2026 Federal Market Workshop
Wednesday, March 18, 2026 5:00 PM - Thursday, March 19, 2026 6:30 PM (EDT)
Description
2026 Federal Market Workshop
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Location: NAHB - National Housing Center
1201 15th Street NW, Washington DC 20005
The popular Federal Workshop will attract ESCO leaders, suppliers and representatives already working in the Federal space and those seeking to break into the Federal market. In addition, Federal agency officials tasked with setting and implementing Federal energy efficiency and infrastructure policies will be with us as invited speakers and attendees.
Hotel Room Block:
Le Méridien formerly The Madison Hotel
(Across the Street from NAHB)
1177 15th Street NW, Washington DC 20005
Hotel Information
NAESCO has secured a block of rooms at the Le Meridien for conference attendees.
Please call the hotel directly at (202) 862.1600 or connect via its online link to make your room reservation. The special group rate is $359 per night plus applicable taxes and will be based on availability at the time of booking. To guarantee the special group rate you must make your reservation no later than February 25, 2026. Please identify yourself as a NAESCO Federal Market Workshop attendee.
Reservations may be cancelled 72 hours prior to the day of arrival, otherwise there will be a cancellation fee equal to one night’s room rate plus applicable taxes.
Sponsorships
Limited sponsorships remaining! For available sponsorships, please review the registration page or refer to the Federal Market Workshop Prospectus.
Sponsorship Contact: Please email Michelle Yoon at michelle.yoon@naesco.org.
Pre-Workshop Agenda
(at Le Méridien formerly the Madison Hotel on March 18th)
NAESCO Affiliate Advisory Committee Meeting
Room: Mount Vernon Room, Le Méridien (formerly the Madison Hotel)
Time: 3:15 - 4:45 PM
Location: 1177 15th Street NW, Washington DC 20005
Pre-Workshop Reception - Sponsored by Constellation!
Room: Potomac Room, Le Méridien (formerly the Madison Hotel)
Time: 5:00 - 6:30 PM
Location: 1177 15th Street NW, Washington DC 20005
Federal Market Workshop Agenda
(at NAHB on March 19th)
Breakfast - Sponsored by NORESCO!
Time: 8:00 am - 8:30 am
Location: NAHB Atrium
Welcome Remarks
8:30 - 8:35 AM
Speaker
Timothy Unruh, Executive Director, National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO)
Dr. Timothy D. Unruh is the Executive Director of the National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO). In this role, he manages the representation of its member Energy Service Companies. NAESCO provides advocacy for the industry at the Federal, State and Local levels, and provides member company Accreditation.
Prior to this role, Dr. Unruh was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Renewable Power at the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Office of the US Department of Energy (DOE). As the Deputy Assistant Secretary, Dr. Unruh managed the nation’s renewable power research, while also providing oversight to the Grid Modernization Initiative.
Also, while at the DOE EERE, Dr. Unruh Directed the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP). As FEMP Director, Dr. Unruh oversaw the implementation of policy and actions that resulted in energy efficiency implementation, renewable energy adoption, and reductions in energy and water use in Federal government operations. Dr. Unruh coordinates with DOE national laboratories and other Federal agencies in this capacity.
Dr. Unruh has a doctorate, master’s, and bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas.
Opening Keynote
8:35 - 9:00 AM
Speaker
Rebecca Isacowitz, Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Energy Resilience & Optimization (ER&O), Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations and Environment (ASD(EI&E))
Ms. Rebecca Isacowitz is the Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Energy Resilience & Optimization (DASW(ERO)) within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Energy, Installations and Environment (ASW(EI&E)). A member of the Senior Executive Service, Ms. Isacowitz comes with over a decade of private sector, nonprofit, and government experience; in this position, she supports a team of talented professionals providing innovation, direction, and governance for programs and activities across the operational energy, installation resilience and mission reliability spaces.
She previously served as Chief of Staff for DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) working to accelerate the research, development, demonstration, and deployment of energy technologies and solutions. As Deputy Secretary for Energy & Environment with the Executive Chamber for the State of New York, Rebecca supported the tactical development and operationalization of the State’s 14 energy and environmental agencies, and advanced Corporate Strategy initiates with the New York Power Authority in a directorship role. Ms. Isacowitz also served in various government roles for the City of New York, most recently as Deputy Assistant Commissioner for the Department of Citywide Administrative Services’ Division of Energy Management. In that role she created and executed crosscutting projects across 80+ city agency partners.
Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Spanish from Lehigh University, with a minor in Environmental Policy.
