Graham Richard is CEO of Advanced Energy Economy (AEE), a fast growing national association of businesses working toward a prosperous future based on secure, clean, affordable energy, and CEO of the Advanced Energy Economy Institute, AEE's charitable and educational affiliate. He leads AEE's federal and state policy work, business convenings, and membership development. He also directs the work of AEE's coalition of state and regional partners active on energy policy across the country. Richard has spoken at the U.S. Department of Energy's Better Buildings Conference, Future Energy Conference (Seattle), the Bloomberg New Energy Finance Summit, and the Aspen Institute, among other venues.

Richard served as mayor of Fort Wayne, Indiana, from 2000 to 2008, following a 20-year career in business. As mayor he launched a number of initiatives to save energy and create jobs, and received national awards for leadership in high-speed broadband deployment. As a businessman, Richard was an investor in cogeneration and hydropower businesses. He also served in the Indiana State Senate, where he chaired the utilities committee.

A former Brookings Institution Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Graham received an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Indiana University and earned a B.A. from Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.

Laura Bartsch is responsible for AEE’s member engagement and corporate development efforts, helping to grow our membership base and to facilitate a deeper understanding of our members’ business and policy goals in order to maximize their participation in AEE activities. Before joining AEE, she was a co-founding Principal of Millville Partners, Inc., a strategic marketing firm. Laura has over 20 years’ experience in design, marketing and branding, strategic planning and facilitation, project management and client relations. She has focused her professional activities on advanced energy since 2007. Laura has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire, and also as an appointed member of the Zoning Board of Appeals in Portland, Maine.

She has a degree in Fine Arts and Architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design, and a Global Management MBA with Distinction from Thunderbird School of Global Management, where she received both the President’s Circle Award and the William Lytle Schurz Award for business, diplomacy, academics, and leadership.

Steve Chadima leads AEE's efforts to promote the advanced energy industry in the West, and provides strategic direction for AEE's communications, marketing, and online activities nationally.

A serial entrepreneur with nearly 30 years experience in advanced energy and technology, Chadima began his career as a manager of a Portland, Oregon-based non-profit corporation, providing services and financial incentives for energy conservation, solar and alternative energy to residents, schools and businesses. Since that time, he has been involved with a wide variety of technology start-ups through his work at tech incubator Idealab and several of its companies including, most recently, UberMedia. Prior to UberMedia, Chadima served as vice president of external affairs for Suntech Power Holdings, where he led public policy, investor relations and corporate communications in the United States. In addition, Chadima served two terms as chairman of the board of directors of the Solar Alliance, an association of the leading PV manufacturers, integrators and financiers working with states to adopt cost-effective solar policies and programs. He was also on the board of the Large-scale Solar Association (LSA), which focuses on federal and state policies that affect utility-scale solar installations. Earlier in his career, he worked for the Regis McKenna marketing agency and the Congressional Budget Office. Chadima earned his BA from UC Irvine and MBA from Stanford University.

Corrie Conklin has extensive experience in finance and accounting in both for-profit and non-profit organizations. She has either worked as an employee or consultant for organizations such as the Sierra Club, Stupski Foundation, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and the Hewlett Foundation. She has an MBA in Finance from UW-Madison and a Bachelor’s of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Minnesota and is a Certified Management Accountant.

She lives in San Francisco, and in her spare time enjoys traveling, hiking, and salsa dancing.

Eric Fitz is the Vice President of Engineering and Product Development at AEE leading the development of PowerSuite, AEE’s software platform that allows users to identify and manage energy policy risks and opportunities as well as overseeing AEE’s web and print design work. He was previously a co-founder of several mobile software technology start-ups, a management consultant at Navigant and mechanical design engineer at General Electric’s Energy and Infrastructure business unit. Eric’s management consulting experience focused on renewable energy, smart grid and energy efficiency technology and market assessment, business planning, public policy and technology due diligence. While at GE, he worked on gas turbine compressor aerodynamics, wind turbine blade computational fluid dynamics and geothermal power plant electro-mechanical control systems.

