Energy Summit 2015
2015 Summit Speakers
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Keynote Speaker
Mr. Kennedy is an environmental law specialist who has advocated for the protection of waterways, indigenous rights, and renewable energy. Mr. Kennedy helped found and establish the the non-profit environmental group Waterkeeper Alliance and has served as the president of its board. In 1999, he was named one of Time magazine's “Heroes for the Planet” for his success in helping lead the fight to restore the Hudson River. The group's achievement helped spawn more than 130 Waterkeeper organizations across the globe.
Amory B. Lovins
Amory B. Lovins, an American consultant experimental physicist and 1993 MacArthur Fellow, has been active at the nexus of energy, resources, economy, environment, development, and security in more than 50 countries for over 40 years, including 14 years based in England. He is widely considered among the world's leading authorities on energy—especially its efficient use and sustainable supply—and a fertile innovator in integrative design and in superefficient buildings, factories, and vehicles.
After two years at Harvard, Mr. Lovins transferred to Oxford, and two years later became a don at 21, receiving in consequence an Oxford ma by Special Resolution (1971) and, later, 12 honorary doctorates of various U.S. and U.K. universities. He has been Regents' Lecturer at the U. of California both in Energy and Resources and in Economics; Grauer Lecturer at the University of British Columbia; Luce Visiting Professor at Dartmouth; Distinguished Visiting Scholar at the University of Oklahoma; Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of Colorado; Oikos Visiting Professor of Business, University of St. Gallen; an engineering visiting professor at Peking U.; 2007 MAP/Ming Professor at Stanford's School of Engineering; and 2011– Professor of Practice at the Naval Postgraduate School.
During 1979–2002, Mr. Lovins worked as a team with L. Hunter Lovins (his wife 1979–99). They shared a 1982 Mitchell Prize, a 1983 Right Livelihood Award (often called the "alternative Nobel Prize"), the 1999 Lindbergh Award, and Time's 2000 Heroes for the Planet Award. In 1989 he won the Onassis Foundation's first Delphi Prize for their "essential contribution towards finding alternative solutions to energy problems." That contribution included the "end-use / least-cost" redefinition of the energy problem (in Foreign Affairs in 1976)—asking what quantity, quality, scale, and source of energy will do each task in the cheapest way. This economically based approach first permitted successful foresight in the competitive energy-service marketplace. In 1993 he received the Nissan Prize for inventing superefficient ultralight-hybrid cars (www.hypercar.com), and in 1999, partly for that work, the World Technology Award (Environment). He also received the Heinz Award, the Happold Medal of the [UK] Construction Industry Council, the Benjamin Franklin Medal of the [UK] Royal Society of Arts (Life Fellow), and in 2007, the Blue Planet Prize, Volvo Prize, honorary membership of the American Institute of Architects, Foreign Membership of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences, Time International's Hero of the Environment award, Popular Mechanics' Breakthrough Leadership award, and honorary Senior Fellowship of the Design Futures Council. In 2008 he was named one of America's 24 Best Leaders by U.S. News & World Report and Harvard's Kennedy School, and received the first Aspen Institute / National Geographic Energy and Environment Award for Individual Thought Leadership. In 2009, he received the National Design Award and an Ashoka Fellowship, while Time named him among the world's 100 most influential people, and Foreign Policy, one of the 100 top global thinkers. In 2011, he was co-Runner-Up for the Zayed Future Energy Prize.
In 1982, the Lovinses cofounded Rocky Mountain Institute (www.rmi.org), an independent, entrepreneurial, nonprofit think-and-do tank. RMI's ~80 staff drive the efficient and restorative use of resources to help make the world thriving, verdant, and secure, for all, for ever. Ms. Lovins left RMI in 2002; Mr. Lovins is now its Chief Scientist and Chairman Emeritus. The Institute's ~$12-million annual revenue comes both from programmatic enterprise, chiefly private-sector consultancy, and from grants and donations. RMI's balance sheet comes largely from Mr. Lovins's having cofounded, led, spun off, and in 1999 sold (to the Financial Times group) E source, the premier source of information on advanced electric efficiency (www.esource.com).
Mr. Lovins has briefed 23 heads of state, given expert testimony in eight countries and 20+ states, delivered thousands of lectures, and published 31 books and over 480 papers, as well as poetry, landscape photography, music (he was a pianist and composer), and an electronics patent. In 1980–81 he served on the U.S. Department of Energy's senior advisory board, and in 1999–2001 and 2006–08, on Defense Science Board task forces on military energy strategy. He is a member of the Chief of Naval Operations' Advisory Board and the National Petroleum Cuncil. In 1984 he was elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science "for his book Soft Energy Paths and many other noteworthy contributions to energy policy," in 1988, of the World Academy of Arts and Sciences, and in 2001, of the World Business Academy. Dr. Alvin Weinberg, former Director of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, called him "surely the most articulate writer on energy in the whole world today"; Newsweek, "one of the Western world's most influential energy thinkers." Dr. John Ahearne, then Vice President of Resources for the Future, remarked that "Amory Lovins has done more to assemble and advance understanding of [energy] efficiency opportunities than any other single person." The Wall Street Journal's Centennial Issue named him among 39 people in the world most likely to change the course of business in the 1990s; Car called him the 22nd most powerful person in the global car industry; and The Economist wrote in 2008 that "history has proved him right."
An occasional advisor to the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and World Business Council for Sustainable Development, Mr. Lovins has addressed hundreds of fora sponsored by such groups as The Engineering Foundation, Association of Energy Engineers, ASHRAE, Society of Automotive Engineers, Royal Academy of Engineering, National Academy of Sciences, American Physical Society, International Association for Energy Economics, Montreux Energy Forum, Institution of Electrical Engineers, McKinsey and Company, Accenture, Merrill Lynch, JPMorgan, Allen & Co., News Corporation, Fortune, Forbes, Time, ULI, IDRC, CoreNet, AIA, API, AAPG, AGA, EEI, EPRI, CRIEPI, Hoover and Brookings Institutions, CSIS, Chatham House, Council on Foreign Relations, Pacific Council, Commonwealth Club, Keidanren, Conference Board, World Economic Forum, Tällberg Conference, TED, FiRE, eg, World Bank, GBN, Highlands Forum, NPS, NWC, NDU, DAU, Aspen Design Conference, Royal Society, and Royal Society of Arts. He collaborates on landscape photography and orangutan conservation with his wife, fine-art landscape photographer Judy Hill Lovins (www.judyhill.com).
David W. Orr
David W. Orr is the Paul Sears Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies and Politics and Senior Adviser to the President, Oberlin College. He is the author of seven books, including Down to the Wire: Confronting Climate Collapse (Oxford, 2009) and co-editor of three others. He has authored nearly 200 articles, reviews, book chapters, and professional publications. In the past twenty-five years he has served as a board member or adviser to eight foundations and on the Boards of many organizations including the Rocky Mountain Institute and the Aldo Leopold Foundation. Currently he is a Trustee of the Bioneers, Alliance for Sustainable Colorado, and the Worldwatch Institute. He has been awarded seven honorary degrees and a dozen other awards including a Lyndhurst Prize, a National Achievement Award from the National Wildlife Federation, and recently a "Visionary Leadership Award" from Second Nature. He has lectured at hundreds of colleges and universities throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia. He headed the effort to design, fund, and build the Adam Joseph Lewis Center, which was named by an AIA panel in 2010 as "the most important green building of the past thirty years," and as "one of thirty milestone buildings of the twentieth century" by the U.S. Department of Energy. He is the executive director of the Oberlin project and a founding editor of the journal Solutions.
