Annual Conference

Nija Ali serves as DC Water’s Director of Fleet Management, where she is responsible for setting the overall direction of DC Water’s enterprise-wide fleet management organization and strategy. Nija oversees and manages internal fleet operations, including life-cycle management, acquisitions, decommissions, maintenance and repair, and the Fleet Management Information System. Nija’s Fleet Forward action plan brings a transparent, collaborative approach to seeking resolutions by consistently engaging with internal and external stakeholders to ascertain business needs and process improvements.

Interning with GWRCCC, Grace Araya has worked on using spatial and statistical analysis to identify equitable locations for electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Washington, DC. A senior at BASIS Independent McLean, she is deeply interested in applied mathematics and how quantitative methods can be used to address real-world issues. Her recent work combines data-driven modeling and social equity considerations, reflecting her passion for applying math to public policy and community impact. In addition to her focus on mathematics, she is also interested in philosophy and plans to study both fields in college. Through her research and internships, she continues to explore how analytical thinking and ethical reflection can work together to promote more equitable outcomes in technology and infrastructure.

Laura Kate Bender is the Vice President, Nationwide Advocacy and Public Policy at the American Lung Association. In her current role, Laura Kate oversees the organization’s efforts to advocate for policies to improve lung health, keep our air clean, prevent tobacco use, end lung cancer and help families who face lung disease.

Previously, she served as Assistant Vice President, Nationwide Healthy Air at the American Lung Association, where she led the Healthy Air Campaign, directing outdoor air pollution and climate advocacy initiatives in Washington, DC; field work in multiple states; and coordination of a broad group of national public health and medical organizations. She has also served as the campaign’s lead representative to Congress, advocating for limits on outdoor air pollution to protect public health. Prior to that, she worked in Virginia to implement the Healthy Air Campaign on the state level. She also served on the board of the Virginia Asthma Coalition. Prior to joining the Lung Association, Laura Kate worked as an organizer on clean air issues for Environment America. Laura Kate studied political science and communications at American University in Washington, DC. She lives in Fairfax, Virginia with her husband and two children.

Kathy Bergren is the Director of Federal Government Relations for Gevco, Inc, where she manages day to day operations to shape federal policy outcomes. Prior to joining Gevco in 2023, Bergren led biofuels advocacy for the National Corn Grower Association as Director of Public Policy for Renewable Fuels for six years, representing the nation’s corn farmers and NCGA affiliated state organizations. Bergren also has 13 years of experience in the US House of Representatives, including as Legislative Director/Policy Advisor for a senior member of the House Agriculture and House Finanancial Services Committee.

Allison embraces a dual career of IT and Business Development. She is a meticulous IT Professional with 10+ years’ experience in system and server administration. She has proven skill in quickly and effectively remedying issues with a focus on performance optimization and technical improvements. Allison also teaches clients how to use business credit and funding under their EIN and not their SS#.  She helps business owners build a solid financial foundation and get unsecured business credit/funding, and 100% secured funding for residential/commercial property.

Bachelor Business Administration degree from George Washington University  (‘75) with major in accounting. Forty plus years in the transportation industry – eight years as an automotive mechanic, three years as a Controller for an automobile dealership, three years as Bus Department Manager for an equipment distribu­tor in  the same region, and since 1982, the President and C.E.O. of Colonial Equipment Co.. Develops strategy for market­ing and financial goals and gives direction to implementation of same.  Strong experience in commercial  transportation applications such as Hotel/Motel, Limousine, Charter, and  Municipal buses, mini-buses, vans, as well as custom conversions for mobile offices or other special applications. Specialization in alternate fuels technology for about 15 years, including Fleet Electrification of existing fleets.

In his current role as Eaton’s Federal Government Marketing Director, Jim Dankowski oversees the strategic planning, value proposition development and customer engagement for the government segment.  With 45 years of experience in the electrical power distribution and control industry, his knowledge has delivered unique and creative solutions that support Eaton’s clients with their energy initiatives and facility/systems optimization efforts.