He holds a MS in Mechanical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, a BE in Engineering Sciences from the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College, a BA in Physics from Colby College, a provisional patent on “Decision System, Technique and Method of Operation” for a novel algorithm that optimizes decision making based on user profile, social graph and environmental factors such as current location, winner of the 2011 Intuit Collaboratory Challenge, “Mobile Payments with QR Codes,” a former member of GE’s Edison Engineering Development (EEDP) leadership program, and is Six Sigma Greenbelt Certified by the American Society for Quality. Eric is also a member of Dartmouth Thayer School of Engineering Dean’s Council and a co-founder and active member of his local town energy committee.

Lisa Frantzis is a Senior VP at Advanced Energy Economy (AEE), a national business association whose mission is to transform policy to ensure a more secure, clean, and affordable energy system throughout the U.S. At AEE, she leads an initiative to accelerate the transition to a 21st Century Electricity System. The two primary activities of the initiative are 1. CEO Forums/Public Utility Commission (PUC) Forums that convene utility executives, PUC Commissioners, and advanced energy companies to develop a vision for reform that is responsive to the needs of each state and drives towards concrete action, and 2. participation in key regulatory proceedings where AEE Institute develops joint positions with its members, provides analysis for justification of these positions, and assists in implementation plans.

Lisa served as a Managing Director in Navigant Consulting's Energy Practice since 2002, responsible for leading the renewable and distributed energy business. Prior to Navigant, she consulted at Arthur D. Little for 23 years in energy efficiency and clean energy. Over her 35 years of consulting experience, she has identified energy program options for international government agencies; determined renewable energy integration options for utility companies; developed business strategies for clean energy manufacturers; and conducted due diligence for financial firms considering clean energy investments.

Lisa is currently on the Board of Directors of the New England Clean Energy Council (NECEC) and previously on the Boards of three other organizations: the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), the Solar Energy Business Association of New England (SEBANE), and the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA). She is also on the Executive Leadership Council of SEPA's 51st State Initiative.

Arvin Ganesan is AEE's Vice President for Federal Policy. He brings over fifteen years of experience in Washington, D.C. as a high ranking federal official, a senior adviser to a U.S. Senator and an investment analyst. At AEE, Arvin develops policies and advocates for them to Congress and the executive branch departments, agencies and commissions policies that drive innovation and the deployment of advanced energy technologies.

Prior to joining AEE, he served in the Obama Administration at the Environmental Protection Agency, in several posts. Most recently in government, he served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy to EPA Administration Gina McCarthy, where he worked on numerous EPA regulations, ranging from the Clean Power Plan to the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act. While serving in the Obama Administration, Arvin was also appointed as Associate Administrator for Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations, where he worked with Congress, Mayors, and Governors on environmental issues.

Before these appointments, Arvin served as the senior policy adviser on energy and environmental issues to the late Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ).

Arvin did his undergraduate work in Economics at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and obtained his Master of Public Administration degree from George Washington University.

Liz Gilchrist is responsible for managing operations for AEE. Liz most recently served as Deputy Executive Director of the Clean Economy Network (CEN). As a full-time fundraiser based in Washington, DC, for more than 17 years, she raised millions of dollars in major and planned gifts for major national nonprofit organizations. Previously, Liz worked for more than 13 years as a poverty and civil rights lawyer in Mississippi, primarily as a federal litigator.

Liz serves as a member of the national Boards of Directors of Greenpeace Fund and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Liz is also a member of the ACLU of Virginia Board of Directors and the State Council of Virginia NOW. She received her J.D. degree from Emory University and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of North Carolina with degrees in Sociology and Political Science.

Ryan Katofsky is Vice President of Industry Analysis at AEE, where he is responsible for supporting AEE’s various initiatives with data-driven analysis, research and thought leadership. He also oversees AEE's regulatory work and is playing a leading role in AEE’s 21st Century Electricity System Initiative, which is focused on accelerating regulatory and business model change in the electric power sector. Prior to joining AEE in May 2013, he spent 20 years consulting to the advanced energy industry, utilities, and the public sector, including nine years at Arthur D. Little, six years at Navigant Consulting, and five years as an independent consultant. His work has included market and technology assessment, economic analysis, business strategy development, due diligence, lifecycle energy and environmental assessment, long-range energy planning, and analysis of public sector renewable energy programs. He has worked for domestic and international clients.

Ryan received his Bachelor of Engineering degree from McGill University in 1990, where he received the British Association Medal for Great Distinction. He received his Master of Science in Engineering degree from Princeton University in 1993, where he was a Guggenheim Fellow. His thesis was a detailed techno-economic analysis of methanol and hydrogen production via biomass gasification.