2015 Attendees
| Last Name | First Name | Affiliation | Title |
| Abdelrazek | Sherif | UNC Charlotte | Research Assistant |
| Ackerman | Rachel | UNC Greensboro | Student |
| Acquesta | Carole | Appalachian State University | Director of Planning, Design & Construction |
| Adcock | Emily | NC School of Science and Mathematics | Ms. |
| Adriatico | Jaclyn | NC State University | Student |
| Agyekum | Afia Fosua | NC A&T State University | Student |
| Alexander | Ruth | NC School of Science and Mathematics | Sustainability Project Leader at NCSSM |
| Amosah | Juleo | NC School of Science and Mathematics | Mr. |
| Anderson | Nathan | Appalachian State University | Student |
| Arias | Carolina | UNC Asheville | Student Environmental Center Co-director |
| Arnold | Alex | Appalachian State University | Graduate Student |
| Avin | Griffin | East Carolina University | Chief Sustainability Officer |
| Bacchus | Dunamis | NC A&T State University | Student |
| Bagnell | William | East Carolina University | Associate Vice Chancellor |
| Baldwin | George | Piedmont Natural Gas | Managing Director-Government Relations & Sustainability |
| Baldwin | Thomas | UNC Asheville | Energy Manager |
| Ball | Lee | Appalachian State University | Faculty |
| Ballard | Nancy | East Carolina University | Spouse |
| Ballard | Steve | East Carolina University | Chancellor |
| Baptiste | Jason | Appalachian State University | Candidate for MS in Engineering Physics |
| Barner | Phillip | UNC Chapel Hill | Director of Energy Services |
| Barnett | Anthony | East Carolina University | Graduate |
| Bauknecht | Frederick | Western Carolina University | Director of Parking and Transportation |
| Beck | Nicole | East Carolina University | Graduate Student |
| Becker | Craig | East Carolina University | Associate Professor |
| Beckles | Franklin | Appalachian State University | Lecturer |
| Bennett | Jerry | UNC Pembroke | Admin. Support Assoc/Motor Pool |
| Berkowitz | Alexander | UNC Wilmington | Treasurer, ECO |
| Berry | Adam | Western Carolina University | Intern, Office of Sustainability and Energy Management |
| Bianculli | Robert | Western Carolina University | Student |
| Bilichka | Susanna | Enterprise Holdings | Area Sales Manager |
| Birner | Amy | Appalachian State University | Student |
| Bishop | Gary | East Tennessee State University | Director of Facilities |
| Bishop | Lauren | Western Carolina University | Chief Sustainability Officer |
| Bitzer | Dr Michael | Catawba College | Provost & Professor |
| Blackburn | Rachel | UNC Greensboro | Student |
| Blakely | Daniel | Appalachian State University | Solar Vehicle Team Project Manager |
| Blauser | Harlan | UNC Pembroke | Sustainability Director |
| Blauser | Jay | UNC Pembroke | N/A |
| Bowen | Elizabeth | NC State University | Sustainability Program Coordinator |
| Bowen | Lauren | Southern Environmental Law Center | Attorney |
| Bradshaw | Scott | Elizabeth City State University | Sustainability Director |
| Brentley | Nesha | UNC Charlotte | ECU Transit Driver,UNCC 49er Transit |
| Brentrup | Dale | UNC Charlotte | Professor of Architecture, Research Director |
| Brooks | Joshua | Appalachian State University | Chair, ASU Renewable Energy Initiative |
| Broussard | Chelli | Winston-Salem State University | Advisor |
| Brown | Melissa | Salisbury Academy | Teacher |
| Brown | Paul | Hillphoenix | Regional Sales |
| Brutz | Heather | NC State University | Clean Transportation Specialist, NC Clean Energy Technology |
| Burgess | Brandon | Winston-Salem State University | Student |
| Burgoyne | Eric | DPR Construction | Project Engineer |
| Burris | Jeremy | Pfeiffer University | Student |
| Callahan | Keith | Wake Forest Unviersity | Director, Planning and Construction |
| Campbell | Grace | UNC Asheville | Faculty |
| Can | Elif | Clemson University | PhD Candidate |
| Carley | Danesha | NC State University | Assistant Professor |
| Carmichael | Naesheia | NC State University | Student |
| Carwein | Chad | UNC Greensboro | Sustainability Education and Outreach Specialist |
| Casadonte | John | Cree | Vertical Marketing Manager | Lighting |
| Cato | Douglas | UNC Greensboro | Campus Mechanical Engineer |
| Chamberlin | Jonathan | Rowan-Cabarrus Community College | Chief Officer, Facilities Services |
| Chamberlin | Zach | UNC Charlotte | Student |
| Chananie | Helen | NC State University | Clean Energy Technology Center Intern |
| Chatfield | William | East Carolina University | Project Manager |
| Cheng | Victoria | Duke University | Student |
| Cherry | Diane | NC State University | Environments Policy Manager, Institute for Emerging Issues |
| Chin | Robert | East Carolina University | Professor |
| Christian | John | Davidson College | Physical Plant Administratio |
| Christie | Joe | Pepco Energy Services | Senior Manager |
| Corvin | Blake | UNC Greensboro | Presenter |
| Covi | Michelle | Old Dominion University | Professor of Practice |
| Covington | Debra | Appalachian State University | Director of Marketing and Engagement |
| Cox | Jeff | Wilkes Community College | President |
| Croisant | Daniel | UNC Asheville | Facilities Mechanical Engineer |
| Cross | Stan | Warren Wilson College | Environmental Leadership Center Director |
| Crowe | Ken | University System of Georgia | Director of Mgt and Operations |
| Crudup | Daniel | Southern New Hampshire University | Student |
| Daniel | Jessica | Catawba College | Student |
| Davidson | Wood | East Carolina University | Director, ECU Transit |
| Deaver | Billy | North Carolina Central University | Director of Utilities Services and Operations |
| DeLongpre Johnston | Dedee | Wake Forest University | Chief Sustainability Officer |
| Devan | Rhonda | A-B Tech Community College | CFO/VP Business & Finance |
| DeWald | Laura | Western Carolina University | Professor and Director, Environmental Science Program |
| Diop | Dijibril | Fayetteville State University | Energy Analyst and Sustainability Coordinator |
| Divine | Terry | UNC Pembroke | Dir. of Energy Management |
| Dixon | Colby | Georgia College and State University | Zone 1 Supervisor |
| Dixon | Tracy | NC State University | Sustainability Director |
| Dollyhite | Ronald | Wilkes Community College | Executive Director of Facilities |
| Donohue | Malachy | UNC Chapel Hill | EHS Environmental Affairs Manager |
| Donzila | Walt | Celtic Energy, Inc. | Director of Business Development |
| Drapcho | Caye | Clemson University | Assoc Professor, Biosystems Engineering |
| Drotor | Helen | UNC Chapel Hill | Student |
| Duffy | Liam | UNC Greensboro | Assistant Professor |
| Duncan | Justin | UNC Pembroke | Sustainability Coordinator |
| Dunlap | Chris | Western Carolina University | Student |
| Durham | Dan | UNC Greensboro | Director of Facilities Operations |
| Dyson | Mark | Rocky Mountain Institute | Senior Associate |
| Edge | Chase | Appalachian State University | Graduate Assistant |
