Energy & Environmental Policy Forum

Michele N. Siekerka, Esq., President and CEO of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, leads the nation’s largest, most influential employers’ organization, advocating on behalf of New Jersey’s large and small businesses for policies that will make New Jersey more affordable and regionally competitive.

Being known as a collaborative leader, Siekerka is leading an NJBIA established coalition (New Jersey Business Coalition) comprised of more than 100 business and nonprofit associations across the state to tackle the tough economic and business challenges our state is facing during COVID 19.

Well versed on the ‘boots on the ground” issues affecting our state’s business community, Michele is often the “go to” resource for media and is sought after to share her expertise in public forums across the state.

Ray Cantor is Deputy Chief Government Affairs Officer of Government Affairs of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA), the nation’s largest state-level business association whose member companies collectively employ 1 million people.

Cantor, an attorney whose career has included high-level positions in the legislative and executive branches of government, a former assistant commissioner and, later, chief adviser to the commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), leads NJBIA’s advocacy efforts on environmental and energy matters affecting the business community.

At DEP, Cantor oversaw the offices of Legal Affairs, Dispute Resolution, and Economic Analysis in addition to advising the DEP commissioner on policy, legal, management, and economic matters. Cantor was also responsible for policy formulation related to all DEP regulations, including site remediation, NRD, air quality, water regulation, and land-use management.

A graduate of New York Law School, Cantor began his career working at the state’s Office of Legislative Services as senior counsel in the Environment, Energy, & Natural Resources section. He later served as the Assistant Commissioner of Land Use Management & Compliance at DEP until 2002 and also worked as a project consultant for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Cantor’s experience as a business lobbyist includes five years as director of Government Affairs for the Medical Society of New Jersey and then executive director of the New Jersey Apartment Association. He returned to the state DEP in 2010, where he served as chief advisor to DEP Commissioner Bob Martin for eight years.

Paul is responsible for the management and oversight of five divisions: Air Quality and Radiation, Air Enforcement, Climate and Clean Energy, Sustainable Waste Management, and Waste and UST Enforcement. He also serves as New Jersey’s state liaison officer to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and is the state’s Commissioner to the Atlantic Compact Commission for Low-Level Radioactive Waste.

Paul has served as Assistant Commissioner of the program, formerly known as Air Quality, Energy and Sustainability, since 2016. Previously, he was Director of the Division of Energy Security and Sustainability, responsible for the oversight and operations of nuclear engineering, environmental radiation and X-ray compliance. He also oversaw the Bureau of Energy and Sustainability, which coordinates with the Board of Public Utilities on environmental aspects of the state’s energy portfolio, and led the Department’s sustainability initiatives.

A career DEP employee, Paul joined the department in 1987 as an engineer in the water quality program. He moved to radiation protection and release prevention in 2003, and rose to the post of Director of Environmental Safety and Health in 2010.

Paul holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Penn State University, as well as master’s degrees in civil and environmental engineering from Rutgers University and in homeland security from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. He is a licensed professional engineer in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York.

As the Vice President of State Programs, Zoe works to expand RPA’s presence and efficacy in each state, helping to build diverse support for policies that promote a stronger, more connected region. Zoe also leads research, planning, and advocacy activities in her home state of New Jersey, where she draws on her considerable experience in public policy and community engagement to develop and advance policies and projects that facilitate equitable, vibrant, and resilient communities.

Zoe has over twenty years’ experience in public policy at the state and federal levels. Before joining RPA, Zoe was the Director of Government Affairs for the Utility & Transportation Contractors Association where she advocated for increased federal and state investment in water and transportation systems, and for greater transparency and efficiency in public procurement. In that role, she was successful in getting language included in the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that established a federal marketplace allowing states to buy and sell toll credits – a program that has the potential to generate several billion dollars in new transportation capital funding for NY and NJ.

Prior to her work in the private sector, Zoe served as Projects Director for United States Senator Cory Booker and as Senior Specialist for Transportation and Environment for US Senator Frank Lautenberg. Zoe got her start in infrastructure policy as the New Jersey Advocate for the Tri-State Transportation Campaign and began her career as the Legislative Director for NJ State Senator Loretta Weinberg.

Outside of her work at RPA, Zoe is a Commissioner on the board of the South Jersey Transportation Authority, which oversees the Atlantic City Expressway and Atlantic City International Airport, and a member of the board of directors for three nonprofit organizations: Downtown NJ, the Women’s Political Caucus of New Jersey, and Gardenship Art.

Caryn Barnes has 30 years of experience in all aspects of environmental investigations, feasibility testing, NAPL, soil and groundwater remediation, soil vapor investigations and site closure. She has worked extensively in New Jersey on NJDEP and USEPA-led projects. She is a technical and regulatory expert, and is an active participant and stakeholder in the development of regulations, rules, guidance and policy. Barnes is on the forefront of investigating and remediating emerging contaminants, including PFAS and 1,4-dioxane.

As a Licensed Site Remediation Professional, Barnes has responded to Immediate Environmental Concerns, certified numerous Response Action Outcomes and has prepared numerous remediation submissions. She served as the Lead Technical Coordinator for a multi-party Superfund Site. She is actively involved in numerous professional organizations, and is an avid advocate for her clients. Barnes is President emeritus of the LSRP Association, a professional organization of over 800 members.

Brian Berzin is a co-founder and chief executive officer of Thea Energy, a fusion technology company leveraging simpler, manufacturable hardware and software controls to create clean and abundant energy. Since launching the company in 2022, Brian has grown the Thea Energy team to over 50 employees and demonstrated the Company’s core technologies at fusion relevant scale.

Brian has a diverse background as an engineer, operator, and investor, spanning deep tech, venture capital, and private equity. While at Aeterna Capital Partners, Brian grew a multi-family office investing across venture capital and private equity opportunities. Brian also has deep experience within the privately funded fusion industry, previously serving as a Vice President and Officer of General Fusion. During his time at General Fusion, Brian led various initiatives including corporate and commercialization strategy as well as engagement with capital markets.

Prior to his time at General Fusion, Brian worked within Houlihan Lokey’s Private Growth Equity Capital group, helping to grow venture-stage technology companies. Prior to his time in growth equity and investment banking, he founded two businesses focusing on switching power supplies and LED lighting technology.

Brian is a graduate of Lehigh University with degrees in Electrical Engineering and Finance. As part of the Martindale Center for the Study of Private Enterprise, he also published research on the European sovereign debt crisis.

Tony Bianchini is a strategic communications professional with 25 years of experience helping public and private sector clients to promote and successfully deliver important projects, products, regulatory approval and programs. Tony has experience in a wide range of corporate communications, public affairs, community relations and crisis management issues and projects from his time at engineering firms, corporations, public relations agencies, New Jersey government authorities and public unions.

At ERM, Tony has helped more than 20 clients to: successfully complete the Environmental Justice Administrative Order 21-25 process, develop Environmental Justice Impact Statements, conduct meaningful public participation campaigns and comply with New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Environmental Justice regulations.

Attorney Matt Blaine is a Partner in Business Law and Litigation Department at Davison, Eastman, Muñoz, Paone, P.A..  He is also the Chair of the firm’s Technology and Innovation Committee, where he spearheads the firm’s technological advancements. Matt focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation of all types, including contractual disputes, business torts, fiduciary responsibilities, oppressed shareholder allegations, construction disputes, insurance coverage disputes, eDiscovery issues, intellectual property rights, consumer fraud allegations, disputes concerning real property, non-compete agreements, arbitration, bankruptcy adversary proceedings, fraudulent transfer, successor and alter ego liability and copyright infringement, among others. He also serves as outside general counsel for a number of companies and advises on business strategy and transactions, including technology contract negotiations, business formations, real estate transactions, acquisitions, mergers/consolidations and dissolutions.

