaker award, the 2020 S&P Global Platts Energy Award for Chief Trailblazer, and the World LNG Executive of the Year 2020. She serves on the non-profit Board of Directors of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF).

Daryl Wilson

Executive Director, Hydrogen Council

Daryl Wilson is a versatile leader with more than 35 years of progressive industrial management experience in environmental technology, operations, manufacturing, human resources, product development, and organizational change developed in world class organisations, including Dofasco, Toyota, and Zenon Environmental. For the last 14 years, Daryl Wilson served as CEO of Hydrogenics, a leading provider of advanced hydrogen solutions.

Steve Almeida Jr.

Director of Fuel Cells / Clean Heat & Power, Aris

Steve Almeida Jr. is a seasoned Energy Professional with over 25 + years energy experience. Steve started his career in energy, while serving aboard U.S. Nuclear Submarines. Steve earned his Baccalaureate in Intl Affairs/Intl Businesses, substantiating his global experience, while studying abroad in Stockholm, Sweden and then Paris, France at the prestigious Sciences-Po [Paris]. Steve then worked as a Graduate Assistant at Center of Energy Technology of The Americas CETA, earning his degree at Florida International University [Cum Laude].
Steve cut his teeth in deregulated energy markets in Ontario, Canada prior to returning to New York. Steve continued as Sr. Energy Advisor during his ESCO days from 2004-2010. He is widely recognized as one who cultivates relationships, always addressing the “Customer's Why”! Steve performed duties while Energy Consultant to some of the largest school districts in CT [Bridgeport, New Haven & Stamford]. Seeing volatile swing in energy prices, Steve worked as Energy Advisor at Tradition Energy, one of the largest Energy Brokers in the world, then moved towards the regulated side, bringing added value to Con Edison's Energy Efficiency Team. Shortly after Super Storm Sandy, made it his mission to ensure Con Edison Large Commercial Customers [Banks, Data Centers, Hotels, and select Property Management Firms] had an in- depth understanding of utility-based incentive programs. During his tenure – Steve was regularly sourced for emerging trends such as distributed energy resources and demand response. He was instrumental in securing commitments from key customers across the Banking Segment to participate in Utility and NYISO Programs – whereby customers monetize respective buildings earning payment for agreeing to curtail energy during peak load times established by the utility/ISO.
Earning a strong reputation amid large property owners and operators is widely recognized, as one who gets the job done and always follows up, Steve currently serves as Director of Fuel Cells & Combined Heat & Power at Aris Energy Solutions LLC. He is an established Distributed Generation expert, contributing towards the continued development and widespread adoption of “Next Generation” Fuel Cell based microCHP. Steve is credited as being chiefly responsible for SOLIDpower's introduction to the U.S. Market. “Fuel Cells are classified as Renewables in CA, CT and NY. Hence, their offering should be optimized across energy markets as the re-introduction of the Investment Tax Credit is a strong financial incentive to do so.”
Aris is an Energy Services Company which achieves energy efficiency savings, enhances and extends customer implementation of Renewable Energy via unique product line, featuring solar, small wind, CHP and modular/small capacity fuel cells! Aris is credited with the 5 th Community Solar Project in N.Y. State. Steve sees limitless potential with Distributed Generation.ons.

Andrew Marsh

President and CEO, Plug Power

Andy Marsh joined Plug Power as President and CEO in April 2008. Under his leadership, Plug Power has been a leading innovator in the alternative energy field, helping create an entirely new hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) market in the material handling space as the world moves towards electrification in mobility applications. This new market has proven to be one of the first successful endeavors to commercialize HFC technology, and today, the firm's fuel cell solutions, including its GenKey suite and ProGen engine line, are leveraged by global marketplace leaders such as Amazon, Walmart, and Carrefour to power industrial electric vehicles.
As President and CEO, Marsh plans and directs all aspects of the organization's goals and objectives, and is focused on building a company that leverages Plug Power's combination of technological expertise, talented people and focus on sales growth to continue the company's leadership stance in the future alternative energy economy. Under his leadership, Plug Power continues to spearhead hydrogen fuel cell innovations in both mobility and stationary applications, and his ability to generate revenue growth of more than 296 percent since 2012 has landed Plug Power on Deloitte's Technology Fast 500TM list in both 2015 and 2016.
Previously, Mr. Marsh was a co-founder of Valere Power, where he served as CEO and Board Member from the Company's inception in 2001, through its sale to Eltek ASA in 2007. Under his leadership, Valere grew into a profitable global operation with over 200 employees and $90 million in revenue derived from the sale of DC power products to the telecommunications sector. During Mr. Marsh's tenure, Valere Power received many awards such as the Tech Titan award as the fastest growing technology company in the Dallas Fort Worth area and the Red Herring Top 100 Innovator Award. Prior to founding Valere, he spent almost 18 years with Lucent Bell Laboratories in a variety of sales and technical management positions.
Mr. Marsh is a member of the Board of Directors for the California Hydrogen Business Council, a non-profit group comprised of organizations and individuals involved in the business of hydrogen. He holds an MSEE from Duke University and an MBA from SMU. In August/September 2017, Mr. Marsh was invited to join the Global Hydrogen Council as well, an international council of major auto manufacturers which is focused on the proliferation of hydrogen fuel cell technologies.

David Alonso

Regional Vice President, New Equipment Sales, Mitsubishi Power

David Alonso is Region Vice President, New Equipment Sales for Mitsubishi Power Americas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Power LTD. Mitsubishi Power leads the industry in power generation and energy storage solutions. Committed to environmental protection and carbon reduction, Mitsubishi Power is at the forefront of green hydrogen and battery energy storage systems. Mr. Alonso is responsible for all aspects of the sales and marketing activities in the Eastern U.S.
Prior to joining Mitsubishi Power Americas, Mr. Alonso served as Region Vice President, Southeast Region for Siemens Power Systems Sales, where he was responsible for account management and product sales including generation equipment and service (fossil, nuclear, and renewable), transmission and distribution, and energy storage solutions for utility, IPP, and EPC customers across a 9 state region. Other key positions Mr. Alonso held while at Siemens include Sales Manager, Service Marketing Integration Manager, and New Unit Marketing Engineer. Mr. Alonso is well versed in electric utility industry trends and has a proven track record in leveraging a portfolio of products to meet customer demands and resolve challenges.
Mr. Alonso holds a Bachelor of Science in Management Science from the Georgia Institute of Technology and an MBA from the University of Florida. He and his wife live in Peachtree City, Georgia with their two sons and daughter.

Michael J. Graff

Chairman & CEO, American Air Liquide

Mike Graff joined Air Liquide in 2007 and currently serves as chairman, chief executive officer and president of American Air Liquide; executive vice president and executive committee member of Air Liquide Group; and chairman of the board of Airgas. Based in Houston, Graff leads business operations for the Americas and Asia-Pacific regions of Air Liquide Group and is the global chairman of the Group's Electronics business line.
Graff has over 35 years of global experience in the industrial gas, energy, refining, chemicals and polymers industries. He began his career with Amoco and BP, plc. and went on to serve as president or chief executive officer of several global chemical and polymer businesses.
Currently serving on the board of directors of Westlake Chemical Corporation, Graff also serves as an executive member of a number of industry and civic organizations, including the executive committee of the American Chemistry Council and chairman of its Responsible Care committee,as well as on the board of trustees of the Illinois Institute of Technology and the Engineering Advisory Council for Purdue University's College of Engineering. He is also a principal of the Bipartisan Policy Center's American Energy Innovation Council, a member of the National Petroleum Council and the United States Investment Advisory Council. Graff chairs the Committee on Competitiveness for the U.S. Department of Commerce and serves on the board of trustees of the Illinois Institute of Technology and the Engineering Advisory Council for Purdue University's College of Engineering.
Graff holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology and a master's degree in chemical engineering from Purdue University. In recognition of his professional achievement, Graff has been recognized by both universities as a distinguished alumnus. He has completed advanced studies at the University of Chicago, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Cambridge and the Stanford University Law School.
In addition, Graff participates in a variety of community service programs and activities. He is a strong advocate for STEM education, literacy and youth athletics. Graff is a member of the board or trustees for the George and Barbara Bush Foundation, the board of directors of Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas, the Leadership Council for Houston Methodist Hospital and the Baker Institute of Rice University.

Stan Knez

Chief Technology Officer, Technip Energies

Stan Knez is the Chief Technology Officer for Technip Energies and is part of the Executive Committee. In this role, Mr. Knez manages our technology portfolio, leads our innovation and R&D programs and oversees our product lines. He has more than 25 years of industry experience in the global upstream and downstream industry, strongly focused on technology portfolios and alliances.
Previously, Mr. Knez was Senior Vice President Process Technology of Technip Energies and its predecessor, TechnipFMC, President of Technip Stone & Webster Process Technology, and Executive Vice President of Technology for Shaw Energy & Chemicals Group. He also served as Vice President of Downstream Operations for KBR Energy and Chemicals.
Mr. Knez holds a master's degree in chemical engineering from Cleveland State University and an MBA in finance and international business from the University of St. Thomas. He earned his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Case Western Reserve University.

Tim Cortes

Chief Technology Office, Plug Power

In 2021, Tim Cortes was promoted to Chief Technology Officer for Plug Power. His focus includes responsibility for the company's long-term technology strategy and vision. Mr. Cortes works with the leadership team to develop technology roadmaps, design solutions and implement processes that make technology development a significant differentiator for Plug Power. He collaborates with industry leaders and assesses customer needs to ensure that the organization proactively anticipates, supports, and solves technical problems in support of customer issues. Additionally, Mr. Cortes identifies potential M&A opportunities that will drive the technology roadmaps as well as position Plug Power to vertically integrate in key component and subsystem elements.
Tim Cortes joined Plug Power Inc. as Vice President of Hydrogen Energy Systems in January of 2015. In this role, Mr. Cortes was responsible for overseeing the GenFuel business, including interactions with customers, partners and suppliers critical to increasing Plug Power's growing market share within the hydrogen fuel industry. In 2020, Mr. Cortes added responsibilities for overseeing the business development efforts for Plug Power's electrolyzer products. As an important part of Plug Power's green hydrogen vertical integration strategy, the electrolyzer business is key to generating green hydrogen from renewable sources of power including solar, wind and hydro.
Prior to joining Plug Power, Mr. Cortes served as Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Engineering at Smiths Power. In these positions, he was responsible for research and development, as well as solutions for global applications. During his tenure at Smiths Power, Mr. Cortes led product line expansion that resulted in a doubling of revenue growth in less than six years.
Mr. Cortes holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from New Mexico State University. Additionally, he holds several patents covering power system architecture.