| Edwards | Randy | Appalachian State University | Chief of Staff |
| Elahi | Mehran | Elizabeth City State University | Associate Professor |
| Elrod | Todd | East Tennessee State University | Maintenance Manager |
| Eluka | Nneze | NC A&T State University | Intern / Energy Services and Sustainability |
| Erb | Dave | UNC Asheville | Lecturer |
| Evans | Zachary | East Carolina University | Student |
| Everhart | Chad | Appalachian State University | Chairperson of Sustainable Tech. & the Built Environment |
| Everts | Sheri | Appalachian State University | Chancellor |
| Facente | Christopher | UNC Charlotte | Automotive and Motorfleet Supervisor |
| Fagan | Joe | Appalachian State University | Student |
| Faircloth | Brenton | Appalachian State University | Graduate Studnet & Research Assistant |
| Farlessyost | Anna | NC School of Science and Mathematics | N/A |
| Farris | Chandler | UNC Chapel Hill | Undergrad |
| Ferrell | Jeremy | Appalachian State University | Assistant Professor |
| Fields | John | East Carolina University | Director Facilities Engineering & Architectural Services |
| Foreman | Hank | Appalachian State University | Sr. Associate VC for Advancement/Chief Communications Office |
| Fort | Richard | Clark Nexsen | Vice President |
| Foster | Megan | UNC Wilmington | Student |
| Fowler | Drake | The North Carolina Arboretum | CFO / COO |
| Francis | Morgan | Wilkes Community College | Senior VP - Administration |
| Franco | Pedro | Appalachian State University | Graduate Student |
| Fugate | Forest | Catawba College | Ms. |
| Fulmore | Brenda | Winston-Salem State University | Director of Supplier Diversity |
| Fusco | Andrew | NRLP/ElectriCities | VP, Corporate Planning |
| Gardner | Gary | Worldwatch Institute | Director of Publications |
| Garner | Elisabeth | UNC Wilmington | Library Specialist |
| Garo | Laurie | UNC Charlotte | Lecturer |
| Garvey | Daniel | HOUZE® | Dir. Corporate Social Responsibility |
| Gentry | Beth | A-B Tech Community College | Business Manager, Facilities and Operations |
| Gill | John | East Carolina University | Asst Dir Facilities Services - Landscape Architect |
| Gold | Kimberly | Isothermal Community College | Vice President, Chief Academic Officer |
| Goswick | David | HOUZE® | CEO |
| Graham | Mariiyn | Brunswick Community College | Sustainability Coordinator |
| Gray | Lyons | N.C. Dept. of Revenue | Secretary of Commerce |
| Griffin | Joshua | East Carolina University | Student |
| Grissom | Parker | UNC Wilmington | Student |
| Groark | Ed | Worldwatch Institute | Chairman, Acting President |
| Grubbs | Taylor | UNC Greensboro | Student |
| Guyer | Regina | UNC Charlotte | EPIC Assistant Director - EEAO |
| Haasach | Jill | Elizabeth City State University | Associate Professor |
| Hall | Caitlin | UNC Wilmington | ECO President |
| Halpin | Chris | Celtic Energy, Inc. | President |
| Hancock | Emma | UNC Wilmington | Student |
| Hardin | Beth | UNC Charlotte | Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs |
| Harjani | Nikita | Georgia College & State University | President of Environmental Science Club |
| Harkleroad | Eddie | East Tennessee State University | Director of Design, Renovation and Construction |
| Harrington | Adrienne | UNC Wilmington | Transportation Coordinator |
| Harts | Stan | UNC Wilmington | Director of Environmental Health and Safety |
| Hayes | Jamie | NC A&T State University | Student |
| Hayes | Sean | Oberlin College | Executive Director, The Oberlin Project |
| Haynes | Tyquan | Winston-Salem State University | Junior Class President |
| Heath | Shawn | Duke Energy | Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer |
| Hewlett | Les | East Carolina University | Energy Manager |
| Hightower | Jeff | NC State University | Director of Utility Planning |
| Hillen | Ashleigh | UNC Asheville | Sustainability Research Assistant, Divestment Coalition |
| Hodges | Greg | Western Carolina University | Director of Academic Resources and Business Operations |
| Hoepfi | Marie | Appalachian State Univeristy | Professor |
| Hoey | Len | DEACS/USI | Engineering Manager |
| Holder | Bob | N/A | Small Business Owner |
| Hooper | Sarah | Appalachian State Univeristy | Intern, Office of Sustainability |
| Hoover | Kacey | NC Sustainable Energy Association | Strategic Relations Manager |
| Houser | James | Appalachian State Univeristy | Assistant Professor |
| Howard | Rob | Appalachian State Univeristy | Adjuct Instructor |
| Howell | Mark | UNC Asheville | Building Automation Systems Administrator |
| Hunt | Madeline | NC School of Science and Mathematics | Student |
| Hutcheson | Renee | DEACS/USI | Energy Architect |
| Ibeziako | Maryann | University of Maryland College Park | Director- Energy and Engineering |
| Ives | A. Bradley | UNC Chapel Hill | Associate Vice Chancellor for Campus Enterprises |
| Jacobs | George | UNC Chapel Hill | Energy Engineer |
| Jacobsen | Preston | University of Tennessee | Sustainability Manager |
| Jeannie | Smith | UNC Chapel Hill | Building Systems Engineer |
| Johns | Melissa | Duke Energy | N/A |
| Johnson | Edward | East Carolina University | Assistant Director |
| Johnson | James | NC A&T State University | Energy Coordinator |
| Johnston | Laura | Appalachian State University | Executive Assistant, Physical Plant |
| Jones | Philip | UNC Charlotte | Associate Vice Chancellor - Facillities Management |
| Kabis | Richard | Winston-Salem State University | Director - Sustainability |
| Karayaka | Hayrettin Bora | Western Carolina University | Assistant Professor |
| Kelley | Tim | East Carolina University | Professor / Graudate Director |
| Kennedy, Jr. | Robert F. | N/A | N/A |
| Kim | Hei-Young | Appalachian State University | Research Assistant |
| Kinefuchi | Etsuko | UNC Greensboro | Associate Professor |
| King | David | Western Carolina University | Energy Management Specialist |
| Knight | Katie Mac | Watauga High School | Student |
| Koone | Jeff | Duke Energy Carolinas | Senior Account Executive |
| Koster | Francis | The Optimistic Futurist | Writer |
| Kowal | Creeden | Western Carolina University | Student |
| Kowalczyk | Tammy | Appalachian State University | Professor |
| Kruger | Darrell | Appalachian State University | Provost |
| Kugler | Brian | UNC Charlotte | Senior Project Manager |
| Kyle | Staci | Wake Forest University | Graduate Student |
| Lawson | John | University of Florida | Energy Coordinator |
| Leahy | Wayne | Pepco Energy Services | Client Manager |
| Levister | Joseph | Fayetteville Technical College | Vice President for Administrative Services |
| Lewis | Brien | Catawba College | President |
| Lewis | Laura | Catawba College | First Lady |
| Little | Terry | East Carolina University | Recycling Coordinator |
| Lizotte | Michael | UNC Charoltte | University Sustainability Officer |
| Loew | Nicole | Appalachian State University | Web Content Specialist, Office of Sustainability |