Matt is a frequent speaker on legal technology issues and focuses on matters involving practical and ethical considerations of metadata, the impact of artificial intelligence on the practice of law, championing technological change and process improvements in law firms, and electronic discovery issues. Prior to joining the firm, Matt served as an appellate clerk for the Honorable Linda G. Baxter, Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division.

During law school and college, Matt interned for United States Magistrate Judge Tonianne J. Bongiovanni. He was also an executive board member for the Rutgers Journal of Law & Religion.  As an oralist for the 2007-2008 Rutgers-Camden Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot Court team, Matt traveled to Vienna, Austria and helped place his team in the top 16 of 203 participating international law schools.  During college, Matt was an intern for the United States Attorney’s Office, District of New Jersey, Trenton branch.

Lilly Blumenthal joined Commonwealth Fusion Systems in 2024 and is responsible for supporting the design and execution of the company’s public policy strategies across target geographies, with a focus on state, federal and international policy issues such as siting, permitting and regulatory considerations for fusion power plants. Prior to joining Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Lilly worked on the deployment of utility scale solar, battery energy storage, and wind projects for a Massachusetts based developer. Specifically, she originated power purchase agreements with industry offtakers and supported market strategies. She also previously worked as a research analyst alongside Ambassador Norm Eisen at the Brookings Institution. Her work at Brookings focused on global anti-corruption efforts as well as the politics of oil, gas, minerals, and sanctions. Lilly holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Tufts University.

Hayley Book is Senior Corporate Relations Advisor for Shell’s U.S. Northeast region, where she provides strategic energy and environmental policy expertise in Shell’s engagements with regulators, stakeholders, and communities. She brings more than two decades of experience in government affairs and energy policy, including roles at ERM and various environmental and utility regulatory agencies. Hayley has advised on decarbonization strategies, carbon pricing, and utility programs, and has represented U.S. interests in international regulatory partnerships. She holds degrees from UC Davis and the Monterey Institute of International Studies. She is a former Peace Corps Volunteer and currently serves on the Board of The Nature Conservancy’s PA/DE Chapter.

After earning her Ph.D. in Chemistry from Florida State University, Dr. Melanie Bower began her professional journey with ExxonMobil as a chemist in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The early years of her career were marked by various technical roles in ExxonMobil’s manufacturing facilities, where she gained invaluable insights into the complex nature of petrochemical manufacturing and the pivotal role chemical products play in addressing society’s needs and challenges.

Melanie then transitioned into the regulatory affairs space, where she excelled in managing global teams responsible for compliance and advocacy efforts for the company’s chemical portfolio. Her leadership and expertise have been instrumental in ensuring regulatory compliance and advancing the company’s interests on a global scale.

Currently, Melanie serves as the Regulatory Development Manager for the Circular Products business, where she is dedicated to shaping policy in the Americas for innovative solutions to address the plastic waste challenge. A vocal advocate for pragmatic solutions, Melanie actively represents the company’s views in various associations and external events, championing sustainable practices and policies.

As director of state policy solutions, Burdis manages a team of professionals who endeavor to harmonize emerging state electricity policies with wholesale market design and transmission system planning policies. His organization specifically focuses on: offshore wind development; clean energy development; resource adequacy evolution; grid modernization; and, grid security maintenance.
Before his current post, Burdis served as the business operations manager to PJM’s General Counsel / Senior Vice President of Law, Compliance and External Relations. Here he managed a portfolio on matters relating to corporate governance, regulatory filings, development of policy and messaging, and long-term corporate strategy.

Prior, Burdis served as manager of policy analysis & strategy, managing a team of economists focused on the outreach and strategy development for state government engagement; focusing on policy assessment, market design and transmission planning. Additionally, he managed PJM’s engagement with the Organization of PJM States, Inc. (OPSI) and its interaction with the company’s Executive Team and Board of Managers.

Burdis started his career as an engineer working in PJM’s markets and operations divisions.
He is a graduate from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, holds a Master of Science in Engineering from West Virginia University and a Bachelor of Science from Lebanon Valley College.

Burdis started his career as an engineer working in PJM’s markets and operations divisions.

He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He holds a Master of Science in Engineering from West Virginia University and a Bachelor of Science from Lebanon Valley College.

Marc is a Partner at ERM and has worked with the company for 24 years from one coast of the U.S. to the other, starting his career in Southern California before moving to the New Jersey area in 2005. He is a Professional Engineer and a Licensed Site Remediation Professional in New Jersey. Throughout his career, Marc has specialized in contaminated site investigations and the design and implementation of soil and groundwater clean-up programs for chemical, pharmaceutical, power, and manufacturing sites. He has represented clients with NJDEP regulators under the various NJDEP Site Remediation Programs and the USEPA RCRA program. In addition to the site investigation and remediation fields, Marc has served in the Partner role for environmental compliance, multi-media and land use permitting support, and safety projects

Chris Christie was inaugurated as the 55th Governor of the State of New Jersey on January 19, 2010. He was re-elected with 60% of the vote in November of 2013 and served two terms as Governor.

He was a Republican candidate for President in both 2016 and 2024.

Governor Christie was elected Chairman of the Republican Governors Association in 2014, leading the organization to the election of 31 Republican Governors.

In 2017, President Donald J. Trump appointed Governor Christie as Chairman of the President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis. The Commission issued a final report on November 1, 2017.

As Governor, he was the lead plaintiff in challenging the federal prohibition on sports gambling. His six-year fight concluded with a win before the U.S. Supreme Court in May of 2018.

Prior to his service as Governor, he was nominated by President George W. Bush and he served as the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey from January 2002 to December 2008.

In 2019, he authored The New York Times best seller, Let Me Finish, about his life and his candidacy for President. In 2021, he authored Republican Rescue, dealing with his prescription for the future of the national GOP. In February 2024 he released his third book, What Would Reagan Do?, about Reagan’s leadership.

He is the Managing Member of the Christie Law Firm and Christie 55 Solutions, LLC in Morristown, NJ.

Governor Christie also serves on the Board of Directors of the New York Mets, appointed by owner Steve Cohen, Pacira Pharmaceuticals in Parsippany, NJ, and Saker Holdings in Middletown, NJ.

Governor Christie married his wife Mary Pat in 1986. They have four children: Andrew, Sarah Anne, Patrick and Bridget. They currently reside in Mendham and Bay Head, New Jersey.

Dr. Christodoulou has a long and distinguished career in business, academia, and philanthropy. He has provided management consulting services to various industries and has owned successful businesses in commercial print manufacturing, graphic design, the restaurant industry, and the media sector. Additionally, he has taught as an adjunct professor for 25 years, educating undergraduate and graduate business students in areas as diverse as organizational behavior, innovation, economics, and strategy development. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Board at Raritan Valley Community College, the top ranked community college in New Jersey.

At the NJ Board of Public Utilities, Commissioner Christodoulou represents New Jersey as the Secretary of OPSI (Organization of PJM States); serves as Vice Chair of NARUC’s Committee on Consumers and the Public Interest. He also serves on several NARUC Committees, including: Electricity, International Relations, Nuclear Energy, Electric Vehicles Working Group, and Wildfires Advisory Group, while also serving on the Cyber Security Tiger Team and as an ambassador for new commissioners. Additionally, he sits on the Advisory Committee of New Mexico State University’s Center for Public Utilities, the Executive Committee of the National Council on Electricity Policy, University of Missouri’s Financial Research Institute, and GTI Energy’s Public Interest Advisory Committee. Commissioner Christodoulou also serves as honorary chair of the National Utility Diversity Council.

