The Board of Directors for the National Energy Foundation provides professional oversight and consultation to the Foundation. This distinguished group of individuals are influential in maintaining NEF as a leader in energy literacy while helping shape an effective strategy for the future. The following list of individuals are experts in their respective fields and allow NEF to draw from a wide range of influences throughout the energy industry. The diverse educational and professional backgrounds help NEF ensure an unbiased and well-informed strategy to cultivate and promote energy literacy.
Mary D. Miller
Chief Administrative Officer, the Edison Electric Institute (EEI)
Chairman of the Board, National Energy Foundation
Role:
- Also serves as the President of the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD)
- Vice President of Human Resources, American Gas Association (AGA)
- Special Assistant to the CEO, American Gas Association (AGA)
- Held several positions with the Georgetown Employment Service
- Experience working with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
- MBA, George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
- B.A., Rosemont College in Pennsylvania
Elissa Richards
President, National Energy Foundation (NEF)
Roles:
- Oversees development in the Safety, Government, Natural Resource and Corporate sectors
- Directs the business partnership between Johnson Controls and NEF, managing the Academy of Energy Education and also the Igniting Creative Energy Challenge
- Adult Education Specialist
- Leads development and implementation of NEF’s adult energy efficiency education programs
- Classroom teacher, district teacher leader, school administrator
- LEED Green Associate Certification
- Adjunct Professor, Utah State University
- B.S. degree in Elementary Education, University of Utah
- Masters degree in Educational Leadership and Policy, University of Utah
Barry Worthington
Executive Director, United States Energy Association (USEA)
Role:
- Directs domestic and international activities. He has served in this capacity since September 1988. Mr. Worthington has written extensively on energy and environmental matters, and addresses many conferences on national and international energy issues.
- Vice President of the Thomas Alva Edison Foundation
- Served in several capacities with Houston Lighting & Power Company, now Center Point
- B.S. degree in Man & Environmental Relations from Pennsylvania State University
- M.S. degree in Studies of the Future Program from the University of Houston
Gary Swan
Board Secretary, National Energy Foundation (NEF)
Roles:
- Leads NEF development of energy education partnerships in the electric and natural gas utility sectors
- Helps guide NEF pilot program design and development
- Oversees NEF’s in-house evaluation, measurement and verification (EM&V) activities for DSM programs and serves as NEF’s key liaison to third party EM&V contractors evaluating NEF programs in the field
- Serves as Secretary to NEF’s Board of Directors
- Serves as Chairman of Public Outreach Committee, Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission
- B.A. degree in Chinese and Asian Studies, Brigham Young University
- MBA, Marketing Emphasis, Brigham Young University
Wayne Bonner
Board Treasurer, National Energy Foundation (NEF)
Roles:
- Manages NEF’s accounts receivable and accounts payable
- Reviews and implements NEF’s financial processes to meet organizational goals and objectives
- Oversees NEF’s external audits and coordinates accounting staff with third party auditors
- Responsible for internal organization and office procedures
- B.S. degree in Accounting, University of Utah
- MBA, University of Phoenix
Lori Staffin Traweek
Chief Operating Officer, American Gas Association (AGA)
Roles:
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- Lori Staffin Traweek is in her 25th year at AGA
- Supports members’ efforts to improve safety, reliability and cost-effectiveness
- Serves on the GTI Board and the Research Partnership for Securing Energy in America Board
- Offshore and onshore engineer for Arco Oil and Gas Co. in Texas and Louisiana
- Involved in AGA’s pipeline safety and environmental advocacy
- Served on the executive steering team of the Department of Transportation’s distribution integrity management program
- Participated in the launch of the Common Ground Alliance
- B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University
- B.S. degree in Communications from Ithaca College
- American Public Gas Association Personal Service Award
- 2004 Rader Energy’s Key Women in Energy-Americas Leadership honoree
- Purdue University’s 2005 Outstanding Mechanical Engineering Achievement Award
- 2006 National Association of State Fire Marshals from Norman Y Mineta Excellence in Transportation Safety Award
Facebook: True Blue Natural Gas-American Gas Association
Maria G. Korsnick
President and CEO, Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI)
Roles:
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- NEI is the policy organization for the U.S. nuclear industry and represents the industry in addressing generic technical regulatory issues before the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; as well as policy and legislative activities with the Congress and the Executive Branch.
- Vice President of Northeast Operations, Exelon
- Chief Nuclear Officer (CNO) and acting Chief Executive Officer, Constellation Energy Nuclear Group
- B.S degree in Nuclear Science from the University of Maryland
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Rich Kolodziej
Principal, Zenergy Advisors
Role:
- Provides business strategy, government/media advocacy and market outreach to support alternative fuel companies
- President of NGVAmerica
- Chairman of NGV Global
- Group Vice President of the American Gas Association
Don Santa
President and CEO, Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA)
Role:
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- Represents the interstate and interprovincial natural gas pipeline industry
- Served as majority counsel to the US Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
- Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
- Duke University Trinity College of Arts and Sciences
- Columbia University School of Law
Facebook: Interstate Natural Gas Association of America
Hal Quinn
President and CEO, National Mining Association (NMA)
Roles:
- Directs the association’s public policy efforts before Congress, regulatory agencies and the White House
- Sets the association’s strategic agenda for media relations, grassroots communications and political involvement
- Head of the association’s legal and regulatory affairs department since the group was formed in 1995
- Denison University
- The law school at Wake Forest University
Lisa Wood
Executive Director, Institute for Electric Innovation (IEI)
Roles:
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- Collaborates with a management committee of over 20 electric utility chief executive officers
- Provides thought leadership on current issues on current issues and innovation In the power sector
- Two decades of consulting experience with electric utilities on a range of retail issues
- M.A. from the University of Pennsylvania
- Ph.D. in Public Policy and Management from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
Facebook: The Edison Foundation Institute for Electric Innovation
Bert Kalisch
President & CEO, American Public Gas Association (APGA)
Roles:
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- Keeps APGA resources focused on its advocacy efforts in Congress and at the federal regulatory agencies, growing membership and enhancing communications and information exchange between and among members and policymakers.
- Prior to joining APGA in 1999, Bert worked on numerous energy policy issues including market transparency, gas supply, pipeline safety, energy efficiency, and other matters relating to the natural gas industry.
- Law degree from George Mason University
- Master of Science in Business Administration from Boston University
- Baccalaureate degrees in General Science and Environmental Studies from Coe College
- He also holds both the Certified Association Executive (CAE) and Institute for Organization Management (IOM) designations.
Facebook: American Public Gas Association
Ursula Schryver
Vice President, Education & Customer Programs, American Public Power Association
Role:
- Oversees the American Public Power Association’s Academy — with a full suite of conferences, webinars, and customized education programs. She leads the Association’s programs for members in workforce issues and customer service development.
- George Mason University
- MBA from George Washington University
Julia Hamm
President & CEO, Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA)
Role:
Education:
- Julia guides and oversees all of SEPA’s research, education, and collaboration activities for its 1,100 member companies. She has led the organization through significant expansion in recent years, including rebranding from the Solar Electric Power Association to the Smart Electric Power Alliance.
Transformation Advisory Council Member, Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA)
- B.S. degree in Business Management and Marketing from Cornell University