| Looper | Jimmy | Furman Univeristy | Energy Manager |
| Lotspeich | Chris | Celtic Energy, Inc. | Director of Sustainability Services |
| Lovins | Amory | Rocky Mountain Institute | Co-Founder and Chief Scientist |
| Lovins | Greg | Appalachian State University | Vice Chancellor, Business Affairs |
| Luckett | Robert | Jackson State University | Director, Margaret Walker Center |
| Luna | Gene | University of South Carolina | Associate VP Student Affairs |
| Lyon | Melissa | Fayetteville State University | Service-Learning Program Manager |
| Lyons | Jeff | Hobbs Associates | GM |
| Maass | Kern | Appalachian State University | Associate Dean |
| Maharjan | Rabindra | UNC Charlotte | Graduate Student |
| Maimone | Charles | UNC Greensboro | Vice Chancellor of Business Affairs |
| Maines | Pamela | Pepco Energy Services | Vice President, Business Development |
| Marcus | Sonia | UNC Asheville | Director of Sustainability |
| Marino | Rick | Cree | Sales Director |
| Marlett | Emily | Appalachian State University | Employer Relations Coordinator |
| Marshall | Jerry | Appalachian State University | Energy Manager |
| Martin | Chris | McKim and Creed | Sr. Project Manager |
| Martin | Lyn | NCDENR - USI | Energy Engineer, Utility Savings Initiative |
| Martin | W. Steve | UNC Pembroke | AVC for Facilities Management |
| Massry | Nasser | Winston-Salem State University | University Engineer |
| Matthy | Lindsay | UNC Charlotte | Student |
| Mattox | John | Fayetteville State University | Professor |
| Maxwell | Jennifer | Appalachian State University | Resource Conservation Specialist |
| McCracken | Susan | Appalachian State University | Director External Affairs |
| McDade | Keith | Lenoir-Rhyne University | Associate Professor of Sustainability Studies Center for Graduate Studies |
| McDonald | Trey | UNC Greensboro | Sustainability Coordinator |
| McGinnis | Charles | Johnson Controls | Sr. Director-State Government-Higher Education |
| McGowan | Bill | Lees-McRae College | VP of Facilities & Security |
| McKinney | Scott | UNC Pembroke | Assistant Controller |
| McMillan | Martha | UNC-TV | Director of Operations |
| McMullen | Timothy | North Carolina Central University | Director of Capital Projects Mangement |
| McNeill | Julia | East Carolina University | Graduate Student |
| Megri | Ahmed | NC A&T State University | Associate Professor |
| Merritt | Greg | Cree | Vice President |
| Metcalf | Pamela | Central Piedmont Community College | Director of Energy and Sustainability |
| Miller | Ed | New Rier Light & Power | General Manager |
| Miller | Janet | Appalachian State University | Outreach Manager |
| Miller | Jonathan | UNC Pembroke | Student |
| Miller | Matt | Central Piedmont Community College | Program Chair |
| Mitchell PhD MPH | Lloyd | Elizabeth City State University | Associate Professor |
| Mohajeryami | Saeed | UNC Charlotte | PhD Student |
| Mohammadzadeh | Nooshafarin | NC State University | Graduate Research Assistant |
| Monteleone | Bonnie | UNC Wilmington | Chemistry Dept. |
| Moody | Ged | Appalachian State Universiy | Special Assistant to the Chancellor for Sustainability |
| Mooney | Leah | UNC Wilmington | Student |
| Moore | Jamie | UNC School of the Arts | Manager of Landscaping/Sustainability Coordinator |
| Moore | Kathleen | East Tennessee State University | Director of Sustainability |
| Moye | Stevie | East Carolina University | Motorcoach Operator |
| Neff | Eric | Appalachian State Universiy | Adjunct Instructor |
| Nelson | Stephen | Furman University | Student |
| Norris | Heather | Appalachian State Universiy | Interim Dean |
| O'Connor | Katie | NC School of Science and Mathematics | Vice Chancellor for Academic Programs |
| O'Connor | Mike | Appalachian State Universiy | Director, Physical Plan |
| O'Hara | Jessica | UNC Chapel Hill | Energy Analyst |
| Oliver | Ian | NC School of Science and Mathematics | Student Life Instructor |
| Olsen | Olee | N/A | Student |
| Orfield | Jay | NRDC | Renewable Energy Analyst |
| Orfield | Mark | Johnson Controls | Branch Manager |
| Orr | David | Oberlin College | Special Assistant to the President on Sustainability |
| Orr | Elaine | N/A | N/A |
| Oshita | Emily | Fayetteville State University | Student Assistant |
| Ousdahl | Michael | NC State University | Assistant Director - Transporatio |
| Paprocki | Daniel | NC State University | Energy Engineer |
| Parker | Daniel | UNC Chapel Hill | Student Assistant |
| Parr | Jay | Appalachian State University | Student |
| Parsons | Jon | Fayetteville State University | Director of Facilities Operations & Maintenance |
| Pereira | Maria | UNC Pembroke | Associate Professor |
| Perry | Jason | University of Georgia | Program Coordinator |
| Pettyjohn | Susan | Appalachian State University | Vice Chancellor |
| Pickett | Marty | Rocky Mountain Institute | Managing Director |
| Peirce | John | UNC Asheville | Vice Chancellor of Finance & Operations |
| Peirce | William | Appalachian State University | Project Engineer |
| Pierre | Jacques | NC A&T State University | Energy Services and Sustainability Director |
| Pine | John | Appalachian State University | Director |
| Pittman | Joseph | UNC Greensboro | Student |
| Plummer | Grace | Appalachian State University | Program Specialist, Appalachian Energy Center |
| Pohlman | Kat | UNC Wilmington | Sustainability Coordinator |
| Pope | Janice | Appalachian State University | Professor |
| Powell | Bill | Pepco Energy Services | Director of Engineering |
| Powell | Claudia | NC State University | Energy Program Coordinatior |
| Powell | Phillip | North Carolina Central University | Director of Building Maintenance and Grounds |
| Powell | Robert | NC A&T University | Associate Professor |
| Powers | Dargan | NC State University | Student |
| Pruitt | Jonathan | UNC General Administration | Sr. Associate V.P. for Finance |
| Putnam | Walter | Shift Equity | N/A |
| Quenon | Anya | NC School of Science and Mathematics | Sustainability Project Leader |
| Quintal | Jorge | UNC Greensboro | Associate Vice Chancellor |
| Quirk | Stephen | Jonson Controls | Area General Manager |
| Rabold | Rod | UNC Chapel Hill | Cx Coordinator/Engineer |
| Radford | Samantha | NC Sustainabile Energy Association | Web and Creative Specialist |
| Raichle | Brian | Appalachian State University | Professor |
| Ramsdell | Carla | Appalachian State University | Lecturer |
| Ramsdell | Jeff | Appalachian State University | Professor & Director |
| Ranson | Bill | Furman University | Professor |
| Rascoff | Matthew | UNC General Administration | Vice President |
| Rasnick | Bill | East Tennessee State University | VP |
| Rawat | Kuldeep | Elizabeth City State University | Department Chair |
| Reaves | Alison | Appalachian State University | Associate Director, BB&T Student Leadership Center |
| Redderson | Jeff | Furman University | AVP Facilities |
| Reinmann | Paul | UNC Wilmington | Facility Engineer Specialist |