Dr. Christodoulou was invested as an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 2017, is the Founding Chair of the NJ Hellenic-American Heritage Commission and a global officer of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), the largest Hellenic organization in the world. He also served as President and CEO of the Greek-American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey.

Commissioner Christodoulou earned his doctoral degree from Pace University in Organizational Behavior, his MBA from Fordham University in International Finance and Management, and his BA from Rutgers College in Economics and Philosophy.

A life-long Jersey guy, Jack was born in Somerville and raised in the Borough of Raritan, where his grandparents immigrated 100 years ago.

He earned a degree in Accounting from Seton Hall, where he also got his MBA. Jack is also a Certified Public Accountant (inactive).

​Jack is a successful entrepreneur and small business owner twice over, having founded two successful Main Street businesses right here in New Jersey.

​But of all the titles he’s earned, he’s most proud to be called “Dad.” He’s the father of four children, now all adults, each already accomplished in their fields.

​Jack has always believed in giving back to the community that has given him so much. In the public arena, he has served at every level of government, including the Raritan Borough Council, the Somerset County Freeholder Board, and the State Assembly – each time winning tough races, and then voluntarily term-limiting himself.

​In 2021, Jack ran for governor and re-energized the state’s Republican Party, defying media predictions and coming within a few points of knocking off the sitting incumbent governor.

​Along the way, he led the ticket to historic victories up and down the state, with Republicans picking up seven seats in the state legislature, including beating the Senate President. In helping down-ballot Republicans also win hundreds of local and county races, New Jersey Republicans had their best Election Day in 30 years.

Since then, Jack hasn’t stopped. He has continued to speak out on the challenges facing New Jerseyans, crisscrossing the state, supporting candidates, and promoting common-sense solutions to kitchen table problems.

Pete is a Managing Director and Account Executive based in New York.  He is the Power & Renewables Practice Leader for Aon’s Northeast Region, with direct alignment to the Aon Natural Resources specialty practice worldwide.  Pete leads the Account Executive and Private Equity platforms for Aon Power & Renewables in the United States.  He has 34 years of experience in the insurance industry, first as a Downstream Energy Property broker and, for the past ten years, as an Account Executive.  Over the course of his career, Pete has represented a vast array of clients operating and investing in the Energy, Power & Renewables industries globally. Pete earned his BA in Political Science from The College of the Holy Cross, and his MBA in Finance from Fordham University’s Graduate School of Business.

Joe is currently a Director of State and Local Outreach for the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers. He lives in New Jersey and focuses on the Northeast addressing issues facing the refining and petrochemical industry.

Joe has worked in the oil and gas industry for over 20 years, beginning with Hess Corporation and then with Marathon Petroleum Corporation as an attorney specializing in tax work and government affairs.

Prior to his time in oil and gas, Joe worked at PwC as a state and local tax expert representing large industrial clients.

Joe is a graduate of Rutgers College with a degree in Political Science. He subsequently earned his JD from Pace University School of Law as well as Masters Degree from Seton Hall University.

Robert DeNight was named Vice President Nuclear Engineering in November 2024. In his capacity Mr. DeNight oversees the safe and reliable operations of the Hope Creek and Salem nuclear generating stations, which comprise the second-largest commercial nuclear generating facility in the country. He also oversees the growth and development projects for the nuclear generating stations, including the subsequent license renewal projects.

Prior to his position, he served as Vice President of both Hope Creek Generating Station and Nuclear Operations Support at PSEG. He has over 30 years’ experience in the nuclear industry.

Mr. DeNight joined PSEG Nuclear in 1996 as a Senior Design Engineer. He held a number of positions with increasing responsibilities supporting both Hope Creek and Salem Stations including Business Operations Manager, Work Management Manager, Senior Operations Director and Senior Engineering Director.

Prior to joining PSEG, Mr. DeNight worked at Ogden Environmental and Energy Services as a mechanical engineer and deputy project manager traveling to over 15 nuclear sites. He started his career as an engineer at the Newport News Shipbuilding Company.

Mr. DeNight earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and an MBA from the University of Delaware. He is also a licensed professional engineer in the state of Pennsylvania and obtained a Senior Reactor Operator license at Salem Generating Station. He also completed an executive training course at Harvard University.

Charlotte Dreizen is the Director of Sustainability & Environment at Plastics Industry Association and leads work related to plastic waste in the environment, including the association’s work on Operation Clean Sweep (OCS). OCS has more than 5,000 members in 65+ countries and empowers companies that make, move, or use plastic to prevent loss of plastic resin in the environment. Prior, Charlotte led recycling programs for the Washington, DC government and educated brands and retailers on sustainable packaging while at the Sustainable Packaging Coalition. She has a master’s degree in Urban Planning from Georgetown University and a BA in International Affairs from the George Washington University.

Caroline Ehrlich serves as Chief-of-Staff to Woodbridge Township Mayor John E. McCormac, Executive Director of the Woodbridge Township Redevelopment Agency and Director of the Division of Sustainability.
As Chief of Staff, Caroline spearheaded efforts to designate Woodbridge Township a Sustainable Jersey Community and was instrumental in creating Greenable Woodbridge – an initiative dedicated to furthering the environmental future of Woodbridge Township. Through her leadership, Woodbridge Township advanced and implemented many innovative, forward-thinking and sustainable initiatives and programs that secured the New Jersey League of Municipalities Sustainable Jersey Silver Certification Championship and Sustainability Award for 15 years, along with securing the first-ever Sustainable Jersey Gold Star Awards in Energy, Water and Health.
Caroline introduced Green Infrastructure systems where the Township invested in resiliency and system hardening as part of the overall redevelopment efforts and oversaw the implementation of programs to better manage the ways we use energy and other natural resources at work and home along with the implementation of an energy-efficient fleet of Municipal vehicles. The construction of Rain Gardens throughout Woodbridge Township has fast become a priority program as a means to control storm water run-off and flooding.

As Executive Director of the Woodbridge Redevelopment Agency (RDA), Caroline was instrumental in drafting the Woodbridge Township Master Plan and in the designation of more than 100 Redevelopment Areas. Caroline projected the vision of The Avenel Arts Village Redevelopment Plan which led to the development of Station Lofts Village, the Avenel Performing Arts Center (APAC), and the expansion of the Avenel New Jersey Transit Commuter Train station as a full-service stop on the NJT Jersey Coast line.

Under Caroline’s leadership, the RDA partnered with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and led the way in the remediation of Brownfields sites back to productivity – the restoration of the Woodbridge Waterfront Park at the Keasbey Brownfield Redevelopment site stands as a signature accomplishment.

Additionally, Caroline and the RDA successfully attracted the development of corporate facilities, commercial, and industrial projects to include the $200 million Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) and Wellness Center at the New Jersey Transit Metropark Station in Woodbridge. The redevelopment investments under the RDA resulted in the implementation of PILOT agreements which not only created millions of dollars in recurring tax revenues, but funding which fostered a partnership with the Woodbridge Township Board of Education to improve school district facilities and infrastructure.

Based in Washington, D.C., Ray Fakhoury is an Energy Policy Manager for Amazon Web Services leading policy advocacy that increases access to carbon free energy resources in the East and on Capitol Hill. Prior to joining AWS, Ray worked as a Senior Manager of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs for Pattern Energy, an independent power producer developing utility scale wind, solar, and transmission facilities, and for Advanced Energy United, a national trade organization advocating for clean, secure, affordable energy resources. Ray graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science.