William J. Hickey

Detachment Chief, Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise, U.S. Coast Guard

Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Hickey serves as the Detachment Chief for the Coast Guards Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise (LGC NCOE), and leads a team of liquefied gas subject matter experts who provide technical support to both the industry and the Coast Guard for all foreign and U.S. flagged vessels and barges that carry liquefied gases in bulk, liquefied gas terminals, low-flashpoint fuels (LFF) to include LFF Bunkering. In addition, his team serves as advisors on the development of Coast Guard policy, regulations, procedures and standards across the spectrum of Coast Guard activities related to liquefied gas. The LGC NCOE reports directly to the Coast Guards Chief Traveling Inspector at Coast Guard Headquarters.
LCDR Hickey is geographically diverse while successfully completing Coast Guard operational assignments in the Gulf, East and West coasts. Prior to his arrival to the LGC NCOE, he served as the Prevention Department Head at Marine Safety Unit (MSU) Lake Charles. There he oversaw and carried out Marine Safety operations across the full spectrum of Marine Safety Missions. Of particular note, he led the Coast Guards role serving as the navigation subject matter expert to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), State and local agencies throughout the permitting of over seven liquefied gas export terminals. Previous assignments include serving as the Supervisor of Marine Safety Detachment Fort Macon in Fort Macon, NC where he served as the Captain of the Port representative in one of our nation's Strategic Seaports while leading 18 in carrying out the Coast Guard's Marine Safety missions throughout eastern North Carolina. His other operational assignment include Chief of Port State Control at Sector Puget Sound in Seattle, WA and Assistant Chief of Domestic Inspections at MSU Texas City in Texas City, TX.
LCDR Hickey earned a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from the State University of New York Maritime in 2009; Coast Guard Third Assistant Engineering License of Unlimited Horsepower for Diesel, Steam and Gas Turbine engineering systems; and served in the Coast Guards six month Marine Industry Training Program. A native of Hamilton, NJ, LCDR Hickey resides in China, TX with his wife and four children Brinnley, Blayne, Liam and Hurley.

Amanda C. Duhon

Regional Director, North & Central America, EIC

Amanda joined the EIC (Energy Industries Council) in April 2015. With over 20 years business development experience in international trade and policy, Amanda is an expert in commercial diplomacy, energy, environment and infrastructure, market intelligence, industry stakeholder engagement, business strategy and consultancy.
Prior to joining the EIC, Amanda was Director, Business Development North America with Trade & Investment Queensland, Australia. She played an integral role in the establishment of the North America office following the state government’s reorganization of its trade and investment arm and working with senior management to establish its regional and sector strategy. Amanda worked to build relationships with key industry stakeholders in the USA, Canada and Mexico, while providing dedicated support to Queensland-based industry by promoting Queensland’s capabilities and know-how and, assisted North American pension funds in identifying key investment opportunities around infrastructure in Queensland.
From 2010 to 2014, Amanda worked with the Department for International Trade (formally UK Trade & Investment), at the British Consulate-General Houston. As Vice Consul for Energy, Environment and Infrastructure, Amanda led on trade and investment between the US and UK across the Southwest US region with a focus on power, wind (onshore and offshore), environment and transportation and water infrastructure. Amanda was keenly focused on infrastructure, spearheading the organization’s USA water high value opportunity campaign. During this time, Amanda served on the Young Professionals Board of the Texas Water Foundation, was published in World Water Magazine highlighting the excellence of the UK water industry around technology and infrastructure and advised government/non-government around privatization and investment in infrastructure, including water, energy and transportation.
Among her accomplishments, Amanda played an integral role in founding a non-profit microfinance institution in 2007, focusing on non-traditional forms of lending to small-business entrepreneurs around the world. Amanda currently serves on the organisation’s Advisory Board, with key industry stakeholders including a Nobel Laureate. Amanda holds a Masters in Political Science with a concentration in Public Policy and Administration, and a Bachelors in International Relations. Amanda is a Board Member of the British American Business Council of Texas (BABC Texas), an Advisory Board Member of the Center for International Studies, University of St. Thomas, Houston, an Advisor Board Member for the Transition Economist 100 Women in Energy, an Advisory Board Member for the Hydrogen Economist 50 Women in Hydrogen, and active in many other industry groups. Most recently, Amanda worked with 130 experts across energy, academia, trade, and policy to deliver the National Petroleum Council’s (NPC) report to the US Secretary of Energy on Carbon Capture, Use and Storage to define pathways that would lead to deployment at scale, and is an Expert Contributor for Mexico Business News, among other publications throughout her career.
On a personal note, Amanda has two children, Inez who is a recent graduate of the University of Houston and Maximilien who is in kindergarten. Amanda loves reading and writing fiction and short stories, aspires to be a good golfer, loves live music, is a part of Cleopatra Krewe of New Orleans, and mentors and coaches young professional women in Houston.

Ann Rosenberg

SVP for Sustainability Solutions, Wood plc

A Denmark native, but a global citizen based in Los Angeles, Ann has 25 years of experience in the corporate world working with sustainability and purpose. She was part of founding SDG Ambition with UN Global Compact and has dedicated her life to serving as a trailblazer for the UN SDGs.
She launched SDG Ambition at the WEF in Davos, which challenges ands supports companies in being more strategic, and transformative in how they run their businesses to deliver on the 2030 Agenda and build on the ESG framework. SDG Ambition will challenge companies to set bolder goals aligned with their purpose, governance and strategy - and address barriers to speed and scale - with enterprise-wide integration that hardwires the SDGs into business management, business processes, and information technology landscapes. The first ambition launched was Business Ambition for 1.5 C. This ambition challenges companies to take bold action to redefine business models to limit the global temperature and mitigate climate change, which will require integration of new functionalities and datasets within the existing enterprise software for businesses to become sustainable enterprises. This includes carbon accounting across the value chain, carbon ledger approach, calculation of high-level carbon footprint, and more.
She also recently launched SAP Purpose Network Live to connect a community of changemakers committed to addressing the complexity caused by COVID-19. Attend upcoming virtual conversations to connect with likeminded individuals, exchange ideas and support the incredible initiatives presented by various organizations. Let's lay the foundation for a more sustainable future.

Drake Daniel Hernandez

Senior Associate, Charles River Associates (CRA)

Drake is a Senior Associate in Charles River Associates' (CRA) Energy Practice where he focuses on advising global clients as they develop strategies related to hydrogen economics and infrastructure development. Drake has also supported the development of expert testimony in multi-billion-dollar domestic litigation and international arbitration disputes related to energy infrastructure. Drake is an energy economist with expertise at the intersection of economics, regulation, and finance -- particular emphasis on the hydrogen, natural gas, and electric power sectors.
Prior to CRA, Drake graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) Technology and Policy Program (TPP) where he was a graduate research assistant in the MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI). While at MIT, Drake was a co-author on the MITEI Future of Storage study and the architect of the hydrogen production tecno-economic analysis (TEA) module of the Sustainable Energy Systems Modeling Analysis Environment (SESAME). Drake's Master's thesis focused on modeling hydrogen network dynamics and assessing federal regulatory frameworks for the development of interstate hydrogen transmission infrastructure within the United States.
Drake's work has been published in The Electricity Journal and other academic texts. Drake's also been invited to speak both domestic and internationally on matters related to the regulation of hydrogen and system planning.
Drake earned a Master of Science in Technology and Policy, with a particular emphasis on Energy Economics and Finance, from MIT and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, with a focus on Operations Research and Economics, from the University of Texas at Austin.

Jurgita Šilinskaitė-Venslovienė

Head of LNG Commerce, AB Klaipėdos Nafta

Jurgita Šilinskaitė-Venslovienė is the Head of LNG Commerce at the Oil and LNG terminals operator „Klaipėdos nafta“. She is responsible for FSRU based Klaipėda LNG terminal and onshore LNG Bunkering and Truck loading terminal. She has extensive experience in management of diverse infrastructural projects in different sectors. Previous work experience of her covers Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant, National Development Institute and private holding company. At the same time Jurgita Šilinskaitė-Venslovienė is a Board member of Klaipėda University (Lithuania).

Laurence B. Tree II

President and CEO, Proteum Energy

Laurence B. Tree II ("Larry") is a proven entrepreneur and strategic leader who has built international businesses and brands from initial funding through to successful business- to business process and technologies development. Larry's passion is to build great teams of people working together with the skill and persistence to drill into initial business plans and collaborate to execute strategies and tactics focused on excellence.
Before joining Proteum Energy, Mr. Tree was the President and founder of Laron, Incorporated, a 40-year leader in heavy industry service solutions focused on power generation, mining, oil and gas, heavy manufacturing, transportation, and construction industries. Laron was acquired in January 2020 by Ohio Transmission Corporation, a GenStar company.
In 1984, Mr. Tree founded and built EMS (now Sulzer EMS). EMS became the largest independent service company for power generation, mining, and basic industries in the Western U.S., reaching #24 on Inc. Magazine's fastest-growing companies in America.
Successfully transitioned EMS with the largest independent industrial services company globally, a public U.K., PLC, and served five years on the international board of directors. EMS is now a business unit of Sulzer Turbo Services based in Switzerland.
Mr. Tree's entrepreneurial successes lead him to be nominated Arizona Entrepreneur of the year and the Who's Who of Executives in America.
Mr. Tree also has a varied entrepreneurial and philanthropic background. He co-founded and co-created the worlds leading integrative medicine web portal () and product licensing company. This creation was at the request of Dr. Andrew Weil, a renowned integrative medicine physician, and author. Mr. Tree developed the initial business plan and secured funding, co-creating an international web and licensing business exceeding $100 million in top-line sales. The philanthropic goal has been fulfilled with millions of dollars of profit raised; all focused on funding Dr. Weil's non-profit, Weil Foundation. The Weil Foundation significantly contributed to the Program of Integrative Medicine at the University, which is now the very successful Arizona Center of Integrative Medicine (), a Center of Excellence within the University of Arizona.
Outside leadership positions and current boards include: Board Member of Superior Gas Solutions, LLC - a flare gas/associated gas to power and hydrogen technology company based in Arizona YPO Gold Arizona – (Young President's Organization) World Presidents Organization (WPO) International Lifetime member of the Brophy Dad's Club - a leading Arizona Jesuit boys high school booster organization Prior member of the Board of Trustees of Phoenix Country Day School - a leading K-12 private school in Arizona
Mr. Tree's interests include hiking, fly fishing, traveling, and spending time with his wife Patti and their five grandchildren and two Labrador mix rescue dogs.