What's Happening in Washington
9:00 - 9:45 AM
Speakers
Anthony Spera, Vice President, RWE Clean Energy (moderator)
Anthony Spera is the Vice President for RWE Clean Energy - DCE. He has responsibility for all sales and marketing in support of the lines of business within RWE Clean Energy - DCE. Mr. Spera has more than 35 years of experience in the energy industry and has worked on energy savings projects involving various technologies. Having overseen the sales for both the Federal and MUSH Energy Efficiency divisions, Mr. Spera has long history and understanding of the ESPC and energy efficiency markets in multiple sectors. His work with design/build concepts, energy savings performance contracting vehicles, renewable energy and long term O&M agreements has given Mr. Spera broad experience in the implementation of energy savings projects and the introduction of new technologies and contract vehicles that drive energy efficiency and resilience.
Jennifer A. Schafer, Executive Director, Federal Performance Contracting Coalition
Jennifer Schafer is the Executive Director of the Federal Performance Contracting Coalition (FPCC), which represents Energy Service companies involved in Energy Performance Contracting with the Federal government. Over the last two decades, the FPCC has worked tirelessly to address barriers to and enhance use of ESPCs (and UESCs) across multiple Administrations and Congresses.
The Coalition worked with Congress to start and enhance the AFFECT grant program, including adding $250 M to the Infrastructure Independence and Security Act (IIJA), to support DOE’s FEMP program, to facilitate performance contacting at the DOD and to make legislative changes that mandate performance contracting, expand the contracting mechanism and encourage performance contracting in a variety of venues.
Further, FPCC worked closely with the past several administrations and has been successful in getting performance contracting commitments from both Republican and Democratic Administrations. This included the successful Bush Administration “TEAM Initiative” and the Obama Administration “Performance Contracting Challenge”. Jennifer has also led FPCC efforts to address individual agency barriers to performance contracting, such as at the Departments of the Army, Air Force, Navy and VA.
Break - Sponsored by ESPEN!
9:45 - 10:00 AM
ESCO Panel
10:00 - 11:00 AM
Speakers
Paul Chamberlain, President/CEO, Linmore LED Labs (moderator)
Paul is the President/CEO of Linmore LED Labs, manufacturer of ultra-performance lighting and controls for commercial, industrial, and exterior applications. Paul was previously the President of EnPro Group for 15 years, a general and electrical contractor specializing in lighting maintenance and energy projects for large facilities such as lighting upgrades, solar, motor controls, and HVAC control systems. Prior to EnPro Group, Paul was in senior management for 10 years with a billion dollar Caterpillar dealer.
John Kliem, Director, Federal Strategy and Digital Transformation at Johnson Controls
John Kliem is a professional engineer and retired naval officer and leads the Federal Strategy for Johnson Controls. Previously, as a Federal Government executive, developed and implemented strategic infrastructure programs that continue to enhance the energy security and resiliency of the Department of the Navy installations.
Most recently, Kliem has been his company's Federal Strategy Executive. In this role, he aligns company resources with Federal Government policy objectives. Additionally, Kliem serves as the Johnson Controls Digital Transformation leader; Kliem educates teammates and clients on the value of collecting data and applying analytics to make better risk-based decisions across the enterprise.
While in the Navy, Kliem was the Executive Director of the Resilient Energy Program Office in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command. Before this, he served the Navy in various leadership roles, including Deputy Director for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy's Renewable Energy Program Office and Director of Facility Management and Energy Navy Installations Command.
Kliem was crucial in leading a $2B energy acquisition program, which more than doubled the Navy's use of outside financing to support energy security objectives. He also developed and led cybersecurity endeavors that enabled the Navy to upgrade and secure the industrial control systems at several of its largest installations.
Kliem works in Washington, DC's Johnson Controls Global Government Relations Office.
Chris Mills, Federal Business Director, Southland
As the Federal Business Director for Southland, Chris Mills is responsible for the overall performance of Southland’s federal portfolio, from building customer relationships to project development through construction completion and ongoing operations and maintenance services.
Mr. Mills has 40+ years of experience in the building services and energy industry — with the last 15 years dedicated solely to federal energy efficiency and resilience. He has an intimate knowledge of the federal acquisition process for energy services, having been personally involved with over $750M in Energy Savings Performance Contracts and Utility Energy Service Contracts. His extensive expertise in business development, acquisition, project management, and execution, has added value to numerous clients in both the federal space and the Municipal & State Government, Universities, Schools, and Hospitals (MUSH) market.
Mr. Mills graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Clemson University. In the federal space, he has been involved in the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME), Federal Performance Contracting Coalition (FPCC), Federal Utility Partnership Working Group (FUPWG), and the National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO).