Erick Ford is a recognized leader in policy and business. In 2024, he was recognized by ROI-NJ as one of New Jersey’s leading energy and utilities influencers, highlighting his significant impact on the state’s energy landscape. Erick currently serves as Vice President at Stevens & Lee Public Affairs and holds key roles as President of the New Jersey Energy Coalition, Chairman of NJSEED’s Energy Committee, and Project Manager for Protect Our Power, where he drives energy policy and initiatives. In his current roles, Erick supports an array of clients with real estate development, energy production, business development, strategic advice, business planning, legislative and regulatory support, local, state and federal support, advocacy campaigns, infrastructure, and event planning. Throughout his career, Erick has published various op-eds about energy.

His public sector experience includes serving at the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, where he made significant contributions to energy policy, cybersecurity, rulemaking, and alternative vehicle development, as well as an Agency Manager at the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.

In addition, Erick has moderated and participated in key industry panels regarding utility policy, energy efficiency, solar, offshore wind, electric vehicles, hydrogen, nuclear energy, renewable natural gas, fuel cells, and incentive programs, among various other critical and emerging topics, at conferences hosted by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA), Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey (CCSNJ), and Solar & Storage Finance USA.

Further, Erick serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Girl Scouts of Central and Southern New Jersey. In this role, he has served on the audits committee, finance committee, and fundraising committee.

Timothy Fox is a Managing Director at ClearView Energy Partners, a DC-Based research firm for institutional investors and corporate strategists. He leads the Firm’s power sector coverage and contributes to its U.S. policy research. For more than 20 years, Mr. Fox has provided timely and forward-looking analysis of electricity policies and trends, including keen insights regarding state-level dynamics. He appears frequently in print and broadcast media, and he speaks before national associations and educational institutions. Mr. Fox is a leading member of an energy storage consortium led by Sandia National Laboratories, and he is an active participant in the American Energy Society, the Energy Bar Association and the National Energy Resources Organization.

Steve serves as Chair of the firm’s Energy, Climate Change & Public Utilities Practice Group. He concentrates his practice in public utility law, with a particular emphasis on energy regulatory matters. Since 1996, Steve has played a lead role in literally all matters of consequence before the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, including the restructuring of the State’s electric and natural gas industries from a monopoly to a competitive model, utility rate and merger proceedings, energy infrastructure proceedings, and regulatory matters involving the formulation and implementation of the State’s energy policies. In these proceedings, Steve has represented the interests of large commercial and industrial establishments, independent power producers, energy service companies, renewable energy companies, and marketers of electricity and natural gas.

Steve founded and represents the New Jersey Large Energy Users Coalition, which is comprised of some of the State’s largest industrial and commercial businesses, including pharmaceutical companies and major manufacturers. Steve also founded and represents the New Jersey Distributed Generation Coalition, which is comprised of energy service companies, engineering firms, financial institutions and equipment manufacturers. Steve also represents one of the world’s largest energy service companies in the development of energy efficiency and combined heat and power projects. He also represents independent power producers and an independent transmission company in connection with the development of power plant and transmission infrastructure projects.

Steve has, for years, been actively involved in the development, refinement and implementation of the State’s energy policies. He has assisted several governors in the development of Statewide Energy Master Plans and served as Chair of the Christie Administration’s Energy Master Plan Task Force on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, whose purpose was to formulate policy regarding the future funding, administration and implementation of the State’s renewable energy and energy efficiency programs. Steve also assisted the development of the State’s first-in-the-nation Energy Resilience Bank, which has funded the development of grid-independent cogeneration facilities at numerous of the State’s hospitals. Steve has also authored or assisted the Legislature in the development of several energy bills signed into law that fostered the development of cogeneration and district energy facilities and the implementation of self-funded energy efficiency projects. He is currently pioneering the development of a broad-based energy infrastructure public private partnership initiative as part of the State’s post-Superstorm Sandy policy to enhance the resilience and reliability of its energy infrastructure.

Steve is a registered Governmental Affairs Agent (lobbyist) in New Jersey on behalf of a variety of clients that conduct business with the State. His governmental affairs practice focuses primarily on energy-related matters and government procurement issues. Steve has been involved with significant procurements by the State, including energy-related procurements, the formation of public-private partnerships, and the privatization of the State’s automobile inspection system. He also frequently represents builders and developers in disputes with utilities.

State Senator Vin Gopal was elected in 2017 and re-elected in 2023 with more than 60% of the vote in a landslide election in what is considered one of New Jersey’s most politically competitive districts. Senator Gopal has championed legislation to provide aid for education and local businesses; provided property tax rebates for taxpayers, seniors and veterans; made life more affordable for seniors; make mental health services more accessible, improved public safety and teared down barriers to employment and services for members of the disabilities community – with dozens of his bills signed into law.

During his first two terms in the Senate, Senator Gopal served on a number of committees in leadership positions – including, Co-Chair of the Legislative Manufacturing Caucus, Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, Vice-Chair of Senate Transportation, Vice-Chair of Senate Tourism and as a Member of the Senate Health Committee. Senator Gopal currently chairs the Senate Education Committee and serves as Senate Majority Conference Leader. He also serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Senator Gopal is the first South-Asian American to be elected to the Senate in New Jersey history.

A dedicated volunteer who works with many nonprofit organizations to assist people in need, Senator Gopal is also the Founder and President of the Vin Gopal Civic Association, a 501c(3) organization dedicated to helping Monmouth County charities and individuals in need. His community contributions as a volunteer include serving as a past Board of Trustees Member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monmouth County, and he served for many years as a volunteer first responder and EMT. He is also a former Adjunct Professor at Monmouth University and is currently the co-chair of the Monmouth University School of Civil Discourse.

An entrepreneur, Senator Gopal has started and built several businesses and is currently a business consultant and coach. Senator Gopal has served on the Board of Directors for the Northern Monmouth County Chamber of Commerce, and as President of the Hazlet Township
Business Owners Association. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, he created a districtwide organization of business, community, church, and nonprofits leaders to address the challenges of the coronavirus to the local economy.

Born in Neptune Township and raised in Monmouth County, Senator Gopal holds a Masters in Public Administration from Rutgers University and a bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University. He resides with his wife, daughter and puppy in Long Branch.

Haque is an officer of the company and leads the Governmental and Member Services Division. The Governmental Services team is the primary conduit between PJM and governmental entities, which includes legislatures, Governor’s officers and regulatory bodies. The team also includes a technical arm that serves to assist government in the advancement of their policy initiatives. The Member Services Division is charged with providing cutting-edge service to PJM members and facilitating the PJM stakeholder process.

Prior to joining PJM, Haque was the chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). He was appointed to the PUCO by Gov. John R. Kasich in 2013 and was reappointed to a second term in 2016.

As the state’s chief regulator, Haque led Ohio through some of the nation’s most pressing energy policy discussions. He guided Ohio’s Clean Power Plan compliance efforts, adjudicated cases pertaining to the future of baseload power plants in competitive markets, and successfully executed to completion Ohio’s grid modernization endeavor, PowerForward.

Haque, an attorney, began his career at a large general practice firm and went on to work as in-house counsel at a global auto manufacturer prior to his appointment to the PUCO.

Additionally, Haque serves on the board of the Philadelphia Education Fund, which works to create equitable opportunities for all students to succeed in college and career.

He is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University, where he graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and political science. He received his Juris Doctor from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, where he was awarded the school’s Outstanding Recent Alumnus Award in 2015.