Jim has been an active member of the Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition for 15 years. He served as the Chairman of the Executive Board for the coalition from 2011 through 2018.  He has been a member of the United Stated Postal Service Suppliers Council since 2007, served on the Executive Advisory Board and currently serves on the on the Sustainability Advisory Committee.  In addition to these positions, he currently serves as the Chair for the Industrial Trade Advisor for Energy and Energy Services Committee with the Department of Commerce and is a member of the Committee of Chairs as well as committee member with NEMA’s (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) Make it American Standards. 

Stephen serves as the Director of State Regulatory Affairs for Clean Fuels Alliance America. In this role, he engages in technical analysis of issues associated with biodiesel and renewable diesel and represents the interests of Clean Fuels’ members to state regulatory bodies, state legislatures and state environmental organizations. Housed on the East Coast, his primary focus is to advance state and regional policy efforts for biodiesel, renewable diesel and Bioheat® fuel home heating oil in the Northeast.

Previously, Stephen served as Executive Director of the American Petroleum Institute and Associate Director of the Massachusetts/New England Petroleum Council, Director of the Massachusetts Governor’s legislative office and other staff positions in the state Department of Revenue and state legislature.

Ezra Finkin serves as the Senior Manager for Corporate Affairs and Development for the Renewable Energy Group where he works with a number of federal agencies. Prior to his time at REG, Ezra served as the policy director for the Diesel Technology Forum, representing diesel engine, vehicle, and equipment manufacturers.

Andy Fraser is a dedicated EV advocate, educator, and entrepreneur with a deep passion for advancing electric vehicle adoption and infrastructure. With firsthand experience owning 12 EVs, Andy understands both the excitement and challenges that come with making the switch to electric.
His advocacy efforts have played a key role in shaping EV policy, including his work in Montgomery County to establish a policy for charging on the public right of way—helping to expand access for residents without driveways or garages. Andy works to educate consumers, businesses, and policymakers on the benefits of electrification, ensuring that the transition to EVs is accessible, practical, and sustainable.
Whether it’s working with local governments, training dealership sales teams, or speaking at industry events, Andy is committed to accelerating the EV movement and making electric mobility the norm, not the exception.
Andy is a past chair of the Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce. He also sits on the Board of the Electric Vehicle Association and is an active member of the Bethesda Chevy Chase Rotary Club.
Andy has an MBA from the University of Baltimore and an undergraduate degree in Economics from St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

Dan Gage is President of NGVAmerica, a national organization of roughly 200 members dedicated to the development of a growing, profitable, and sustainable marketplace for on- and off-road fleets powered by clean natural gas and zero carbon biomethane and for promoting the transition to flexible low carbon vehicle technology solutions.

A proud Central New York native now based in Washington, DC, Dan holds almost thirty years of political, government, corporate, and trade association issue advocacy, communications and government relations experience.

Dr. Glass’ credentials include serving more than 30 years as a research and engineering professional in academia and the consulting engineering industries. Throughout his distinguished career, he has held important positions as a teacher, researcher, and consulting professional in Civil and Environmental Engineering. Dr. Glass is a trainedProfessional Environmental Engineer, with a doctorate that focused on the microbiological processes involved in wastewater treatment engineering.

Bill Griffiths is the Fleet Administrator for the Government of the District of Columbia
A self-described fleet nerd, he has a passion for vehicles, data, and baseball. Bill has more than 25 years of experience that spans across military, federal, and local government fleets. Bill is nationally recognized for his expertise in fleet analysis, performance management, and maintenance.

Julie Gurnee is a Climate Mitigation Specialist with Fairfax County’s Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination and has been working for Fairfax County since 2012. In her current role, Julie manages Fairfax County’s Electric Vehicle Readiness Strategy, supports the Charge-Up Fairfax Program, and works on the Green Business Partners Program. She was recently nominated to serve on the Loudoun County Environmental Commission as their Clean Transportation Subject Matter Expert. Throughout her career, Julie has focused on advancing sustainability and conservation initiatives across the Northern Virginia region.

