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.

Kate Lynch, Principal, Klein/Johnson Group

Kate Lynch is a trusted government affairs strategist with nearly two decades of experience helping businesses, advocacy organizations, and coalitions secure congressional and executive branch support for their priorities. She currently serves as a Principal at the Klein/Johnson Group, where she advises clients on federal policy strategy, congressional engagement, and executive branch advocacy. Kate began her career on Capitol Hill working for members of the New England congressional delegation, including Congressman Marty Meehan (D-MA), where she developed expertise in energy and environmental policy. She later worked on the successful campaign to elect Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (D-MA) and supported her work on the House Natural Resources Committee. Kate also served as a senior legislative aide to Congressman John Larson (D-CT), where she led efforts on energy, environmental, transportation, agriculture, and small business policy, managed appropriations requests, drafted legislation, and coordinated major policy initiatives, including work with T. Boone Pickens on the 2010 NATGAS Act. In 2012, she transitioned into government affairs consulting and coalition management at Cascade Associates, where she directed congressional outreach and lobbying strategies for a range of clients and served as Director of Government Affairs for the Federal Performance Contracting Coalition (FPCC). 

A graduate of Virginia Tech with dual degrees in Communications and International Studies, Kate is a native of the Washington, D.C. area and lives in Springfield, Virginia with her husband and three children.

Jennifer A. Schafer, Executive Director of the Federal Performance Contracting Coalition (FPCC)

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.

Natasha Shah, Senior Vice President of Government Strategy, National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO)

Natasha Shah is the Senior Vice President of Government Strategy, responsible for implementation and strategy working with the ESCO industry on advocacy, legislation, and industry-related matters at the National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO).  

Natasha has over 28 years of experience working in development and execution of energy efficiency and performance contracting, most recently serving as the Senior Vice President and General Manager at NORESCO. In addition, she served as chair of NAESCO’s board of directors from 2015-2018. Natasha holds a Bachelor of Science in Biomechanical Engineering from Louisiana State University.

Break - Sponsored by ESPEN!

9:45 - 10:00 AM 

ESCO Panel 

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).

Steven Smith, Vice President, Federal Business Unit, Energy Systems Group 

Steve has over 20 years of experience in the energy performance contracting industry and has background expertise in industrial building science, energy management, and project financing. As a Vice President for ESG’s Federal Business Unit (FBU), Steve oversees all business activity for the Federal Business. Steve administers over a team of business development professionals, engineering professionals, construction management professionals, administrative staff, and other personnel. He is also responsible for all of the ESG’s enduring service projects. He and his team of managers supervise the development of energy savings performance contracts (ESPCs) and utility energy service contracts (UESCs) in support of the federal government’s energy conservation, electrification, carbon reduction and infrastructure modernization needs. Steve received his MBA from Baldwin Wallace University and his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Dayton.

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 

2:30 - 3:30 PM

Speakers

Joe Maranto, Director of Energy Solutions, Constellation (moderator)

Joe Maranto is the Director of Energy Solutions at Constellation, the nation’s largest provider of clean, reliable energy. With over twenty-five years of experience, Joe has successfully led customer-focused business development initiatives, consistently delivering resilient energy and innovative solutions that enable customers to manage costs, achieve their objectives, and adapt to the changing energy landscape.

Joe earned an MBA from Loyola University and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Bucknell University.

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