Affiliation and years of experience in energy and/or environment:

I have more than 15 years experience in energy. Currently, as Energy Integration Manager for the Navy, my job is to integrate the various Navy and Marine Corps "shore" energy programs like renewable energy, energy efficiency, metering, training, and R&D.

Any particular achievement/interest in energy/environment you would like to mention?

I'm very proud of the work projects I have completed, whether power plants investments or strategic plans. The project I'm most excited about right now though is making our home "net zero". I planned and carried out the energy upgrades needed to make our house net zero energy and carbon neutral. Upgrades included "small changes" like better insulation and new basement windows, and "large changes" like a geothermal heat system, solar hot water, and a 9.8 kw solar plant on our roof! As of October 2013, we had produced as much energy from our solar panels as we used over the previous 12 months. We think that we are the first house in DC to have accomplished this feat!

In your opinion, what are important issues facing the energy industry nowadays?

One of the biggest challenges in my opinion is how to meet rising energy needs in the developing world while decreasing global carbon emissions. A lack of a generally accepted carbon market and price makes the policy and investment decisions much more challenging to all players.

How long have you been a member of NCAC? Any particular NCAC memory you would like to share with us?

I joined NCAC about eight or nine years ago. I remember feeling very intimidated by all these experts. But their humility and dedication and the overall warmth of the NCAC gradually made me feel less nervous. The two field trips I went on to Pennsylvania are some of my favorite NCAC memories. Tasting oil from the first well to learn how "sweet" Pennsylvania crude is or walking in a coal mine brought all those dry excel spreadsheet analyses to life. For people just joining the energy field, it is a chance to learn from some of the greatest players in our country's energy policies and industries. For those more seasoned energy professionals, it is a chance to give back and to be exposed to the fresh thinking of people who haven't spent as many years contemplating the same issues - the collaboration might just spark a new way of considering an old problem.