David A. Haworth focuses on environmental, products liability/toxic tort, commercial, construction, and real estate litigation and counseling. His significant environmental litigation experience includes prosecuting and defending remediation and natural resource damage claims in New Jersey and nationally under CERCLA/Superfund, the New Jersey Spill Act, the New Jersey Industrial Sites Recovery Act, and other statutes and common law.

He defends clients in a broad range of environmental issues, including PFAS-related claims. He has extensive experience with multi-party cost allocations and regularly serves as joint or common counsel for groups of parties in environmental actions.

David’s product liability and toxic tort litigation experience spans a wide variety of personal injury and property damage claims arising from environmental and workplace exposure to chemicals, from allegedly defective products and from contaminated real estate.

As a commercial litigator, David has extensive experience with disputes involving contractual breaches and general commercial issues; construction defects, liens, and sureties; builder performance; product liability; and consumer fraud litigation. He is also experienced in the litigation of real estate, engineering, and construction claims involving owners, developers, residential builders, and community associations and their professionals.

WGL Energy is a nearly 30-year-old retail energy supplier serving a wide range of customers primarily in the Mid-Atlantic.

With more than 25-years of experience in the energy and home protection industries, Doug is a proven sales leader known for delivering strong results, building high-performing teams, and driving customer-focused transformation.

His career includes senior roles at Inspire Clean Energy (a Shell company), Direct Energy (now part of NRG), Home Warranty of America, Onpoint Energy, and other leading organizations. Doug has built and scaled teams across direct, digital, tele-sales, and partnership platforms, managing national accounts and launching new revenue streams throughout the U.S. and Canada. Earlier in his career, he also held leadership roles in the telecommunications sector, including at Covad Communications and Exario Networks, adding depth to his understanding of customer experience and operational excellence.

Doug’s leadership style is rooted in empowerment, collaboration, and strategic clarity. He works cross-functionally with operations, finance, marketing, and product teams to align goals and deliver data-driven solutions. He’s a champion of continuous improvement and best practice sharing, with a strong focus on enhancing the customer experience and developing talent across all levels.

He has presented regularly to executive leadership teams and state commissions and is a certified facilitator in leadership development. Doug’s core strengths include:

• Achieving and exceeding sales goals
• Leading and developing high-impact teams
• Enhancing customer experience and retention
• Driving operational excellence and business transformation
• Fostering collaborative, values-driven cultures

Doug is also an avid outdoorsman and actively involved in the community. He has served on the board of the South Hills of Pittsburgh Children’s Miracle League Field and has organized marathon teams that have raised over $100,000 for charitable causes including breast cancer research. He regularly supports local nonprofits through fundraising, volunteer work, and team-building initiatives.

Alena Hyatt joins Parker McCay’s Municipal and Government area as an Associate. She comes to the firm following a clerkship with the Honorable Christine Orlando, Camden County Superior Court. While at the courthouse, she also had the opportunity to assist the Honorable Angelo DiCamillo and James Bucci. Alena earned her Juris Doctorate from Rutgers University Law School in Camden. Prior to that, she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a minor in Marketing from Drexel University.

Pursuing a career in law was not always Alena’s plan. Fresh out of undergrad she worked at two large law firms, first in recruiting and professional development and then in marketing operations. As she learned more about the work the attorneys did on behalf of their clients, Alena decided to make a switch and prep for law school. Her decision proved successful and once she started studying law she became enamored with it. During law school she founded the Business Law Association, where she helped plan multiple collaborative events, became the technology editor of the Rutgers Business Law Review, and traveled to the Dominican Republic where she helped build a house for a family in need in between her classes on non-profit law. She received the Dean’s Pro Bono Publico Award for Exceptional Service for her volunteer work in children’s justice, estate planning, entrepreneurship, bankruptcy, and wrongful convictions.

Alena is an avid horseback rider. She also enjoys reading, cooking, and running with her rescue dog Elvie.

Daniel Kennedy oversees the daily operations and programs of the association. A registered legislative agent, Dan works in consultation with the officers and board of trustees to carry out the association’s mission. He frequently meets with and testifies before New Jersey legislative committees and regulatory agencies on matters of importance to the industrial and commercial real estate development industry.

Robert Kopp is a climate scientist who serves at Rutgers University as a Professor in the Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences and as Co-Director of the University Office of Climate Action. He also directs the Megalopolitan Coastal Transformation Hub, a National Science Foundation-funded consortium that advances coastal climate adaptation and the scientific understanding of natural and human coastal climate dynamics. He is also a director of the Climate Impact Lab, a multi-institutional collaboration of more than two dozen economists, data scientists, climate scientists, and policy experts, working to bring Big Data approaches to the assessment of the economic risks of climate change. Professor Kopp’s research focuses on understanding uncertainty in past and future climate change, with major emphases on sea-level change, the interactions between physical climate change and the economy, and the use of climate risk information to information decision-making. He has authored over 120 scientific papers, as well as popular articles in numerous venues. Professor Kopp is a lead author of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s 2021 Sixth Assessment Report and of the U.S. Global Change Research Program’s 2017 Fourth National Climate Assessment. Professor Kopp received his Ph.D. in Geobiology from the California Institute of Technology and his undergraduate degree in Geophysical Sciences from the University of Chicago. He is a fellow of the American Geophysical Union, a past Leopold Leadership Fellow, and a recipient of the American Geophysical Union’s James B. Macelwane medal

Ralph A. LaRossa is chair, president and chief executive officer of Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PSEG). He is also chair of the PSE&G board and a member of PSEG’s Senior Executive Team.

Previously Mr. LaRossa was chief operating officer of PSEG from January 2020 until September 2022 at which time he became president and chief executive officer. He was president and COO of PSEG Power from June 2017 until September 2022. In his role as PSEG COO, he was responsible for overseeing all of the operating businesses of PSEG, including Public Service Electric & Gas Company, PSEG Long Island, PSEG Power and PSEG Services Corp. functions, information technology and cyber and physical security.

In addition, Mr. LaRossa was chair of the board of PSEG Long Island from December 2020 until September 2022 and from October 2013 until 2017. From 2006 until 2017, Mr. LaRossa served as president and COO of PSE&G.

Mr. LaRossa joined PSE&G in 1985 as an associate engineer and advanced through a variety of management positions in the utility’s gas and electric operations.

Mr. LaRossa received his Bachelor of Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology. In addition, he completed the Harvard Business School’s Program for Management Development and MIT’s Reactor Technology Course for Utility Executives.

Mr. LaRossa is chair of Choose New Jersey and serves on its board. In addition, he is a member of the board of the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and former member of the board for Montclair State University. Mr. LaRossa is also an honorary trustee of the Liberty Science Center, the past chair of the American Gas Association and past member of the board for the New Jersey Utilities Association and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Mr. LaRossa is the recipient of the Rutgers Heldrich Center for Workforce Development Distinguished Leadership Award.

Matt Leggett is a partner in the firm’s Public Policy and Law practice group. Prior to joining the firm, Matt served as minority Chief Counsel for the US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. He managed the legal, policy, and communications teams which developed and implemented the strategic plan of the committee agenda. Before this, Matt had served as majority chief counsel for the US Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

In both of these jobs, Matt was responsible for overseeing committee staff, preparing for hearings, coordinating media strategies, and participating in the regulatory process. He provided legal counsel, advice, and legislative solutions to the Ranking Member and Chairman of the respective committees, Wyoming Senator John Barrasso, members of the committees, Senate Republican leadership, and other Senate offices. He directed committee hearings and Senate consideration of more than 65 presidential nominations in the energy, environment, natural resources, and transportation space. Matt also ensured compliance with Senate, committee, and Republican conference rules. He devised rules-based strategies to pass legislation, process nominees, defend committee jurisdiction, and advocate before the Senate Parliamentarian. Additionally, he managed oversight and investigation activities, while also serving in an official role at committee business meetings.