Kristen Harbeson has been the political director at Maryland LCV since 2015, following five years as senior staff for Chairman Maggie McIntosh in the House Environmental Matters and Appropriations Committees. During that time, she has been a key lobbyist in many of the landmark environmental bills that have passed the Maryland General Assembly.  She also leads much of the accountability work at Maryland LCV, including the annual legislative scorecard. Kristen’s approach to advocacy is grounded in a spirit of partnership and collaboration between advocates, experts, and lawmakers. Kristen is a graduate of Hampshire College and the University of Delaware.  She is a 25 year resident of Baltimore City, where she spends time with her other interests: baking, reading, dancing, cats, and spreadsheets.

Burl Haigwood brings over 30 years of experience in the clean fuels and sustainable
transportation sector. As Project Coordinator at GWRCCC, he supports initiatives including the
Maryland Biofuels Task Force, the Northern Virginia Clean Fuels Advisory Board, and
GWRCCC’s Earth Day Walk, Alternative Fuel Vehicle Display & Green Expo.
Throughout his career, Mr. Haigwood has worked with national, state, and local stakeholders,
providing expertise in campaign development, project management, grant writing, alternative
fuel infrastructure development, and public-private partnerships. He has served in a variety of
roles—professional, volunteer, and advisor—always with an entrepreneurial spirit and a deep
commitment to advancing public education campaigns and cleaner transportation fuel solutions.
An accomplished author, Mr. Haigwood co-authored Gasolinegate (New Degree Press, 2023)
and Homegrown Defense: Biofuels & National Security. He has also written numerous editions
of The Fuel Ethanol Fact Book and contributed to a wide range of industry publications and
reports. His previous roles include Vice President of Operations at Information Resources, Inc.,
and Director of Program and Client Development at the Clean Fuels Development Coalition.
In addition to his work with GWRCCC, Mr. Haigwood supports Sustainable Energy Strategies,
Inc., focusing on business innovation and strategic partnerships, and collaborates with authorized
AbilityOne Program nonprofit agencies to help secure federal government contracts that increase
employment opportunities for service-disabled veterans.Burl Haigwood brings over 30 years of experience in the clean fuels and sustainabletransportation sector. As Project Coordinator at GWRCCC, he supports initiatives including theMaryland Biofuels Task Force, the Northern Virginia Clean Fuels Advisory Board, and GWRCCC’s Earth Day Walk, Alternative Fuel Vehicle Display & Green Expo.
Throughout his career, Mr. Haigwood has worked with national, state, and local stakeholders, providing expertise in campaign development, project management, grant writing, alternative fuel infrastructure development, and public-private partnerships. He has served in a variety of roles—professional, volunteer, and advisor—always with an entrepreneurial spirit and a deep commitment to advancing public education campaigns and cleaner transportation fuel solutions.
An accomplished author, Mr. Haigwood co-authored Gasolinegate (New Degree Press, 2023) and Homegrown Defense: Biofuels & National Security. He has also written numerous editions of The Fuel Ethanol Fact Book and contributed to a wide range of industry publications and reports. His previous roles include Vice President of Operations at Information Resources, Inc., and Director of Program and Client Development at the Clean Fuels Development Coalition.
In addition to his work with GWRCCC, Mr. Haigwood supports Sustainable Energy Strategies, Inc., focusing on business innovation and strategic partnerships, and collaborates with authorized AbilityOne Program nonprofit agencies to help secure federal government contracts that increase employment opportunities for service-disabled veterans.

Jill Hamilton is Founder and President of Sustainable Energy Strategies, Inc. (SESI). She has more than 25 years of consulting experience in the alternative transportation fuels industry. Over the past 20 years, Jill and her team have raised hundreds of millions of dollars for the biofuels industry.

As a licensed dealer, Computerized Auto Search (CAS) has extensive buying and selling power across the United States. Since founding CAS in 1988, the goal has been to help individuals secure the best quality vehicles for their budgets and to support them throughout the financing process. Over the years, we have expanded our services to include corporations, auto manufacturers, dealerships, insurance companies, government agencies, and lending institutions
nationwide. Additionally, we operate a retail facility open to the public.