Neil Mackintosh

President and CEO, Proteum Energy

Neil has more than 30 years' experience in the energy industry, with a strong commercial and technical background. He is responsible for all McDermott's early phase engineering, from Offshore to LNG and Petrochemicals. He is also the Global Product Champion for the Decarbonization McDermott's existing product line.
He has had senior leadership positions in Technip and then Worley, where he was the president of the Intecsea organization. Over the last 5 years he spent most of his time working in the energy transition space driving solutions for Net Zero carbon, Hydrogen and carbon capture.
He is a graduate of Newcastle University in the UK but has been based in Houston for over 20 years.

Parul Dhall

Sr. Director, Low Carbon Strategy, NOV

Parul Dhall is the Director of Low Carbon Technologies at NOV Inc., focused primarily on offshore wind, carbon capture, and low carbon fuels. She has been with NOV since 2010 in various roles including Corporate Technology, Engineering and Research, Manufacturing and Quality management. Prior to NOV, she worked at Saint Gobain Materials as a research engineer. Her diverse experience has provided her with a well-rounded perspective to be a thought leader in the evolving energy industry.
In her current role, Parul is responsible for driving NOV's global strategy on energy transition. Parul believes that this is a generational opportunity to shape the futures of our economy, society, and planet.
Parul has an undergraduate degree in Metallurgical Engineering from Punjab Engineering College, India, and a Graduate Degree in Engineering Science and Mechanics from the Pennsylvania State University.
Parul has been an active member of the Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE) Houston Chapter. She loves to volunteer for mentoring, education, and community events. She is a mother of two young boys, and lives with her family in the Woodlands, TX.

Richard Gottwald

President & CEO, Compressed Gas Association

Rich Gottwald joined the Compressed Gas Association as President and CEO in July 2018.
Before joining CGA, Rich served as President and CEO of the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals. He joined APSP in 2013 and realigned the organization to be a unified voice to protect existing markets and to grow new business for its members.
Prior to APSP, Rich served as Executive Vice President for the International Sign Association, where he was responsible for providing oversight and leadership on the regulatory, legislative, and technological challenges and opportunities facing the sign industry across North America.
Before ISA, Rich held senior management positions in several trade associations, including Executive Vice President for the Association of the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, President of the Plastics Pipe Institute, and Executive Director of the Society of the Plastics Industry.
Rich holds a BS in Plastics Engineering from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell and is a Certified Association Executive (CAE). He lives in Washington, DC.

Frank Wolak

President and CEO, Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association

Mr. Wolak is the President and CEO of the Washington DC based Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA), an organization that represents over sixty leading international and domestic companies and organizations that are advancing innovative, clean, safe, and reliable energy technologies.
Prior to FCHEA, Mr. Wolak was a Senior Vice President at FuelCell Energy, Inc. (FCE). At FCE Mr. Wolak initiated and developed some of the most innovative and largest fuel cell technology applications in the world. In addition to his business successes, Mr. Wolak worked closely with the US Department of Energy, Congress and state agencies to define and sustain programs for hydrogen and fuel cells throughout the US.
Mr. Wolak has experience in all facets of energy including executive positions outside the fuel cell and hydrogen industry at an international energy services company, a power development and investment company, public energy resources corporation and as management consultant providing insight to clients in emerging technology and utility segments.
Mr. Wolak is a founding member of the Connecticut Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Coalition, past Chair of the California Stationary Fuel Cell Collaborative, serves as a Governor appointment to the New Jersey Fuel Cell Task Force and previously served two terms at the appointment of the Secretary of Commerce to the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee.
Mr. Wolak holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Western New England University and an MBA in Finance from the University of Hartford.

Tom Mourmouras

Business Development Manager, New Energy, Woodside Energy

Fabian Kapp

Managing Director, Gräbener Maschinentechnik

Fabian Kapp is the Managing Director of Gräbener Maschinentechnik GmbH & Co. KG. He represents the 4th generation leader of the 100-year-old special machine building company, in which his family holds a majority stake. He joined the company in 2009 as a graduate engineer in electrical engineering. In 2016, he became an authorized officer and member of the management board. Soon after that, he founded Graebener Inc. based in the USA and in 2017 started bundling the sales activities in China through a strategic partnership.
With a focus on the Graebener® Bipolar Plate Technologies business unit, Fabian Kapp consistently continues the almost 20-year research and development of manufacturing technologies for metallic bipolar plates. With its core competences in forming, cutting and welding and the expansion of its in-house application laboratory, Graebener® BPT today covers all the essential steps of the value-added chain to further develop the manufacturing processes necessary for the production of metallic bipolar plates. The company offers customer-specific, fully automated production lines for the manufacturing of bipolar plates – from the coil to the finished welded bipolar plate. In addition to this, Graebener® BPT provides comprehensive support to the customers, from engineering through prototyping up to small series production.

Yuri Freedman

Senior Director of Business Development, SoCalGas

Yuri has broad experience in development and acquisition of energy infrastructure assets. In his current role of Senior Director of Business Development, he manages the portfolio of low carbon growth projects and R&D activities of Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), the largest North American gas utility. Prior to his current role he held the position of Director of Commercial Development for Sempra LNG, and previously held the positions of Director of Infrastructure Investments at Sempra Renewables and Director of Corporate Mergers & Acquisitions at Sempra Energy.
Prior to joining Sempra Energy, Yuri held the positions of Managing Director at Fortress Investment Group and Vice President at GE Energy Financial Services.
Yuri serves on the board of CALSTART. He holds an MBA from the Yale School of Management and a PhD in Environmental Science and Energy Research from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel.

Christopher J. Wiernicki

Chairman, President & CEO, ABS

Chris Wiernicki is Chairman, President & CEO of ABS and Chairman of the ABS Group of Companies, Inc. He previously served as Chairman of the International Association of Classification Societies and held senior roles at ABS, including President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), Chief Technology Officer and President and COO of ABS Europe Ltd.
Wiernicki is a Fellow with the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. In 2013, he was awarded the Vice Admiral Emory S. Land Medal for outstanding accomplishment in the marine field. In 2016, he earned the United Seaman's Service Admiral of the Ocean Seas Award for outstanding contributions to the maritime industry, and is a member of the International Maritime Hall of Fame Class of 2016. Wiernicki received honorary Doctor of Science degrees from Maine Maritime Academy and SUNY Maritime College, and an honorary Doctor of Engineering degree from Stevens Institute of Technology. In 2017, Wiernicki was named Massachusetts Maritime Academy's Person of the Year. In 2018, he was named the International Personality of the Year at the annual Lloyd's List Greek Shipping Awards and was recognized as one of the top 50 influential people by Tanker Shipping & Trade magazine. Wiernicki was elected to the U.S. National Academy of Engineering in 2021 for innovative leadership in the design, engineering and operation of ships and offshore structures.
Wiernicki lectures at the university level on topics ranging from leadership to technology, and serves on the Webb Institute Board of Trustees along with other numerous University Boards and Advisory Councils.
Wiernicki holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Vanderbilt and was inducted to Vanderbilt University School of Engineering Academy of Distinguished Alumni. He holds a master's degree in structural engineering from George Washington University where he was elected to the George Washington University Engineering Hall of Fame. Wiernicki also holds a master's degree in ocean engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and completed Harvard University's Advanced Management Program.

Bill Elrick

Executive Director, California Fuel Cell Partnership

Mr. Elrick has over two decades of experience bringing new vehicle technologies and supporting infrastructure to the commercial market; including advanced combustion and zero emission technologies. During his tenure at the California Fuel Cell Partnership, he has directed the development of roadmaps and action plans for light- and heavy-duty fuel cell applications, found consensus among public and private stakeholders, and supported California's leadership in the commercial market launch. As Executive Director Mr. Elrick is now leading CaFCP's strategy planning to achieve the self-sustaining hydrogen fuel cell market by 2030 in California.

Cornelius Matthes

Chief Executive Officer, Dii Desert Energy

Cornelius is a well-respected leader and investor in the renewable energy industry and built several successful clean energy businesses and start-ups within Middle East and Africa. He has extensive board level experience from 10 years in Deutsche Bank (among others, youngest board member in Deutsche Bank Italy Group) and several leading renewable energy organisations and associations via pro bono work as well as different startup companies.
By building the international shareholder and partner network of Dii (Desertec Industrial Initiative), he was at the forefront of the renewable energy revolution in North Africa and the Middle East. A keen entrepreneur and investor in emerging markets with recognitions such as “Solar Pioneer 2015” for the Middle East, he is lecturing at several universities including St. Gallen and is a regular speaker at international conferences. He holds an MBA (Dipl. Kaufmann) from University of Passau, and speaks German, English, Italian, French and Russian.
His experience ranges from M&A transactions, asset management, developing utility scale renewable energy projects (including mid-market with private PPAs), pay-as-you-go solar to energy efficiency, including ESCO projects and new business models. Some of the projects and companies were executed in challenging settings or countries. He has led sizable organizations both in startup environments and blue-chip companies and has raised funds from angel investments to USD 100m+ projects with institutional investors. “I am glad to be able to work in renewable energy which is also my passion – we can genuinely make an impact with many different things and help people, to make our planet a better place. Having new challenges every day is fantastic and many more mountains to be climbed!”
His leadership experience is marked by pioneering investment position in the emission-free technologies:
- Vice Chairman & Investor, Enteria Energietechnik GmbH
- Board Member & Investor, Solarway
- Board Advisor & Investor, Enerwhere

Timothy E. Meyers

Office of Design & Engineering Standards, USCG

Tim Meyers is the U.S. Coast Guard's lead engineer on regulatory and policy development for shipboard systems using alternative fuels. He represents the U.S. in IMO's ongoing development of the International Code of Safety for Ships Using Gases or Other Low Flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code) as well as other related industry standards. Tim has over 28 years of experience in enforcement, interpretation and development of maritime safety and security regulations with the U.S. Coast Guard.  He holds a bachelor's degree in applied science from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, a master's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Virginia, and is a registered professional engineer.