Matt led his committees’ legislative activities on the Senate floor relating to the Inflation Reduction Act, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. He oversaw bipartisan enactment of an environmental innovation package to promote carbon capture and sequestration technologies, reduce diesel emissions, and phasedown hydrofluorocarbons. In addition, he managed committee passage of bipartisan infrastructure legislation to reauthorize the federal highway program and support the build-out of hydrogen, natural gas, and electric vehicle fueling infrastructure. The America’s Transportation Infrastructure Act served as the basis for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Marilyn Lennon had a remarkable and impactful career, and her legacy is sustained by her many friends and colleagues, including members of NJBIA. Born in Passaic, New Jersey, and later residing in Garfield, New Jersey, Marilyn moved to her beloved Seaside Park in 1989. Known for her ability to build strong relationships and influence outcomes, Marilyn’s approach to communication emphasized direct conversation and consistent engagement. Her extensive network and dedication to connecting people fostered lasting friendships and professional collaborations.

Throughout her distinguished career, Marilyn held leadership positions in diverse organizations. She founded her own planning firm in the 1970s, with an office in Atlantic City, before joining PS&S as leader of environmental services. Subsequent roles included Vice President of KeySpan Energy’s Environmental practice, Director of Strategic Planning at the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, and Assistant Commissioner at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. A proud graduate of Ramapo College of New Jersey and Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning, Marilyn also demonstrated a strong commitment to her community as a dedicated parishioner of St. Catherine of Siena RC Church in Seaside Park, Past Commodore of the Seaside Park Yacht Club, and active participant in numerous professional organizations dedicated to the economic prosperity and effective environmental stewardship of New Jersey.

Mark Lennon has over 44 years of professional experience and began his career at PS&S in 1982. He serves as Director of Health & Safety, overseeing the firm’s Corporate Health and Safety Program, SOPs, and project safety protocols, including PS&S’s COVID-19 response. A licensed Professional Planner (NJ), AICP member, PMP, and Senior Professional Wetland Scientist, he holds multiple OSHA certifications and degrees from Ramapo College (B.S.) and NJIT (M.S. in Management, Environmental Specialization). Mark has managed numerous multi-disciplinary projects involving environmental impact studies, regulatory permitting, and site investigations. His technical expertise includes wetlands delineation, natural resource inventories, and contaminated site remediation.

Brian O. Lipman, Esq. serves as the Director for the Division of Rate Counsel, a position he has held since November 8, 2021. The Division of Rate Counsel represents the interests of consumers of regulated electric, natural gas, water/sewer, telecommunications, cable TV service, and insurance (residential, small business, commercial and industrial customers).

Rate Counsel’s mission is to make sure that all classes of utility consumers receive safe, adequate and proper utility service at affordable rates that are just and nondiscriminatory. Rate Counsel is a member of several state utility policy making groups and also represents consumers in setting energy and telecommunications policy that will affect the provision of services into the future. The New Jersey Legislature charged Rate Counsel with being “devoted to the maximum extent possible to ensuring adequate representation of the interest of those consumers whose interest would otherwise be inadequately represented in matters within the jurisdiction of the Division of Rate Counsel.” The Division’s website is http://www.nj.gov/rpa/

Brian has been with Rate Counsel since August, 2013. He has over 18 years of experience practicing law in New Jersey.

Prior to joining Rate Counsel, Brian was a Deputy Attorney General with the State of New Jersey for ten years. The last two years, he was the Assistant Section Chief for the Division of Law’s Public Utility Section, responsible for representing the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities in numerous jurisdictions including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Federal District Court, the Office of Administrative Law and other administrative forums on behalf of the BPU. During his tenure at the Attorney General’s Office, Brian represented numerous state agencies in a diverse set of cases including mortgage fraud, election law and civil rights matters litigated before various state and federal courts and agencies. Before joining to the Attorney General’s Office, Brian worked in private practice, representing private and public sector clients in labor, employment and other commercial matters. Brian has taught several classes for the New Jersey Attorney General’s Advocacy Institute and taught as an adjunct professor at Seton Hall University School of Law.

Brian has a B.S. in political science from The American University and graduated with honors from Rutgers School of Law-Camden.

Bob Martin is a senior executive with vast experience in both the public and private sectors working with and running large and complex organizations. Extensive skills and experience managing, transforming and consulting to companies and government organizations. His abilities include strong analytical, strategic, leadership, people management and development, financial, and regulatory skills. Bob has strong sector knowledge in the utility & energy industries, government, health insurance, and manufacturing & distribution.

Bob’s work at Christie 55 Solutions has included working with clients on:

• Renewable Energy Strategy (Offshore & Onshore Wind, Solar, Battery Storage and Hydrogen)
• Business Strategy and Growth
• Sports Betting
• Regulatory & Permitting Strategy at the State and Federal levels
• Land Use Strategy
• Environmental Strategy
• Fossil and Nuclear Power Generation
• Electric Power Transmission
• Infrastructure and Engineering

Bob served as New Jersey’s Commissioner of Environmental Protection under Governor Christie from 2010 to 2018, managing over 2,800 professionals and a multi-million dollar annual state budget and other federal and state resources. He effectively implemented DEP’s mission to protect the air, water, land and natural and historic resources of the state. He has deep knowledge and expertise in state and federal environmental and land use laws and regulations, and working with numerous federal agencies and departments. Bob also played a key leadership role under Governor Christie in coordinating the State’s preparation and response, and long-term rebuilding from natural disasters, especially for Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

Prior to public service, Bob was a Partner at Accenture LLP with over 25 years of experience consulting to a broad variety of businesses and industries, and trusted advisor to senior executives to help them achieve their vision and create value. He has extensive skills and experience in all aspects of business and management consulting, including business strategy and planning, business transformation and operations reengineering, IT strategy, systems implementation and change management.

Bob has extensive international experience including living and working in the UK for 5 years, and doing significant consulting work throughout Europe and Canada. He has demonstrated expertise in all the key aspects of the utility industry, including electric generation, electric & gas transmission, and electric, gas and water distribution operations. Bob has a BA in Economics & Sociology from Boston College and an MBA, concentrating in Finance & Investments, from the George Washington University.

Valerie Montecalvo is the President, CEO, and Founder of Bayshore Recycling, a 58-acre, state-of-the-art recycling facility in Woodbridge, New Jersey. A pioneer in sustainable business, Valerie built Bayshore into one of the region’s leading woman-owned environmental companies, recognized among NJBIZ’s Top 10 Woman-Owned Businesses. Valerie is deeply committed to community and conservation. She serves on the boards of RWJ/Monmouth Medical Center, Monmouth University, Clean Ocean Action, and the Monmouth Conservation Foundation, among others. Her leadership and generosity have earned honors from ROI-NJ, NJBIZ, and the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore. The Montecalvo Family Foundation funded the Montecalvo Education platform, providing medical education on Lyme and vector-borne diseases. Valerie’s lifelong mission is clear: to build a cleaner, healthier, and more compassionate world uniting business, philanthropy, and environmental action.

Richard S. Mroz, Esq. has a long and distinguished career in law, government, business, and public service. His experiences as a regulator, lawyer, lobbyist, banker, corporate director, consultant and thought leader have focused on numerous issues, including energy and utility regulation, energy markets, the evolving grid, cybersecurity, water and wastewater policy, as well as infrastructure development and financing for various industries. Mr. Mroz is the former President of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU), serving as Chairman and Chief Administrative Officer of the Agency, and acted as the Chief Energy Officer for New Jersey.