The number of vehicles we purchase is tailored to our clients’ needs—CAS can acquire a single vehicle or more than 5,000 at a time. Beyond purchasing, we assist businesses with vehicle transportation, reconditioning, and title preparation. Our access includes sedans, coupes, SUVs, light and heavy-duty trucks, Mack trucks, vans, and virtually any other type of land vehicle you may require. We source vehicles from U.S. Dealers Auto Auctions and maintain strong
relationships with Manheim, Adesa, an Independent Dealers Auto Auction, enabling us to procure current year and late-model vehicles—often factory or off-lease units with 600 to 10,000 miles and under manufacturer’s warranty.

CAS is eager to broaden our market reach and is dedicated to achieving growth both domestically and internationally. We look forward to the possibility of working together and communicating soon.

Edward Hubbard is RFA’s General Counsel, a role he has filled since July 2011. In addition to general counsel duties, he leads RFA’s efforts in advancing its tax and international trade public policy agenda. As part of his lobbying and government relations outreach, he works to promote a policy framework that encourages greater production and use of ethanol.

Prior to joining RFA, Edward served as Legislative Director and Counsel in the office of U.S. Representative Albert Wynn. He advised former Congressman Wynn, who was a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, on legislative activities and helped manage the office and its staff. He also oversaw the Congressman’s regional whip duties, Maryland Delegation leadership responsibilities, and Chair activities for the CBC Small Business Task Force, Hydrogen Caucus, and Wireless Caucus.

Richard Jackson is the Director of the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE). He provides strategic guidance and leadership to a workforce of more than 450 environmental professionals and oversees the daily operations of five administrations that work collaboratively to protect the environment and conserve natural resources in the District of Columbia.

Mr. Jackson joined DOEE in 2008 as a hazardous waste inspector in the Environmental Services Administration (ESA).  He advanced quickly, assuming increasing levels of responsibility within the agency.  Prior to his appointment as interim director, he served as senior deputy director — the second in command at DOEE.  In this capacity, and working closely with then Director Tommy Wells, he was instrumental in coordinating the agency’s operations, including the development and implementation of regulations, procedures, and budget to ensure progress toward its strategic plans and objectives.

Mr. Jackson is established in the chemical and environmental engineering industry. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience, he has successfully led teams to solve a wide range of environmental issues.  He has extensive experience in hazardous waste management, chemical production and processing, nuclear power plant maintenance, occupational safety, research development, and quality assurance auditing.

As Mayor, Emmett has built durable partnerships with leaders at the county, state, and federal levels. He currently serves on the boards of the National League of Cities, the Maryland Municipal League, and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, and he is a past president of the Prince George’s County Municipal Association. These roles give Greenbelt a voice in critical regional and national discussions—on housing, transportation, sustainability, and economic growth.

Dr. Kabir, has represented District 1 for the past 12 years. Prior to making College Park his home, he lived in England, where he received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, and in Canada. For his day job, he works as an information architect for the Federal Government. He has also taught Cybersecurity at the University of Maryland for eight years.

Mr. Kebede has over 18 years of software and systems engineering experience with a passion and track record of leveraging technologies to architect and implement innovative business solutions. He has a deep and broad SharePoint expertise and a strong background in .Net Framework, GIS technologies, broad ranging expertise and experience in enterprise integration, windows/web application development, SOA/ web services, information architecture, database design/ development, Business Intelligence development, COTS integration, legacy systems migration, and leading the development, operations, and maintenance of a variety of systems.
Mr. Kebede was the recipient of ManTech International Mission, Cyber and Technology Solutions Group’s (MCTS) 2009 top innovation award (3,000+ employees). He was the first to receive this award when it started. Prior to launching Amrot, Mr. Kebede worked as a Senior SharePoint Consultant for General Dynamics Information Technology and as a System Development Scientist for ManTech International.