Anthony Spera, Vice President, RWE Clean Energy
Anthony Spera is the Vice President for RWE Clean Energy - DCE. He has responsibility for all sales and marketing in support of the lines of business within RWE Clean Energy - DCE. Mr. Spera has more than 35 years of experience in the energy industry and has worked on energy savings projects involving various technologies. Having overseen the sales for both the Federal and MUSH Energy Efficiency divisions, Mr. Spera has long history and understanding of the ESPC and energy efficiency markets in multiple sectors. His work with design/build concepts, energy savings performance contracting vehicles, renewable energy and long term O&M agreements has given Mr. Spera broad experience in the implementation of energy savings projects and the introduction of new technologies and contract vehicles that drive energy efficiency and resilience.
Civilian Panel
11:00 - 12:00 PM
Speakers
Kinga Hydras, Director - Federal Programs, NORESCO (moderator)
Kinga Hydras is the Director, Federal Programs at NORESCO, providing comprehensive energy solutions to federal agencies. Prior to joining NORESCO, Kinga worked at the GSA, Office of Federal High-Performance Green Buildings, for the last 15 years, most recently as a Deputy Director. She is a widely recognized industry leader, with 30 years of experience within both the public and private building sectors. Kinga is an energy efficiency expert with a particular focus on deep energy retrofits, resiliency, grid-interactive efficient buildings (GEBs), virtual power plants (VPP), smart buildings, and distributed energy installations. Her contributions include improving the usage of energy savings performance contracts (ESPCs) within the federal government and driving the development of international building codes and standards. Kinga is a Fellow of ASHRAE and a voting member of ASHRAE Standard 100, and TC 2.8, underscoring her commitment and expertise in the field.
Bayla Gewirtz, Program Manager, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Bayla Gewirtz serves as program manager for the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Energy Performance Contracting program. In this role, Bayla leads a program team that plans, supports, and tracks VA’s portfolio of over $1.5 billion awarded energy performance contracts across 99 VA Medical Centers and approximately $700 million of projects in various stages of development. She and her team work closely with VA’s centralized team of contracting officers and specialists to continually improve VA’s program, working to save energy while revitalizing VA’s infrastructure to support world class Veteran care.
Catherine Johnson, Energy Performance Contracting Team Lead, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Catherine Johnson has over 35 years of experience with government environmental, fleet, and energy programs. She currently works on the Performance Contracting Team for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) overseeing development and implementation of VA’s alternatively financed energy projects. She is the primary liaison for performance contracting in Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) 7, 8, 9, and 16. Catherine earned a BS in chemical engineering and a MS in engineering management from the University of Maryland.
Lunch - Sponsored by Ameresco!
12:00 - 1:15 PM
Best Practices Panel
1:15 - 2:15 PM
Speakers
Francis Wheeler, CEO & President, Envocore (moderator)
Francis Wheeler is the CEO & President of Envocore and is a recognized industry leader who originally founded Water Savers, LLC in 2009.
Francis brings over 25 years of industry management experience, including P&L and M&A responsibility, operational oversight, a keen eye for talent, and team building.
His business acumen has helped grow the business from a few million dollars annually to revenues of over $100 million annually and growing.
Prior to Envocore, Francis worked for multiple water efficiency companies and a Fortune 50 energy service company (ESCO). Before delving headfirst into the performance contracting business, Francis was a Chief of Information & Personnel Security at HQ United States Marine Corps. Francis attended the University of Maryland while stationed in Japan and the Marine Corps University during his 12-year military career.
Brad Gustafson, Federal Project Executive, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Brad Gustafson is the newest member of the Federal Project Executive (FPE) team supporting the Federal Energy Management Program.
Most recently, Brad was working at the Department of the Army Office of Installations Energy and Environment (Energy and Sustainability) as Program Manager in charge of performance contracting and Technology Development. He began his federal career working at DOE FEMP where he worked on performance contracting Measurement & Verification protocol development, served as the Federal Customer Services Supervisor, Applied Technologies Supervisor, and Federal Fleet Program Manager.
As an FPE Brad will work with agencies to launch Energy Performance Contracting projects. He supports agencies by helping with acquisition planning tasks such as determining project feasibility, providing site and agency training, coordinating FEMP-qualified project facilitators, and determining project support services that FEMP can provide.
In his spare time, Brad enjoys playing bad golf, reasonability good tennis, and sailing with his family.