Curt Graham

VP, Office of Technology, Fluor

Curt Graham is the Vice President and Lead for Fluor's Office of Technology. As Office of Technology Lead, Curt is responsible for technology strategy around the Energy Transition, and evaluation of new technologies. Prior to his current role, he was the Manager of Engineering and Department Manager of Process Engineering for the Southern California (SoCal) offices (Aliso Viejo and Long Beach), and the leader of the Fluor Gas Processing Technology Group. He has over 30 years of industry experience.
Since joining Fluor in 1996, Curt has worked on a wide range of Energy & Chemicals projects with extensive experience in Gas Processing – LNG Regasification Terminals, Turboexpander Plants (C3+ and C2+ recovery), Residue Gas Compression, NGL Fractionation, Propane Refrigeration Systems, Amine Treating, Physical Solvent Treating, Scavenger Treating, Ryan-Holmes, Membrane, and Gas/Oil Separation. Refining - Hydrogen Plant, Hydrotreater, Coker, Amine Treating, Merox, C3 Splitter.
Curt has significant experience with the use of process simulation as a design tool. His expertise includes petroleum, petrochemical, power, and gas processing applications. His experience also includes field assignments in refineries, including two unit start-ups, extensive operator training, and Process Lead on major grass roots gas plant, gas plant debottlenecking and gas plant fire rebuild projects. Curt received a Bachelor's of Science degree in Engineering from Harvey Mudd College. He also holds 12 U.S. Patents in gas processing and treating, is a Fluor recognized SME in Gas Processing, and is an author on over 25 industry papers.

Georgios Plevrakis

Director for Global Sustainability, ABS

Georgios Plevrakis serves as ABS Director for Global Sustainability, based in Athens, Greece. In his current position, Plevrakis is responsible for helping owners and operators develop fuel and operational strategies to meet sustainability goals.
Before joining ABS, Plevrakis worked in a number of roles spanning power generation manufacturing to classification services. Previous roles include serving as Business Development Manager for a Class Society and Head of Power Plants and Turbomachinery and Marine New Buildings Manager for MAN Diesel & Turbo covering Greece, Cyprus and the Balkan Region.
Plevrakis holds a MEng in Mechanical Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens and an MBA from the Athens University of Economics and Business.

Bernhard Voll

Senior Technical Expert, SMA Altenso

After studying electrical engineering Bernhard started his career as Network Planning Engineer for a utility company in Germany where he soon became head of operations and Deputy Manager of a Branch Office in Northern Bavaria. In 1996 he took on the position as CEO of a municipal owned utility company in Germany responsible for Electricity, Gas, Water, District Heating, Telecommunication, Public Transport and Shipping Services.
In 2000 Bernhard started a new international career as Vice President Marketing, Business Development and Technology for ABB Wind Power. In 2003 he moved to Australia and joined an international wind farm developer as Chief Technical Officer and then worked for Allco Finance Group as Technical Director until 2008. In January 2009 Bernhard started his own consulting business focusing on Energy Efficiency, Electrical Safety and Renewable Energies. In 2014 Bernhard moved back to Germany and took on the position as Platform Manager Medium Voltage Systems for SMA heading the global Medium Voltage Business for the world largest inverter company. After having grown the Medium Voltage Business significantly Bernhard took on a new challenge and moved to SMA Sunbelt Energy GmbH, a 100% subsidiary of SMA to develop another new business area for SMA. In Sunbelt he now looks after electrical safety, quality and the new Power 2 Gas Business.

Dr. Sunita Satyapal

Director, Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office, U.S. Department of Energy

Dr. Sunita Satyapal is the Director for the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office and coordinates activities across offices for the U.S. DOE Hydrogen Program. She is responsible for more than $150 million per year in hydrogen and fuel cell research, development, demonstration, and deployment activities. She has two and a half decades of experience across industry, academia, and government, including at United Technologies managing research and business development, and as a visiting professor. She also coordinates across international hydrogen activities and is currently Vice-Chair of the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy, a partnership among over 20 countries to accelerate progress in hydrogen, and she serves as co-lead for hydrogen efforts within the Clean Energy Ministerial and Mission Innovation.  She received her Ph.D. from Columbia University and did postdoctoral work in Applied and Engineering Physics at Cornell University. 
She has numerous publications, including in Scientific American, 10 patents, and a number of recognitions including a Presidential Rank Award.

Rakhi Oli

Global Strategy and Partnerships Leader-Low Carbon Business Segment, Flowserve

Rakhi is the Global Strategy and Partnerships Leader-Low Carbon Business Segment at Flowserve Corporation. In her current role Rakhi supports developing market penetration strategies; Strategic Industry Partnerships; M&A; Stakeholder and Industry Engagement; New Markets/Product Technology Development and Corporate ESG Strategy working closely with Executive Leadership of Flowserve.
On professional front Rakhi has 20+ yrs. of multi-functional global industry experience developing & executing multi-billion-dollar energy infrastructure projects and leading project engineering, technical design, & operations. In her previous roles she has held Sr. Project Manager/engineering team lead position working for LNG developers as well as EPCC Contractors on 5 base load LNG Projects with over ~ 70 MTPA of LNG production.
She is a highly regarded industry discussion leader and holistic advocate of D&I promoting diversity as a strong precursor to champion climate crisis. She is master's in chemical engineering from Indian Institute of Technology- Kanpur, India.

Ole Hoefelmann

General Manager of Electrolyzers, Plug Power

Ole Hoefelmann joined Plug Power in January 2021 as General Manager of its electrolyzer business. Mr. Hoefelmann is responsible for the sales, product management, product development and business strategy of Plug Power's PEM-electrolyzer offering.
Mr. Hoefelmann is an expert voice in the global hydrogen economy. His career includes an impressive 30-year tenure at Air Liquide S.A., with extensive international experience spanning the US, Korea, France, Spain, Portugal, and Germany. He notably served as CEO for Air Liquide in Iberia, COO Industrial Customers US, Chairman of Air Liquide Advanced Materials, CEO Advanced Technologies US, Vice President Hydrogen Energy Americas, and most recently Vice President Markets, Strategy, Innovation, Strategic Accounts, and Communication for the World Business Line Industrial Merchant.
In these roles, Mr. Hoefelmann led almost 3,000 employees, developed commercialization strategies to scale hydrogen fuel production from small to high-volume manufacturing, influenced safety education and protocol, and accelerated growth in new markets, including transportation. In fact, Mr. Hoefelmann created the Hydrogen Energy Americas organization with the purpose of developing a strong presence in the fuel cell energy transportation sector, resulting in Air Liquide announcing a hydrogen refueling network in collaboration with Toyota in the Northeast US.
Mr. Hoefelmann has served as chair and vice-chair for the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP) and Vice Chair of Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA). He holds an MBA in International Business from Saint Mary's College in California.

David Alonso

Vice President, New Equipment Sales, Mitsubishi Power Americas

David Alonso is Vice President, New Equipment Sales for Mitsubishi Power Americas. In this role he is responsible for executive leadership and management of all aspects of the sales and marketing activities for Mitsubishi Power new equipment agreements in the US. He has over 23 years of industry experience that span across power generation equipment (fossil, nuclear, and renewable), energy storage, transmission, distribution, maintenance and service for utility, independent power producer, industrial, and EPC customers. He is well versed in electric utility industry trends. David holds a B.S. in Management Science from the Georgia Institute of Technology and an MBA from the University of Florida.

Cody Bateman

CEO, GenH2

Cody Bateman is a businessman, scientist, and philanthropist. He has founded several startups including Advantek Research, providing engineering solutions for the DoE, and Cryotek, a leader in cryogenic engineering focusing on the technological commercialization of hydrogen for vehicles, drones, maritime applications, and supply infrastructure. As the Chairman and CEO of GenH2, Bateman is widely recognized as a leader in the field of hydrogen infrastructure research and development and is an outspoken advocate for the Hydrogen Economy.

Ryan Breen

Head of Corporate Strategy, Jericho Energy Ventures

Ryan runs all things Corporate Strategy for Jericho Energy Ventures. He has been with the Jericho since inception and is responsible for early-stage due diligence, deal structuring and execution for new investments, capital formation and lending activities. He has completed transactions totaling over $100 million. Prior to joining Jericho Energy Ventures, Ryan was in the investment bank at J.P. Morgan, based in New York, working within the Diversified Industrials Group focused on Multi-Industrial, Aerospace & Defense and Transportation opportunities. While at J.P. Morgan, Ryan participated in transaction structuring and execution, including M&A and Debt and Equity financings for Fortune 500 companies. Ryan received a B.A. in History from Northwestern University.

Brett A. Perlman

CEO, Center for Houston's Future

Brett A. Perlman serves as the CEO of the Center for Houston's Future, a nonprofit organization working to address matters of highest importance to the long-term future of the greater Houston region.
His career has spanned senior positions in business, government and community service organizations. Perlman served for four years as a Commissioner on the Public Utility Commission of Texas, where he was appointed in 1999 by then-Governor George W. Bush.
He holds advanced degrees in public policy from Harvard University and in law from the University of Texas, and was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Northwestern University.

