New Orleans Regional Meeting
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Location: New Orleans Marriott
555 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
Introduction:
This meeting is to strategize an approach for each state being considered. It is recognized that some states have more/less activity than others. The people/companies listed below are not expected to be presenters, but discussion leaders.
This meeting is for full and affiliate member company employees only*, except where NAESCO has specifically invited a key ally for our industry. Space is limited to 80 people and 2 representatives per company.
*To participate in a members-only meeting, the participating individual needs to have an email address with the member company domain.
Regional Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, February 10
Pre-Meeting Happy Hour - Sponsorships Available!
Time: 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm
Location: 55 Fahrenheit, New Orleans Marriott, 555 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
Come join NAESCO staff and the NAESCO Engagement Subcommittee to grab a drink prior to your dinner plans! It’s a great way to network with other members attending prior to the full meeting on Wednesday.
Wednesday, February 11
Affiliate Breakfast Meet-up (Organized by NAESCO Affiliate Value Proposition Subcommittee)
Time: 9:00 am to 10:30 AM
Location: 5Fifty5 Restaurant, New Orleans Marriott, 555 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
The NAESCO Affiliate Value Proposition Subcommittee is excited to announce an informal networking meet-up! This gathering will be a great opportunity for affiliates and members to connect, share ideas, and build relationships in a relaxed, welcoming setting. Whether you’re looking to collaborate on future projects, exchange insights about the industry, or simply enjoy good conversation over coffee, this is the perfect chance to strengthen our professional community. Please note this is not a sponsored event therefore each attendee should expect to pay for their own F&B.
Meeting Agenda
11:00 AM - Discussion with Joe Hagerman, Director of Energy and Natural Resources at the Mississippi Development Authority, and Edward O’Brien, Senior Economist at the Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy, Office of Energy. They will give brief talks on current developments and share updates. Bring your questions, as this will be an informal opportunity to speak with them.
Joseph Hagerman, Director of Energy and Natural Resources at the Mississippi Development Authority
Joseph Hagerman, known as Joe, received his Bachelor of Architecture from Mississippi State University (MSU). From 2009 to 2017, Joe served as a senior technical advisor at the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). At EERE, he focused on building energy efficiency and new building technology development. He led all of DOE’s initiatives in smart buildings, transactive energy and controls, and building-to-grid research. Joe received the 2016 DOE Secretary Honor Award and the 2010 and 2014 DOE Distinguished Service Awards.
In 2019, Joe joined Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) after serving as the Deputy Chief Scientist at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). At NRECA, he managed the federal research program (with funding from the Department of Defense and DOE) and the research staff who developed new research offerings for NRECA members, primarily at the utility distribution level, including cybersecurity, modeling, distributed controls, and the application of transactive energy concepts. While at ORNL, Joe served as the Section Head for all Building Technologies Research, overseeing 80+ research staff. He also managed one of DOE’s User Facilities, ORNL’s Building Technologies Research & Integration Center (BTRIC), the premier U.S. research facility devoted to the development of technologies to improve the energy efficiency and environmental compatibility of buildings. BTRIC identifies and develops energy-efficient building system technologies by forming partnerships between DOE and private industry. Concurrently, Joe held a joint appointment at the Georgia Institute of Technology (GT) as the director of the Energy Policy and Innovation Center (EPICenter) under GT’s Strategic Energy Institute (SEI).At the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA), Joe serves as the Director of the Energy and Natural Resources Division and the designated State Energy Officer, established under The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (P.L. 94-163).
Edward O’Brien, III, Senior Economist at the Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy, Office of Energy
Edward O’Brien is a distinguished Senior Economist at the Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources in Baton Rouge, LA. With a career spanning over three decades, Edward has been instrumental in shaping regional energy economic priorities for the State of Louisiana since 2013.
Edward has overseen the strategic direction and execution of energy-related state development projects. Notably, Edward had significant success by positioning Louisiana as the top recipient of the first round of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding from the U.S. Department of Energy. This achievement underscores his adeptness in securing funding towards grid resilience, power infrastructure, and clean energy projects.
In addition to his strategic acumen, Edward has been a driving force behind clean energy stakeholder outreach initiatives, ensuring that Louisiana capitalizes on market opportunities that have a profound impact on the region. His collaborative efforts extend beyond state boundaries, as he coordinates with U.S. Department of Energy Laboratories and State Energy Offices on breakthrough technologies, contributing to the advancement of the energy sector on a national scale.
Throughout his career, Edward has been recognized for his forward-thinking approach to policy development. He has played a pivotal role in shaping policies and guidelines aimed at removing market barriers and stimulating economic development, thereby fostering a conducive environment for growth and innovation within the energy sector between the public and private sectors.
Edward holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Strategy from Louisiana State University, a Master of Economics with a focus on Financial Economics from Trinity College, and a Bachelor of Arts in International Economics from the University of Richmond.
Driven by a passion for advancing energy economics and fostering sustainable growth, Edward continues to be a guiding force in shaping the future of the energy landscape, both regionally and nationally.
12:00 PM Lunch All - Sponsored by ESPEN Technology!