Mr. Mroz has held various national and regional leadership positions, including serving as Chairman of the Critical Infrastructure Committee for the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), where he advanced efforts addressing cybersecurity and infrastructure improvements in the electric, gas, water and telecommunications industries. He was NARUC liaison to the Electric Sector Coordinating Council (ESCC), as well as a member of the NARUC Electricity Committee, Subcommittee on Nuclear Issues and Nuclear Waste Disposal, and a member of the NARUC Board of Directors. He was Chairman of the Organization of PJM States, Inc. (OPSI), the official organization designated by the states to interact with the regional grid and transmission organization, and a member of the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Advisory Council.

Mr. Mroz was appointed by the Secretary of Energy to be a member of the USDOE Electric Advisory Committee, which provides advice to the Department on programs and priorities on issues of the evolving grid, distributed energy resources, and reliability of the electric system, and is a member of the Smart Grid Subcommittee and Subcommittee for Defense Critical Facilities.  He is a member of the New Mexico State University Center for Public Utilities Advisory Council, and a Distinguished Corporate Fellow to the Global Resilience Institute at Northeastern University.

For over two decades Mr. Mroz served on the Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, a congressionally chartered wholesale bank, with assets over $100 Billion, and which provides funding to member financial institutions in New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. He has served on the Bank Executive, Corporate Governance, Compensation, Audit, and Congressional & Regulatory Affairs Committees, and currently is Chairman of the Housing Committee. His work with corporate governance issues continues with his active involvement with the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) where he serves on the Board of Directors for the NACD New Jersey Chapter having been Chairman of the Programs Committee and currently the committee for Director of the Year Awards in good governance.

These appointments and leadership positions continue an accomplished career in legal affairs and public service. Governor Christie Whitman appointed Mr. Mroz to be Chief Counsel after serving in various positions in her Administration. Of particular note, President George W. Bush appointed Mr. Mroz to the Commission on White House Fellows in 2007. In 2012, Governor Chris Christie appointed Mr. Mroz as a Commissioner of the Delaware River & Bay Authority (DRBA), a congressionally chartered bi-state transportation agency operating facilities, including the Delaware Memorial Bridge and the Cape May- Lewes Ferry.

Before becoming President of the NJBPU, Mr. Mroz worked in private practice as a lawyer and lobbyist. He was a founding Managing Director of Archer Public Affairs in Trenton, New Jersey and was Of Counsel to the Archer & Greiner law firm. For many years in the private sector, Mr. Mroz provided advice to clients in numerous industries and concentrated on governmental relations, regulatory affairs, business development and issues management. He also provided strategic counsel and advice for project development and financing, as well as corporate external affairs. He has represented clients in the energy, utility, transportation, financial services, real estate, healthcare, human services, pharmaceutical, and gaming and entertainment industries.

Over the course of his career, Mr. Mroz has provided both representation and personal service to several professional and community organizations. He has been co-counsel and legislative agent to the New Jersey Conference of Mayors and was a member of the New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on the Unauthorized Practice of Law. Mr. Mroz is a frequent commentator for programs on television and radio and internet on issues such as cybersecurity and resilience of critical infrastructure and emerging energy issues. He was Chairman of the Board of the Volunteers of America of the Delaware Valley and is a former member of the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Alliance for Action, and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce.

Active with his college alma mater, Mr. Mroz served for many years on the Board of Directors of the University of Delaware Alumni Association and served as the Association President. He holds a B.A. from the University of Delaware and his J.D. from the Villanova University School of Law.

Cynthia Niemeyer is a policy advisor for domestic natural gas markets at the American Petroleum Institute (API). She leads API’s initiatives on natural gas and power markets, engaging with federal and local regulators to address load growth and ensure grid reliability. Prior to joining API in 2024, Cynthia was a senior research associate with ClearView Energy Partners and spent over six years with Chevron as a facilities engineer. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University and a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Texas. Cynthia is also a licensed professional civil engineer in the state of Texas.

For over 20 years, Pat has built a reputation for his proactive communications strategies, government and community relations, and media management in high visibility situations. Prior to joining Holtec, Pat spent 3 years with Holtec’s decommissioning unit, Holtec Decommissioning International, as Senior Manager Government Affairs and Communications overseeing the Government Affairs and Communications programs at our five, current, decommissioning sites. Pat began his career in the nuclear industry serving 4 years as the Company Spokesman and Sr. Communications Specialist for Entergy’s Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station. In this role, he served as the company’s direct media contact, managed day-to-day communications with employees, ran the company’s charitable contributions, and saw the plant through Column 4 recovery and transition from operational facility to decommissioning site.

More importantly, Pat has been a key conduit to the local community. Throughout his career he built relationships with elected officials and key community stakeholders. He has served on various non-profit boards including the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce, Generation Atomic, South Shore Community Action Council, and the Greater Attleboro-Taunton Regional Transit Authority. He served three years on the Town of Plymouth Advisory and Finance Committee, the last year as Vice-Chair.

Prior to joining Pilgrim station in 2015, he spent thirteen years working in state and local government in Massachusetts.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a master’s degree from Norwich University.

Mary Ellen Peppard serves as Vice President of the New Jersey Food Council (NJFC), a trade association representing food retailers, including supermarkets, independent grocers and convenience stores, and their supplier partners.

As government affairs lead for NJFC, Ms. Peppard formulates policy positions, implements legislative strategies, and leads industry coalitions on priority issues, including environmental, food safety, and food security legislation. She serves on the New Jersey Plastics Advisory Council representing retailers.

Prior to joining NJFC, Ms. Peppard represented the business community at the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, with a focus on tax and healthcare issues.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Muhlenberg College and her Master of Public Affairs and Politics from Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.

Laura has worked in the association world for the past 22 years and currently serves as the President of the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJ CAR). NJ CAR is a non-profit organization serving more than 520 neighborhood new car and truck dealerships throughout New Jersey, a $45.4 billion auto retail industry.

Previously, Laura served as the President of the American Truck Dealers (ATD), a division of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), at which she led more than 3,200 franchised medium- and heavy-duty truck dealers holding nearly 5,600 separate franchises, domestic and import.

Grace serves as General Counsel and EVP of Government Affairs at Solar Landscape, the leading commercial and community solar developer in the United States. Most recently she was a Partner at McCarter & English, LLP in the Government Affairs and Energy & Environment practice groups. Previously she served as Chief of Staff at the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities during the Murphy Administration and was responsible for the development and implementation of policy and day-to-day management of the agency. Grace chaired the 2019 State Energy Master Plan Committee. She began her career as the Legislative Liaison at the BPU. Active in state and local politics, she is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law – Newark. She has a Master’s Degree from the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers and an undergraduate degree from Rutgers College, and was affiliated with the Eagleton Institute of Politics as a graduate fellow and undergraduate associate.

As the President and Chief Executive Officer of South Jersey Industries (SJI), Mike Renna leads one of New Jersey’s most prominent energy infrastructure companies. Under his leadership, SJI has strengthened its focus on supporting the state’s vision of a cleaner energy future while continuing to uphold the company’s longstanding commitment to delivering safe, reliable, affordable clean energy to over 730,000 natural gas customers in 14 counties throughout New Jersey.

Matt Schwall is the Director of Regulatory Affairs for Alpha Generation, LLC. He joined the company in 2021 and is responsible for regulatory, government and market affairs in the various local, state, and federal jurisdictions in which the company’s assets are located. Additional responsibilities include coordination of project development activities surrounding the company’s renewable and energy storage portfolios.