| Richardson | Patrick | Appalachian State University | Energy Analyst |
| Roberson | Chad | Clark Nexsen | Principal |
| Roberts | Todd | NC School of Science and Mathematics | Chacellor |
| Robinson | Gary | Winston-Salem State University | WSSU Go Green CH |
| Robinson | Julia | Western Carolina University | Student |
| Rogers | Anne | Georgia Institute of Technology | Sustainability Program and Portfolio Manager |
| Rogers | Matt | UNC Wilmington | Director of Dining Operations |
| Ross | Thomas | University of North Carolina | President |
| Rowe | Debra | US Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development | President |
| Sam | Robert | UNC Pembroke | Sustainability Intern |
| Sanders | Amy | Appalachian State University | N/A |
| Schallert | Tony | UNC Charlotte | Energy Manager |
| Schoenathaler | Laura | NC State University | Doctoral Student |
| Seymour | Rose Mary | Central Piedmont Community College | Exec Director, Center for Sustainability |
| Shankar | Rudy | UNC Charlotte, EPIC | Professor Research |
| Sharpe | Steve | UNC Wilmington | Energy Manager |
| Shay | Elizabeth | Appalachian State University | Faculty |
| Shea | Cindy | UNC Chapel Hill | Sustainability Director |
| Shore | Brad | The North Carolina Arboretum | Facillities Maintenance Supervisor |
| Silverman | Gary | UNC Charlotte | Department Chair |
| Simmons | Amanda | UNC Chapel Hill | Transportation Demand Manager |
| Sims | Paul | East Tennessee State University | Professor |
| Smiley | Colleen | Catawba College | Asst. Outreach Coordinator |
| Smith | Cameron | NC State University | Director, Captial Project Management |
| Smith | Deanne | Appalachian State University | Assistant Director, Employer Relations, Career Development |
| Smith | Dusty | UNC Pembroke | Student |
| Smith | Hayes | Second Creek Development Co. | Managing Partner |
| Smith | Kenan | Second Creek Development Co. | Managing Partner |
| Smith | Lindsay | Appalachian State University | Graduate Student |
| Smith | Susan | Appalachian State University | Mrs. |
| Soderberg | Eric | NC State University | Enegy Engineer |
| Sordellini | Georgette | UNC Greensboro | N/A |
| Spalding | Carol | Rowan-Cabarrus Community College | President |
| Spellman | Carlton | UNC Pembroke | VC for Finance and Admin |
| St. Clair | Price | Watauga High School | President, Sustainability Club |
| Stadnik | John | Johnson Controls | Account Executive |
| Stahl | Kathleen | DENR USI | Energy Engineer |
| Stanback | Alice | N/A | N/A |
| Stanback | Fred | N/A | N/A |
| Stark | Mark | UNC Chapel Hill | Fleet Operation Manager |
| Stephany | Dustin |
University of Florida | Energy Coordinator |
| Stephens | Seth | Catawba College | Student |
| Steury | Stan | Appalachian State University | Research Scientist |
| Stewart | Vincent | Hanson Professional | Senior Commissioning Specialist |
| Still | Robert | East Carolina University | Project Manager |
| Stolka | Kurt | UNC Chapel Hill | Transportation Planner |
| Stover | Nicholas | Appalachian State University | Student |
| Strawder | Lorianne | Georgia College & State University | Sustainability Officer |
| Tallarico | Debbie | Blue Mountain Center | LPC |
| Talley | Kiddia | NC A&T State University | Student |
| Tate | Adrian | NC High Country Coucil of Goverments | N/A |
| Taylor | Alex | Appalachian State University | Graduate Student |
| Taylor | Douglas | Catawba College | Student |
| Tazewell | Anne | NC Clean Energy Technology Center | Transportation Program Manager |
| Terrell | Jack | Appalachian State University | Student Coordinator |
| Thompson | David | NC A&T State University | Student |
| Todd | David | UNC Asheville | Director of Campus Operations |
| Trefz | Karen | Appalachian State University | Office Manager |
| Tripp | Miriam | UNC General Adminstration | Special Projects Officer |
| Tuberty | Shea | Appalachian State University | Associate Professor |
| Tyler | Grant | UNC Wilmington | Student |
| Urgo | Joseph R | UNC Asheville | Provost |
| Urlab | Ivan | NC Sustainable Energy Association | Executive Director |
| Vaughn | Brian | UNC Chapel Hill | Student |
| Walker | David | UNC Charlotte | Student |
| Walker | Dianne | Winston-Salem State University | Director of Operations Maintenance |
| Walker | Scott | UNC Asheville | Facility Planner |
| Wall | Elisabeth | Appalachian State University | Communications/Sustainability |
| Wall | Katie | Appalachian State University | Outdoor Programs Manager |
| Walters | Kathy | NCDENR-USI | Special Projects Manager |
| Wambul | Antony | NC State University | Transportation Planner |
| Wang | Ziren | NC Sustainable Energy Association | Energy Policy Analyst |
| Warren | Jesse | University of Virigina | Sustainability Prgrm Mgr – Bldngs & Ops. – Facilities Managr |
| Warren | Tracy | Winston-Salem State University | Mainatance Supervisor |
| Warshaw | Cecilia | N/A | N/A |
| Warshaw | Steve | NCSSM | Retired Vice Chancellor for Academic Programs |
| Watkins | Charles | NC A&T State University | Facillities Maintenance Tech |
| Watkins | Nolan | UNC Charlotte | Mechanical Engineering Technology |
| Weatherly | Billy-Gray | UNC Wilmington | Jewelry Designer, Renewable Recreation |
| Weddie | Chase | Western Carolina University | Electrical & Computer Engineer |
| Welek | Chuck | Enterprise Holdings | Corporate Zimride Manager |
| Westerman | Jim | Appalachian State University | Director of Sustainable Business, Walker College of Business |
| White | Jon | CST Fleet Services | Associate |
| Whitehouse | Seth | Georgia College & State University | President, Enviromental Science Club |
| Williams | Matt | University of Florida | Director, Office of Sustainability and Energy Integration |
| Williams | Suzanne | UNC Greensboro | Associate Director TDM |
| Wlison | Lee | Appalachian State University | Renewable Energy Initiative |
| Wilson | Stephen | Clark Nexsen | Principal |
| Winecoff | Bailey | Appalachian State University | Director of Sustainability, Student Goverment Association |
| Wittum | Elijah | Catawba College | Student |
| Woodyard | Carol | UNC-TV | Director, Facillities |
| Wyckoff | Harold | Fayetteville Technical Community College | Directo of Facility Services |
| Young | David | UNC Charlotte | Professor, Associate Director EPIC |
| Zahir | Mona | Winston-Salem State University | SGA Attorney General |
| Zilberdrut | Sean | UNC Charlotte | Student |
2015 Student Summit
The 80 students attending the Summit were selected from hundreds of applicants following a rigorous application process. 30 student research posters were selected for display over the two days. This year's Student Summit was co-sponsored by the Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University. The Walker College is committed to advancing sustainable business practices that promote responsible management of economic, social, and natural resources. Read the full Walker College of Business mission statement.