Amanda R. Simpson

Vice President for Research and Technology, Airbus Americas

Amanda Simpson, Vice President, Research and Technology (R&T) at Airbus Americas, is responsible for establishing the strategic direction and funding opportunities for partnerships with scientific and research communities in North America. 
Ms. Simpson brings more than 30 years of aerospace industry experience in the public and private sectors, including leadership positions at the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Commerce, Douglas Aircraft Company, Hughes Aircraft Company, Hughes Helicopters, Inc. and the Raytheon Company. 

Timothy E. Vail

Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO, Arbor Renewable Gas

Tim has a long career of successfully building energy companies in the downstream and alternative energy arena.  His latest venture, Arbor Renewable Gas, focuses on the conversion of waste wood biomass into pure hydrogen at industrial scale for chemical producers and refiners. Prior to Arbor, Tim founded G2X Energy in May of 2012.  Tim's central role at G2X was developing, financing, and building of world scale energy infrastructure projects, using proprietary processes and a proven execution team, that convert abundant natural gas into methanol and ultimately automotive gasoline. Since the founding of G2X, Tim grew the business into one of the largest producers of methanol in the world, commissioning the world's largest methanol plant located in Beaumont, Texas. In May of 2018, Tim sold G2X Energy to a group of private investors that included his largest investor, Consolidated Energy Limited of Zurich. Prior to his current position, Tim was President and CEO of Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc, a global developer of coal gasification facilities. During his tenure at SES, Tim successfully listed the company on the NASDAQ.  Before SES, Tim held various leadership roles including Director of Commercialization of General Motors fuel cell program, head of alternative energy technologies at Enron Corporation and an MLP securities law practice with Andrews & Kurth. Tim holds a J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center and a B.A. in Economics from The University of Texas at Austin. He resides in Houston, Texas with his wife, Elizabeth, and eighteen-year-old twins, Peter and Alexandra.

Todd Gibbs

Marketing Manager, The Americas, Atlas Copco Gas and Process

Todd Gibbs has been with Atlas Copco Gas and Process since 2006, and has experience in key markets including new energy, power generation, petrochemical, and oil & gas. . His areas of expertise include marketing, sales support, and product development. During his time with Atlas Copco, he has worked in both Project Management and Application Engineering, focusing on high spec applications for a broad range of industries. Todd has extensive experience in rotating equipment technology, including terminal based BOG compressors, Fuel Gas Boosters, and various process air and gas compressor applications. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology.

Freddy Falck

Senior VP Engineering, PDC Machines

Freddy Falck has over 20 years of experience in turbomachinery and flow technologies-with deep understanding of all aspects behind engineering, automation & digitalization, manufacturing services, product management and business development. He began his career as a Rotating Equipment Engineer in PDVSA, Venezuela and later assumed executive leadership positions of product management, engineering, turbomachinery solutions, PEQ and compression with industrial companies such as Ingenia, Detechtion Technologies, Exterran, GE Oil & Gas, Baker Hughes and Philadelphia Mixing Solutions. Freddy graduated from the Universidad Simon Bolivar, Venezuela in with a Bachelor of Science in Materials Engineering (2000), IESA University with an MBA (2003), Southwest Research Institute Turbomachinery Technical Leadership Program (2010), University of Houston Project Management Certification (2012) and GE Crotonville Global Leadership Development Program (2018).

Jason Manning

Interim Manager of Technology, Kiewit

Jason Manning is a Manager of Technology in Kiewit's Oil Gas and Chemicals division based in Houston. His role focuses on expanding Kiewit's technical leadership and minimizing technical execution risks. He joined Kiewit in early 2019, serving in a variety of roles including management of two technical departments, Process Lead of a novel ‘turquoise' hydrogen project that pyrolyzes natural gas to hydrogen and carbon black, and leading development of a new small-scale LNG liquefaction solution.
Jason believes the global energy transition to renewables is past its watershed moment - combined with tight software integrations and advanced ML/AI algorithms, the search for and development of viable renewable solutions is likely to take unexpected turns and re-shape the industry.
Prior to joining Kiewit, Jason worked for 20 years in a variety of roles with Process Engineering oversight for Black & Veatch outside of Kansas City, Fluor in southern California, and Rohm & Haas (now Dow Chemical) north of Philadelphia.
Jason holds a MS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and a BS from the University of Kansas.

Alastair Cullen

Vice President Business Development - Energy Transition, Kiewit

Alastair is Vice President of Business Development, for Energy Transition in Kiewit's Oil Gas and Chemicals division based in Houston, TX. His role covers strategy and business development activities for renewable fuels, hydrogen, and carbon capture sectors. He joined Kiewit in 2020 after a seventeen-year career with KBR, which began as a mechanical engineer. During his time at KBR, Alastair has worked at offices in London, Houston and Singapore covering business development for LNG, downstream and offshore projects. He has extensive experience in international business, joint ventures, and mega projects.
Alastair holds a Bachelor of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering from the University of Dublin, Trinity College in Ireland and attained a post graduate Diploma in Business from University College Dublin, Graduate School of Business.

Glenn Lansford

President and CEO, IHI Energy Solutions

Glenn Lansford serves as the Senior Vice President & Managing Director for IHI INC's Power Plant Engineering Division located in Overland Park, Kansas. As the Managing Director, Mr. Lansford is responsible for the development and operation of IHI business interests in the North American market for steam generation, air quality control, and IHI's decarbonization solution technologies such as ammonia as an alternative energy carrier, compact hydrogen reformers, carbon capture utilization & sequestration systems, and long-term thermal energy storage systems.
Mr. Lansford has worked in the Power Generation Industry for over 32 years, first as an engineering consultant with Black & Veatch and for the last 15 years with IHI. In his career, Mr. Lansford has served in many roles for the design, equipment supply, and construction of projects in North America, Central America, and Southeast Asia.
Mr. Lansford advances IHI's transformation into a global provider of decarbonization solutions through an array of technologies and key partnerships. Mr. Lansford and IHI assist customers to meet their reduction and net-zero emission objectives.

Sanjay Shrestha

Chief Strategy Officer, Plug Power

Sanjay Shrestha joined Plug Power as Chief Strategy Officer in 2019. Prior to joining Plug Power, Mr. Shrestha served as the CIO of a global solar IPP and President Sky Capital Americas since 2015. Under his leadership, Sky Capital America built and acquired over 100MW of operating solar assets and secured pipeline over 100MW. He also sourced various types of financing solutions to support this growth including project debt, construction equity and long-term equity. He brings almost two decades of experience in the broader clean tech sector to our team. Before global solar IPP, he led the renewables investment banking effort at FBR Capital markets. During 2014, and under his leadership, the firm was ranked among the top renewable energy underwriters in the U.S.
Prior to joining FBR, Mr. Shrestha spent seven years as the global head of renewables research coverage at Lazard Capital Markets. During his tenure at Lazard Capital Markets, he was a member of the Institutional Investor All America Research team and was also ranked as one of the top five stock pickers on a global basis. Prior to Lazard Capital Markets, Mr. Shrestha spent seven years at First Albany Capital, where he built the firm's renewables and industrial research practice. Starmine/Forbes Magazine ranked him the number 1 stock picker and the number 1 earnings estimator during his tenure at First Albany Capital. Mr. Shrestha serves as an independent director on the board of directors of Fusemachines, an AI company.

Gaurav Khandelwal

CEO, Velostics

Khandelwal is CEO of Velostics, a fast growing logistics startup fueling the energy transition. Velostics is an AI driven logistics solution orchestrating fuel tankers and H2 tube trailers from sources to customers automatically based on need. Khandelwal is also the founder of ChaiOne, a leading global digital innovation partner to energy, power and industrial Fortune 500 companies. Since 2008, ChaiOne has pioneered design-led solutions to solve complex industrial problems, winning several Inc 500 awards as one of the fastest growing companies in the country. Khandelwal is actively involved in Houston's startup ecosystem as a board member of Houston Exponential, a diversity and inclusion representative on the board of Young Presidents Organization and with the board of leading charity Magic Bus.

Ana Quelhas

Managing Director for Hydrogen, EDP Renewables

Ana Quelhas is the Managing Director for Hydrogen at EDPR, leading the Group's strategy on the renewable hydrogen business. Prior to that, Ana was the Head of Energy Planning at EDP, being responsible for supporting the Executive Board of Directors in the decision making processes, contributing with a long term perspective of the energy sector and an integrated vision of the company across businesses (renewables, conventional electricity generation, retail and distribution) and geographies (mainly Europe, US and Brazil).
Before joining EDP, Ana worked in the Directorate-General for Research of the European Commission, in Brussels, supporting the development of the strategic research agenda in the field of energy. Prior to that, she was at the California Independent System Operator providing strategic energy consultancy to the wholesale power market and grid operator in the State of California.
Ana holds a PhD with distinction in Electrical Engineering from Iowa State University. She also holds a master's degree in Economics and a master's degree in Engineering from the same university, being graduated from the University of Porto with a degree in Electrical Engineering.

Alejandro Perellón

Head of the Americas, Hy24

Alejandro is an Investment Director at Hy24 where he leads investment origination, transaction execution, and portfolio management for Hy24’s opportunities in the Americas. Hy24 manages the world’s first and largest infrastructure fund to invest exclusively in the entire clean hydrogen value chain. The fund is active in all regions and has raised €2.0 billion in commitments from both leading industrial and financial companies such as Air Liquide, Airbus, AXA, Baker Hughes, Ballard, CDPQ, Chart Industries, JBIC, Nuveen, Plug Power, TotalEnergies, and VINCI Concessions, to name a few.
Alejandro has 14 years of private equity, investment banking, and corporate development experience across the renewable energy and mining sectors. Prior to joining Hy24, he was part of the renewables group at NW Natural, where he worked on financial analysis and deal structuring for the Company’s renewable natural gas and hydrogen investments. He began his career at UBS Investment Bank where he provided M&A, Capital Markets, and Restructuring advisory services to clients in the Latin American region. Afterwards he joined Arias Resource Capital, a mining-focused private equity firm, where he spent 8 years as a member of the investment team. He then pivoted to focus on renewable energy as an independent consultant.
Alejandro earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School where he majored in Finance and minored in Spanish.