1:00-4:30 PM State Discussions
New Mexico - Tara Trafton, Energy Systems Group (ESG)
Texas - Matt Lombardo, Schneider Electric
Oklahoma - Ted Melnik, Willdan Energy Solutions
Kansas - Michael Iseman, Entegrity
Missouri - Ryan Terry, Navitas
Arkansas - Nathan Botwright, ABM
Louisiana - Rusty Mclellan, SitelogIQ
Mississippi - Alisa Harris, Schneider Electric
Alabama - Ray Hinson, Johnson Controls Inc
Georgia - Stephen Koontz, Johnson Controls Inc
South Carolina - Steven Zip, Johnson Controls Inc
Florida - Alfred Guerrero, Energy Systems Group (ESG)
4:30 PM Wrap Up All
5:00 - 6:30 PM Networking Social Event in Old Absinthe House, The Prohibition Room on the Third Level at 240 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70130 - Sponsored by Walker Blue, LLC!
Sponsorship Contact:
Please email Michelle Yoon at michelle.yoon@naesco.org for sponsorship information.
Hotel Information:
The hotel is offering a special room rate of $209 for our event. This rate includes access to the hotel’s heated outdoor rooftop pool, fitness center, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Guests can also enjoy the on-site restaurants and our 24-hour front desk / guest services. To reserve your room, visit our event attendee website or call the hotel’s reservation department at (504) 581-1000. Please make your reservation by Wednesday, January 21st, 2026, and identify yourself as part of the NAESCO New Orleans Regional Meeting.
New Orleans Marriott
NAESCO Members - $450
Night Before Get-Together - $2750 each (2 available)Lunch Sponsor - $2750 each (3 available)
Networking Social Event Sponsor - $2750 each (3 available)
NOTE: This event is for NAESCO members only. To participate in a members-only meeting, the participating individual needs to have an email address with the member company domain.
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY.
Release and Waiver of Liability. By registering for this event, I forever release and waive liability against NAESCO and waive the right to bring any claim against NAESCO and its owners, officers, directors, managers, officials, agents, employees, volunteers, or other representatives in connection with exposure, infection, and spread of COVID-19 related to my attendance at this event.
Terms and Conditions
Cancellations and Refunds
All conference registration fees are non-refundable. Once payment is submitted, no refunds or credits will be issued.
Disclaimer
NAESCO reserves the right to make program and schedule changes, additions, or cancellations as it deems necessary.
Photography/Videography Release
As a condition of your appearance or attendance at any NAESCO event, you expressly grant NAESCO permission to capture images of you and to use those images for the purposes of recording and reporting on this event and for use in promoting events and that such uses shall not impose any liability on NAESCO or entitle you to any compensation for the use of your likeness.
Use of Personal Information
NAESCO will contact you to send you information relating to its events. By registering for this event, you authorize NAESCO to subscribe you to its newsletters or contact you for marketing purposes via email, social media, digital ads, posts, and telephone. NAESCO does not sell, rent, or lease customer lists to third parties. We may share data with trusted partners or other members to help perform statistical analysis, communicate with you, or provide customer support.
NAESCO Event Code of Conduct
The National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO) is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all meeting participants. This NAESCO Event Code of Conduct applies to all individuals involved in NAESCO events including attendees, speakers, industry partners, exhibitors, NAESCO staff, and others. By participating in NAESCO events, including events held in conjunction with NAESCO events, you agree to comply with this Event Code of Conduct.
This Event Code of Conduct establishes guidelines for participant behavior, as well as consequences for unacceptable conduct. All participants are expected to treat others with respect and consideration, adhere to venue rules, and promptly notify staff of any violations of this Event Code of Conduct, including hazardous situations, or any participant in distress.
Fostering an environment built on mutual respect and collaboration is essential for the success of NAESCO events and the well-being of all participants. Therefore, full cooperation is required in adhering to the principles outlined in this Event Code of Conduct.
Unacceptable Conduct
NAESCO values a safe and inclusive environment for all participants and expect everyone to adhere to these guidelines during NAESCO events. Unacceptable behavior includes:
Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior
Unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated at any NAESCO events. Immediate compliance is expected from anyone asked to cease such behavior. NAESCO reserves the right to take necessary and appropriate actions, including immediate removal from the event without warning or refund, in response to any incident of unacceptable behavior.
If additional action is needed, the Executive Director will investigate the allegation and determine if there is a violation. All involved parties must cooperate with the investigation.
Once the investigation is concluded, the Executive Director will write a report and share with the NAESCO Executive Committee and counsel to determine next steps, if any.
NAESCO reserves the right to seek legal actions from those responsible for violations that caused damages or financial losses to NAESCO. All involved parties agree to waive any right to bring legal action for claims or damages against NAESCO or any person acting for NAESCO in his or her capacity in the enforcement of this Event Code of Conduct.
Reporting Conduct Violations
Conduct in violation of this NAESCO Event Code of Conduct should be promptly brought to the attention of Timothy Unruh, Executive Director, timothy.unruh@naesco.org, so appropriate action is taken.
Retaliation against any individual who reports a violation or participates in an investigation is prohibited and will be addressed accordingly.
Updated as of 9/19/2023.
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