NC Sustainable Energy Association is proud to be a sponsor and participant of the 2015 Student Summit! NC Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA) is the leading 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to driving public policy and market development that creates clean energy jobs, economic opportunities and affordable energy to benefit all of North Carolina. Full details of our work and members can be found at www.energync.org.
Breakdown of Student Scholar Participants:
17 Public and Private Universities Represented from North Carolina
Degree Programs:
6 Doctoral Students
22 Masters Students
46 Bachelors Students
6 High School Students
Student Poster Abstract Database
Brian Vaughn Class of 2018
Undergraduate Student, Environmental Science
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Policy Analysis of the Energy Freedom Act and the Tax Credit Extension for Renewable Energy Property
Eric Neff Class of 2015
M.S., Appropriate Technology
Appalachian State University
An evaluation of the exchange of value and energy in net metering in North Carolina
Alex Arnold Class of 2016
Graduate Student, Technology
Pedro Franco Class of 2016
Graduate Student, Technology
Nathan Anderson Class of 2015
B.S., Appropriate Technology
Appalachian State University
The Nexus: Heating Greenhouses with Bioenergy from Waste Streams
Nicholas Stover Class of 2016
Undergraduate Student, Appropriate Technology
Appalachian State University
E-Cycle Share App State
Blake Corvin Class of 2016
Undergraduate Student, Environmental Science
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Dan River Rising: Rural activism in North Carolina's Dan River Basin"
Chris Dunlap Class of 2015
B.S., Geology
Western Carolina University
Organic Rich Deposits From a Southern Appalachian Wetland Indicate Carbon Sequestration Potential and Site Stability Over the Last Millennium
Victoria Cheng Class of 2016
Undergraduate Student, Mathematics
Duke University
Passive Heating and Lighting—A Case Study Using the MS&T 2009 Solar House
Jamie Hayes Class of 2016
Undergraduate Student, Architectural Engineering
North Carolina A&T
Saving Energy Using new Materials - Application to Heat Transfer between the Home and The Ground Using the Difference Finite Method
Stephen Nelson Class of 2015
B.S., Earth and Environmental Science
Furman University
Renewable Energy and a Climate Action Plan for Furman University: Carbon Neutrality by 2026
Chase Weddle Class of 2016
Undergraduate Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology
Robert Bianculli Class of 2015
Undergraduate Student, Electrical Engineering
Adam Berry Class of 2015
Undergraduate Student, Parks and Recreation Management
Western Carolina University
The Electron Garden on the Green (EGG) Project for Western Carolina University
Joshua Brooks Class of 2016
Graduate Student, Technology
Appalachian State University
Mountain Laurel Home - Research project for DOE Race to Zero competition
Laura Schoenthaler Class of 2016
Doctoral Student, Design
North Carolina State University
Urban Deindustrialization and the Emergence of Landscapes of Adaptation and Resiliency
Sean Zilberdrut Class of 2015
Undergraduate Student, Electrical Engineering
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Investigating the Effects of Grid Equivalent Circuit at a Point of Common Coupling on Distribution System Long-Term Dynamics
Lee Wilson Class of 2016
Undergraduate Student, Sustainable Development
Appalachian State University
Appalachian State University Scale Free Project
Nicole Beck Class of 2016
Graduate Student, Environmental Health
Eastern Carolina University
Initiating Sustainable Behavior: Feel Good for Doing Good
Jason Baptiste Class of 2015
Graduate Student, Engineering Physics
Appalachian State University
Dual-Axis Photovoltaic Solar Tracker with MPPT Battery Charging, Diversion Load Handling, and Data Acquisition/Transmission
Sherif Abdelrazek Class of 2016
Doctoral Student, Electrical Engineering
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Grid Tied Battery Energy Storage Systems Smart Controllers
Julia McNeill Class of 2017
Graduate Student, Sustainable Tourism
East Carolina University
Teaching Sustainable Business Practices
Daniel Blakeley Class of 2018
Graduate Student, Appropriate Technology
Appalachian State University
Solar Powered Vehicles: Cornerstone of a Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure
Kiddia Talley Class of 2017
Undergraduate Student, Architectural Engineering
North Carolina A&T
Solar Revolution
Nooshafarin Mohammadz Class of 2015
Doctoral Student, Architecture
North Carolina State University
An optimization approach for integrating different roof functions with environmental impacts constraint: "A hybrid framework"
Rachel Blackburn Class of 2016
Undergraduate Student, Political Science
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
The Dan River Coal Ash Spill: An Orientation to the Current Politics between Duke Energy, the State of North Carolina, and the EPA
Joseph Fagan Class of 2015
Graduate Student, Business Administration
Graduate Student, Engineering Physics
Appalachian State University
Using ICT & Analytics to Build Demand for Sustainable Power Consumption in Boone, NC
Ashleigh Hillen Class of 2016
Undergraduate Student, Environmental Studies
University of North Carolina Asheville
The UNC Asheville Divestment Campaign
Joseph Pittman Class of 2015
Undergraduate Student, Chemistry
University of North Carolina Greensboro
A Duplex Stirling Engine with Programmable Piston Positions
Taylor Grubbs Class of 2016
Undergraduate Student, Physics
University of North Carolina Greensboro
An Arduino controlled Linear Fresnel Reflector
Naesheia Carmichael Class of 2018
Undergraduate Student, Sustainable Development
North Carolina State University
Reaching Prospective University Students through Sustainability Messaging in Social Media
Brenton Faircloth Class of 2016
Graduate Student, Technology
Appalachian State University
AASHE STARS Comparative Analysis of Energy Related Credits for Schools Participating in the 2015 Appalachian Energy Summit
Parker Grissom Class of 2015
Undergraduate Student, Exercise Science
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Renewable Recreation
Creeden Kowal Class of 2015
B.S., Environmental Science
Julia Robinson Class 2015
B.S., Environmental Science
Western Carolina University
Evaluating Sustainability of Purchasing Practices at Western Carolina University
2015 AES Student Speakers
Heather Hulburt Norris
Dr. Heather Hulburt Norris joined the Walker College of Business faculty in the fall of 2003 in the Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance. She was named assistant dean for undergraduate programs in 2005, associate dean for undergraduate programs and administration in 2008 and senior associate dean in 2012. She was named acting dean of the college in July 2014.
Prior to her time at Appalachian, Norris served on the faculty at Bowling Green State University, the Pennsylvania State University and West Virginia University.
Norris was drawn to the Walker College of Business because of its clear mission and achievement of offering transformational educational experiences to students. As acting dean, she will guide the vision of the college and actively pursue financial support to achieve it.