Elena Robciuc

Managing Director and Houston Team Lead for the Energy+ Group, Société Générale

Elena Robciuc is a Managing Director and Houston Team Lead for the Energy+ Group at Société Générale, which provides advisory and project lending services to clients across the energy value chain. Elena focuses on spearheading the bank’s early-mover objectives in decarbonization strategies in the Americas, which include carbon capture, hydrogen, biofuels and energy storage initiatives. With a background in oil & gas, Elena’s role is to provide clients with strategic advice, structuring and capital raising solutions across the energy value chain. Prior to Société Générale, Elena’s experience includes investments management and private equity over a professional career spanning almost 20 years. Elena holds a Master in Business Administration from the Cox School of Business at S.M.U. and is fluent is several languages.

Michael Sicker

Vice President, Systems Division, Burckhardt Compression

Mike's current position is Vice President of Burckhardt Compression's Systems Division and is responsible for Sales, Procurement, Applications Engineering and Assembly of New Equipment for North America. He has over 30 years of Sales, Management and Business Development experience in the Oil & Gas and Energy industry. Prior to joining Burckhardt Compression in 2022, Mike held several senior leadership roles with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, MHI Compressor International and Mitsubishi Corporation. His most recent position was with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as the President, Oil& Gas Division. Mike holds a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from The Ohio State University and a MBA from the University of Akron.

Sylvain Riba

Managing Director, Offshore Wind – Carolina Long Bay, TotalEnergies Renewables USA

Sylvain has more than 20 years of international experience within the energy industry in the realms of Asset and Portfolio Management. He is the Managing Director of the Offshore Wind Carolina Long Bay Project for TotalEnergies, delivering 1.2GW of renewable energy production and leading the lease’s development across all workstreams: offtake, permitting, regulations, stakeholder engagement, engineering and procurement.
In his prior role, Sylvain was the Head of Portfolio and Strategy for Exploration in the Americas, managing deep water projects investment decisions. As a Business Development Director of Total E&P Congo, he defined and implemented the company’s strategy budget of $1B/yr. He led negotiations of operatorship and Production Sharing Contract with authorities and private partners on Haute Mer (Moho Nord development). He defined and implemented marketing solutions by VLGC vessels for propane and butane to serve the national market of the Congo as alternative to coal.
Prior to this role, he managed midstream, gas processing, NGL fractionation and condensate stabilization of 1.5Bcfd operated production on Chesapeake Energy and Total’s acreage. He was a Senior Financial Analyst for Acquisition and Divestiture of upstream and midstream assets worldwide and evaluated financials and business plans for affiliates (USA and Latin America). During the early stages of his career, Sylvain held several geosciences roles based in the Middle East, Africa and North America.
Sylvain is an Executive MBA at Rice University, TX (2023). He holds a MScs from IFP School, France, with a major in geosciences as well as a master’s degree from the School of Mines, Nancy, with a major in engineering.
Outside of work, Sylvain is a PADI Divemaster and enjoys diving around the globe with his family.

Tim Tarpley

President, Energy Workforce & Technology Council

As President at Energy Workforce, Tim Tarpley oversees Policy, Government Affairs, International Trade Policy and ESG and Environmental Policy, developing and implementing an integrated strategic plan to advance Energy Workforce’s policy positions; broaden awareness of its programs and priorities, and increase the visibility of its positions across key stakeholder audiences.
Tarpley has advocated for the men and woman of the US energy industry for the past 5 years in Washington and around the country.  Tarpley has presented at multiple conferences on energy policy and has testified in the United States Congress in front of the House Natural Resources committee, the United States Trade Representative, and the Texas Legislature.   
Prior to joining the Energy Workforce & Technology Council he served as Chief of Staff to Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX) and began his legislative career as an aide to Congressman Thornberry (R-TX). As a lynchpin of Congressman Poe’s staff for more than nine years, Tim worked on permitting the Keystone pipeline, ending the crude oil export ban, and streamlining the permitting for LNG export approval. Tarpley holds a juris doctor from Creighton University School of Law and a LLM from American University Washington College of Law.

Bart Biebuyck

Executive Director, Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking

Bart Biebuyck is since May 2016 the Executive Director of the Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (Clean Hydrogen JU), a public-private partnership aiming at facilitating the deployment of fuel cells and hydrogen technologies in Europe. Under his leadership, a strong emphasis on cooperation with cities and regions led to the creation of the Hydrogen Valleys concept and the formation of the European Hydrogen Valleys partnership. Dissemination of project results and building technology awareness among the European citizens became an important priority. As an engineer he understands the importance of basic research and is a key focusing point on the call preparations.
Before, Bart Biebuyck was at the Powertrain Division of Toyota Motor Europe where he held various management positions. His expertise in the automotive industry includes extensive knowledge related to the deployment of new technologies such as hydrogen and fuel cells in the European market. Bart was responsible for the European trials of the Toyota Fuel Cell Vehicle, which were conducted partly in the German Clean Energy Partnership (CEP) program. He also had the opportunity to develop and expand his expertise in Japan, where he lived and worked for two years.
In addition to his industrial experience, Bart has been politically active in his local town since 2006. In 2013 he became the vice president of the City Council, responsible, among others, for the local economy and education.
Bart’s term as the Executive Director of the Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking was extended for four years until May 2023.
Bart studied Automotive engineering at the HTS Autotechnieken in Arnhem, The Netherlands.

Dilanka Seimon

Vice President, Alternative Energy, Energy Transfer

Dilanka Seimon is Vice President, Alternative Energy at Energy Transfer. In this role, he is responsible for developing projects in areas that include carbon capture, hydrogen, and renewable fuels.
Before Energy Transfer, Dilanka spent eight years with BHP most recently as Vice President Sales & Marketing, Oil, Gas, Power & Carbon where he led a global team responsible for energy sales and energy procurement for BHP. Prior to BHP, he held positions with Southwest Energy, Wells Fargo Commodities and Sequent Energy Management in areas of commodities trading, and busines development.
He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Finance in 2003 from Georgia College & State University. He also received a Master of Business Administration degree from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business in 2008 and completed Harvard Business School’s General Management Program in 2018.
Dilanka serves on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston and is a Foundation Trustee of Georgia College and State University.

Oleksandr Riepkin

President, Ukrainian Hydrogen Council

Oleksandr Riepkin is the President of the Energy Association “Ukrainian Hydrogen Council” - the first hydrogen energy association of leading energy, industrial and public companies of Ukraine.
He has been an expert in development and promotion of renewable, in particular hydrogen, energy in Ukraine for over 10 years.
He participates in the study of hydrogen in Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova and Belarus, as well as consults government agencies and studies possible potential of green hydrogen. He has serious experience in negotiations and communication with the countries of the European Union, actively involved in the possibility of transporting green hydrogen from Ukraine to Europe.
Oleksandr is a member of the working group assembled by decree of the Prime Minister to prepare a Strategy for the development of hydrogen energy in Ukraine.
Since April 2020 - Adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on Hydrogen Economy. In March 2022 Oleksandr Riepkin was appointed Special Representative of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on the Economic Diplomacy. During Russia's military aggression, this direction remains one of the most important levers for strengthening Ukraine's international competitiveness and gains comparative advantages on the world market. Oleksandr`s task is to promote and protect the national economic interests of Ukraine abroad systematically and effectively

Capt. Jason E. Smith

Sector Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston

Captain Jason Smith assumed the duties of Commander, Coast Guard Sector Houston - Galveston on June 12, 2020. As Sector Commander, CAPT Smith serves as Captain of the Port, Officer-in-Charge of Marine Inspection, Federal Maritime Security Coordinator, and Federal On-Scene Coordinator and coordinates maritime safety and security, environmental protection, search and rescue, waterways management, and contingency planning operations for the navigable waterways from the east bank of the Colorado River in southwest Texas to 60 miles east of Lake Charles, Louisiana and 200 miles offshore to the seaward extent of the U.S. This area responsibility encompass 5 of the nation’s 20 busiest ports including Houston, Beaumont, Lake Charles, Texas City, Port Arthur, Freeport and Galveston.
Throughout his career, CAPT Smith has held numerous field and staff assignments specializing in marine safety, security, and environmental compliance. Prior to reporting to Sector Houston Galveston, CAPT Smith was the Deputy Sector Commander of Sector / Air Station Corpus Christi. His previous assignments include Detachment Chief for the Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise where he supervised a team of liquefied gas subject matter experts who provided technical advice and support to both the liquefied gas industry and the Coast Guard, Chief of Prevention at Sector Boston where he oversaw a 75 personnel department to ensure waterways safety and regulatory compliance of vessels and maritime facilities, Coast Guard Headquarters’ Directorate for Commercial Regulations and Standards where he worked as the US's liaison to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and field assignments at the Marine Inspection Office Europe, Rotterdam; Detached Duty Office North Bend, Oregon; Marine Safety Office Puget Sound, Washington; and Marine Safety Detachment Bangor, Maine. CAPT Smith received his active duty commission with the Coast Guard in 1996 after serving as an enlisted reservist for 3 years.

Robert Ormsby

Director – Business Development, Sempra Infrastructure

Robert Ormsby is director of business development for Sempra Infrastructure’s LNG and Net-Zero Solutions business line. In this role, he leads a team in the identification and early-stage development of energy infrastructure projects that help customers meet their LNG and net-zero carbon energy needs, including clean hydrogen, clean ammonia, CCUS and other net-zero energy infrastructure.
In prior roles at Sempra, Ormsby led LNG marketing and commercialization activities for Sempra Infrastructure’s North American LNG projects as well as mergers & acquisitions and corporate strategy activities at Sempra.
Ormsby began his career as a Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps where led teams in ground support units, including two tours in Iraq.
Ormsby holds holds a master’s in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in Finance from San Diego State University.

Ryan Doyle

Hydrogen Lead, GHD

Ryan Doyle is a civil engineer with 12 years of experience in an array of award-winning municipal and private capital infrastructure projects, with a focus on carbon-neutral energy systems development, in particular hydrogen systems integration and design, as well as general civil infrastructure and utilities implementation. He has hand-on experience in environmental reporting, regulatory, permitting, legal compliance, and the utilization of a variety of design oversight and construction management delivery methods. Ryan is currently the engineering project manager of landmark hydrogen projects in the Western US, including a large-scale hydrogen production facility (electrolyzers tied to solar), a hydrogen production & storage facility for NCPA’s Lodi Energy Center, as well as PG&E’s Hydrogen to Infinity hydrogen blending facility. He has a degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering from UC Davis and an MBA with an Energy Management focus.