Gopal Shiddapur, Vice-President, Federal Project Development, NORESCO
As Vice-President for Federal Project Development, Mr. Shiddapur ensures development of customer-centric projects that maximize resiliency and progress toward federal mandates. He is a senior level point-of-contact and trusted advisor for utility partners, federal clients and agencies, accountable for overall project delivery and customer satisfaction. Mr. Shiddapur has overseen the award of over $1 billion in resilient, renewable and conservation solutions through UESCs and ESPCs for various federal agencies such as DOD, GSA, DOE, VA, DHS, DHHS, BOP, DOT, LOC, EPA, U.S. Mint, and Smithsonian. Over his 30-year career, Mr. Shiddapur has led teams performing energy analysis, design, commissioning, sales, program management, contract compliance, financial structuring, and project development. Mr. Shiddapur holds an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from University of Texas at Austin and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Government College of Engineering, Pune, India. He has authored technical papers for ASHRAE and AEE and presented at various trade associations.
Jason Vass, Vice President – Clean Technology Solutions, Ameresco, Inc.
Jason Vass is a seasoned energy services executive with 28 years of experience advancing clean energy efficiency and energy security initiatives for Federal agencies. Over the course of his career, he has led the development of more than $1 billion in performance contracts, delivering over $2 billion in guaranteed energy and water cost savings.
A licensed Professional Engineer and Certified Energy Manager, Jason brings deep technical expertise and a proven record of guiding complex programs from concept through execution. His background spans creative energy solutions, advanced energy auditing, and large‑scale project development. He is recognized for delivering innovative outcomes that help Federal clients meet ambitious sustainability, resiliency, and operational goals.
Break - Sponsored by Atlantic Energy Concepts Inc.!
2:15 - 2:30 PM
FEMP Panel
2:30 - 3:30 PM
Speakers
Sherry McCray, Sr. Business Development Manager, Constellation (moderator)
Sherry McCray is an executive leader with extensive experience in federal energy markets, infrastructure development, and performance-based contracting. She currently works at Constellation, where she supports the development of large-scale energy efficiency, renewable, and resilience projects for federal agencies. Her background includes client engagement and navigating complex regulatory environments to support mission-driven infrastructure and energy modernization efforts across the federal sector.
Mary Sotos, Director - Federal Energy Management Program, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
Mary Sotos is the Director of the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP). She leads a team dedicated to helping federal agencies achieve energy secure facilities and fleets by assisting with federal-wide data collection and aggregation, developing reporting tools and technical assistance, and offering training and project funding.
Sotos previously served as a senior policy advisor with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, where she launched a revamped "Lead By Example" program to create new strategies to track and manage energy waste and water use across all state agencies. She also served as the agency's deputy commissioner for energy, directing the state's energy policies and programs. Sotos also worked at the World Resources Institute, an international think tank, where she developed new global standards and tools for energy and resource efficiency measurement, utilized by thousands of organizations worldwide. Additionally, she partnered with corporate leaders to develop and advance new energy strategies, tools, and policies to bolster the grid.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from St. Olaf College and completed a Fulbright Fellowship in Brussels, Belgium.
Tyler Harris, Project Execution and Financing Supervisor, Federal Energy Management Program, Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
Tyler Harris joined FEMP in 2024, where he leads Energy Performance Contracting and the Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation (AFFECT) Grant program. Previously, Tyler served as the Energy Management Officer and Director of Energy for the GSA Public Buildings Service. Throughout his career, Tyler has spearheaded some of the most innovative programs and projects in the federal government. These include organizing GSA's $2.4 billion Inflation Reduction Act approach for the energy transformation of over 80 facilities, overseeing the installation of microgrid and grid-interactive efficient building technologies, and implementing comprehensive energy auctions that resulted in improved rates and infrastructure for more than 100 federal buildings in Texas.
Tyler’s exceptional experience in emerging technologies, energy innovation, and leveraging public-private partnerships are instrumental in advancing FEMP’s mission and driving significant progress in federal energy management.
Sean Williamson, Management and Program Analyst - Federal Energy Management Program, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
Sean Williamson supports FEMP’s Energy Performance Contracting team including the Performance Contracting National Resource Center. Sean has spent the past 9 years at the U.S. Department of Energy working with states and local governments on energy efficiency financing programs and policies and led development of the $250M Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund Capitalization Grant Program, Commercial PACE Working Group, and various energy savings performance contracting efforts. Prior to joining DOE, Sean delivered water and energy financing technical assistance to communities in the Mid-Atlantic at the University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center. Sean holds a Master’s in Public Policy.