Prior to joining AlphaGen, he worked for the Independent Power Producers of New York representing merchant generators concerning the development of public and regulatory policies related to the market design and rules affecting the wholesale electric power system in New York. Mr. Schwall has previously worked for various offices within the New York State Assembly and holds an M.S. in Global Energy Management from the University of Colorado Denver Business School and a B.A. in Political Science from the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy at the University at Albany, New York.

Ken concentrates his practice on the regulatory, legislative and
transactional issues associated with initiatives involving highly regulated
utilities, including clean and solar energy, electric and gas, solid waste,
water and wastewater, cable and telecommunications. His broad-based
experience in both the public and private sectors has provided him with a
deep understanding of public utility law and administrative law, which
throughout his career has informed his representation of clients ranging
from public utilities to the developers of commercial and community
solar projects.

Ken has notably served in numerous significant roles at the New Jersey
Board of Public Utilities (BPU), including as Director of the Division of
Clean Energy, Chief of Staff and Chief Counsel. His responsibilities in
these positions encompassed advocating for the business and local
government communities as Ombudsman, developing and implementing
clean energy and other emerging technology policy, supervising the
BPU’s internal legal divi

J. Scott Thomson is the President of Holtec Government and Security International (HGSI), where he oversees all aspects of HGSI and its team of more than 350 professionals across the Critical Infrastructure, Community Safety Solutions, and Cybersecurity/Network Administration Divisions. His leadership encompasses Holtec’s five shutdown nuclear plants and extends to collaborations with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, as well as public and private sector organizations.

Thomson also serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Governance Officer of Holtec International, and is a member of the company’s Executive Committee.

Before joining Holtec, Thomson served over 27 years in law enforcement, including more than 11 years as Chief of Police in Camden, New Jersey, where he led an organization of over 600 sworn and civilian personnel and was recognized nationally for his transformative leadership in public safety and community engagement.

John G. Valeri Jr. is a Member and Practice Group Leader of CSG’s Environmental Practice Group. John has more than 30 years of experience providing advice regarding state and federal environmental laws and regulations, including obtaining permits and approvals involving multiple environmental media for complex projects. He provides strategic policy advice on major state and federal legislative and regulatory initiatives, and he regularly appears before the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Office of Administrative Law and in appeals before the New Jersey Superior Court. John also represents public utilities and renewable project owners and operators before the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. In addition, John negotiates environmental agreements and provides strategic policy advice on major state and federal legislative and regulatory initiatives. John previously served as Associate Deputy General Counsel in the Office of General Counsel at the USEPA, and Counselor to the Administrator under former Administrator Christine Todd Whitman. John also served as Senior Assistant Counsel for Governor Christine Todd Whitman, and Chief of Staff to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. John was appointed as a member of the New Jersey Clean Air Council by Governor Chris Christie in 2015 and served as the Chair from 2018-2021.

Michael Van Brunt is currently VP Environmental and Sustainability at Reworld, where he is responsible for corporate sustainability strategy and reporting and environmental compliance, permitting, and monitoring. He leads Reworld’s lifecycle analysis team and is a licensed professional engineer with over twenty years of experience in industry and consulting. He is current the board chair of the Circular Economy Coalition.  He earned a B.S. and Masters in Agricultural and Biological Engineering from Cornell University.

Jessica Weinkle is an Associate Professor in the Department of Public and International Affairs at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.  She is also a senior fellow at the Breakthrough Institute.  Her research interests are broadly in the area of science, policy and politics with current projects examining issues of climate science and researcher conflicts of interest, and state level science advice. She provided testimony to the United States Senate and maintains the Substack newsletter, Conflicted. Jessica holds a doctorate in Environmental Studies from the University of Colorado Boulder.   

Neil Yoskin is Of Counsel in the firm’s Environmental department. His practice includes all aspects of Environmental, Land Use, Natural Resource, and Redevelopment Law. He provides advice and representation to a wide range of clients including businesses, industry organizations, municipal governments, banks, financial services companies, and private property owners. He has litigated matters related to wetlands, waterfront development, public access, port facility sighting, endangered species, solid waste licensing, and groundwater pollution in state and federal courts. Neil also regularly represents clients before the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and local agencies throughout New Jersey.

Ted Zangari is a Member of Sills Cummis & Gross, a commercial law firm with offices in New Jersey. Mr. Zangari’s law practice is multipronged. He chairs the Firm’s Real Estate Department as well as its Redevelopment Law, Outside General Counsel, and Public Policy/Governmental Affairs Practice Groups. As chair of the Firm’s cross-disciplinary Redevelopment Law Practice Group, he captains a team of the Firm’s attorneys on brownfield, transit-oriented, central business district and waterfront redevelopment projects as well as adaptive reuse projects at obsolete or vacant corporate campuses and shopping centers. As leader of the Firm’s multi-disciplinary Outside General Counsel Practice Group, Mr. Zangari coordinates attorneys from across the Firm who work in teams on behalf of middle market, privately held companies in lieu or in close support of in-house counsel. His law practice focuses primarily on complex business transactions with an emphasis on commercial leasing, acquisition, disposition and financing transactions for owners, asset managers and tenants of industrial, office, retail and multi-family properties across the country.

In addition, as chair of the Firm’s Public Policy/Governmental Affairs Practice Group, Mr. Zangari, a registered state governmental affairs agent, assists developers, hospitals, banks, casinos, public utilities and other regulated industry clients in the ways that government and business intersect on a broad range of legislative and regulatory matters. In a ranking of “politically influential law firms” by politickernj.com, the Firm was ranked number one among Am Law 200 law firms in New Jersey, and Mr. Zangari was described as someone who is “well liked by insiders on both sides of the aisle.”

Mr. Zangari serves on the Sills Cummis & Gross Management Committee. Among his many other academic, civic, charitable and professional activities, he serves as an Officer and Trustee of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce (Secretary); is a founding member of the Rutgers University Center for Real Estate, where he serves on the Center’s Executive Committee; is a member of the Board of Trustees of George Washington University’s Center for Real Estate and Urban Analysis; has served as an Officer of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and currently serves on its Legal Advisory Council; and serves as General Counsel of the MXD (Mixed-Use) Section of the New Jersey Builders Association.

Senator Andrew Zwicker is a physicist and a member of the New Jersey Senate representing Central NJ’s 16th Legislative District. He serves on the Budget and Appropriations, Higher Education, Labor, and Military and Veterans’ Affairs committees. Additionally, he is a member of the Manufacturing Caucus, the Disability Caucus, the NJ Commission on Science, Innovation, and Technology, and was Vice-Chair of the NJ Biotechnology Task Force. He served in the NJ General Assembly from 2016 – 2021 where he was the Chair of the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee. His legislative focus includes the role of R&D as an economic driver, addressing global warming, and voting rights, among others.

A lifelong New Jersey resident, Andrew is head of Communications and Public Outreach at Princeton University’s Plasma Physics Laboratory, a world leader in developing an advanced form of energy known as fusion.

He has taught classes in bioethics and writing, and led plasma physics workshops for faculty and students. The American Association of Physics Teachers named him as one of the 75 leading contributors to physics education in the US.

Andrew was raised in Englewood, NJ where his love of learning and passion for science came from his mother, a public school English teacher, and father, a chemical engineer. Andrew earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from Bard College and a master’s and Ph.D. in physics from Johns Hopkins University.

Andrew and his wife Barbara, an elementary school educator, raised three children and one pitbull-boxer mix named Rocky.

Please visit https://andrewzwicker.com, for more information.