Mr. Kebede has a Bachelor of Science degree from Technical University of Berlin, Germany, in Industrial Engineering and two Master of Science Degrees from Louisiana State University in Civil Engineering and Information Technology Engineering

Dr. Maureen Kinyua is the Founder and Sustainability Educator at Usafi Tech LLC, a climate education and leadership platform that provides strategy, structure and community for professionals, institutions (municipalities, utilities, agencies), and community leaders who want to help themselves and their communities create a cleaner planet.  With over 15 years of experience advancing clean water, renewable energy, and sustainable infrastructure solutions across the U.S. and internationally, her career began as a Field Engineer designing waste-to-energy systems for farming communities. She has since led climate-smart water infrastructure initiatives in the Washington, D.C. metro region, advised on state-level environmental policies e.g., California’s Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), and worked with global partners in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Kenya, Brazil, Prague, and more. A former professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of California, Davis, Dr. Kinyua taught sustainability and engineering courses bridging science, policy, and practice. She is a licensed Professional Engineer (Maryland) and holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from the University of South Florida.

R. Earl Lewis, Jr became MDOT Maryland Transit Administration’s (MTA) first Director of Zero Emission Bus Infrastructure in March of 2023. He has been with the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) for over 22 years. He is proud to be a member of the MTA Team of Transit Professionals that successfully moved the MTA’s 7 Battery Electric Buses (BEBs) into revenue service in late January 2024. This is the beginning of a large-scale transition by MTA toa primarily Zero Emission Transit Bus fleet over the coming years and decades. Earl was part of the MTA Team that recently was awarded the APTA 2025 Bus Emergency Management Gold Award for its’ Battery Electric Bus First Responder Training Program.

Deron Lovaas has worked on state and federal transportation policy for more than three decades. He’s Chief of Environment and Sustainable Transportation in the Secretary’s office at the Maryland Department of Transportation. His team’s portfolio includes climate mitigation and resilience, vehicle electrification, active transportation, and environmental compliance and innovation. He worked for more than 20 years at the Natural Resources Defense Council before joining MDOT, leading initiatives and projects focused on transportation, utility, housing, and clean vehicles policy. Before that he worked with other nonprofit advocacy groups including the Sierra Club, and he served briefly with the Maryland Department of the Environment. Deron graduated from the University of Virginia.

LP Monroe serves as the Deputy Fleet Division Manager for Prince George’s County, Maryland, where she provides strategic leadership over a fleet of 4,383 vehicles, 19 fuel sites, and two full-service garage facilities. A visionary operations executive with over 13 years in fleet management and two decades in the nonprofit sector, LP utilizes innovation, discipline, and purpose to drive performance and position public-sector fleets for the future. She holds a Master’s in Public Health, multiple fleet certifications,
and a Class A fuel operator’s license.

Under her leadership, the County has maintained a 95% vehicle availability rate, achieved a 94.6% fill rate, and sustained 98% customer satisfaction through rigorous performance monitoring and user engagement. She introduced soy-based tires with a 0% return rate, soy bio-based products for all shop operations and led the County in meeting a 3% annual increase in electric vehicle procurement, advancing its sustainability and fleet resilience goals. LP’s ability to translate policy into operational excellence is demonstrated by her cross-agency collaborations, including the planning and execution of the region’s first OEM/PPV Invitational— an initiative that garnered national recognition and strengthened public safety fleet modernization across the Mid-Atlantic.

LP is deeply committed to building inclusive, empowered teams. She has instituted workforce development programs that have resulted in internal promotions and skill growth, ensuring the County’s workforce is equipped to meet evolving demands. Her leadership philosophy is rooted in alignment— bridging technology, service delivery, and interagency partnerships to deliver results that matter.

Katie Peige is the Sustainability Manager for Maryland Aviation Administration, owner and operator of Baltimore/ Washington International Thurgood Marshall and Martin State Airports. In this role, Katie manages MAA’s sustainability program that highlights initiatives that showcase environmental protection, fiscal responsibility, social equity, and quality of life improvement. Katie is leading a decarbonization feasibility study and plan, an effort made possible from grant funds awarded from the FAA and Maryland Energy Administration. Katie has over ten years of experience in leading and engaging teams in collaborative initiatives that maximize the effectiveness of sustainability programs, promoting initiatives through printed and online media, and serving as an educator teaching students and community members about water management, circularity, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. As a two-time Sun Devil, Katie earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sustainability and a Master of Sustainability Solutions from Arizona State University.

