All across the region, the energy industry is facing the opportunities and challenges of grid modernization. The Grid Forward team is working with its Board and membership to provide educational and community programs to help all the stakeholders collaborate on scale. Get to know us and send us a note if you’d like to participate in our collective efforts.
Cameron has 25 years’ experience in clean energy markets and environmental advocacy. As both a consultant and in-house executive, he is passionate about building coalitions and leading organizations dedicated to technology innovation in the electricity and sustainability sectors. Currently, he manages two integrated companies that provide a full suite of advocacy, research and analytic services to advanced technology companies, trade organizations, philanthropies and government agencies. Both companies integrate his personal mission to influence and create new markets for distributed energy. His earlier career included senior roles in entrepreneurial start-ups, project development, investment partnerships and non-profit management. Cameron is happily based in Colorado with a national and international scope.
A writer, creative director and marketer in clean energy and technology, David leads marketing for Grid Forward. He helps the team execute highly successful events, as well as create processes for expanding email, activity collateral and website communications. David is also VP of Creative + Content for Publitek, an international technology marketing agency, which supports Grid Forward and leading industry firms. He holds a master and bachelors in electrical engineering from Cornell University and brews a pretty good IPA.
Talk with David about helping Grid Forward, its members and its partners communicate the activities and goals of grid modernization in our region.
Gerard is a strategic initiative & content lead, helping guide development of content for GridFWD activities, specifically the Utility Roundtable ‘Forward Focus’ workshop initiative. Gerard currently leads the Strategic Energy Management practice with AESC, training and coaching industry leadership how to begin and sustain their continuous improvement journey in energy and sustainability. He previously held a Director of Engineering role at ECS, delivering demand response and DSM solutions for C&I customers. He holds a BS & MS in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA in International Business. In his spare time, Gerard enjoys spending time photographing and writing about the Pacific NW music scene for several publications including Oregon Public Broadcasting.
Sam manages all things membership, as well as event sponsorships. He is the Director of Business Development at Catalyze, a Commercial and Industrial Solar and Energy Storage Independent Power Producer. Sam specializes in energy storage commercial development. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and environmental studies from Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Sam loves skiing, boating, golf, and travel.
Talk with Sam about becoming a member of Grid Forward.
Kelly is a strategist and activator in the energy sector, drawing together people and concepts that drive forward progress. She’s an innovator at Snohomish County PUD where she serves as Policy & Program Manager, creating and leading teams through the utility’s Distributed Energy Resources Initiative. Prior to joining the utility to run renewable energy and conservation programs, Kelly was CEO of a sustainability consulting business and worked for a mechanical contracting firm integrating client strategies in energy efficiency and sustainability consulting. She holds a bachelors in Applied Economics & Management from Cornell University and a leadership executive MBA from Seattle University. Away from the office, Kelly can be found chasing a golf ball and cheering for the Seattle Sounders.
Talk with Kelly about what would make your membership work better for your organization.
Miki is thrilled to be part of the Grid Forward team as Marketing Advisor to support events, digital marketing, content and promotions. She is an experienced marketer in the energy, technology and financial services industries, currently serving as Global Energy Marketing Director at Microsoft where she leads thought leadership development, product marketing and messaging for Microsoft Cloud. She has also held positions as Vice President in Edelman’s Business Marketing practice and Head of Marketing at a Seattle-based tech start up. Miki grew up in Tokyo, Japan, and is fluent in Japanese. She currently calls Seattle home after stints in San Francisco and Chicago, and can be found taste testing the next best new happy hour or restaurant. She has a BA from Northwestern University.
Jane has 40 plus years’ experience with clean energy focused on how markets and customers adopt and use clean energy technologies. With Grid Forward Jane keeps reminding us that grid modernization is great but how are the customers going to use it? Jane sold her 23-year-old consultancy in 2019 and is now semi-retired supplying advising services to utilities, regulators, and clean energy consultancies and doing a lot of gardening and traveling for relaxation. Jane has a BA in Psychology and a PhD in Urban Studies. The International Energy Program Evaluation Conference awarded Jane its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015 for her work using evaluation to improve clean energy programs to better serve customers and the market.
Rebecca has over a decade of experience in renewable development, cleantech advocacy, and deregulated power. Rebecca is the co-founder and managing partner at 2R Group, a national consulting firm providing advisory services to renewable developers, policy makers, regulators, utilities, and infrastructure owners. Rebecca uses her vast experience in coalition building and asset development as well as her deep understanding of power market dynamics to come up with inventive solutions for her clients. When Rebecca is not emboldening her clients from Portland, she can be found in the kitchen perfecting her culinary skills or at a dance studio practicing her hip-hop moves. Rebecca holds a bachelor’s in economics and public policy from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University and sits on the board of Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE) PDX.
After a 28-year career, Steve retired from Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) in 2020. His last role was the Director of Grid Modernization where he oversaw the development of a portfolio of grid modernization projects and led BPA’s process to join CAISO’s Energy Imbalance Market. Steve is an expert in the Pacific Northwest energy sector with over 28 years of experience in the planning, operation, and marketing of the Federal Columbia River Power System as well as experience with policy development related to the Federal Columbia Power and Transmission Systems and the development of organized markets. Since retiring from BPA, Steve has consulted for a wide variety of utility interests, including joining the Grid Forward team in 2020.
Steve found his home in the Power industry after starting his career with ABB (Now Hitachi) in an engineering rotational development program. He spent time in project and sales engineering capacities for medium & high voltage electrical equipment during his tenure at ABB. For the past few years he has been with EN Engineering focusing on helping electric utilities meet the growing needs of modernization throughout the Rocky Mountains and Pacific Northwest. At some point along the way, he relocated to Denver, CO, where he now calls home with his wife Nicole. Outside the office, he likes to snowboard and pretend he knows what he’s doing on the golf course. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering from (The) Ohio State University.
Isla is currently pursuing her PhD in Power Systems and Smart Grids, at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, and holds an MEng degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Cambridge. She joined the Grid Forward team in 2021, to help with data analysis, software and all things tech. Isla grew up between France and the U.K. and now calls Vancouver home, where she enjoys playing squash on rainy days, and biking round the sea wall when the sun is shining.