Norris' teaching and research interests involve corporate finance and investments, with a particular emphasis on corporate restructuring. She has been published in the Journal of Portfolio Management, Financial Management, Managerial and Decision Economics and the Journal of Applied Business Research. Her work on corporate restructuring has been cited in The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Business Week and Dow Jones Online News. Norris is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma and Phi Kappa Phi.
Norris serves on the Board of Directors of Homes for Children, the parent organization of Grandfather Home for Children and Barium Springs Home for Children. She is a member of the board's finance committee, foundation board and investments committee. Norris also serves on the board of directors for the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce.
Norris and her husband, Rob (Appalachian '87), have a young daughter, Emma, who aspires to be a future Mountaineer.
Francis P. Koster
Dr. Fran Koster received his doctorate from The Program for the Study of The Future at the University of Massachusetts where his dissertation work focused on why populations and leaders would ignore warnings, even when the warning was factual, had reliable sources, and delivered directly to the people who could and should take evasive action.
Fran is a writer and frequent lecturer on threats to our basic life support systems of air, water, food, and energy. His lectures and articles offer proven, cost-effective, and job creating solutions to those problems. His research, coupled with extensive careers with progressive responsibility in Higher Education Administration, Peace Corps, Renewable Energy, and Healthcare, convinced him that it does no good to warn people about emerging problems or opportunities if you cannot also furnish them with an acceptable alternative path.
"Telling leaders that the sky is going to fall only makes them feel impotent, discouraged, and resistant," says Fran, "unless you can also hand them an umbrella and a map to safe shelter. If a problem is pointed out without furnishing a solution, the recipient of the warning reacts psychologically by blocking the warning. This means leaders cannot hear, and thus cannot lead in positive directions."
Kacey Hoover
Kacey Hoover serves as NC Sustainable Energy Association's Strategic Relations Manager to work with a diverse stakeholder base and drive advocacy and engagement that help enable growth and market leadership in the clean energy industry. Kacey offers a strong technical background of regulatory, government affairs, and market trends pertinent to the industry.
Kacey earned a M.S. in Technology with a concentration in Appropriate Technology from Appalachian State University and a B.S. in Environmental Science from Catawba College. Kacey is also an active member of the Epsilon Pi Tau (EPT) honor society , the "Leading International Honor Society for Technology" that recognizes academic excellence in fields devoted to the study of technology.
2015 Industry Partner Career Panel
Deanne Smith
Deanne Smith is known for connecting and networking, given any opportunity. Almost all of her professional career has been at Appalachian State University and related to student recruitment, outreach and development. A passionate student advocate, she thrives on helping students engage and identify exceptional opportunities to grow and develop personally and professionally. She earned an undergraduate degree in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations and a Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, both from Appalachian.
John Casadonte
John Casadonte is a Product Marketing Manager at Cree, a market-leading innovator of lighting-class LEDs, LED lighting, and semiconductor solutions for wireless and power applications. With more than 20 years of experience, John has held numerous marketing positions involving product management, business development, channel/vertical marketing and industry relations. His current role at Cree is to drive thought leadership, credibility and business opportunities across all verticals with a specific focus in the Education and Healthcare marketplace.
Joe Christie
Joe Christie, CEM, CDRM, is the Senior Manager for Pepco Energy's Raleigh, North Carolina regional office. Corporate offices are in Arlington, Virginia.
Joe develops and directs Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) projects for Municipalities, Universities, K-12 Schools, and Hospitals in the Southeast. During the last 8 years with Pepco Energy, he has been responsible for successful customer outcomes delivering over $35 million in energy infrastructure projects entirely paid by savings.
Joe holds a B.S. Mechanical Engineering from the University of Kentucky and completed the Executive Management Program at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. His background includes healthcare as VP Construction & Planning with Kings' Daughter's Medical Center, industrial equipment distribution as Branch President with Ferguson Enterprises, CM at Risk and GC construction as VP with Skanska USA Building and consulting engineering as Business Development Manager with McKim & Creed Engineering. This background adds perspective to the turn-key energy performance projects Pepco Energy develops, manages, and guarantees (including Appalachian State University, the City of Greensboro and Sandhills Community College).
Chris Lotspeich
Chris Lotspeich MPPM, MES, CEM (pending) is Director of Sustainability Services at Celtic Energy (www.celticenergy.com), a Connecticut-based consultancy. He is project manager for consulting support to the City of Stamford, CT for its micro grid and resilience retrofit project and was lead author of micro grid proposals for Stamford and Glastonbury, CT. Chris is part of a team with Arup and the City and County of San Francisco implementing a Department of Energy grant to install solar power plus energy storage for critical facility energy surety city-wide. He serves as the energy and sustainability coordinator for the University of New Haven, Connecticut. Chris was lead author of the Whole-Systems Integrative Green Design Module for the Government of Singapore's Certified Energy Manager course created in 2010. He was a 2002–2003 Batten Fellow at the University of Virginia's Darden business school. From 1994–2001 he was Executive Assistant to Amory Lovins and Senior Associate at Rocky Mountain Institute where he worked on six continents and led numerous resource efficiency surveys at industrial facilities and on the U.S. Navy cruiser USS Princeton CG-59. He earned two masters degrees from Yale from the School of Management and the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, and a B.A. in International Politics from Wesleyan University. Chris served as a wilderness EMT and firefighter on volunteer rescue services in Colorado, Connecticut and Maine.
Shawn Heath
Shawn Heath serves as vice president and chief sustainability officer for Duke Energy. He is responsible for the company's sustainability-related goal setting, reporting, internal programs and stakeholder outreach. He was named to his current position in January 2012.
Heath joined Duke Energy in 2001 as an internal auditor and moved to the company's local government relations group in 2005. From 2006 to 2009, he held a variety of positions focused on regulatory and legislative planning for Duke Energy's utility business in North Carolina and South Carolina, including director of state energy policy and vice president of outreach and advocacy. During 2010, Heath served as vice president of planning and business support for the company's U.S. Franchised Electric and Gas organization. During 2011, he supported Duke Energy's integration executives responsible for the planning of integration activities for the Duke Energy/Progress Energy merger.
Prior to joining Duke Energy, Heath was employed by Arthur Andersen, from 1994 to 2001. He provided both audit and management consulting services. From 1993 to 1994, he served as an accountant for Beverly Enterprises.
A native of Deale, Md., Heath earned a Bachelor of Science degree, cum laude, in accounting from Virginia Tech. He also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Yale University.
Heath serves on the board of directors of the Central Piedmont Community College Foundation. He is also actively involved in the Charlotte Heart Walk and a number of grassroots community engagement activities.
Heath and his wife, Dede, have three sons.
Duke Energy, the largest electric power company in the United States, supplies and delivers electricity to approximately 7 million customers in the Southeast and Midwest. The company also distributes natural gas in Ohio and Kentucky. Its commercial power and international businesses operate diverse power generation assets in North America and Latin America, including a growing renewable energy portfolio. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 250 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK.
2015 Student Highlight Speakers
Brian Vaughn
Brian Vaughn is a sophomore undergraduate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. During his first year at UNC, Vaughn wrote for the opinion page of the Daily Tar Heel and was an active member of the Sierra Student Coalition, a campus organization campaigning for coal divestment. His current areas of focus are issues involving sustainable mobility, distributed energy resources, and sustainable community design.