Robert Keough is responsible for internal and external communications and media relations.

A communications professional with nearly 30 years' experience in journalism, government, and public issues, Bob served as Assistant Secretary for Communications and Public Affairs in the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) under Governor Deval Patrick and Secretary Ian Bowles. At EEA, he was responsible for reports and publications, policy announcements, media outreach, crisis response, and social media for six state agencies and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, a quasi-public entity that provides support for advanced energy companies. Coverage of Massachusetts's nation-leading energy reforms appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, Time magazine, Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Associated Press, National Public Radio, New England Cable News, and numerous local network affiliate television stations.

Before entering state service in 2007, Bob was editor of Commonwealth, a quarterly magazine of politics, ideas, and civic life in Massachusetts published by the nonprofit Massachusetts Institute for a New Commonwealth. His articles have appeared in the Boston Sunday Globe Magazine and Ideas section, New Republic Online, Governing Magazine, Education Week, Teacher magazine, Boston Phoenix, Downbeat Magazine, and other publications. He holds an A.B. degree from Brown University.

Heather O'Neill is responsible for deepening and broadening AEE's relationships with funders, foundations, and building partnerships with allied organizations that advance industry growth. Heather oversees both funding partnerships with foundations and mission-aligned individuals as well as organizational partnerships, including AEE’s work with its state partner coalition and AEE engagement in states where AEE does not have a partner organization. In total, AEE is currently engaged, either directly or with its state partners, in over 25 states, including Florida.

Before joining AEE, Heather was a program officer at the Robertson Foundation, leading the foundation's energy and environment efforts. Previously, she was Director, Public Affairs for Danco Laboratories, LLC, a start-up women's health pharmaceutical company.

Heather graduated from Harvard College with a B.A. in Government and returned to Harvard's Kennedy School of Government to receive a Master in Public Policy.

Matt Stanberry leads AEE's analytics team and oversees the organization’s engagement at the federal and state levels regarding EPA’s regulation of carbon from the power sector. Matt is an energy expert covering the industry as well as its environmental and public health impacts. Before joining AEE in 2011, Matt was a management consultant within Navigant’s Energy Practice, focused on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and emerging technology markets, business strategy and implementation. Prior to Navigant, Matt was a consultant for ICF International addressing energy, climate, and other environmental and public health issues.

He holds a Bachelors degree from Duke University and a Masters in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.

J.R. oversees AEE’s policy development and campaigns at the state-level and coordinates policy with 14 of AEE’s state partner groups. J.R. has worked on energy policy for more than a decade for a variety of non-profit organizations. Prior to joining AEE, J.R. served as the Executive Director of the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators, a nonpartisan organization of state legislators who are committed to finding solutions to climate and energy issues.

J.R. graduated from Auburn University with a BA in Political Science in 2001, and is a 2008 graduate of Green Corps – the field school for environmental organizing. He lives in Richmond, Virginia with his wife Mary and son Sullivan. If you want to find Sully and J.R. on the weekends look at the golf course or anywhere showing Auburn football.

Malcolm leads AEE’s public policy efforts to promote the advanced energy industry, including federal, state legislative, and state regulatory initiatives, outside of California. These efforts include campaigns to expand corporate access to advanced energy, remove regulatory barriers in retail and wholesale markets, and inform policy makers about innovative, new technologies transforming the energy system.

Before joining AEE, Malcolm served as a Cabinet-level official with Governor Martin O'Malley. As head of the Maryland Energy Administration, he helped design, enact and implement an ambitious package of state laws to promote affordable, reliable, and clean energy. One of the programs launched to achieve the new standards was recognized by Harvard University’s John F Kennedy School as one of the “top 25 innovations in American government.”

An energy expert with experience at the national level and in the private sector, Woolf was chair of the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO), has testified before Congress on numerous occasions, and has been appointed to serve on several US DOE and EPA Advisory Committees.

Woolf previously served as the director of the National Governors Association's Natural Resources Committee and counsel to the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. He also was a senior attorney with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and an associate with the law firms of Winston & Strawn and Piper & Marbury.

Malcolm received his B.A. magna cum laude from Tufts University, with a year at Pembroke College, Oxford University. He earned his law degree, as well as a Masters of Public Administration and Public Policy, from the University of Virginia.