3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Infinity Ballroom

5:00 PM - 5:30 PM

NAESCO Women's Walk Breakfast - Sponsored by Acuity Brands!

Breakfast - Sponsored by Applied Energy Savings Systems!

Open Board Meeting (All NAESCO Members Welcome)

Break - Sponsored by Allied Facility Partners!

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Horizon 123 Room 

Presenters

Zachery Martinez, Sr. Director, Willdan (moderator)

Zachery is a Colorado-based energy and finance professional with over seven years in the ESCO marketplace and 12 years of experience in commercial and government finance. Specializing in innovative funding strategies for energy and infrastructure projects, Zach has helped develop and finance a wide range of solutions for commercial, industrial, and institutional clients—both in the U.S. and internationally. With a deep understanding of performance contracting and scalable funding models, he brings a practical and creative approach to enabling high-impact projects in the built environment.

Ben Evans, Federal Legislative Director, U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) 

Ben Evans is federal legislative director at the U.S. Green Building Council, helping lead the council’s advocacy work in Washington promoting green buildings and sustainable communities. Ben brings more than 20 years of experience working in politics, government affairs and communications, mostly in the energy sector. He has extensive experience developing policy, creating strategic advocacy campaigns, building stakeholder coalitions, and engaging with Congress and the executive branch. He has been quoted or published in national media outlets such as The New York Times, CNN, Politico and Reuters. Prior to joining USGBC, Ben was vice president of public affairs at the Alliance to Save Energy, overseeing the Alliance’s work to advance energy efficiency policy, including government affairs and policy communications. Previously, he was a reporter covering politics in the Washington bureau of The Associated Press and at Congressional Quarterly, where he covered the landmark Energy Policy Act of 2005.

Kate Lynch, Principal, Klein-Johnson Group

A trusted advisor to businesses, advocacy groups, coalitions, and Members of Congress, Kate has nearly two decades of experience securing Congressional and Executive Branch support for clients’ priorities. 

Kate worked for three senior members of the New England Congressional delegation, including former Democratic Caucus Chair and current senior member of the House Ways & Means Committee, John Larson (D-CT). As one of Larson’s top legislative aides, Kate oversaw the Congressman’s work in energy, environmental, transportation, small business, and agriculture sectors. Prior to her time with Larson, Kate oversaw Congresswoman Niki Tsongas’ (D-MA) work on the House Natural Resources Committee, after working on her successful campaign to replace retiring Congressman Marty Meehan (D-MA). As an aide to Meehan, Kate first developed her expertise on energy and environmental issues.  

In 2012, Kate transitioned into government affairs consulting and coalition management, at Cascade Associates where she oversaw congressional outreach, education, and lobbying efforts for clients, including the Federal Performance Contracting Coalition (FPCC).

1:45 PM - 2:45 PM

Infinity Ballroom

Presenters

Geoffrey Culm, Managing Director and Manager - Energy Services and Government Finance, Banc of America Public Capital Corp (BAPCC) (moderator)

Geoff Culm, located in Chicago, Illinois, is a Managing Director and Manager for Banc of America Public Capital Corp’s1 (BAPCC) Energy Services and Government Finance teams. In this role, Culm is responsible for delivering nationwide taxable and tax-exempt financing solutions to issuers and borrowers from the government, not-for profit institution, healthcare, and general industry sectors, as well as energy equipment manufacturers, utilities, and energy services companies (ESCOs).

Culm has over thirty years of experience in the tax-exempt leasing industry and has worked on many private placement structures. Prior to joining Bank of America, Culm worked as a licensed Investment Banker for ABN AMRO in Chicago focusing on tax-exempt lease and municipal bond securitizations, and as an international Project Manager for ABN AMRO in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. 

Culm is a previous Chairperson of the Association for Governmental Leasing & Finance (AGLF), and a frequent speaker and presenter at industry conferences. 

Culm holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Notre Dame with majors in both Finance and Theology, and a Master of Science in Finance Degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology.  

Culm resides in suburban Chicago and has two adult sons. Geoff enjoys being active Culm is active with the bank’s Domestic Violence Task Force activities in Chicago.

George Buchanan, Founder and CEO, 2KB

George has been working in the energy efficiency field for almost 30 years and has been directly involved with almost $400M of energy efficiency and decarbonization projects in the built environment. 

As the Founder and CEO of 2KB Energy Services, an energy efficiency and sustainability consulting firm, he has direct responsibility for coordinating diverse teams and stakeholder groups to ensure project results at all levels. 

He is recognized as a leader in the energy services community, serving on the Board of Directors for Southface, a past co-chair of the Energy Services Coalition, and as a supporter of the Department of Energy national ESPC campaign. 

George is a Certified Energy Manager and a DOE-approved Project Facilitator. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Florida A&M University and an MBA from Georgia State University. 

Aldo Mazzaferro, Executive Director of Business Development - Clean Energy, NV5

Aldo Mazzaferro serves on the national board of directors of the Energy Services Coalition and he is the Executive Director of Business Development for NV5’s Clean Energy Group. Based out of New York City, Aldo focuses on helping his clients initiate, implement, and monitor their Energy Savings Performance Contracting initiatives. Throughout his career, Aldo has served as an Owner’s Representative on behalf of dozens of federal, state, and local government agencies around the country resulting in nearly $1 Billion worth of ESPCs.

Break - Sponsorship Available!