This is Brian's first weekend back in the United States after a 2 month study of sustainable community design and renewable energy policy in Western Europe. He believes that the United States should carry out a German-style Energiewende—revitalizing rural communities through investment in renewables while focusing on gains in efficiency.
Megan Foster
Megan Foster graduated in 2014 from the University Of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) with a Bachelor in Science in Community Health Education. During this time she also studied abroad in London, England, where she gained experience in global health care systems and adaptation to other cultures. She holds a Personal Leadership Certification from UNCW, as well as a research certification for human, social, and behavioral research through the Collaborative Institute Training Initiative.
For the past two years she has worked at a school-based health center, a model of health care that provides medical, behavioral, and nutritional services at school sites. School-based health models identify the barrier students have to receiving medical services and therefore increase students' time in the classroom so they do not need to leave for such services. Through this position, she taught substance abuse prevention classes which in turn made her realize her passion was not only for healthy lifestyles, but for education. Since she was immersed within both the school and healthcare systems, she identified the interconnectedness of health and education, the importance of early intervention and prevention, and how they all greatly affect one another.
Currently, Megan is a graduate candidate for the Master in Art in Teaching Elementary Education at the University of North Carolina Wilmington anticipating graduation in May of 2016. She is taking additional courses through the Institute for Humane Education to gain more experience with educating global citizens for a positive future. She believes that a multitude of issues can identified and solved through education, specifically early education/intervention. She is focused on beginning her career by aligning state educational standards to humane education so she can instill sustainability, globalization, and solutionary ideals in her youth. Her professional goal is to contribute to a positive future through educating elementary students on global issues, respect, sustainability concepts, and compassion.
Zach Evans
Zach Evans is a senior psychology major from Asheville, NC and a member of East Carolina University's Honors College. With a background in leadership and a strong foundation of research in both Ecopsychology and Environmental Justice, he brings a unique perspective to the summit. Through a consistent track record of propagating ethical, positive change, he has demonstrated that he is a catalyst for organizational growth. He has been recognized as one of ECU's most promising leaders, being awarded ECU's Rising Leader award alongside numerous other awards and scholarships for a demonstrated commitment to excellence in leadership on ECU's campus and in his community. He serves as a member of the Elite Pirates - a group recognized as the top fourteen student leaders on ECU's campus with a commonly shared goal for societal empowerment through social justice advocacy.
Zach has extensive international experience. He has traveled to and studied in the United Arab Emirates, Ecuador, Peru, and Honduras. While studying at Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador during his junior year, he organized South America's first chapter of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology. As a sophomore, he created a curriculum for Spanish education and served as a Spanish teacher at the Nancy Darden Child Development Center. He is a graduate of ECU's Chancellor's Student Leadership Academy, LeaderShape, and the John and Nellie Wooden Institute for Men of Principle.
Zach has a strong record of service. His philanthropic efforts have extended across the state of North Carolina since 2009. He is currently serving as a research consultant for an NC-based non-profit, Help Them L.A.S.T. The organization is dedicated to providing opportunities for underprivileged, at-risk youth in North Carolina to develop passions related to Sustainability, Environmental Science, and Outdoor Education. He is also a saxophonist with The Vinyl Brothers Big Band in Asheville, which has organized many fundraiser events for charities like St. Jude's, the Make a Wish Foundation, the Eblen Foundation, and Disaster Relief for Haiti. The band has played alongside renowned acts such as Chicago, Bad Company and the surviving members of Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Zach is particularly interested in the summit for the opportunity it provides for collaboration on innovate action with a diverse group of problem solvers. He looks forward to establishing relationships with professionals in a wide array of fields. As Zach enters his final year of study, he looks forward to discovering life's new adventures ahead.
Staci Kyle
Staci Kyle is a graduate student at Wake Forest University in the M.A. in Sustainability program. She received her B.S. in Environmental Science from North Carolina A&T State University. Prior to entering the program at Wake Forest, Staci spent many years as a High School Science teacher and served as the Assistant Principal of a Charter school. She has also been an instructor at the Global Leadership Training Center for the past 11 years educating adult foreign nationals and some American students about environmental issues. Her efforts at GLTC align with her desire to implement sustainable solutions to environmental challenges in developing countries. In the Sustainability program Staci worked as a research assistant on a World Wildlife Fund project writing a case study about Carbon Emission Reduction in the Jambi province of Sumatra Indonesia. She is currently completing an internship with the Yadkin Riverkeeper.
Daniel Blakeley
Daniel Blakeley is a Candidate for a Master's in Appropriate Technology in the Sustainable Technology in a Built Environment Department at Appalachian State University. In May 2013 he graduated with his Associates of Arts Degree from Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute with all semesters on the Dean's List. Mr. Blakeley graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor's of Science in Technology Education from Appalachian State University in May 2015.
In fall 2013, Mr. Blakeley started a multidisciplinary solar car program, in which students from across Appalachian State University design, fabricate and race a solar powered race car which will compete in International Solar Car Racing Competitions. He is the Project Director of the Solar Vehicle Team and has inspired the creation of several new solar vehicle courses. Mr. Blakeley is currently researching solar powered transportation and the implementation for such vehicles in today's transportation infrastructure. While researching solar powered transportation, he converted a golf cart from gas to electric and added a solar charging canopy to allow the golf cart to work independently of other energy sources.
Mr. Blakeley is also a member of Appalachian State University Technology Education Collegiate Association where he helped his team compete and win in Problem Solving, Technology Bowl (Jeopardy style competition), and Communications competitions against teams across the United States.
Before Mr. Blakeley's time at Appalachian State, he served in the US Army for six years, all with 2nd Ranger Battalion. While in 2nd Ranger Battalion, he deployed three times to Iraq and three times to Afghanistan. Mr. Blakeley's military awards and decorations include: the coveted Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Expert Infantryman's Badge, Parachutist Badge, Expert Marksmanship Badge, Presidential Unit Citation, Joint Service Commendation Metal with one oak leaf cluster, Army Commendation Metal with one oak leaf cluster, Army Achievement Metal with two knot device, National Defense Service Metal, Iraq Campaign Metal with two campaign stars, Afghanistan Campaign Metal with two campaign stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Ribbon, Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral two, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral two, and the NATO service ribbon. Mr. Blakeley's military education includes: Ranger School, Advanced Leaders Course, Warrior Leaders Course, SERE course, Ranger Indoctrination Program, and Airborne Course. He is Master Breacher certified, Fast-rope Master certified, and Airborne certified. After his time in 2nd Ranger Battalion, he served two additional years with the NC National Guard where he was awarded the NC Commendation Metal and gained his US Army Instructor Certification.
2015 Photo Gallery
2015 Media Coverage
- Fourth annual Appalachian Energy Summit convenes July 13
- Appalachian Energy Summit and Sustainability (MP3)
- Energy Summit Focuses on Cost Savings For Colleges
- UNC Energy Leadership Challenge (PPT)
- UNC Energy Leadership Challenge (PDF)
- 2014-2015 UNCW Annual Report (PDF)
- Energy Summit Successes (PPT)
- Energy Summit Successes (PDF)
- Summit Summary (PDF)
- UNCW student speaks at Appalachian Energy Summit
- Lee Wilson wins 2015 Appalachian State University Energy Summit Research Award
