7:30-9:30 a.m.
Keynote breakfast with
Jack Gerard, President of the American Petroleum Institute
9:40-10:30 a.m.
Coastal Energy Exploration
Two significant energy initiatives will be considered for Southeast North Carolina in the coming years — offshore oil and gas exploration and coastal and offshore wind farms. The panelists will talk about the opportunities, risks and timelines for these initiatives.
Panelists:
• Brian O'Hara, President and Founder, Southeastern Coastal Wind Coalition
• Eddie Pharr, Vice President of Business Development, Spectrum Geo
• Craig Poff, Director of Business Development, Iberdrola Renewables
• Andy Radford, Senior Policy Advisor for Offshore Issues, American Petroleum Institute
• Lisa Schiavinato, Co-Director, North Carolina Coastal Resources Law, Planning and Policy Center at NC State
10:40-11:30 a.m.
10-Minute Energy Shots
Hear about significant energy-related initiatives in our region in 10-minute, TED-style talks from executives with GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy, Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas, and Strata Solar.
Speakers:
• John Morrison, Chief Operating Officer, Strata Solar
• Paul Newton, North Carolina President, Duke Energy
• Ken Valentine, Vice President of Business Development and Technology Services, Piedmont Natural Gas
• Jay Wileman, Senior Vice President Nuclear Plant Projects and Chief Operating Officer, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
Noon-2 p.m.
Keynote lunch with
North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory
Breakfast with Jack Gerard
American Petroleum Institute President
Jack Gerard is president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, the national trade association that represents all aspects of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Gerard has led API since November 2008, expanding its membership and influence in all 50 states and globally, with offices in Dubai, Singapore, Beijing, and Rio de Janeiro. API's Washington presence is the foundation for the oil and natural gas industry's advocacy and outreach at state, federal and global levels on public policy, standards and certification programs, and as the source for information on industry best practices.
Gerard is recognized by numerous publications and his peers as one of Washington's most influential advocates. Washington Life magazine named him one of the city's "Power 100" and a Fortune magazine profile said Gerard's effort to build a 50-state advocacy network for the oil and natural gas industry was "showing signs of success" through its outreach to workers and non-traditional allies.
Prior to joining API, Gerard served as president and CEO of the American Chemistry Council, and earlier held the same position at the National Mining Association. Gerard also spent close to a decade working in the U.S. Senate and House. He came to Washington in 1981, and worked for Rep. George Hansen. He also worked for Sen. James A. McClure, who chaired the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Gerard holds a bachelor¹s degree in political science and a juris doctor from George Washington University.
Lunch with Governor Pat McCroy
North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory
Since taking office, Governor Pat McCrory has worked to improve North Carolina in three key areas: the economy, education and efficiency. Governor McCrory has made tough decisions to confront the serious problems that face North Carolina. He signed historic tax reform into law, reducing all personal income and corporate tax rates, eliminating special interest loopholes and putting more money in the pockets of
every working North Carolina family. His economic policies have contributed to the drop of North Carolina¹s unemployment rate by more than two points. He enacted bipartisan transportation reform that will now fund projects >on need, safety and economic development.
Focused on improving North Carolina¹s education, he reconvened the Education Cabinet. The governor created a Teacher Advisory Committee for input on issues like compensation and over-testing. The Center for Safer Schools was established to protect North Carolina¹s students, and vocational training legislation was signed to give students greater educational pathways. Governor McCrory¹s focus on service reflects his lifelong dedication to improving the lives of others, a fact that was evident to the people of Charlotte who elected him mayor for a record seven terms.
Coastal Energy Exploration
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Brian O'Hara is the President and Founder of Southeastern Coastal Wind Coalition, a non-profit coalition of business and industry that is taking an economically-focused and utility-friendly approach to advancing the land-based and offshore wind industry. He has led wind energy development, policy, and advocacy efforts in the Southeast since 2009. O'Hara holds an MBA and an MS in manufacturing systems engineering from Stanford University as well as a BS in mechanical engineering from Georgia Tech.
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Eddie Pharr is the Vice President of Business Development at Spectrum Geo, managing the new seismic data creation projects and coordination of existing data licenses. He has more than 20 years of experience in the seismic industry in both onshore and offshore environments. Pharr spent 2 years as the vice president of marketing for Universal Seismic Acquisition and 18 years a senior vice president with Seitel Data Inc. He graduated from Texas Tech University with Bachelor of Business Administration degree.
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Craig Poff is the Director of Business Development at Iberdrola Renewables where he is responsible for development of utility scale wind and solar energy projects in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States. Poff directs all aspects of the development process including site selection, real estate, environmental assessments, permitting, engineering and government and public relations. He was born and raised in rural northwest Missouri and earned an accounting degree from the University of Missouri.
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Andy Radford is the Senior Policy Advisor for Offshore Issues at the American Petroleum Institute where he provides policy guidance on regulatory and legislative issues that impact industry’s ability to access new offshore resources and offshore leasing and development activities. Radford helped develop and publish industry standards on exploration and production equipment and practices. He graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1986 and an MBA from George Mason University.
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Lisa Schiavinato is the Co-Director of the North Carolina Coastal Resources Law, Planning and Policy Center at NC State. Her areas of expertise include ocean and coastal law, land use law, property law, renewable energy and natural hazard mitigation. Her main roles with the Center is to develop public-private partnerships to conduct research and engagement activities to address North Carolina’s coastal challenges. Lisa holds a law degree from the University of Florida and a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida.
10-Minute Energy Shots
GE HITACHI
GLOBAL IMPACTS OF ENERGY POLICY ON LOCAL COMPANIES
GE Hitachi is a truly global company. This discussion will provide an overview of global energy policies and how they impact the area1s largest private employer and its Southeastern North Carolina suppliers.
Presenter:
JAY WILEMAN, Senior Vice President, Nuclear Plant Projects and Chief Operating Officer, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
DUKE ENERGY
MODERNIZING FOR NORTH CAROLINA
Duke Energy is leading the next chapter for coal ash management as ash basins are closed across the state and turn towards more efficient plants and invest in cleaner sources of energy generation.
Presenter:
PAUL NEWTON, North Carolina President, Duke Energy
STRATA SOLAR
$1 BILLION IS A LOT OF MONEY
Billions of dollars are flowing into North Carolina for the construction of solar farms, making North Carolina the number three state for solar behind California and Arizona. Morrison will talk about what makes our state so attractive for solar, the benefits which come from that investment and the challenges it creates for the state’s electrical grid.
Presenter:
JOHN MORRISON, Chief Operating Officer, Strata Solar
PIEDMONT NATURAL GAS
NATURAL GAS, AN EMERGING ENERGY MARKET
The Atlantic Coast Pipeline — a recently announced $5 billion, 550-mile pipeline partnership between Dominion Energy, Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas and AGL Resources — will add additional supply and economic opportunities to eastern North Carolina. Valentine will explain how the pipeline and other industry trends will impact our region.
Presenter:
KEN VALENTINE, Vice President of Business Development and Technology Services, Piedmont Natural Gas