Edward Rios

Commercialization Executive, Office of Technology Transitions, U.S. Department of Energy

Edward Rios serves as a hydrogen sector lead in DOE’s Office of Technology Transitions (OTT). He focuses on internal and external stakeholder engagement who are seeking DOE’s assistance with commercializing their hydrogen technology. He is also involved with several aspects of DOE’s demonstration and deployment efforts with the hydrogen industry including program development, market analysis, and project financing. He also serves as OTT’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) lead and represents OTT in many of DOE’s DEIA initiatives.
Mr. Rios has over 20 years of professional experience with expertise in production engineering, process engineering, and innovative energy technology finance. His career began as a production/process engineer in the specialty chemicals industry which was followed by his role as energy auditor for manufacturing facilities located throughout his home state of Florida. He arrived in Washington, DC in 2004 where he served as a technical consultant in DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy followed by assignments with DOE’s Office of Information and Business Management Systems, the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs, the National Energy Technology Laboratory in Morgantown, WV, and DOE’s Loan Program’s Office. Mr. Rios joined DOE’s Loan Programs Office (LPO) in 2010 as a Federal Employee where he led the financial analysis of loan guarantee applications received under the $40 billion Nuclear, Fossil, Renewable and Efficient Energy, Tribal Energy, and Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing loan programs. He also was a key member of LPO’s outreach and business development activities. During his time at DOE, Edward has been a proud and active member of the Community for the Advancement of Latinos at DOE (CALDOE), an employee resource group sponsored by DOE, where he currently serves as the Vice President.
Mr. Rios is a graduate of the University of Florida where he obtained a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and a M.S. in Industrial & Systems Engineering.

Blake Winburne

Partner, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe

Blake leads Orrick's Energy and Infrastructure Sector and is a transactional lawyer focusing on the downstream and midstream energy sectors.
Blake is recognized both nationally and globally by Chambers (Chambers USA and Chambers Global 2008-2022), including in Band 1 for Projects: Power & Renewables: Transactional, Projects. Chambers sources report that he has "excellent command of what is going on in the market and translates that into commercial advice." Blake is also recognized in the "Hall of Fame" for Energy Transactions: Electric Power by Legal 500 and has been named one of the "world’s leading energy and natural resources lawyers" by Euromoney (2009-2020).
Blake advises clients on energy sector mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, and joint ventures, and on the development, structuring, and financing of large-scale energy projects in the United States and internationally. He regularly represents multinational energy companies, large private equity funds, project developers and sponsors, borrowers and debt issuers, investment banks, and other capital providers and investors in the energy industry.
Blake has significant experience in the electric power sector, including fossil fuel-fired, simple and combined-cycle and co-generation facilities, as well as wind, solar (central station and distributed), landfill gas, biomass and other renewable energy projects. He also represents clients in transactions involving oil, natural-gas and refined-products pipelines, gathering and processing systems and storage facilities (tank farms and underground), exploration and production investment platforms and operations, electric power and natural gas transmission and local distribution systems and alternative fuels production and marketing arrangements. In recent years, Blake has been advising oil and gas majors and traditional energy companies on energy transition projects, including innovative carbon capture and hydrogen projects.

Glenn Lansford

President and CEO, IHI E&C International Corporation

Glenn Lansford serves as the President and CEO of IHI Energy Solutions, Inc. located in Houston, Texas. Mr. Lansford is responsible for the development and operation of IHI business interests in the North American market for decarbonization solution technologies such as hydrogen and ammonia as alternative energy carriers, carbon capture utilization & sequestration systems, bio-mass conversion and utilization, and long-term thermal energy storage systems.
Mr. Lansford has worked in the energy industry for over 33 years, first as an engineering consultant with Black & Veatch and for the last 16 years with IHI. In his career, Mr. Lansford has served in many roles in the design, equipment supply, and construction of a wide variety of energy and power generation projects in North America, Central America, and Southeast Asia.
Mr. Lansford advances IHI’s transformation into a global provider of decarbonization solutions through an array of technologies and key partnerships. Mr. Lansford and IHI assist customers to meet their reduction and net-zero emission objectives.

Alicia Dinges

Business Development Manager, Cemvita

Alicia has a PhD in biochemistry and synthetic biology experience from Rice University. She spent 6 years doing petroleum microbiology research at an oilfield services company and worked in External Technology Partnerships for the last two years. She joined Cemvita in 2022 as Business Development Manager for Gold Hydrogen.

Daniel Patrick

Hydrogen & CCUS Application Manager - Atlas Copco Mafi-Trench Company

Daniel Patrick is the Applications Lead for the New Energy and Hydrogen markets at Atlas Copco Mafi-Trench Company (part of Atlas Copco Gas and Process). Having joined Atlas Copco in 2012, Daniel has worked on the both the Applications and the Project Engineering teams. He served as Senior Team Lead for six years before moving to his current role. Over his career, Daniel has built extensive experience in customer-facing roles while driving internal collaboration to solve technical challenges. Daniel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from California Polytechnic State University

Ben Meinke

Vice President, Hydrogen, Kiewit

Ben is responsible for strategy, technology relationships and business development for the hydrogen market across multiple industry segments within Kiewit Energy Group. Prior to his current role, he led the sales efforts for Americas energy transition and global LNG projects for another EPC company where he spent over ten years in various roles in estimating, project controls, structural engineering and business development for major petrochemical, LNG and energy transition projects.

Chad Badry

Senior Director of Business Development, Svante

Chad Badry leads Business Development for Svante tasked to reinforce Svante’s value for capturing CO2 for clients worldwide. Chad is responsible for designing Svante’s strategic customer initiatives and aiding in the commercial scale-up of Svante’s revolutionary carbon capture technology.
Chad brings a unique combination of business development experiences for process plants, industrial gas facilities and API 560 furnaces for the energy and renewables space.
Chad served 17 years in technical sales roles for a large industrial gas supplier followed by 6 years in a senior role for an EP firm designing and fabricating API-560 furnaces and renewable natural gas facilities.
A Mechanical Engineering aficionado, Chad is a husband, father and motorcycle enthusiast.

Linh Austin

President & Chief Executive Officer, Fluitron

Linh is the President and CEO of Fluitron. He is a highly accomplished and innovative senior-level executive with 30+ years of progressive experience in directing US and International oil & gas businesses, hydrogen operations, strategy, and EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction). He has led significant cost reductions, re-engineering, AI implementation, energy transition and provided leadership during the most challenging economic situations.
Linh’s last three roles include Resource Unit leader for the BP Macondo Response where he received the CEO award for leadership, SVP and CEO of McDermott’s Middle East business where he led the turnaround and more than tripled the profits of the previous best year, and as the COO of BayoTech where he led the commercialization of their lab-based technology.
Linh also serves as an independent director on the board of Russel Metals Inc and is on the board of advisors to ZDaly.
Linh holds a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California Irvine and an MBA from the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business.

Maria Anez-Lingerfelt

Global Hydrogen Technology Lead, Pall Corporation

Maria Anez-Lingerfelt has a doctorate in Chemical Engineering and has over 15 years’ experience solving technical issues in filtration and separation in various industrial markets. She is currently the Global Technical Lead for the Hydrogen Market at Pall Corporation. She provides technical and application support to the Sales, Marketing, and R&D teams for development of solutions to filtration and separation problems within the entire hydrogen value chain: Green and Blue Hydrogen production, hydrogen storage and transportation, and end use including hydrogen fuel cells.

Andrew Isherwood

Director, Energy Origination and Development, TC Energy

Andrew Isherwood, is a Director in Energy Origination and Development at TC Energy and is responsible for the origination and development of low carbon business solutions across energy efficiency, renewable power, green feedstocks, and carbon capture and sequestration.
Most recently, Andrew served as the Director of US Gas Innovation at TC Energy where he was responsible for innovation and emissions reductions for the US Natural Gas Pipeline Business unit at TC Energy. Isherwood has spent 14 years at TC Energy and has held various commercial roles in Canada and the United States. In those commercial roles he developed over $2 billion of natural gas infrastructure projects. Also, he was involved within TC Energy in the Corporate Development & Strategy groups where he held various roles across financial planning and transactional work. He was directly responsible for leading transactional work relating to TC Energy’s $13 billion acquisition of Columbia Pipeline Group, TC Energy’s MLP and led various asset monetization's of non-core businesses.
Isherwood holds a Bachelors of Commerce in Finance from the University of Calgary and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

Hassan Modarresi

Head of Section & Technical Director, Clean fuels, COWI

Hassan Modarresi is a technical expert and leader in power to X technologies with more than 15 years of experience in chemical and fuels synthesis and production. Hassan has been involved in large-scale projects like methanol plants in the Middle East, and numerous early-stage power to X projects in Europe. Before joining COWI, he has taken various roles in Topsoe, Denmark, as catalyst and technology expert as well as business development and catalyst & technology sales manager in synthesis gas, methanol, ammonia and hydrogen production. Hassan holds MSc/PhD in chemical engineering from Tehran Polytechnic and is currently based in Houston, TX. as the head of section for COWI’s clean fuels projects in North America.

Wladimir Sarmiento-Darkin

Director, Clean Hydrogen, Linde

Wladimir Sarmiento-Darkin joined Linde in 2007 (Praxair legacy) and is currently Director for Clean Hydrogen. Prior to his last appointment Mr. Sarmiento-Darkin served in multiple positions in Linde, including Director of Business Development, Asia R&D Director, and OTM Business Development Director. He received his M.S. in Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and an Executive MBA from IE Business School, Madrid, Spain.

Frank Frey

Vice President, Energy Services, GHD

Based in Houston, Texas, Frank is a Professional Engineer with over 30 years of experience in the design of oil, gas, and chemicals facilities. He has a strong background in the design of midstream facilities with a special emphasis on underground storage. Frank is currently supporting GHD’s Future Energy Program by assisting the oil & gas and mid-stream industries with the energy transition. He has developed projects in Hydrogen blending, pipeline change of service, carbon sequestration, and renewable natural gas.