Julia has served as the General Manager, Environmental Regulation & Research, at Toyota Motor North America since spring 2025. Prior to that, Julia was at Mercedes-Benz as General Manager of Regulatory Affairs for three years and at Auto Innovators as the Vice President for Energy and Environment.  She made the transition to Auto Innovators from the Association of Global Automakers, where she spent nine years in the Environment & Energy department.  Julia engages in regulatory policy and advocacy at the federal and state levels on vehicle issues such as, electrification and consumer awareness programs, fuel economy, greenhouse gas and criteria emissions, fuels and infrastructure, and substances of concern.  Prior to 2011, Julia served as senior regulatory engineer at the Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc.  She also worked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality as an environmental engineer.  Julia has a Masters in Environmental Engineering from the University of Michigan and B. A. in Environmental Science from Northwestern University.

Jerry T. Sanford is a seasoned executive with three decades of public and private sector experience in economic development, public private partnerships, business development and corporate growth. Prior to joining The Harbor Bank of Maryland, Mr. Sanford held senior positions at the Maryland Department of Commerce, Alexandria (VA) Economic Development Partnership, Washington Gas a WGL Company and the Montgomery County (MD) Economic Development Corporation. He has been involved in impactful and transformational projects with capital expenditures totaling over $1 Billion dollars with companies such as Sodexo, Amazon, Choice Hotels, and Merck (EMD). Mr. Sanford also serves on the Board of Directors of the Maryland Economic Development Association, Sons of the American Legion Squadron 41 and Employ Prince George’s. Mr. Sanford’s community service also includes 33 years as a volunteer firefighter/EMT in Montgomery County, MD. He has a B.S. in Business Management from the University of Maryland Global Campus with additional education in economic development and real estate development.

Steve Skolnik retired as Vice President for Operations for a local electrical contracting firm with current annual revenues exceeding $100 million, including many projects installing solar photovoltaic energy systems (PVES).  He is a master electrician, having held licenses in numerous local jurisdictions, and in retirement continues to advise and advocate for development and use of alternative energy solutions, focusing on municipal and local solar power systems and development of local electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.
Steve studied engineering as an undergraduate and holds a B.Sc. degree; he has worked as an electrician, foreman, high school trades teacher, estimator, project manager, and vice president in the electrical trade for over 35 years.  He and his wife of over 50 years make their home in Greenbelt, the wonderful community where they raised three children and currently serve as volunteers for the City of Greenbelt as well as for their housing cooperative.
When he is not working on solar or EV projects, you are likely to find Steve on his bicycle, pedaling the numerous local bikeways of the Anacostia trails network or country roads of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and Patuxent Wildlife Sanctuary.

Our Founder, Brooke Smallwood, has a 23-year career in energy. She has worked for the three largest utilities in North America: Exelon, Southern Company and Alta Gas, and was a pioneer in designing and implementing energy efficiency, renewable energy and electric vehicle infrastructure programs. Feeling that the energy sector was not innovating fast enough, Brooke set forth to start her own energy firm to fill the gaps.

Having recently read Ernest Cline’s 2011 book “Ready Player One”, Brooke imagined what our world would become if we failed to innovate to solve the critical issues of energy, equity, climate change and decarbonization. Brooke understood the importance of creating a safe space for energy. A space where innovation reigned supreme, and the world benefitted from ingenuity. Like the book, she named this space the OASIS.  

Suji leads the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Segment for ABB’s Electrification Business.  Suji Sullivan’s passion for sustainability and green innovation led her to join ABB two years ago to lead their US Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Segment.  In this role, Suji and her team partner with industry leaders in the electrification of transportation to find scalable solutions to quickly and efficiently build the power distribution infrastructure required for electrification.  Suji is a mechanical engineer from the University of Texas and has an extensive experience in the electrical, industrial and telecom sectors working for 3M, Prysmian and Davlyn Group.   A hallmark of Sujata’s career is her ability to recognize innovative product development opportunities and strategizing with technology leaders to explore mutually beneficial partnerships.