Department of War Panel
3:30 - 5:00 PM
Speakers
Joseph Simonelli, Colonel, U.S. Army, Retired, Department of Defense Engagement Executive, Energy Systems Group (moderator)
Joe served over 30 years in the Army, retiring as a Colonel. With three tours in the Pentagon, he has extensive expertise in the in the Department of Defense’s Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process, strategic policy development and execution, and legislative affairs. He was the Garrison Commander of Fort Bliss, TX from 2010-12 which was one of three installations at that time to be selected for the Army’s Net Zero in Waste, Water, and Energy program. Commonly and affectionately called “COL Joe”, he joined Energy System Group in 2021 where he is the Department of Defense Engagement Executive. He is responsible for policy development and engaging senior Department of Defense leadership addressing energy and water resilience and security. In addition, he provides advice to account executives and engineering teams on the policies and directives that drive decision making to ensure ESG develops the appropriate solutions to DoD’s needs. Finally, he developed an oversees ESGs Defense Community Energy & Water Resilience Program (DCEWaRP) linking installation and local defense community energy & water resiliency goals utilizing the whole of ESG approach with their Federal Business Unit and Public Sector divisions.
Susan Call, Director, Installation Energy Optimization, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Resilience & Optimization within the Department of War
Susan Owens Call, PE, CEM is the Director, Installation Energy Optimization in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Resilience & Optimization within the Department of War. She leads enterprise-wide efforts to optimize installation energy performance, resilience, and reliability in direct support of global mission readiness. With more than two decades of engineering and senior leadership experience, she oversees large-scale energy procurement, infrastructure modernization, advanced energy technologies, and third-party financing, and serves as a principal advisor to senior leadership and interagency partners on national energy strategy and execution.
Randy Smidt, ESPC/UESC Program Manager, Army HQ, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Energy & Sustainability
Randy Smidt is the ESPC/UESC Program Manager in the Army HQ, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Energy & Sustainability, and has overseen the execution of over $3.2B in third-party investment and an ongoing program portfolio of over $4.16B, winning the FEMP Director's award in 2016 for the efforts of the Army ESPC/UESC team. Mr. Smidt has 38 years of experience in energy engineering, working as a consultant to utilities, ESCOs, commercial and federal clients, before becoming the energy manager at Fort Belvoir and later moving to Army Headquarters. He has been involved with Performance Contracts since 1992. Randy also serves on the Federal ESPC Steering Committee as well as the Federal Council of the Federal Utility Partnership Working Group. In his free time, Randy is an avid backpacker, living history nerd, and still plays with model trains.
Douglas Tucker, Director, Installation Energy, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force
Networking Reception - Sponsored by Energy Systems Group!
5:00 - 6:30 PM
Workshop Wi-Fi - Sponsored by RWE Clean Energy!
Workshop App - Sponsored by Linmore LED Labs!
Workshop Hydration Station - Sponsored by Southland!
Workshop AV - Sponsored by Envocore!
Workshop Lanyard - Sponsored by Walker Blue, LLC!
Registration Price
NAESCO Member - $475
Non- member - $600
Trade Associations / Non - profit - $50
Public Sector - FREE
Sponsorship Packages
Please refer to the Federal Market Workshop Prospectus for the full list of benefits.
Networking Reception - $5,500 - SOLD
Pre-Workshop Reception the night before - $4,500 - SOLD
Welcome Breakfast - $4,500 - SOLD
Networking Lunch - $4,500 - SOLD
Workshop App - $4,500 - SOLD
Wi-Fi - $4,500 - SOLD
Hydration Station - $4500 - SOLD
AV - $4,500 - SOLD
Lanyards - $3,500 - SOLD
Affiliate Committee Meeting - $2,500
Development Committee Breakfast - $2,500
Workshop Supporter AM Break - $2,500 - SOLD
Workshop Supporter PM Break - $2,500 - SOLD
1201 15th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005 United States
Hotel Room Block (Le Méridien, fka The Madison Hotel)
Hotel Information
NAESCO has secured a block of rooms at the Le Meridien for the nights of the 18th and 19th for conference attendees.
Le Meridien
1177 15th Street NW
Washington, DC 20005
Please call the hotel directly at (202) 862.1600 or connect via its online link to make your room reservation. The special group rate is $359.00 per night plus applicable taxes is available on the nights of the 17th and 19th, while the night of the 18th is now currently at a higher rate of $459 per night plus applicable taxes. To reserve the special group rate, you must make your reservation no later than February 25, 2026. Please identify yourself as a NAESCO Federal Market Workshop attendee.
Reservations may be cancelled 72 hours prior to the day of arrival, otherwise there will be a cancellation fee equal to one night’s room rate plus applicable taxes.