John Lunde

Global Business Line Manager – Hydrogen Valves, Crane CRYOFlo

John is a seasoned leader with over 27 years of experience in the Refining, Chemical and Energy markets, and 14 years with Crane. He has held various positions at Crane in vertical marketing, VP Marketing Energy, GBLM Engr. Check & NAVG, and Pacific. In addition, his prior experience included positions with ExxonMobil, Valero, and GE in engineering, marketing and product management. John holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University.

James Primrose

Principal Process Engineer, EMEA, Mcdermott

James has over 17 years industry experience and has been part of McDermott’s Liquefaction Studies team since 2012. He is currently LNG Technology Manager at McDermott and has held lead positions on multiple LNG liquefaction and LNG regasification projects across studies, pre FEED, FEED, EPC and performance testing of LNG facilities. James is a key member of McDermott’s Energy Transition initiatives. He is a regional SME for McDermott’s Net Zero Facilities and Low Carbon Engineering, an active member of the hydrogen workgroup at McDermott, and is the Technology Lead for Hydrogen Liquefaction Development.

Antonio Fayad

Manager, H2 Strategy & Origination, EDP Renewables

Antonio has a Master's Degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Technical University of Lisbon (Portugal) and from the Technical University of Delft (Netherlands). He has been working for EDP group for the past 8 years, with most of that time being at EDP's corporate strategy team, where he had a broad range of responsibilities on power market modelling and long-term forecast, energy policy advisory and business case definition for utility and small scale renewables and battery storage. Currently he is the responsible for EDP Renewables Hydrogen Strategy & Origination efforts in North America, with the main responsibilities of defining its go to market strategy and the prioritization of use cases and projects.

Mathieu Français

Vice-President, Air Liquide E&C Americas, CEO of Air Liquide E&C USA

Mathieu Français is the CEO and Vice President of Air Liquide Engineering & Construction, Americas.
Mathieu is a seasoned executive with more than 20 years of international experience in the chemical industry. He joined the Air Liquide Group in 1999 and was appointed to his current position in August, 2022. Throughout his career, he has gained increasing multinational experience in executive management, global operations, large and complex project management and marketing within the Group.

Al Cioffi

Vice President of Energy Solutions, Plug Power

Mr. Al Cioffi has 36 years of management and executive leadership experience in telecommunications, reliable power, reserve energy, and alternative energy industries. He started his career in 1980 at AT&T Bell Laboratories. Throughout the following years, he held numerous engineering, operations, product management, marketing, and customer advocacy roles. He has experience at large multi-nationals such as Lucent, Marconi, Eltek, and General Electric, as well as start-up and turn-around experience at Valere Power, PECO II, and Unipower. He currently works with Plug Power to advance the commercialization of hydrogen fuel cell technology in motive applications adjacent to the commercial market share Plug Power already holds. Mr. Cioffi holds seven patents and has published numerous articles and conference papers. He holds a BSEE from Manhattan College, an MSEE from Polytechnic Institute of NY, and has studied business and finance at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business.

Mike Ciotti

Senior VP of Product, PDC Machines

Michael joined PDC after 25 years in the industrial gas industry serving various engineering and management roles with global responsibility. During that time, he spent the last 18 years developing projects and designing hydrogen fueling stations for material handling, light duty, and heavy duty vehicles, for which PDC products played an integral role. He brings extensive knowledge about the growing market for a diversity of solutions to fuel zero emissions vehicles, and valuable experience within the hydrogen energy ecosystem. Michael is a Drexel University graduate with a BS in Materials Science and Engineering is active in the development of NFPA and CGA codes and standards for the safe use of hydrogen.

Johann Scherer-Brown

Business Development Manager: Americas, Burckhardt Compression

2007 BSc Graduate in Mechanical Engineering of the University of Alberta (Canada). Started in the compression industry as a Start-up Engineer, starting and operating compression systems in industrial refrigeration, hydrocarbon processing and refinement. Joined the Burckhardt Compression team in 2010 and has served several roles in Aftermarket Support, Engineering, Installation Services, Sales and Business Development. Currently P.Eng (PE) Registrant in several Canadian provinces and Engineer of Record for all Canadian Burckhardt Compression Projects since 2014.

Stephan A. Bondy

Business Development Manager/Hydrogen Solutions Leader, TMEIC

Stephan holds a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Connecticut. Having started his career working with the USN Undersea Warfare department, he has since been employed by General Electric, ABB Automation, Danaher Controls and TMEIC.
Stephan has over 40 years of experience with marine and industrial applications. He has been a lead project manager, application engineer, sales manager and sales director in applications in renewable energy, marine propulsion, oil & gas, rubber & plastics, glass, power plant, cement, mining, wind tunnels, water & waste water, and HVAC projects.
Hydrogen will not achieve $1 per kg without power electronics. Today, Stephan is working on TMEIC’s Global Development team to ensure that goal is achieved. He brings his extensive experience with industrial markets and meeting commercial challenges so TMEIC can deliver practical power electronic solutions for hydrogen generation and use applications.

Amy White

Process Engineer, Fluor

Amy White is a process engineer with Fluor Corporation, located in the Houston office. Amy joined Fluor in 2018 after completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.
In 5 years with Fluor, Amy has worked on a variety of projects, including methanol, polyethylene, propane dehydrogenation, gas-to-liquid, and solids handling.
Amy is currently a process engineer in Fluor’s MPG Multi-Projects Group and focusing on energy transition opportunities such as green hydrogen and ammonia.

Amy Warren

Process Manager, Fluor

Amy Warren is a project manager with Fluor Corporation, located in the Houston office. Amy joined Fluor in 1995 after completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Science from Texas A&M University. She also has a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of St. Thomas here in Houston.
In her 28 years with Fluor, Amy has held a variety of roles, including project engineer, contracts administrator, senior sales manager, and project manager. She is also recognized as a subject matter expert in the area of project risk management.
Amy is currently a project manager in Fluor’s MPG Multi-Projects Group® and focusing on energy transition opportunities.

Roxana Bekemohammadi

Founder & Executive Director, U.S. Hydrogen Alliance

Roxana is the Founder and Executive Director of the United States Hydrogen Alliance, formerly known as the Western States Hydrogen Alliance, a trade association focused on deploying hydrogen and fuel cells in commercial settings and working closely with policymakers across the country to develop sound hydrogen and fuel cell policies. Roxana started her career in hydrogen after receiving her graduate degree from the National Fuel Cell Research Center and a bachelor’s of science in Chemical Engineering from UCLA. Roxana worked as a graduate researcher on the world’s first demonstration of the tri-generation of hydrogen, electricity, and heat from a stationary fuel cell. Roxana then went on to serve as a hydrogen expert at the California Air Resources Board, working closely on the development of clean transportation initiatives within the agency and the governor’s office. After leaving the government sector, Roxana advocated for climate resilience, energy efficiency, economic equity, workforce development, and, of course, hydrogen. Her expertise gained through policymaking, policy advocacy, technical training e afford her a complete, conception-to-implementation understanding of environmental, energy and transportation related issues.

John Repasky

Technology Development Manager, Oxy Low Carbon Ventures, Oxy

Mr. Repasky is Technology Development Manager at OLCV, a subsidiary of Oxy, where he is responsible for activities across Carbon Capture Utilization & Sequestration (CCUS), Direct Air Capture (DAC), Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) gas plants, emission monitoring technologies, technology prospecting & investing, and represents Oxy on the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative to accelerate the industry response to climate change. John joined Oxy in 2018 with over 25 years of engineering, R&D, and operations experience in the energy and industrial gas sectors. He is an inventor on 20 patents and has authored 50 publications and conference presentations in the energy field. He holds degrees in Chemical Engineering from Bucknell University (B.S.) and Lehigh University (M.S.) and is a Senior Member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

Elyon DeClan

Chief Executive Financier, Goldsmith & Freudenthal

Mr. Elyon DeClan is the Chief Executive Financier at Goldsmith & Freudenthal Management Trust (GFMT) of Austin, Texas, where he has devoted 90 percent of the trust resources to funding middle market and institutional level projects that provide a humanitarian impact. He has extensive experience in unusual and innovative financings. His recent activities include structuring a multi-decade capital recruitment strategy for a one-trillion-dollar global communications project, a $900 million structuring strategy for capital recruitment pertaining to waste-to-energy projects worldwide, a multi-decade strategy for a 50-mile radius US based aerotropolis development, development of an institutional level capital opportunity assessment and deployment program through the lens of a proprietary geoscope technology reaching 125 lands, and co-development of the new platinum carbon credit registry and resale management standard, the PIIG (P2G) Carbon Credit Listing and Anti-Fraud Standard (“PCLAS”).
Mr. DeClan performs financial structuring and debt reduction consulting for developers, investors, investment bankers, attorneys, chapter 11 avoidance or workouts, corporate executives, and project owners in the US and abroad. Mr. DeClan’s structures at GFMT provide for less debt service, reduced or no equity dilution, and accessibility to multiple capital markets and funding types. Additionally, these innovative financial structures show well on balance sheets and can be used across industry, including hydrogen, alternate energy, or waste-to-energy type projects. Mr. DeClan brings even more unique experience in assisting project developers to thread the complicated path to qualifying for institutional level hybrid grants, which can be beneficial for projects with little profit margins, facing high cost, or challenging regions of the world with higher risk which traditional banks will not finance. Since 2020, Mr. DeClan has devoted himself to assist US stakeholders deploy grant funds here in the US for clean energy and real property projects that provide a humanitarian impact (i.e. job creation, local tax revenue generation, etc.), and that aide in faster, sustained growth and recovery of local economies.
In his spare time, you can find Mr. DeClan working in research at one of the most technologically advanced quantum health labs in North America. He spends time between Las Vegas, Nevada, Austin, Texas, and Naples, Florida, traveling coast-to-coast, and is keenly interested in seeing the country, meeting clients face-to-face, and looking for new opportunities to make positive humanitarian impact in struggling cities and communities in the US market.