Arthur T. Summerville III is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in clean energy, medical technology, and business consulting. As Chief Revenue Officer and co-founder of Woundwise and WoundPic, he oversees medical distribution and consulting operations supporting healthcare clients across the U.S., Colombia, the Middle East, and West Africa. Arthur also serves as Chief Revenue Officer at Iceberg Sustainable, where he has been instrumental in securing $5 million in federal funding to advance waste-to-green energy solutions. His expertise also extends to the hydrogen industry, where he has contributed to innovative projects driving sustainable energy adoption.

With a career spanning senior management roles at The Blackstone Group, Jani-King Franchises, and GSK, Arthur brings a proven track record in scaling businesses and driving innovation. He holds a B.S. in Computer Communication Technology with a minor in Business Administration from North Carolina A&T State University and an M.S. in Imaging Science Technology from Rochester Institute of Technology.

Antoine M. Thompson is a nationally recognized leader for environmental justice, green business, housing, diversity and urban policy.  Antoine is the Executive Director of the Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition (GWRCCC), a public-private partnership that promotes the use of clean, American transportation fuels for homeland security, improved air quality, environment justice, diversity and inclusion.

He is the former Executive Director of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) the oldest organization of African-American real estate professionals in the United States. Antoine led efforts to increase advocacy on Capitol Hill on closing the racial wealth gap through increasing the rate of Black homeownership.

Thompson, as the owner of Thompson Ag Consulting, LLC, serves as the Executive Director of the Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board; Maryland Grain Producers Association; the Industry Task Force II on 2,4-D Research Data; and the Delaware-Maryland Agribusiness Association. After graduating from Washington College with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, Thompson worked in the Maryland State Legislature as chief of staff to Delegate Cathy Vitale. While pursuing her Master of Science in Public Policy from the University of Maryland, College Park, she worked at the Maryland Farm Bureau Government Relations office in Annapolis and then worked for Maryland Agricultural Associated doing government and public relations before starting her own firm.

Thompson Ag Consulting has since had numerous clients utilize its association management services, including Bayer Crop Science, Growmark FS, CropLife America, the Maryland Pork Producers Associations, Mid-Atlantic Certified Crop Advisers, Maryland Green Industries Council, and Maryland Arborist Association. Thompson lives in Queenstown, where she also farms with her husband and three children.

Ingrid Scott Watson (formerly Harrison) was elected in the November 2022 General Election to her first term on the Prince George’s County Council and represents Councilmanic District 4. Council Member Watson’s longstanding history of community service in the county spans 27 years. In November 2018, she was elected to the Prince George’s County Democratic Central Committee, Legislative District 23B. In November 2019, she was elected to an At-Large seat on the Bowie City Council. In this capacity, she served as Council Liaison to the Public Safety and Diversity committees; the Bowie Racetrack Executive Board; and spearheaded development of the Youth Advisory Committee. Council Member Watson’s previous employment includes Government Affairs Manager, Children’s National Hospital; Outreach and Communications Manager, Employ Prince George’s; and Community Outreach Coordinator, Prince George’s County Council District 4 office.

Paul serves as Director of Public Affairs and Federal Communications for Clean Fuels Alliance America, leading communications efforts and media outreach on federal policy priorities. Since joining Clean Fuels Alliance America, Paul has helped members build robust relationships with members of Congress and provided effective tools to educate stakeholders about the effectiveness of federal policies and the benefits of biodiesel and renewable diesel.

Andrew Wishnia is a former political appointee in the Biden-Harris Administration. He was the first ever Deputy Assistant Secretary for Climate Policy in the U.S. Department of Transportation. Andrew served in the U.S. House, U.S. Senate, White House, Federal Highway Administration, and stood up the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation. While there he was the principal architect of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Andrew was also the former USDOT Chief Environmental Review and Permitting Officer (CERPO), the former Senior Policy Advisor to the Committee on Environment and Public Works in the U.S. Senate, and held leadership roles at the White House Council on Environmental Quality in the Office of Federal Sustainability and worked in the U.S. House of Representatives for Congressman John Yarmuth.